Page 16 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Tartarus, I know! I thought all Sealians were sucking at the kingdom’s teats and using resources. There is no way any of them would be a traitor.”

Valda tensed.Sealians?

“She was a bit of a troublemaker. I have a friend in the army, and she started a fight with him. Him! A soldier! Can you believe that?”

One man scoffed and shook his head before waving his hand at the server. “‘Ey! What was the name of that barmaid? I am sure you should know.”

“The only Sealian who worked here recently was the Maris girl,” the server answered, placing three glasses of ginger beer on the table for the men.

Valda’s eyes grew as wide as saucers, and Isen gave her a warning look. She shouldn’t draw attention to herself now.

“Why in the world would a girl like her be seen as a traitor? I don’t get it.”

“I have no idea, but I heard Queen Valda is still alive after all this. My soldier friends said a group of castle soldiers have run away from Arwin’s hold.”

“What? They fled?”

“I mean, wouldn’t you? The man is mad. He killed so many people all because they denied him as king. Queen Valda wouldn’t have done that.”

“Nah, she just killed the Vulcanian King for no reason other than a hunch. I understand she is pissed her mother was probably assassinated by that asshole, but what proof did she have?”

The man closest to Valda and Isen let out a loud sigh and rubbed his red face. “But where would those soldiers go? They are now wanted.”

“My friend told me some are fleeing to Umbriel, but he also said a large portion was hiding in Titania. The city is too big and the closest to the desert, it would be impossible for Arwin to find everyone unless, of course, people rat them out.”

“I still wonder what the Sealian barmaid got to do with anything?”

The tavern maiden laughed and looked at the man who had first asked about Maris’s name. “Someone’s infatuated.”

“Oh, please. My wife would kill me. She just caught my attention, that’s all.”

“I am glad she is gone. Boy, was she a pain in the ass. She was always complaining when the boss gave her late shifts.” The tavern maiden mumbled while heat rose through Valda. How dare this woman talk about Maris in such a way?

Isen grabbed her forearm and gave it a firm squeeze. He shook his head in silent warning.

“She might have been a pain, but, man, did she have a fine ass. I always wished she would walk past me so I could take a nice peek at it.”

Isen’s hand moved to Valda’s neck as she stood from the table. The chair behind her fell, clattering loudly as it hit the floor, causing Cerberus to jump to the bar’s counter, knocking the men’s drink. After the clattering, loud curses and scraping of stools subsided, the tavern grew quiet. The three men and server turned to look at Valda.

“Animals are not allowed in the tavern,” the tavern maiden said, eyeing Isen and then Cerberus.

“Yes, of course.” Isen reached for Cerberus, grabbing her by the scruff.

Growling, Cerberus scratched Isen’s hand and jumped away from his grasp, bolting under the table he shared with Valda. Giving the barmaid an apologetic grin, Isen said, “Can you please bring the food to our room?”

The server did not talk. She nodded, wiped her hand with her apron, and walked to the kitchen.

“Follow me,friend.” Isen gritted his teeth before pulling Valda by her arm and up the stairs. Cerberus followed them close behind.

Once inside the small room, Isen turned to Valda, his voice low, “Your Highness, you need to control yourself. You need to understand, we cannot complicate this more than it already is. I understand what you are feeling, but really, how can fighting someone talking about Maris solve anything?”

“I am not responsible for what my cat does, Isen.”

“You know what I am talking about!” Isen replied, pulling the scarf from his head and allowing his long hair to be free. He gripped his curls in frustration as he paced in the middle of the room. “I left my mate, my pregnant mate, for this. For you! And I swear if I am going to die, I will die an honorable death, not because you couldn’t keep your cool.”

“If it was for me, we would’ve done so much differently.”

“Really, Your Highness? How? Waltz into the castle with a handful of soldiers and hope for the best?”

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