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“Yes, we are.”

Valda let out a content sigh as her shoulders dropped. “Good.”

“Do you want to freshen up now?” Maris asked, her tone soft compared to their earlier conversation.

“I would love to,” Valda declared, letting Maris drag her up the stairs. With unsure steps, Valda climbed up to the second floor before Maris stopped her. Soft and delicate hands undid the buttons of the silk shirt before pushing the expensive fabric off her shoulders. Maris turned to her pants, where she unbuckled the belt, took the Heaven Sword, and settled it somewhere in the room.

“A bath has already been drawn. And the tub looks big enough for us.”

Valda smiled. “Do you want to bathe with me?”

Maris chuckled and finally pushed the white slacks off Valda’s waist. “Do you want to bathe with me?” she returned, teasing.

Valda didn’t answer right away. Instead, her arms snaked around Maris’s waist until she was flushed to her body. “I will take your lack of clothing as a yes,” Valda said before receiving a peck to her lips. After feeling Maris peel away from her, the soft pads of Maris’s feet resounded on the wooden floor before she once again felt gentle hands on her thick forearm. “Where do you want me?”

Maris’s breath hitched, yet she hid it with a chuckle. She pulled Valda towards the bathtub, and ever so slowly, guided her until the tall woman was inside the tub. The warm water was welcome against Valda’s skin. She felt uncomfortable with all the dirt sticking to her damp skin and hair, but now, as she lowered herself to sit, a satisfied moan escaped her lips.

“Enjoying yourself?” Maris asked.

“Yes, I am.”

The water moved as Maris got in the tub. She too made a satisfying sound. After seconds of comfortable silence, Maris’s breathy laugh shivered down the queen’s spine.

“This is Sealian water.”

“Is it?” Valda asked, leaning her head against the back of the tub. “How can you tell?”

“The soreness of riding the horse is disappearing. I feel energetic.”

Valda absentmindedly arched her eyebrow and nodded. “Good to know.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

“My mind is constantly racing with ideas and problems, Seashell. I am over analyzing every single thing about this place.”

Maris groaned. “Well, this place is falling apart. Houses are made of wood. From what I could see the man-made lakes are too small. Eyphah was telling the truth when she was in the audience.”

Valda didn’t say anything because she knew Maris was right. She guessed it was bad, she guessed the Sealians needed the things they asked for, but her mother was in charge and it was she who needed to take care of it.

Right?

She had visited New Agenor before, she had seen how things, maybe they weren’t as bad as they were now but, she could’ve done something, she could’ve spoken out more, but she didn’t.

“Did your mother know how bad it was?”

“I believe so.”

Maris shook her head and splashed some of the fragrant and warm water around.

Valda chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I should’ve known. I should’ve acted.”

“You are,” Maris whispered. “Just as I am…”

“Things will change. You will see.”

“I know.” Maris shifted, the water sloshing until she was comfortably settled against Valda’s legs, her back pressed to her chest. “You already told me. I trust that you will do something.”

Valda’s deep rumble rolled to Maris’s back as she secured her arms around the younger woman’s waist. She knew what Maris was doing, and she welcomed the shift of conversation. “I like hearing you say that.” Valda sighed, her hot breath raising goosebumps along Maris’s arms and shoulders. “We are both tired.” She moved Maris’s hair from her neck. “And you feel extra tight and tense.”