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“Do you think he will?”

Valda grumbled something under her breath. “Arwin is a very clever soldier. He is a force to be reckoned with. Everything I know is because of him…” she stopped talking and opening her eyes to an undetermined spot on the table. “And I know a lot, or at least I did before.”

Maris's brows furrowed, “You know a lot, the fact that you are blind does not erase your memory or knowledge now, does it?”

Valda nodded. “I am unable to use my full potential.”

“Or so you think,” Maris said, moving close enough to place her hand over Valda’s thick forearm. “You seem different today.” She squeezed the taut muscle before pressing herself close to Valda’s side. “Tense.”

Valda turned her face towards Maris. “I am fine.”

“No. You are not. I can feel it.” Maris was desperate to know what was wrong. How come she was so distant? Why was she pulling away? “There is something you are not telling me, and I know. I know it is not my place but—” Maris shuddered, daring to place her hand on Valda’s face and pulled her close enough to press her forehead against the queen’s. They were out in the open, she shouldn’t be doing it, but Valda didn’t pull away. “I can find a way to ease your worries, if you tell me.”

“Seashell,” Valda pulled her closer. “It is nothing. I swear.”

“You may say it is nothing, but I see how your face contorts with worry.”

Valda pursed her lips before pressing them to Maris’s mouth. “I am fine.”

Maris froze at the sudden display of affection out in the open. Something was definitely wrong. Valda never even put her hands on her when they were outside her chamber. Valda was holding her with a longing that made her tremble, and even though she shouldn't, she kissed the queen back. It was a tender, loving kiss, filled with affection, so unlike the passionate, possessive kisses they shared in the privacy of the chamber.

“I will try to believe you, Your Highness.” Maris nuzzled Valda’s cheek, earning a soft sigh.

“Of course.” Valda sealed her promise with a kiss and pulled back, her hand lingering over Maris’s waist before slipping away to her side. “I do want to ask something of you.”

“Anything for you.”

Valda’s lips stretched to a smile. “I want to take you to New Agenor.”

Maris’s eyes widened. “What?”

Valda moved her hand towards her, and she gladly took it. Touching her had become one of Maris’s favorite things. The softness of her skin, with the strength of her muscles, had become addictive, and if she could always touch Valda, then she would.

“There are so many things that I want to do for the Sealians, Maris.” The queen sighed and scratched the back of her head. “I know you haven't lived what they did, but as my assistant…” Valda stopped, squeezed Maris's hand, and shook her head. “No, you are no longer my assistant.”

Maris's heart dropped, and before she could cry out her total hate for that sentence, Valda spoke again.

“You should be their spokesperson in all ruling matters in the castle.”

Maris bit her lower lip as an unsettling knot tightened in her stomach. She put some distance between herself and Valda as she thought her words over. “Spokesperson?”

“Representative.”

“But they already have that. That woman that came to the audience, she…”

“She is angry. I need a fresh pair of eyes. You will help me make decisions that will affect them. I am in no way qualified to make decisions without their input. You can help me with that. That’s why I want to take you to them.”

“They won’t just talk to someone that just happens to land there.”

“You are them.”

“No, I am not. I was tucked away, remember? Gods, Valda! It was just yesterday when I talked to Isen. He is the only Sealian I’ve ever interacted with! I felt like I was a complete stranger to everything.”

Valda shrugged. “What better way to connect with who you are than to surround yourself with it?”

Maris turned her frustrated gaze to the throne room’s vaulted ceiling. It was now that she noticed the many windows that adorned the walls. The light peeked in, not too bright, not too dark, just right. She took a deep breath and placed her shaking hands on her temples, a sad attempt to regain some composure before she spoke.

“I have no idea who I am,” she whispered, almost to herself.