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Eyphah nodded, fidgeting with her hands before exhaling. “I am at your will and do only as you wish.”

“I need you to keep doing what you have been doing. Yes, there are a lot of things to fix, but you have kept our people safe, and I am more than grateful to you, Eyphah Hurley.”

“I will gladly die for them if it comes to that.”

“I do not doubt it.”

“I can go and get Poseidon’s Trident. You might need it and—”

“No. Leave it here, as a warranty of my return. When I come back, I will allow you to show me the basics.”

A quick twitch of Eyphah’s upper lip let Maris know that the woman liked the idea of training her, and that gave her some peace of mind. She needed Eyphah’s help in keeping the Sealian’s morale high.

“How long will you be in Oberon Castle?”

“I am not sure, but I will be back.”

Eyphah nodded and exhaled the breath she was holding. Her hands slacked at her side before she pursed her lips. “Safe travels, my Queen.”

“Stay safe,” Maris said, taking a step forward and wrapping her arms tightly around the other Sealian. Maris felt how Eyphah tensed under the sudden display of affection, but ultimately Eyphah had no other choice but to return the hug, squeezing Maris tightly to her chest.

It wasn’t until Valda cleared her throat that Maris pulled away, chuckling and rolling her eyes at Valda’s possessiveness.

“Goodbye, Eyphah Hurley, and don’t be so rough on Cai,” Maris said, squeezing Eyphah’s shoulders one last time before turning to her horse.

Valda was already upon hers. Maris climbed onto the saddle, patted the beast’s neck, and then waved at Eyphah as she and Valda galloped out of New Agenor and onto the road that would lead them back to Oberon Castle.

The first thing Valda needed to do when they returned to the castle was to call in an emergency meeting. She would announce that she had found the heiress of the Sea Kingdom, or in any case, that the heiress found her. She would let Maris lead, telling the directors to follow her every instruction. Hopefully, no one would dare to question the legitimacy of Maris’s title, and if they did… Valda would have to step in. Valda would not intervene with Sealian affairs. The only possible thing she could do was to dissolve her mother’s laws regarding Sealian’s tax and give Maris the tools to manage and make the right decisions.

Valda would only speak her mind if needed and asked. This was Maris’s moment to take the reins.

Yet, Valda knew that even if she did ask the directors to help, the only guarantee that the Sealians would get the help they needed was if they were married.

Valda swallowed hard, her hands twitching at the thought of marrying Maris. What would it be like to proclaim her love before all the Sky Kingdom? To hold her hand, present her as the new queen. Her dress would be a mixture of Sealian and Skylian royal apparel. A tiara with her symbol standing proudly at its peak would adorn her head. Seashells and diamonds would be woven into her dress. Her hand would carry a bouquet of dianthus and crinum lilies. Her nails would be painted the color of her eyes, hair adorned with the rarest pearls in all the Sea Kingdom. And her smile…

Maris’s smile would be hers for the rest of their days. And she would stand by Valda as her mate, her queen, and everything would be right in the universe…

Valda turned to look back at Maris. The younger woman was wearing the usual Sealian get-up, a white tunic and cotton slacks to help with the heat, yet Valda had given her a cloth resembling a pashmina to cover her head and neck. Valda was wearing one as well. The cloth protected her neck and shoulders, which had already suffered enough when they first arrived at New Agenor. Casually, Valda opened a pocket of the bag next to her right thigh and pulled out an apple, wrapped in a piece of cloth.

“Here.” Valda maneuvered her horse until she was galloping next to her mate. “You should eat something. We didn’t have time to eat a proper breakfast, and I need you to conserve your strength.”

Maris accepted the proffered fruit and took a hefty bite out of it while Valda reached for the waterskin next.

“Do you think there will be any trouble once I take over everything regarding New Agenor?”

“If there is, I will take care of it,” Valda said, patting the Heaven Sword attached to her side.

“No, you see. That’s what I don’t want to happen. I don’t want this to turn into a power battle between me and the directors or the soldiers… especially General Arwin. We both know he is not fond of me.”

“It will not be a power battle because I have all the power,” Valda chuckled, and Maris rolled her eyes at her. “I understand what you mean. You don’t need to worry. After all, we still don’t know if he made it back or not. Isen was keeping an eye on him. Maybe as you speak to the directors, I can have a word with the captain.”

Maris nodded and took two more bites before discarding the rind on the sand. She then took a generous gulp from her waterskin as if delaying something. Valda reached and grabbed the waterskin from Maris’s hands and strapped it back to the horse. Maris sighed and readjusted the cloth over her head, her body swaying with the horse’s steps.

“What is it?” Valda asked. She could feel a tautness in their bond. “You are tense.”

“Of course, I am,” Maris sniped. “I left the castle as your assistant, and I am coming back as the ruler of the Sea Kingdom. I know I will face reluctance and opposition from your people. Why should they listen to someone like me?”

“Because you are my mate! I will not—”