Page 140 of The Stolen Kingdom

Turning to Maris, she noticed her mate staring up at the gathering clouds, first her lips parted in awe, but then a soft smirk spread across her face.

Valda’s stomach turned with anticipation. Finally, things were turning in their favor.

“Valda…” Maris whispered, her eyes locked on the sky, all the while unable to hide her hopeful smile.

“I see it,” Valda murmured back, swallowing her excitement. “Stay close to me.”

One of her men finally spoke. “We were scouting around Prospero and found them. We also brought weapons.” She gestured toward the carriages. “We want King Arwin to take them off our hands. He’s offering quite the bounty for these two. We want our share.”

Arwin’s men exchanged uneasy glances, shifting their weight.

Valda arched a brow. Their body language was wrong. They were nervous and agitated.

What was going on inside the castle?

The guard hesitated before answering. “King Arwin is indisposed at the moment.”

Indisposed?

Valda narrowed her eyes at the soldiers in front of her. Was that bastard even inside the castle? If he wasn’t, all of this was for nothing.

Scoffing, Valda’s guard shook her head and stepped forward. The other two instinctively rested their hands on the hilts of their stolen swords.

“Indisposed?” she repeated, voice thick with disbelief. “We’re not leaving until we get our payment.” She crossed her arms. “And we want the king himself to hand it to us.”

Every time they referred to Arwin as king, Valda wanted to spit on the ground. Her bound hands curled into fists behind her back.

Maris shifted beside her, eyes widening slightly as she shook her head in warning.

“Valda,“ she hissed.

Valda exhaled sharply through her nose, her irritation growing. This back-and-forth was pointless. If she remained too quiet, it might raise suspicion—those who knew her expected her to be hot-headed. But if she lost control too soon, it could ruin everything. But then again…

She pushed herself to her feet. “Enough of this—”

The words barely left her mouth before one of Arwin’s soldiers struck her hard in the stomach. Pain exploded through her torso, knocking the air from her lungs as she crumpled forward, barely catching herself on her knees.

“Valda!” Maris moved instantly, shuffling closer, her bound hands struggling to reach her.

“Stay put!” Valda gritted out, forcing herself upright despite the throbbing in her core.

“Touch her again, and we will have a problem,” her guard snapped, stepping between Valda and Arwin’s men. “They are to be delivered to King Arwin unharmed. The bounty clearly states the reward is higher if they’re alive.”

The other Skylian sneered. “Leave them here. We’ll contact you when we have the payment.”

“Do you take us for fools? We went to great lengths to get these two—not to mention the Vulcanian rats we had to kill to secure these weapons. And you think we’ll just walk away empty-handed?” Valda’s guard narrowed her eyes.

Before the guard could respond, another drop of water landed before Valda, then another one, and then another. Raising her face to the heavens, more dark clouds gathered as it started to rain.

Her guard shifted, clearly growing restless. “Could you at least let us inside?” She moved her hands palm up. “It is raining after all…”

Arwin’s men looked at each other for a second before one of them rolled his eyes and shrugged.

“Fine.”

Valda released the breath she was holding and allowed her soldier to pull her up to her feet while the Skylian pulled Maris up. Her stomach turned when Maris eyed her.

Something was brewing inside Maris. Valda could feel it.

---