Page 155 of The Stolen Kingdom

Maris’s beautiful blue eyes shot up to her, and a soft smile curved her lips. Heat spread through her chest and neck. How was it possible that a simple smile could undo her in such a way?

Maris offered her some food as well, adding a bit of an extra sauce made of tomato and spices. Valda took it, but she was too enthralled watching Maris feed those around her. She didn’t notice a blob of sauce falling from the casabe and staining her slacks.

“Do you need a bib?” Maris asked, grabbing cloth and wiping Valda’s slacks with a wide grin on her face.

Valda shook her head, her eyes glued to Maris before the distinct sound of babies crying filled the villa. Maris’s expression lit up, and her neck turned towards the entryway.

An exhausted Eyphah walked in, her arms heavy with two screaming babies.

“The twins!” Maris yelped, dropping the cloth, and running towards the other Sealian woman.

Eyphah’s rueful smile, surprisingly, didn’t make Valda’s stomach turn with jealousy. Instead, she studied the other woman’s appearance. She was tired, and for someone who found their soulmate, she didn’t look as happy as Valda would expect.

As Eyphah gave Maris one baby, they made their way towards Valda again. Eyphah’s smile didn’t vanish as she kneeled before Valda and handed the second child to her. Ciel’s wide-open honey eyes looked at Valda, then around the room before settling on Eyphah again. Her tiny hands were outstretched, reaching for nothing and everything at the same time. Valda cradled the child to her chest, sharing the warmth from her body while Maris snuggled close to her, holding Struan, still screaming at the top of his lungs.

“I need to sleep,” Eyphah announced, pointing at the dark circles under her eyes. “I am glad you are awake, Your Highness.” She paused, looked at Valda, and bowed her head low. “Thank you for bringing her home.”

Valda nodded. “I made a promise.”

“Regardless… thank you.” Turning to Maris, Eyphah bowed once again and left.

The murmuring and laughter inside the villa diminished until the sound of the raging waves outside was the only thing enveloping them. Struan’s fussing continued until Maris pressed her forehead to his. The baby calmed down the moment their skin touched. Chuckling, Maris pulled away and regarded Valda with a smile.

“Can you imagine if we could pass our gifts on these two?”

“Last I knew, only gods and goddesses can do that,” Valda said, looking at Ciel, who slept peacefully in her embrace.

“We are the gods’ vessels…” Maris said, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “Who says we can’t bless our babies with this gift?”

Ours?Valda swallowed hard, then looked down at Ciel. It made sense, somehow, that they could give their gift to someone that wasn’t their bloodline. What happened to those kings before her that couldn’t have a child?

Sighing, Valda pressed her forehead to Ciel’s and then closed her eyes. The steady warmth of the symbol on her forehead grew as the light filtered through her eyelids. Ciel woke up, fussed at the heat radiating from Valda’s forehead, and cried softly. Pulling away, the soft light feathered over the baby’s face until it disappeared as golden dust into the cold air.

Valda blinked once and turned to Maris, who was staring at her with parted lips.

“Did it work?” Maris asked, her gaze jumping from Ciel to Valda.

“We won’t know until they are older…” Valda said before jutting her chin to Struan. “Try it.”

Maris frowned as she regarded Struan. He was awake, honey eyes looking up at her with both bewilderment and curiosity. Maris didn’t hesitate. She pressed her foreheadto Struan, whose little hands grabbed hold of her blue strands. The same soft hue that appeared on Valda’s forehead shone from Maris onto Struan. The baby fussed until Maris pulled away. He yawned, closed his eyes, and settled in her arms to sleep.

“What would Melvian say if she were here?” Valda asked.

Pain surfaced in their bond, but it washed away with mischievousness and a hint of joy. Maris smiled and shook her head before she said, “She would be pissed.”

“Why?”

“Because she would have to clean up the mess they would cause if theydohave our powers.“ Maris chuckled, nuzzling her nose to Struan’s cheek. “Little tornadoes and typhoons.”

Valda watched intently. The tender moment was something she had hoped for. Holding Isen and Melvian’s babies as if they were her own, watching her mate kiss and care for them while resting in her kingdom…

Without saying a word, Maris stood from her spot and made her way back to the chamber. Valda followed suit, as did Cerberus, who had been sleeping next to her. Inside the chamber, Maris settled Struan on the bed, then took Ciel from Valda’s arms and set her next to her brother, took a step back and studied them.

“If Eyphah says it’s all right, I would love to care for them,” Maris said, rubbing the back of her hand against Ciel’s cheek. “It would be like having a piece of Melvian around still.”

Valda nodded. “I would love to care for them as well, but Eyphah is their aunt and—”

“I think she had a lot to deal with, being Kenna’s mate,” Maris interrupted before turning to Valda. “Do you think they will marry?” she asked, then her eyes widened. “Are we supposed to get—”

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