Page 62 of The Stolen Kingdom

Eyphah.

The other woman was focused on Maris’s face, searching for something Valda couldn’t quite pinpoint. Something at the bottom of her stomach turned into a violent knot.

Her throat tightened, her feet carried her closer, the scene sharpening as if the bond between her and Maris struggled to reassert itself. The music in the square grew louder, loud enough to mute the rage beating inside Valda’s head.

Eyphah’s hand brushed against Maris’s waist, lingering too long, her lips close to Maris’s ear as she whispered something that made her laugh again.

Her mate’s arms draped over the other woman’s shoulder and the sickness inside Valda dared to come back.

“Maris!”Valda screamed, her voice shaking in disbelief. It was as if no one could hear her.

Maris turned, her movements unsteady. She was clearly drunk…

Her eyes, though half-lidded, met Valda’s for a fleeting moment. Valda froze, her breath hitching as the familiar tug of bond coursed through her chest. But then, Maris blinked, and the connection broke. Her head tilted back with another laugh as she let Eyphah spin her once more.

“No,” Valda whispered, her chest tightening with the primal need to grab Eyphah by the throat and bash her head against a wall. She surged forward, her body like a fog going through the dancers. Her jaw clenched as she reached for Maris, but her hand passed through, grasping at nothing but air. She stared at her fingers, incredulous at what was happening.

“Maris! Wake up!” Valda bellowed, her voice raw with frustration.

Eyphah’s form grew sharper, her teasing smile morphing into something smug while her hand slid down Maris’s back.

Valda saw red.

“Stop touching her!” Valda snarled, lunging at her, but her fist passed through Eyphah as if she was made of smoke. Valda stumbled, turning back toward Maris, who was swaying in Eyphah’s arms with a familiarity she knew too well.

“Maris!” Valda shouted, her voice cracking, desperate. But Maris didn’t hear her. Her fingers brushed Eyphah’s cheek, and she leaned closer, her movements unsteady, her lips parting.

“Darling…You are here, darling?”

“Yes! I am here, Seashell! It’s me, Valda!”

“Valda?”

“Gods, Maris, please wake up!”

“Valda!”

Valda’s eyes flew open, and she sat up with a sharp gasp, her heart hammering against her ribcage.

Her gaze darted to the doorway, where Isen stood, his chest heaving. His face was pale, almost ashen, and his lower lip trembled.

“Isen? What happened—”

“We have to leave. Now!” Isen’s voice cracked as he stepped inside, his movements frantic. “Arwin just ordered a fucking genocide on New Agenor. He knows Maris is there, and everyone will be accused of treason under his new laws!”

Valda froze.

Her worst fear had come true—Arwin had found Maris. It shocked her it had taken him this long, but that thought left her as panic flourished deep.

The sheets tangled around her legs as she threw them off, pushing Cerberus off the bed with a yelp.

“I’m sorry, girl,” Valda muttered, grabbing her orange blouse and pulling it over her head. Her hands moved frantically as she buckled her belt and sword.

“Gather the troops. We ride for New Agenor. Now.”

Isen nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line, and disappeared out the door without another word.

Valda took a moment to steady her breathing, but her heart felt as if it was just about to burst out of her chest. On any other day, she would’ve done anything to control herself and not allow Maris to feel her, but now, she needed her mate to feel her, all of her.

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