Page 7 of The Stolen Kingdom

“No buts. You arestuck with me.”

Maris pursed her lips. Isen moved uncomfortably, his eyes locked on Melvian. He was worried, she didn’t need a bond to know the man was dying inside, but she knew Valda would be safe under his care. The Sealian would gladly give his life for either kingdom, and that calmed her nerves.

“I am sorry, Isen.”

“Don’t be. My mate is… hardheaded like any other Skylian.” He muttered something about gods and their tricks while rubbing his eyebrows. “I will visit any chance I can.”

“New Agenor will welcome you with open arms.” Maris gave him a rueful smile before she turned back to the closed door leading to Valda. “All I ask is that you don’t let any harm come to Valda,” Maris said, her throat burning with unshed tears.

“You know where my loyalties lie,” Isen said, a slight curve forming on the side of his mouth.

“Then it is settled,” Maris said, as a heaviness settled on her chest. “I will leave for New Agenor once Valda is out of danger.”

A heavy pressure settled on Valda’s chest, while a soft purring made her eyelids flutter open. A pair of yellow eyes stared at her. She quickly recognized Cerberus and wondered if she was back at the castle, sleeping in her chamber. She felt tired, unable to move at all. She closed her eyes once more just as Cerberus moved to lie by her feet.

She wasn’t sure how long she was asleep for, but she could make out the door opening and closing and soft lips brushing against her. Warm hands touched her cheeks as the scent of the sea enveloped her. A whispering voice said goodbye just as she was about to reach out and stop her.

Her.

Callused hands grabbed hold of her wrist, stopping Valda. A pair of clear blue eyes looked down at her with a hint of regret and a wave of unbearable sadness. Cerberus pressed to her chest again, the pain in her side unbearable, but as the man tried to get her pet off her, Cerberus hissed and lashed at him.

When he cursed, Valda recognizedhis voice. It was Isen.

Why was Isen with her? Maris should be the one tending to her. She was always there when she woke up each morning. Where had her mate gone off to? Without being asked, Isen pressed a glass to her lips, and she drank water greedily until she could talk.

“Where is Maris?” Her voice was hoarse and cracked, her hand clutched to Isen’s forearm as she turned to look inside the chamber. This wasn’t her chamber, or the House of Proteus in New Agenor.

Isen’s gaze faltered for a brief second. He lowered his eyes, hiding the answer she dreaded. “She is not here.”

Valda tried to sit up but hissed in a breath, the pain on her side running through her like a hot spear. “Where is she?”

“She left.”

Valda bared her teeth, pushed Cerberus off her, and grabbed his shirt. “Obviously. Where is she?”

Clutching her hand, Isen steadied her movements. “She doesn’t want you to go after her, Your Highness.”

“Tell me.”

Isen hesitated. “She is going back to New Agenor.”

Valda exhaled and closed her eyes as she leaned on the headboard. “Alone?”

“Melvian is with her.”

Valda shook her head again and pushed the bedsheets away from her body. “Get my horse ready.”

“Your Highness, no. I will not allow it.”

“That’s an order, Isen,” Valda stumbled, pushing herself from the bed.

“You are not healed.” Isen groaned, trying to stop her.

“My mate is not here.”

“She doesn’t want you to go after her.”

“Isen!”

---