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“No. He will stay in charge while I am away, I cannot leave the entire kingdom at the mercy of the rebels.”

Valda scoffed and waved a hand at herself. “I am alive.”

“You are unwell.”

“Not being able to see doesn’t take away my ability to take charge and give orders, Mother.”

“I will feel safer if Arwin stayed here.”

Valda swallowed hard, a sharp sting starting at the corner of her eyes. Her mother didn’t trust her to make good decisions. She would rather have Arwin do so. Somewhat Valda didn’t blame her, but she would love to have an opportunity to prove herself.

Somewhere from behind Valda, Maris cleared her throat which prompted her to turn as if looking for her.

“I was told that you appointed her to keep me safe?” Valda asked, pointing a finger to where she thought Maris was.

“That is correct.”

“Why?” Valda asked.

Maris scoffed behind her.

“Well, for starters she managed you well.”

“Managed me?”

“Does your face hurt, Valda?” Rionach asked.

Valda opened her mouth to talk, but as she did the dull stinging of her jaw reminded her that indeed, her face hurt. She rubbed her cheek and nodded.

“That was Martha.”

“Maris, Your Highness,” Maris corrected.

“Yes, right. She was the only one that managed to stop you before you destroyed everything.”

“My apologies for ruining my own birthday celebration,” Valda mumbled.

“You have nothing to apologize about. I do want you to take this time to rest, though.”

Valda nodded, her fingertips grazing her cheekbones. “When are you leaving?”

“As soon as I can. I am waiting on Kayden. He is currently speaking to his mother so we can leave on his ship. After that, it will be a while until I come back…” Rionach paused with slight hesitation. “You know how the Asclepius worshipers are…”

“Remember when I said that it was fair if healer left without a trace?”

“Yes.”

“I was full of shit,” Valda muttered. “Bring them back by any means necessary.”

Rionach chuckled and patted Valda’s hands. “Anything for my daughter. I also came to bring you this. You dropped and forgot about it during the entire ordeal, I took and put it away,” Rionach said, turning Valda’s hand and placing something on it. “It’s the Heaven Sword.”

Valda inhaled sharply and turned her eyes down as if she would somehow see the box there. She caressed the chest for a couple of seconds before finding the lock. As soon as she opened it, she moved her hands over the jeweled handle, then over the length. “Thank you.”

“You will see again, Valda. Believe that.”

“I hold a promise to your words, Mother,” Valda said and moved the box in Maris’s direction. Maris took it from her, her steps moving away to somewhere further back.“Please, be careful. I am worried that neither I nor Arwin will be going with you.”

“But Kayden will. I will be back before you even notice that I am gone,” Rionach chuckled then announced, “And I am going to kiss you now,” before the sound of wood scraping the floor made Valda wince. Her mother gathered her in her arms and pressed a warm kiss to her forehead, right between her eyes. “I want you to focus on getting better and stronger, all right?”