Page 77 of The Stolen Kingdom

Maris’s eyes widened as large as saucers. “Valda,you—”

“I was there, Maris.” Valda snapped, her face hard and unreadable under the dirt and sand. “Well, not through all of it, but I saw her. Close to you, kissing you. I thought you were calling out for me that night, and when I could finally get a hold of you, someone took my place.”

Maris took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. Ashamed, her gaze dropped to the ground.

“Were you drunk?”

“Yes.”

“Did she know you were drunk?”

“I believe so,” Maris whispered before locking her eyes back with Valda’s. “I called for you. It was you I was kissing in my deliriousness.”

Valda frowned and shook her head in disbelief. “I am not blaming you for what happened, Maris. I would never—I blame her!” A pure, liquid fire burned in her stomach. “Did she take advantage of you, Maris?”

“I pushed her off me when I knew it wasn’t you!”

Valda’s jaw tightened and then relaxed as she took a deep breath.

“Valda, you have to belie—”

“I believe you. Gods, Maris! Of course, I believe you, but I swear if that woman even comes near you—“

“She won’t,” Maris said firmly.

“She will if we go to Titania.”

“I must go to Titania because Melvian is there. She is about to give birth, Valda. I must stay by her and make sure that her babies are born safely.” Maris sighed and pressed her fingers to her temple. “She is my best friend; I can’t leave her alone now, not when she needs me more than ever.”

Valda took a deep breath, looked at her horse, Cerberus, and then back at Maris. “Fine. We are going to Titania. After Melvian gives birth, we are moving to Cressida since it is farther away from Oberon and Ophelia, is that all right with you?”

Maris exhaled in relief and nodded.

“All right. Now, let’s get going. The morning sun will be less harsh on our skin.”

Valda caught a glimpse of Maris’s smile, and just as Maris opened her mouth to say something, the swift sound of an arrow pulled a bellow from Valda. Falling to one knee, Valda placed her hand on her thigh as an arrow grazed her skin and sank to the ground.

Cerberus jumped from the horse and dashed to the cave while Valda took the reins and pulled the animal inside alongside Maris. Limping and muttering a slew of curse words, she pulled out the Heaven Sword and growled. “Vulcanians.”

“All the way out here?” Maris asked, tearing the trident from the saddle.

“They’ve been busy these past months,” Valda mumbled, before tearing a piece of her blouse and tying it over her injured leg. “They are sneaky little barbarians,” she muttered. “Stay inside the cave. Don’t you dare come out.”

Maris scoffed and placed a hand over her chest to mock offense. “Excuse me. But did you already forget that I can take care of myself?”

“I would rather have you taking care of yourself inside the fucking cave,Seashell…” Valda gritted her teeth as she said the last part.

“I am not some dainty woman,darling.”

Valda pursed her lips, sighed, and slapped her horse’s hindquarters to coax it deeper into the cave. “Fine. Always stay close to me.”

Maris’s reply was a simple nod.

As both women left the safety of the cave, they could make out a group of fifteen Vulcanians heading their way. Valda tried to suppress her growl as her grip on the Heaven Sword tightened.

“Give me the waterskin,” Maris said while eyeing Valda. “I need the water.”

“This is New Agenor’s Lake water. Are you sure you want to use most of it to fight?”

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