Page 17 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Sounds like a good idea. Much better than hiding.”

“We are not hiding. We are recouping. Andagain,with all due respect, you walked into the castle with your mate and almost lost your life and hers. I think maybe we should change tactics.”

Valda scoffed, then pressed her hand over the wound on her flank. Her agitation was not working in her favor; her temper tantrum was beginning to hurt. “You think going around hiding as scoundrels will help us?”

“You see, this is why some people out there believe Arwin is a better ruler than you. He premeditates every single thing he does, waits for the right time and doesn’t make harsh decisions as you do!” As soon as the words left Isen’s mouth, his face twisted with regret. He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples with the meat of his palms.

“I am imprudent?” Valda’s head slanted as she moved threateningly closer to Isen.

“You said it, not me.” Isen’s eyes lingered on the ground as he thought his words over.

“I should kill you for such an insult…” Valda leaned over him. Even if she was hunching slightly, her frame was still as prominent and taut as his.

“Kill me, and then you are really alone.”

Valda blinked, surprised by Isen’s sudden answer. She took a step back, and they gave each other some needed personal space. She walked to the large bed and sat in its corner, interrupting Cerberus’ bath. She tried to hide the pained groan, but the way Isen’s eyes narrowed on her, she knew he had noticed the pain she was in.

“Your Highness,” Isen began, his voice lowering until it was a whisper. “Forgive me for the way I’ve been talking.”

Valda had nothing to say.

Closing his eyes tightly, Isen opened his mouth to talk, but quickly closed it. He gritted his teeth, his hands forming fists next to him.

“Speak your mind, Hurley…”

“I know you are battling your own problems, but so am I,” Isen began. “Do you think I wanted to leave my mate in New Agenor?”

“I am sure you did not, just as I didn’t want to leave mine.”

“I know how bad New Agenor is. I know how broken it is, how horrible life there was.” Rubbing his tattoo, he sat down next to Valda. “I was a coward and decided to leave before I got sucked into being the guard at the entrance.”

Valda scoffed. “That’s Cai’s job now.”

“I know… and I regret leaving, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Melvian…”

Valda tilted her head enough to look at Isen with the corner of her eyes. “What are you saying?”

“All these horrible things have happened in my life. The disaster in the Sea Kingdom forced me to come to the Sky Kingdom with my mother and sister. The death of my mother just as we arrived in Skylian shore. This war happening… I would like to think they all aligned because there is something better, something worth sacrificing my time with my mate.”

He shook his head and pressed his fingers to his sternum. “If I am being honest, Your Highness and a bit… crude,” he chuckled. “That young woman at the bar was beautiful, but all I could think of was Melvian and how much I want to be buried deep inside her instead of…” He scoffed and waved his hand around him. “Doing this.”

“Fucking your mate is more important than the kingdom?” Valda asked.

Isen turned completely to face her. He arched a blue brow at her, and she rolled her eyes. “I think I know what you'd rather be doing. Do you want to be hiding and recouping in an inn, or pressed to the warmth of your mate?”

Valda didn’t answer right away. She took Isen’s features in before looking elsewhere. “You are absolutely right.”

“Again, I apologize. I don’t want you to think that I want to leave. Well… I do, but it’s not because of you.”

“Apology accepted, but don’t raise your voice at me again,” Valda said, stretching her hand to him.

Isen’s lip curled into a soft smile as he shook her hand.

“Get us our supplies and come back. You also need to rest,” Valda said, patting his back.

Isen stood, bowed low, and silently left the room, his footsteps heavy as he walked away from the room and down the stairs.

Valda huffed and closed her eyes, the strain on her back egging her to rest. She wanted to stay awake, but her body needed sleep and although the bed was hard, it was comfortable enough. Pushing Cerberus to a corner, she lay on her stomach, as Isen had recommended, momentarily relieving the strain of the stitches.

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