Page 134 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Val—”

Valda swallowed her cry in an imposing kiss, just as Maris’s hand tightened around her hair as her body tensed in her release.

And then there was silence except for the heavy breathing and the thumping of her heart. Valda pulled Maris to her, cradling her body, wrapping her arms around her, hiding her away from everything and everyone. If only Valda was able to pull out the sadness lingering inside Maris’s heart. But she couldn’t, and she hated herself for it.

“I can’t lose you,” Maris whispered.

“You won’t,” Valda vowed, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Maris’s breathing evened out, her exhaustion finally taking over as she fell asleep against Valda’s chest. Valda held her tighter, her eyes misting as she pressed another kiss to Maris’s hair.

“I’ll always be here,” Valda whispered into the stillness of the night. “Always.”

Maris bit down on the piece of buttered bread Valda had given her, her stomach tied in knots. But she knew the discomfort was more from the lack of food over the past few days than from her nerves. She took a sip from her coffee cup and closed her eyes reverently. She needed that, and she needed the good rest she had the night before.

She was grateful for Valda, grateful for the bond and that she didn’t need to say much for the other woman to know exactly what she needed. It didn’t take long for Valda to wake up, look at her, and know she needed breakfast.

She slipped from the covers, got dressed, and left to get them both something to eat. While she waited for her, she walked to the room where the twins were and watched them as they slept. It was a quiet morning, and although she felt the heaviness of what had happened on her shoulders, she could still appreciate the blessing of a quiet morning with newborn babies…

“I got us some eggs,” Valda announced, walking into the room holding a plate with scrambled eggs and more toast. “You should get some protein in your body,” she muttered, not before taking a piece of bread and gathering a handful of eggs in it and shoving it in her mouth.

Maris watched her eat as if she hadn’t had a proper meal in days. But then chuckled when Valda frowned at the egg plate. “I see Vulcanians still hate to season their food…” Valda said, taking another piece of bread, stuffing it with egg and handing it to Maris.

With a rueful smile, Maris took the proffered bread and took a bite before nodding at Valda. “Gods, you are right.”

“We’ve been spoiled with Sealian and Skylian food, it seems…” Valda joked, her muscles visibly relaxing when Maris laughed. “I ran into Coral on the way here. She said she will visit us soon to feed Struan and Ciel.”

Maris nodded before releasing a heavy sigh. “I am not sure how this will play out. Coral has her own child to deal with and—“

“We will figure it out when the time comes. For now, she is more than happy to help us. Besides, whatever happens to us, or to Eyphah, these two,” Valda paused to look at both Struan and Ciel. “They are loved and they will be loved no matter what happens.”

“I promised Melvian I would take care of them,” Maris said before Valda raised the cup of coffee in her hands and made her take another sip.

“And we are, and we will. They are the future of our kingdoms. We will not abandon them,” saying that, Valda stood up once more and walked to the makeshift cradle.

Looking at the babies and Valda, a fluttering feeling invaded Maris. The idea of keeping the babies as their own warmed her heart to no end. Maris knew Valda would shower them with affection and teach them to be proud of their cultures, both Sealian and Skylian. The more Maris thought about it, the warmer her chest felt.

Leaning on the edge of the crib, Valda rested her face on one arm before stretching the other. She rubbed the back of her hand against Struan’s chubby cheek and then moved a lock of blue hair away from Ciel’s forehead.

They could be wonderful parents… Right?

A smile spread over Maris’s lips before a name rattled her body.

Eyphah.

Their aunt.

Although Isen and Melvian had wanted Valda and Maris to care for them in their absence, Eyphah might want to keep them both. She was in her right, being the children’s only living blood relative.

Maris swallowed hard.

When the war was over, would Eyphah take them away?

Would she leave with them?

“If this thing bites me, I am eating it.”

Maris straightened and turned to the door while Valda released an annoyed sigh and called for Cerberus.

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