Page 56 of The Stolen Kingdom

Maris was sore from the hours of constant training. Yet, tonight, for the first time in all the seven months she had been in New Agenor, Maris held Poseidon’s trident to Eyphah’s neck as she pinned her to the ground. Her boot slammed over the older woman’s chest as she looked down at her, holding the weapon as if it weighed nothing. Her serious and focused expression dissolved into a boastful one-sided smirk before she lifted Eyphah’s chin with the middle and longest tip.

Eyphah released a nervous breath. She released her spear to grab hold of the weapon before her cobalt eyes turned up to Maris’s pleased gaze. “I yield.”

Maris chuckled, pulling the trident away and stepping back. She reached down, grabbing Eyphah’s tunic to haul her to her feet. With a quick motion, she patted the sand from Eyphah’s shoulders. “How was that?” Maris asked, her grin widening.

Still shaken, Eyphah stood nervously before tilting her head. “I think you’ve made a bit of progress.”

“A bit?” Maris scoffed.

“A lot…” Eyphah smiled and picked up her spear. “You took me down, that’s saying something.”

Maris raised one eyebrow before flexing her right arm. The past months had been brutal on her body and mind, but she noticed a slight improvement. Of course, she couldn’t compare herself to Eyphah or Valda, but she saw some firmness in her arms and thighs, which hadn’t been there when she started. Carrying the trident around had donewonders for her, not to mention Eyphah’s regimen, which consisted of way too many hours of exercise and protein.

Eyphah rolled her eyes at Maris’s showing off, but laughed. “Well! You made me yield! I think this calls for a celebration, don’t you think?”

“Of course! I’ve been wanting to beat you down for quite some time.”

“Well, youdidslap me once.”

“Yes, yes, but to pin you down and have you looking up at me with a scared look on your face is pretty exhilarating.”

Eyphah raised her eyebrow. “Oh?”

Maris clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Want a celebratory drink? Meidaila?” Maris mentioned the Sealian drink and noticed a unique spark of excitement flash in Eyphah’s eyes.

The older woman nodded and quietly followed Maris back to House of Arago. Maris wasn’t big on drinking. Even when she used to work in the tavern, she always noticed how alcohol changed people’s personalities, so she tried to stray from it, but the Sealian drink was different. It was refreshing, with the perfect balance of both sweet and tangy.

On their way there, Maris took in the changes within the settlement. New Agenor had grown since her arrival. Although they continued the ruse of keeping her hidden, her people were becoming bolder. The houses were stronger, as were the Sealians. The communal garden had a surplus of food, while more youngsters were moving towards combat training. Melvian had even taken it upon herself to give basic medical training to whoever wished to learn.

Her friend’s stomach was large, and instead of walking, she waddled from cabin to cabin. Isen was long gone, promising her he would come back every other week to be with her. He had kept his word after his first visit. He had left two nights ago, against Melvian’s wishes. Unsurprisingly, the closer she was to giving birth, the clingier she became. Maris understood the need to have her mate close at such an important moment as the birth of their children.

As she neared House of Arago, Maris waved her hand at Melvian, who was at the square, sitting by the fire and talking to a couple of children. They were all very curious about the birth of twins, and although Melvian was incredibly nervous, she tried to answer all their questions.

Once at the cabin deck, Eyphah offered to walk in and bring the meidaila. Maris often forgot the house she was inhabiting belonged to Eyphah back when she was in charge.With a tired sigh, Maris sat down on the stairs and watched quietly as her people walked about their evening.

Eyphah settled two glasses between them while holding a large pitcher of bubbly alcohol in her hand. “Skylian beer is shit.” Eyphah commented as she filled one cup for Maris and the other for herself. “Believe me.”

“I have to agree with you there.” Maris chuckled, taking the proffered cup and clinking it with Eyphah’s.

She took short sips, while Eyphah took mouthfuls. Maris knew the sweetness of the drink could play tricks on her. Melvian had once taught her how to relieve someone’s intoxication. She also said that the sweeter the drink, the more dangerous it was. But Maris loved it, and today was a good day to celebrate the fact she made the arrogant Eyphah yield.

“I used to do this all the time when I lived here. I would sit down right here and just watch everyone go about their day.”

“It is calming,” Maris said.

“It is! Even more now that you can see how we are growing.” Eyphah smiled and refilled her cup. “Back when we came here, this place was a shit hole. Everyone was depressed, they didn’t know how to start over, now look at us.” Eyphah stretched her arm and pointed at the square where musicians gathered with their drums. “We are still alive; our culture is still alive.”

“They look hopeful,” Maris whispered.

“Of course! We have our queen back. We’re just—” Eyphah paused, exhaling deeply. “Steps away from going back to how things were. People here still remember the salt of our waters, how the wind blew through our hair on warm summer days. We want to go back to the Sea Kingdom. And I know we will.”

“Do you remember your days back there?” Maris asked, swirling the last drops of her second glass before finishing it.

Eyphah’s expression softened as she leaned back, her gaze distant. “I remember the sun burning my skin. My mother coming home after a long shift and cooking chicken for Isen and me. My dad walking in with a basket full of fish, sitting me down to clean them up.”

Maris scrunched her nose in clear disgust, earning a burst of laughter from Eyphah.

“It was disgusting,” Eyphah admitted, her grin widening. “Gutting a fish? Scraping off its scales?” She shuddered theatrically andgagged. “I don’t miss that.”

---