Page 51 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Sister,weare rogues. Arwin and his goons are going around every single city and forcing people to pledge allegiance to him and the new Sealian queen. Anyone who refuses is put to death.” He stopped and took a deep breath, his eyes flickering to Eyphah. “I am surprised you are still well.”

“We’ve had encounters with those bastards. We have protected our queen, although I must say pledging allegiance to the man was the worst thing I could’ve done and that woman…” Eyphah’s mouth twisted in disgust. “She is not my queen. My queen is right here, next to me.”

“I am hiding away like a thief,” Maris scoffed and shook her head.

“I would say you are surviving. We are organizing, Your Highness. Umbriel has turned into a haven for us. Those escaping Arwin and the fake queen are all coming to Umbriel. It will be just a matter of time before we can build a strong resistance to take what’s ours.”

“How are you doing that knowing well they are after you?”

“You underestimate Valda’s loyalists. They would gladly give their lives for the rightful queen.”

“Not when they are threatened with death. I’ve seen what Arwin is capable of. I saw the mountain of corpses,” Maris said, her hand forming into a fist.

“I know what he is capable of. He left me for dead out in the burning sun. I am surprised I didn’t see the Oracle on my way back. My skin almost burned to a crisp like theirs did. Either way, many commoners have lent us their numbers. They are among us, quiet, waiting for the right time and plan to attack.”

“With what weapons?”

Isen swallowed hard, turned to Melvian and patted her thigh under the table. “We have our ways.”

“Banditry?” Eyphah asked, arching her brow at her brother.

“As queen, Valda helped some nobles and leaders before everything went to shit. Let’s say that… she is asking for that favor to be reciprocated.”

Maris arched her eyebrow and tilted her head.

Taking a large gulp of meidaila, Isen seemed to drown his nervousness. Once he swallowed hard, he continued. “Some nobles have been…persuadedto give us money. Others willingly gave us what we needed but we’ve organized small raids on Arwin’s men…and Vulcanians as well.”

Maris frowned at Isen.

“There has been more movement of Vulcanians on the west side of Umbriel. Their numbers are amassing, and because of that, I am not sure if Lasmeer sent out our note to Sir Kayden. I haven’t heard from Lasmeer or Kayden, for that matter. I am afraid we are not only fighting Arwin’s men, but Vulcanians as well. We need more people to join us in our battle.”

Maris’s stomach dropped, and a chill ran down her spine.

“No.” Maris said, shaking her head. “You will not take my people to war.”

“Your Highness!” Isen raised his voice, astonished by her answer. “You do not have a choice! Either you fight the Vulcanians and Arwin alone, or you fight the Vulcanians and Arwin alongside your mate.”

“I will have neither.”

“Do you really think you have a say in this? Eris and Arwin can arrive at any given moment and ask you to join them on their side of the war, what will you do? Kill a goddess?”

“I fucking would!” Maris stood up, the chair falling behind her in a loud clatter. “I am training. Your sister is teaching me how to fight. I will kill Eris if she insists on putting my people through war, even if it is the last thing I do in this life.”

“If you intervene, then they will know you have been kept hidden here. Arwin will call forth a genocide of all Sealians, and you know it.” Isen’s voice did not waver yet, his eyes gleamed in fear.

Maris pulled back, dread burrowing in her chest. Could she bear the guilt of her entire race being killed? Did she even have the strength to kill a goddess? Could a goddess be killed in the first place?

“Your Highness…” Eyphah whispered as she wrapped her fingers around Maris’s wrist. “Today has been a day full of emotions. I think it is best if we all rested for now, don’t you think?”

Maris’s gaze shifted from Isen to Eyphah. She snatched her hand away. “Enjoy the rest of the meal,” Maris said as she left to go upstairs.

“Maris, wait!” Melvian called out to her, but Maris was already climbing the stairs to her chamber.

Before she could close the door behind her, Melvian blocked her with her body. For a second, the young healer looked at her, expecting to be dismissed, but Maris huffed and opened the door for her.

“Maris…”

“He thinks I am weak. Isen thinks I am a useless ruler.”

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