Page 21 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Understandable.” Eyphah took a step back and was almost through the door when she turned back to Maris. “If it is any consolation, I am glad you are back here with us.” Eyphah’s smile was shy and small. “Your presence in New Agenor gives everyone hope, and we will do anything in our power to protect the rightful queen of the Sealian throne.”

Maris couldn’t help the one-sided smile that ghosted across her lips. It was nice to know she was appreciated and needed now more than ever, since she felt so useless. “Thank you.”

“Of course. I will leave you be… for now. Training will start tomorrow— If that’s all right with you.”

“I can get some training done tomorrow.”

“Great. I will see you tomorrow then. Rest, relax, unwind.”

“All right,” Maris said, and as Eyphah walked down the stairs to the second floor, Maris called out to her. She wasn’t being fair to her. She was taking her frustration out on Eyphah when all she was doing was worrying about her.

Eyphah turned, slightly confused. “Yes?”

“I am sorry if I lashed out at you.”

Eyphah shrugged, then laughed. “I am used to it. I am imprudent and rude.”

“You are pretty imprudent…”

“My offer still stands. I am a good listener, horrible at giving advice, though.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That answer is better than a ‘no’.” Eyphah grinned. “Have a pleasant day, Your Highness.” Eyphah descended the stairs and quietly left the House of Arago.

Valda’s stomach turned within itself. Her eyes flew open as she pushed the grogginess away and dashed to a random bucket in the room. She puked the stew she had hours ago. The acid in her stomach reminded her she needed to eat more.

There was no way she would allow the sickness or anything for that matter to force her to lose weight or her strength. She needed all of it. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she turned her hooded gaze to Cerberus. The cat took most of the space of the bed, but Valda wouldn’t have it any other way. Her pet stretched her paws forward and sat in the middle of the bed. The fine hair at the end of her ears twitched before she blinked slowly at her.

Valda checked the second bed in the room and found it empty. Isen was still out getting them supplies. She wasn’t sure how long it had been since their last conversation.

Dragging herself to the bed, Valda tried her hardest to ignore the burning stretch of the stitches of her flank and back. Her stomach turned again as the coldness of the night seeped through the cracked windows. She stood by the bedside, her eyes roaming the undone small bed. Cerberus tilted her head to look at her, her eyes closed just as Valda rubbed under her chin.

The cat’s loud purrs filled the room, and for just a second, Valda felt as if she was back in the castle. If it wasn’t for the pain in her body, and the rumbling in her stomach, she wouldn’t be surprised if she blinked and Maris was on the bed.

Valda scoffed and shook her head. It had been less than a fucking month since she had opened her eyes and stared into a mirror. Less than a month since she had first laid eyes on Maris.

All disheveled, with paint marks all over her skin. Her skin… Oh, how she wanted to touch her right at that moment. One graze of her fingertips over Maris’s body, and all her ailments would be gone in an instant. One gaze of Maris’s blue eyes, and she would have all the strength she needed to take back what was hers…

She just needed one whisper of her name on Maris’s mouth…

Valda wasn’t asking for much. She just needed Maris to acknowledge her. To look at her the way she always did. With those inviting blue eyes, with a perfect yet teasing smile. With exploring hands and soft mouth…

Fuck…

Valda’s hands curled into two fists. She hadn’t even noticed how ragged her breath was, how sensitive her own skin was. Her clothing was bothering her. Swallowing hard, Valda pushed Cerberus off the bed and lay down on her back, ignoring the discomfort of the wound.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Valda parted her lips, Maris’s name slipping out in a reverent whimper. She didn’t want to open her eyes. She knew if she did, she would find herself in the inn, with her cat, alone.

She would rather think of Maris, of the way her hips swayed when she danced, the way her laughter burst out of her, of how soft her hands felt on her breast, her stomach, in her…

A breath exploded out of Valda, her own hand finding the buckle of her pants, with her eyes still closed, she fumbled with the latch and undid it enough to slip one hand inside. She cupped her mound, finally realizing how wet she was.

Valda called out to her again, shuddering in a breath as she gathered the wetness with her fingertips. She circled the throbbing nub, squeezing her eyes tighter. She wanted her traces to be unhurried, as if it was Maris who was blessing her with her touch. She imagined the other woman at her feet, blue eyes fixed on her, unwavering, stirring her desire within her core.

“Maris…”

Gasping, Valda inserted one finger into her, while the other hand pulled at her blouse. Exposing her wrapped chest to the sky, she cursed, tugging at the fabric, wanting nothing more than to feel the cold air on her heated skin. She needed a release, she needed to quench her thirst, she needed her mate right here, right now.

---