Page 154 of The Stolen Kingdom

“A miracle,” Valda said.

“I died, didn’t I?”

Valda closed her eyes tightly, grabbed her hand and pressed it to her face. “I don’t know who I must thank for it. I don’t know if it was Ouranos, Poseidon or Asclepius, but you were brought back to me. I felt the bond dissolve, but then I felt it snap back into place and…” Valda shuddered, kissing Maris’s hands reverently. “I don’t want to feel that ever again.”

Looking at Cerberus now, Maris remembered her limping towards them, she remembered the bombs, the destruction. “Oberon Castle—”

“I’ve already ordered its reconstruction,” Valda said. “Kayden and Kenna have been helping me with materials and working hands. In the meantime, we are here…”

Maris lower jaw quivered. “We are in the Sea Kingdom?” she asked again, unable to believe it. After all this time, after everything they went through…

Valda nodded before hooking one arm under Maris’s legs and cradling her to her chest. Cerberus jumped off the bed, running towards the exit, while Maris released a surprised yelp. She wrapped her arms around Valda’s shoulders and pressed her face to Valda’s temple as she was carried out of the chamber. The sound of rushing water turned into butterflies in her stomach as the faces of happy Sealians zoomed by.

The sun kissed her skin, warming her very soul as the scent of salt filled her lungs. And the breeze… Maris sighed, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the breeze roaring inside her head. Overwhelmed and on the brink of tears, she clutched Valda’s shoulders and pressed her forehead to her temple.

The other woman scoffed softly before peppering soft kisses to her cheek. Maris didn’t move. Instead, she accepted the sweet caress and shook her head, her eyes still closed.

“It’s all right, Seashell. You can open your eyes,” Valda said, with a softness in her voice that touched the very fiber of their bond.

“I am scared.”

“Of what?”

“I am not sure. Maybe I think it will be too overwhelming.”

Valda chuckled, her nose bumping on the side of her face. “Open your eyes. I swear you will love it.”

Sighing, Maris pulled away from Valda’s comforting caress. A soft golden light seeped into Maris’s closed eyelids. As her eyes fluttered open, her gaze was drawn to thebreathtaking beauty unfurling before her. She knew the Sea Kingdom was beautiful thanks to Isen and Valda’s stories, but what was before her was something otherworldly.

The vast expanse of the ocean stretched out into infinity. Its waters were kissed by the tender blush of a setting sun. The moving waters were alive with shades of embers and white gold. As the waves crested, they called Maris to dip her toes in, to take it all in.

To hear the stories and read the descriptions and see the illustrations was nothing compared to what was before her. Staring at the sea in its unadulterated glory struck her as incomprehensible in its enormity.

If only Melvian and Isen were here to see it… Her chest tightened for a moment and by the way Valda kissed her temple once more, she knew her mate felt the heaviness within.

The laughing of the children pulled her away from her thoughts as Cai, Coljar, Lia, and Kimmi ran past her into an incoming wave. Although Lia stayed by the shore, the others let themselves fall into the water, screaming in pure delight.

Grinning, Valda lowered Maris’s feet to the warm and soft sand. Behind them, Cerberus shook her paws in annoyance and went back inside.

Maris’s attention went to the sand while she moved her feet, taking it in and how it yielded to her every slight movement.

The murmur of the waves made her shudder in a breath before taking a tentative step towards them. As the water rushed in, it soaked her toes up to her ankles and she squealed in delight. Valda’s laugh echoed behind her, both amused and full of pride.

Turning towards the other woman, Maris grabbed Valda’s hand and pulled her in. Valda hesitated, took off her boots, and rolled up her linen pants before Maris hurried her up. She grabbed her blouse, tugging on it harshly as a powerful wave came and hit them over the thighs.

The squeals of delight from the children gave Maris enough strength to yank Valda into the waters. A strong wave crashed against them, and as Maris lost her footing, she dragged Valda with her. Their laughter was drowned by the waves, and it was Maris who held her ground as the water ebbed away to reveal Valda clumsily trying to get back on her feet.

A surge of joy flourished within Maris. As laughter erupted from her chest, Maris grabbed Valda’s arm, salty water sluiced from her beautiful dark strands, blinding her for a second. The other woman sputtered, wiped her hair away from her face before a childlike grin almost erased the grotesque scar over her left eye. Pulling Valda to her feet, Marisflicked Valda’s hair away from her face before pulling her down and smashing their lips together.

And this…

This was happiness.

It was cold and Valda would not allow Maris to be out playing on the beach so late at night. Never mind the enormous bonfire warming those who stayed outside. Maris was still recuperating, and she needed to rest.

Inside the wooden villa, food filled the living quarters. Warm chicken and casabe were sprawled out for everyone to enjoy. Pitchers filled with meidaia quenched the thirst of all the adults while the little ones drank coconut water. With a satisfied sigh, Valda watched as Maris picked a casabe, filled it with spicy chicken, and handed it to Lia, who ran off with the rest of the kids.

Cerberus lay next to Valda, tail flicking side to side, purring softly, contently.

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