Page 149 of The Stolen Kingdom

With a sinister grin, the man slipped a hand around her throat and squeezed firmly. Valda released one hand to grip his wrist, struggling to keep her sword away from her chest as he pushed in. She felt the other side of her blade digging through her blouse, almost to her skin.

Her chest tightened until she heard rapid footsteps heading her way. She closed her eyes, leaned her head to the side just as something whistled next to her.

Suddenly, she heard a blunt object smashing Arwin. The man released his grip on her throat and stumbled away from her.

Valda opened her eyes just in time to see Maris block one of his attacks. She held the trident over her head, shoved Arwin and thrusted her weapon forward.

Sidestepping an attack, Arwin grabbed the trident, pulled it towards him, bringing Maris forward and smashed his forehead against her nose.

Letting out a loud curse, Maris stumbled to the ground as the trident clanked loudly next to her.

Blood dripped from Maris’s nose as she groaned, shaking her head to clear the daze. Arwin wasted no time, lunging forward to deliver a finishing blow, but Valda was faster. She intercepted him mid-strike, her blade carving a sharp arc between them. The force of her swing sent Arwin staggering a step back, giving Maris enough time to recover.

Pushing off the ground, Maris grabbed her trident, spinning it in a deadly flourish before planting her feet next to Valda. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second.

“You never follow instructions, do you?”

“I thought I made that clear since the day we met.” Maris scoffed.

Another explosion sounded, and the far-right wall of the throne room crumbled, taking a window with it. The pouring rain outside blew into the chamber alongside the stormy wind.

Valda wasted no time. She surged forward, slicing downward in a brutal motion. Arwin deflected her strike, twisting his sword to force hers away, but Maris was already there. She ducked low, sweeping her trident at his legs. Arwin leaped back, avoiding the strike by inches, but as soon as his feet touched the ground, Valda’s boot crashed into his ribs, sending him skidding across the floor.

He barely had a moment to breathe before Maris followed up, the sharpened tip of the trident thrusting toward his chest. Arwin twisted his body, dodging at the last second, but Maris anticipated it. She flicked her wrist, the water around them obeying her call. The rain surged, forming razor-thin whips that lashed at Arwin, forcing him to shield his face with his arms.

Valda seized the moment. With a cry, she raised the Heaven Sword and slashed down. Arwin spun his blade just in time, parrying her strike with a deafening clang. The force sent vibrations up Valda’s arms, but she held firm. They stood locked together, swords pressing against each other, muscles straining.

“Still think you can win?” Valda growled.

Arwin sneered. “You always were predictable.”

Maris broke their deadlock. She moved like a shadow, her trident spinning as she aimed low, forcing Arwin to jump back. The second his feet left the ground, Valda turned her blade, twisting in a sharp motion that sent Arwin’s sword flying from his grip. It clattered against the stone floor, out of reach.

Arwin hissed, his hands moving, summoning a surge of purple energy in his palm.

Valda’s stomach clenched. “Maris, now!”

Maris thrust her trident forward, but instead of aiming for Arwin, she struck the ground at his feet. The moment the trident connected, the rainwater pooled beneath them erupted into thick, twisting tendrils. They coiled around Arwin’s legs and yanked him down, slamming him against the floor with a sickening thud.

He struggled, his fingers clawing at the ground, but Valda was already moving. She jumped onto his chest, pinning him down with the weight of her body, her blade pressing against his throat.

“Not so strong without your sword, are you?” she hissed.

Maris stood beside her, breathless but steady, her eyes flashing with determination. “End this, Valda.”

A deafening boom shattered once more, this time from above them. The force knocked Valda off balance and before she could recover, a violent crack split through the ceiling above them.

Valda’s gaze shot up. The massive stone beams that had once supported the throne room trembled, fractures spreading like veins across their surface. Dust and shattered pieces of marble rained down.

“Fuck!”

Without hesitation, Valda shoved Arwin away and whirled toward Maris. Her heart lurched as she saw her mate staring up at the impending collapse, frozen for just a fraction of a second.

Valda lunged and wrapped her arms around Maris, pressing their bodies together as the air around them roared in protest. Holding her breath, she pulled on the wind with every ounce of power she had left, encapsulating them both in a tight, protective bubble.

Chunks of stone and burning wood crashed down, the impact sending violent tremors through the air. The wind cocooned them, carrying them effortlessly through the swirling debris.

Then, gravity took hold.

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