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“Kayden,” Valda huffed, fixing her hair and the arms of her suit. “I can’t walk into the throne room with a cock in a box. Besides, I am not going to use it now.” Her stomach turned again, and she sighed. “I am sorry, Kayden I am just—”

“You are anxious as fuck, my friend.” Kayden patted her back again. “She will be there; I know she will.”

“What if she isn’t?” Valda asked in a harsh whisper.

“Your mother sent invitations to all the kingdoms. I received an invitation, my cousin in Vulcan did. I am sure Rhea did too. Behind those doors, there is a room filled with people from different courts. I am sure your mother sent an invitation to the Sealian survivors in New Agenor.”

Valda took a deep breath and nodded at her friend’s words. His hand came to the nape of her neck, squeezing the tension away.

“Either way, I am sure you will make a good impression. If anything, you will find a heart mate here.”

Valda grunted and fidgeted with the edge of her suit. “You sound like my mother,” she mumbled, rubbing her left eye.

“What’s wrong?”

Valda shook her head, but her best friend grabbed her shoulder firmly.

“Tell. me.”

Valda clenched her jaw. She knew Kayden wouldn’t judge her. Maybe tease her, but that was something they always did. “I don’t want a heart mate.”

Kayden nodded for her to continue.

“Kayden, the Fates spoke to my father in a dream that I would marry the heiress of the Sea Kingdom and that heiress was my soulmate. Here I am, hoping and praying that by some miracle she will be on the other side of these doors. It’s been nine years since the Oracle said that my mate was alive. Yet my mother and Arwin have done shit to find her amongst the survivors.” She sighed and turned to look at the closed doors to the throne room, her stomach filling with worry and nervousness. “What’s the use? It’s as if something is stopping me from getting what it’s rightfully mine.”

“There are twenty-four hours in a day, Valda. It’s your birthday, go out and have fun. Dance, drink. Who knows,” Kayden shrugged. “If nothing happens then we can always send out to get the Oracle and kill them for lying to the crown.”

“If I don’t meet my soulmate, they wouldn’t have lied though,” Valda said, pressing her lips to a thin line.

“And why is that?”

Valda sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “When I asked them, I didn’t specify which mate. When the Oracle answered, they could’ve been talking about either my soulmate or a potential heart mate.”

“I don’t give a fuck. We can still kill them. What’s the worst that could happen? The Fates coming to curse us?” Kayden sniffed, fixing his black suit.

“It’s been a long while since a god has cursed us mortals.”

“Those cowards are long gone,” Kayden reassured Valda, slapping her back once more.

“I know, but—”

“Valda. If you are not supposed to find her, then you won’t. Many of us go about our lives without knowing our soulmate. We just have to wait for our next life.”

Valda raised her eyebrow. “That’s reassuring.”

Kayden chuckled, shook his head, and pulled her in for a tight hug. “You know I am here to make you feel better. Now,” He pulled back, patted her shoulders, and fixed her collar. “Let’s go out there and get some birthday gifts.”

Laughing, Valda stood before the throne room and took a deep breath. “No gift today will topple yours, though.”

“Fuck no, they won’t.”

As Valda pushed the door open and entered the room, the chatter and laughter of the courtiers ceased. Every eye was fixed upon her, and suddenly her title was heavy on her shoulders. As she carefully moved about, she saw fear and respect keeping the guests at bay, scared to approach her. But today, Valda didn’t want to be unreachable. She tried to be open, to let others know that she was indeed happy they were part of her celebration. As she made her way to the dais, where her mother sat on her throne, Valda’s smile illuminated the far dark corners of the room.

Rionach’s gaze fixed upon her. She had been conversing with a maid, but upon seeing Valda, she dismissed her and smiled warmly at her daughter. The knots in her stomach tightened, her nerves jangling like the strings of a lute.

The courtiers murmured as she approached, whispers floating through the air like butterflies. Some stared at her in awe, while others simply gaped, unsure of what to make of her. Valda didn’t mind the fear. People were easier to control when they were afraid. But still Valda’s heart raced faster as she walked towards her mother, her footsteps echoing in the silent hall. She could feel the weight of the throne upon her, and the eyes of the court as well.

As she finally reached the throne, she curtsied to her mother, her eyes downcast. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, her body trembling with nervous energy. She had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable. But as her mother’s hand rested upon her shoulder, she felt a sudden surge of strength, a warmth that spread through her.