Page 93 of The Stolen Kingdom

“For months now, I’ve gathered as many soldiers as I could to our side of the war. It’s not a lot—enough to win battles, maybe—but not enough to win the entire war. Too many are afraid…” Valda said, trying her best to hide her frustration.

“With good reason,” Maris whispered, her expression darkening, and Valda could tell she was recalling the hill of corpses they had encountered upon their return from New Agenor.

Reaching out, Valda gently took Maris’s hand, stilling it as she petted Cerberus. “Isen told me you didn’t want your people involved in the war—“

“That was before,” Maris interrupted. “I want to fight now, Valda. I want to take back what is ours. But… Sealians are peaceful people. There aren’t many able-bodied warriors among us, and fewer still who are trained enough to be of any real help.”

Valda’s lips pressed into a small pout as her gaze flickered down to Cerberus, who purred contentedly. “The Skylians would gladly train any able-bodied Sealian willing to fight. We’ll take whatever they can offer, and the rest can train with my soldiers.”

Maris nodded, her grip tightening slightly on Valda’s forearm. “That might work. But…” She hesitated before continuing. “Some of them might want to go back to the Sea Kingdom.”

Moving back, Valda looked at Maris with a deep frown on her face. Did… Maris want to leave her again?

As if sensing Valda’s thoughts, Maris shook her head. “No, Valda. I don’t want to leave you again,” she said. “I love the Sky Kingdom. I’m grateful for everything this kingdom has given me—my parents, Melvian, you—” Cerberus let out a soft meow, earning an affectionate kiss between her ears. “—and Cerberus, of course. But I can’t let my people keep running, moving from city to city, always hoping for the best and living in fear. They’ve told me they want to go back one day. So why not now?”

Valda exhaled slowly, her mind already working through the logistical nightmare such a move would entail. “It won’t be easy. The closest and largest pier is in Ophelia, and we can’t go there. The next option is Prospero, but we don’t know if the Vulcanians have taken control of that port.”

“We’ll find a way, Valda. We’ll protect the Sealians and your people. That’s what the gods chose us for—to protect them.”

“Of course. But Maris… you’ve lost people in the last attack, and so have I. We can’t do this alone.”

“What are you planning, darling?”

Valda’s lips pressed into a thin line as she leaned back slightly. “I’m going to try to form an alliance…”

“With whom?” Maris asked, tilting her head.

“Queen Kenna Hagan.”

Maris didn’t react immediately, which only made Valda’s anxiety grow. Her mate’s piercing blue eyes shifted from Valda to something behind her. Following her gaze, Valda turned to see the trident resting against the wall.

“Maris…”

“Vulcanians and Harmonians are descendants of the god of war. Kenna’s father was even named after him. And yet…” Her eyes flicked back to Valda, “…you think it’swise to form an alliance with these savages?” The venom dripping from the last word was impossible to ignore.

Valda’s stomach clenched, but she stood firm. “They’re attacking out of anger. Kenna wants to avenge her father’s death.” She paused, watching Maris closely, trying to gauge her reaction. Valda continued, her words slow and deliberate. “We killed their king.”

Maris scoffed and rolled her eyes. “We?” She arched a brow. “The people of the Sea Kingdom didn’t kill him.Youdidn’t kill him. Arwin did.Heshould be the one dealing with this. And yet…” Her gaze narrowed. “I have no doubt he’s just sitting back, letting the Vulcanians do what they do best—destroy.”

Valda’s jaw tightened, but she knew Arwin had no intention of dealing with the Vulcanians. He was letting their fury serve his purpose, keeping her from organizing and gaining ground as she needed to.

“I don’t want my people to get hurt,” Valda said quietly. “Or yours. Or anyone.”

Maris’s expression softened for the briefest of moments. “That’s a chance we have to take. No matter how carefully we set our pieces on this war board, people will get hurt. People will die. And there’s nothing we can do to stop that.”

Maris rolled her tongue over her lower lip before biting it. Once again, her gaze shifted to the trident. “I never wanted to hold a weapon in my hand. I always thought what my father taught me about self-defense and using my powers would be enough to protect myself… to protect those I care about.”

Valda stirred uneasily. Maris held something back, and she didn’t want to force her to say it. She studied her lover as she played with Cerberus’ ears. Finally, Maris raised her gaze to Valda and held it firmly for what seemed like an eternity before it fluttered over the wound on her face and the one on her thigh, hidden now by her pants.

“I will not hesitate to grab the trident and kill for you,” she whispered.

Valda’s lips curved into a soft smile as she reached out and gave Maris’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know. And I would burn everything to ashes for you.”

Maris rolled her eyes and scoffed, yet pulled Valda in for a terse kiss. Valda just knew she wanted to keep it sweet and short, but the need to feel her lover closer, for longer, was stronger. Cupping the back of her head, Valda held Maris in place as she moved their lips together before ending the kiss.

“We will find a way to keep everyone safe, right?” Maris asked, unable to hide the doubt within her.

Valda wanted to sound confident when she answered with an enthusiastic ‘yes’, but the corner of her lips did not curve with her smile, nor did her back straighten when she stood from the bed and left Maris in the chamber before heading to call forth a meeting.

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