Page 9 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Help me with what, Melvian? Huh? You are leaving your mate, the father of your unborn child, to follow me to a place that isn’t even that comfortable. I am going back to New Agenor, not only to save them, but because I want nothing to do with Valda.”

“Yes, sure, because it is that easy, right? You think it’s just like that?” Melvian snapped her fingers and scoffed. “You are wrong, Maris. You are mated; you carry the bond. She is latched onto your heart and soul, and you will feel her every minute of every hour of every day. You can try all you want to keep busy, to do things, to rule over a settlement, but at the end of it all, when everything quiets down, you will feel her, and she will feel you, and there is nothing you can do to escape that.”

Maris’s chest rose and fell with every breath. She hated that Melvian could read her like an open book. Her friend knew her well enough to know that was exactly what Maris planned to do. If she kept her mind busy long enough to not think of Valda, maybe the bond would dilute.Right?

Shuddering in a sob, Maris closed her eyes tightly and let out a frustrated scream. She didn’t stop until her throat burned, until she was about to faint. Why did it have to be like this? Why did it have to be Valda!?

Her throat burned, and she slammed her hand against the saddle’s horn before snapping.

“And what do you want me to do, Melvian? Tell me! You want me to go back? To just be with her like she isn’t responsible for all theshitI’ve gone through? Shekilledmy father and subsequently she killed my mother, and,fuck, youknewhow bad it was after that.”

“I know how bad it was.” Melvian nodded. “Of course, I remember. I was right there, just as I am now!”

“Then don’t act as if you know what is right for me. Your mate is a good man, who loves you and cares for you and,shit, you guys are going to have a family. What do I get? I will be disrespecting my parents’ memories if I stay with her.”

Melvian opened her mouth to say something, but her eyes trailed over Maris before she bit her lower lip.

Maris jumped off the horse, her shoulders shaking from the need to scream again, and the cold night air filtering through her Sealian clothing.

“I can feel her. I can feel her screaming; I can feel her despair, and she is probably fighting with Isen, maybe even trying to punch him and…”

“The sickness will start soon; you know that, right?” Melvian asked, jumping off her horse and reaching Maris.

“Sickness?” Maris asked, turning to Melvian. “What sickness?”

“Your body will literally act as if you were in … some type of withdrawal. You won’t be able to sleep, you will get nausea and body aches. Maybe even a fever. It’s different to everyone.”

“Are you kidding me?” Maris’s eyes shot up to the starry night.A fucking withdrawal as if she was addicted…“I can’t deal with this…” Maris clutched her blue hair and closed her eyes firmly. “How long will it last?”

“Weeks? Months? I am not sure.”

“Is there any way you can cure the sickness?”

“No, but…” Melvian squinted. “That’s not all.”

“There is more? What is it?”

“The vivid dreams,” Melvian began, rubbing Maris’s forearm. “One of you will find the other in your dreams. The good news is that seeing each other might help with some of the sickness.”

“What? Am I going to see her in my dreams?”

“Probably. The bond runs deep, Maris. It is hard to escape.”

Maris looked up at the starry sky again, this time she laughed, a soft cloud forming in front of her mouth. She wanted to escape Valda, but as soon as she closed her eyes, she was going to see her again. Bond or no bond, that woman was all she thought about.

Damn her.

Melvian grabbed Maris by her sleeve and pulled her in for a tight hug.

The warmth of the embrace was enough to break Maris. Tears spilled down her cheeks like a stream, her chest heaving as she clung to Melvian’s blouse.

“You know I’ve always got you, right?”

Maris nodded against her shoulder, her tears and snot ruining her best friend’s blouse, but she knew Melvian didn’t care. They’ve already seen each other in the most embarrassing of situations when children. A little snot and tears here or there would not change things between them.

“I am not leaving you alone. Not for anything in this world. Unless, of course, all that power gets to your head, and you will one day decide that the queen of the Sea Kingdom doesn’t want to be associated with a low-life maid from the Sky Kingdom.”

Maris snorted and squeezed her harder. She would never think that. She loved Melvian too much to think less of her. “I am so, so, so sorry for this. I swear I will be the best Asclepius worshiper, and I will make sure you give birth to a healthy baby.”

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