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Praise be to the gods… That smile. Valda would destroy all the kingdoms on the planet, forge war with Ares, if it made Maris smile like that again.

As if she had noticed Valda’s wonderment, Maris’s blue eyes turned their attention from Valda’s eyes to the tears rolling freely down her cheeks. Cold hands wiped them away, and for some reason, that smile was gone. Valda’s grin vanished, and she didn’t realize what she had done until Maris looked up at her with a curious gaze.

“Don’t stop smiling,” Valda breathed, her desperation dripping out of her voice, thick and sweet as honey. Her damp forehead pressed against Maris’s, grounding herself. “Please,” she whispered, her eyes now hooded with fear of never seeing that grin again.

Maris did. She smiled brightly while holding onto Valda’s shoulders, beaming as her tears slipped from the corner of her eyes. “You have beautiful eyes,” Maris said.

Valda nodded against her. “And they will only look at you for as long as I breathe.”

Maris’s grip tightened as she noticed Valda struggling. “Blink.”

“No.”

“You have to.” She giggled, unable to hide her amusement.

“What if I lose it again?” Valda asked, her hands itching to touch Maris’s skin. “I would never forgive myself.”

“Blink, darling. I promise I will be here when you open your eyes again.”

Valda swallowed hard, connected her eyes with Maris’s once again, and then she pressed her eyelids shut. Maris stroked her face, encouraging her, as if to say, I am here. I will always be here.

Valda opened her eyes again, and just as Maris had promised, she was still there…

Valda released the breath she was holding in a shaky sob. She wrapped her arms around Maris, pulling her close, wanting nothing more than to blend herself into her skin and never let her go. Her lover’s shoulders muffled her cries as Maris cradled her large form and settled down to the floor while Maris touched her nape, stroking her hair, offering all the comfort she needed.

Valda was not sure how long she cried, but when she pulled away, she let out a soft curse, looking down at the mess she had made. She was a ball of tears, snot, and paint, and she hated it.

Yet, Maris opened her palms invitingly, just in case Valda wanted to hold her once again.

“I am sorry. I made a mess of myself,” Valda said.

Maris arched her eyebrow and smirked. “No, that would’ve been me last night.”

Valda scoffed, her body relaxing as she was pulled to their natural teasing. “Aren’t you a humble lover?” Valda said, her index finger finally trailing over Maris’s left breast, touching a spot of dried red paint.

As Maris sucked in her breath, Valda’s eyes flew from Maris’s chest to her face. “Oh… I didn’t quite catch your expression.” Her eyes darkened, and Maris swallowed hard. “Again.”

Leaning forward, Valda cupped Maris’s left breast in her hand, earning a soft gasp.

“Beautiful.” Valda grinned, and before she could do the same to the right breast, Maris grabbed her wrist. “What? Too much?”

Maris shook her head. “No, but we both need to take a bath,” Maris said and pointed at Valda and then at herself. “And the blankets are also dirty. We should put them out so it can be cleaned and—”

“Then I can bury myself inside of you and see all those pretty little faces you make?”

Maris was about to say something, but as soon as Valda ranked up the dirty talk, she paused and stared at the queen. “Valda—”

“I want to see everything. I—”

“Valda!”

“What?”

Maris’s eyes were on Valda’s again. As much as she wanted to continue the conversation, Valda knew something was bothering her. The sudden realization of what had just happened dawned on both women, and Valda could only sigh.

“I can see again.”

Maris licked her lower lip and touched Valda’s knee. “I know, but… how?”