Page 58

“Then who shall rule? Arwin?”

Valda scoffed.

Maris wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be all right, but she knew better. After her own mother’s death, the only good thing to happen was her employment in the castle. Everything else was overwhelming. “My Queen...” she needed to stop Valda from falling into that pit that she knew too well, and she knew exactly how to do so.

“Forgive me, my Queen.”

Valda frowned in confusion. “For what—”

Maris clamped her eyes shut, pressing her lips over Valda’s fuller ones.

The entire atmosphere of the room changed. The kiss muted all the noise inside Maris’s head. It was quiet, tranquil, it was home. As soon as serenity settled in, a rippling wave forged into her, pulling her closer.

Raw energy irradiated from Valda, and Maris relished in that warmth, taking in the intimate scent of the queen’s skin, mixed with her unique taste and whiskey. Her mouth opened before the kiss deepened again. It was abrupt, still soft and tender, but hopefully enough to shove away all the queen’s pain.

Her queen.

But as soon as the attack started, it ended.

Maris was the first to pull away, afraid of what she had done. She agreed to this, to be intimate with the queen, but it was too much, too soon. Her lips, moist from the attack, burned with an incomprehensible need to be pressed onto Valda’s again. Her hands trembled to do more than just hold onto Valda’s shoulders for support. Staring in utter surprise, she studied Valda’s strong features.

There was no coldness on her face. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to hold Maris softly in her arms. As if, scared to hurt her in some way, and Maris couldn’t take it. She should’ve listened to Melvian, she should’ve stayed away. She didn’t want this. Right?

What have I done?

“Pl-please forgive me… That was overstepping my boundaries,” Maris whispered, but her hands didn’t move. Her lips parted as she studied Valda’s mouth.

Reluctantly, she pulled herself away enough to stand. Distancing herself from Valda seemed to be the best thing. But her body craved to be pulled in again. To be held, to be touched by Valda. Shivering, she formed a fist and tried her hardest to control the pool of desire that was unleashed within her stomach. She turned her back to Valda and wondered if it was a good idea to leave for the night but was stopped by Valda’s booming yet quivering voice.

“Don’t leave.”

That plea suffocated her. Maris’s heart squeezed inside her chest as she turned to look at Valda.

“You are not allowed to.”

Maris shuddered at the steeliness in Valda’s voice. Slowly, the fear melted away and was substituted by a burning need coiling in her lower abdomen.

“My Queen...” Maris swallowed the knot in her throat. Her breath hitched the moment Valda stood up straight and meticulously made her way towards Maris, slowly, steadily, searching. “My Queen, I...”

“I want to see you,” Valda declared, her hand reaching to Maris. She allowed herself to be captured. A calloused hand warped around her nape, pulling her closer before pressing their foreheads together.

“I want to see you how much you want me, Seashell.”

And gods, she wanted her. She wanted her from the first second she laid eyes on her. She shouldn’t. Not now. Not ever.

Shaking, she grasped Valda’s jaw, blue eyes glued to white. A distinctive ache in her stomach melted away between her thighs. Her thumbs slowly caressed Valda’s cheeks, parting her lips, wanting to bring forth words that would hold Valda near her heart and soothe her aching.

“Your voice...” Valda leaned closer as she spoke. “Your scent. I know, I can feel just how gorgeous you are.” Valda traced her calloused fingers over Maris’s upper arm, leaving a trail of delicate goosebumps before circling Maris’s waist, pulling her even closer. “I want more.” Leaning her head to the side, Valda closed the distance, capturing Maris’s lips in a searing kiss.

Moaning into her mouth, Maris deepened the caress, her tongue darting to taste Valda in soft strokes. Valda tasted like raw power and whiskey, and the saltiness of her tears. She was delicious and the desire that flourished within her chest filled her up with a sense of belonging she hadn’t felt…ever. As if she had found something she never thought she had lost.

Thick fingers gripped the hair at the back of her head, holding her steady. Valda’s tongue slipped inside her mouth with a desperation that made Maris whimper with need. A soft rumble vibrated from Valda’s chest.

Pulling away, Valda’s hands roamed her waist, her ass, the back of her thighs and up her waist again while her lips trailed a fiery road of open mouth kisses from neck to her chest. She realized Valda wasn’t simply feeling her up, this was her way of seeing her and worshiping her body.

“My Queen… wait—”

Suddenly, a roar emanated from deep within Valda, her hand clutching Maris’s cheek, forcing her mouth open.