Page 84 of The Stolen Kingdom

Her mouth went dry. She swallowed hard, quickly averting her gaze just as a low chuckle escaped the queen.

“I drew you a bath,” Valda said, before pausing and taking a deep breath. “I know you’re tired and want to get the sand off you.”

Maris nodded, watching as Valda gestured to a small bundle in the chair. “I had some clean clothes brought in.”

Reaching for the neatly folded garments, Valda handed them to her. “Here.”

Maris took the clothes, noticing immediately that they were Sealian with the light blue tunic and white pants. She glanced up to meet Valda’s gaze, but the other woman was already turning away, giving her space.

As Valda walked toward a nearby chair, Maris couldn’t help but notice how she struggled with her hair. Valda kept tucking it behind her ear, only for the damp strands to fall back into her face.

“Valda?”

The other woman froze mid-step, turning to face her.

Although Valda tried to mask it, Maris could see the weariness etched into her features—the faint tremor in her posture, the dark circles under her eyes.

“Yes, Seashell?” Valda replied softly, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly at the nickname.

Maris hesitated, clutching the clean clothes to her chest. “After I’m done washing up, would you like me to take care of your hair?”

Valda arched a brow and ran her fingers through her hair again, as if truly noticing its length for the first time.

“It’s… going to get in the way when you fight,” Maris said before pulling at one loose strand of her own. “I should know.”

“You don’t like it?”

Maris rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “I think you should cut it back to how it was before we—“

“If you want me to, I’ll get a haircut,” Valda interrupted, her eyes surprisingly hopeful. “Anything you want, I’ll do it.”

Surprised, Maris blinked. “Do Skylians’ hair grow faster than Sealians’?”

Valda laughed, and Maris’s stomach stirred. “I guess so.”

Maris nodded, her gaze trailing over Valda’s face. She tried to ignore the faint slash on her cheek but couldn’t help remembering how she looked with shorter hair. It suited her, Maris thought.

Short enough to be manageable, but still long enough for her fingers to trace through, to fist tightly… Maris’s heart jumped at the memory, her pulse quickening as she imagined tangling her fingers in Valda’s hair and yanking it back.

Lost in the vivid image, she didn’t realize Valda was watching her.

The intensity in Valda’s gaze hit her like a wave, the honey in her eyes darkening as they settled firmly on Maris.

The air thickened, and Maris felt the warmth spread through her face, her chest, and lower stomach.

“Maris.”

Maris looked away, focusing on the clean clothes in her hands as she tried to gather her thoughts. Her fingers tightened slightly around the fabric. “Yes? What is it?”

Valda’s smile turned wicked, the kind that almost made Maris’s knees give out.

“I miss you.”

Maris inhaled sharply through her nose and jerked her head towards the washroom. “I will be right back.”

A large, clawfoot cast iron tub sat in the middle of the room with warm, soapy water waiting for her. Maris didn’t waste a second.

She placed the clean clothes atop the wooden vanity before turning to undress. She first removed her tunic and pants, then undid her chest wraps, peeling away the last layer of her undergarments.

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