Page 20 of The Stolen Kingdom

The last time she held the weapon, she couldn’t hold it up, and yet something made her take it from the dais. Holding onto Melvian’s book with one hand and the trident with the other, Maris let out a huff as she struggled with its weight.

It wasn’t until a calloused hand moved behind her and gripped the trident right over her hand. Maris turned around, and her eyes met a pair of dark cobalt.

Eyphah answered her question before Maris could even voice it. “I came to look for some things I left behind. I heard you were here and saw you were struggling.” She then drew her hand back.

Maris nodded, the trident’s end falling a bit too loud on the ground. She let out a soft curse. “Does it get easier?”

“It takes time to get used to the weight. But as you train with it, you will soon pick it up, though it was a feather,” Eyphah answered, taking a step back to restore some much-needed personal space. “I am sorry I came unannounced.”

“I believe people in this settlement do not know what a locked door means.”

Eyphah let out a breathy laugh. “You are right. My apologies.”

“I could forgive you, but I know you will do as you wish.”

“Probably…” A playful smirk painted her lips, and Maris couldn’t help but mimic it. “I know you said you don’t wish to learn how to fight with the trident, but—”

“I changed my mind,” Maris interjected. “I want to learn. I want you to teach me.”

Eyphah blinked incredulously for a few seconds. “Are you sure?”

“I am.” Maris placed the trident back on the dais with Eyphah’s help. “I am… going through some changes.” She brushed her palm against her trousers and then turned to Eyphah. Her fake smile never dissipated from her lips. “And I would like your help.”

Eyphah nodded apprehensively. “All right… Just say the word and I will be there for whatever you need.”

“Thank you, Eyphah. I really appreciate your willingness.”

“I live to serve my queen,” Eyphah said with a dip of her chin.

Maris moved uncomfortably for a moment before stepping aside. “I have some reading materials to go through, and I need to settle down and—”

“I understand I am not the person you want by your side right now.” Eyphah crossed her arms. “I have a million questions, but I will not bombard you with them.”

“Thank you for your consideration,” Maris said the last word with a questioning inflection.

“That doesn’t mean I will not ask them.”

“And even if you do, I still decide if I answer them.” The smile vanished.

“Fair enough.” Eyphah nodded again and lowered her gaze to the ground. “I am a good listener, though.”

Maris scoffed. “I know where this is going, Eyphah, and really I—”

“I will not force you, but I can see something is destroying you from the inside out, and I know Queen Valda’s absence is not only because of her injury. I know for a fact if things were all right between the two of you, you wouldn’t be here.”

“I want to make a couple of things clear, Eyphah, and I want you to listen well. I don’t owe you any explanation about my personal life. I owe you explanations regarding the safety of my people, of our people. Who I sleep with is my concern and mine alone.”

Eyphah drew back. “My apologies. Maybe I am overstepping my boundaries,”

“You certainly are.”

“I am because regardless of everything that has happened, I care about your wellbeing.”

“If you care about my wellbeing, then I suggest you put all your attention into training me. I am sick and tired of having others protect me like I am useless.”

“You are not useless, Your Highness.”

“I know… I know, but right now I feel like I am.” Maris tightened her grip on the book. “Having to hide away here, exposing all of you. I feel like I am doing more harm than good coming back, and then…” and then there was Valda. Maris lifted her gaze enough to see Eyphah staring down at her. She wasn’t judging her. Rather, she looked like she was holding her ground and forcing herself not to hug Maris. “I am sorry. It has been a rough couple of days.”

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