Page 81

“I am here,” Maris whispered, her voice trembling.

“Come to me,” Valda commanded, her hands urgently searching for Maris. She couldn’t afford to wait. Falling to her knees, Valda crawled towards where she thought Maris was, ignoring the splashing mess of water as she moved. “Are you all right?” Valda asked anxiously, her hands finally finding Maris’s waist. “Did they hurt you?”

“No, I am fine,” Maris reassured her.

Valda opened her eyes, as if she could see beyond the darkness itself to confirm Maris’s well-being. “They beat me up a bit, but I am fi—” Maris started to say, before Valda growled and turned as if wanting to make sure the attackers were dead.

“Valda, please,” Maris pleaded.

“Who were they?” Valda demanded, her voice dripping with anger.

“I don’t know... they were wearing the same uniform as the guards back in the castle,” Maris replied, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Valda’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hurried away from Maris, her hands searching until she found one of the corpses. With a sense of anger and betrayal, she patted the guard’s chest until she felt the cold badge resembling Oberon Castle stitched to the right side of the man’s clothing.

“Worthless traitors,” Valda muttered through clenched teeth, as she tore the badge from the guard’s clothing. “Can you help me find the other plaque?” Valda asked, her voice softening as she addressed Maris.

Maris took a moment to compose herself, shuffling to her feet and walking away from Valda. She groaned as she moved the other attacker’s dead body, and after a quiet moment, she sighed with relief and moved back to Valda. “Here,” Maris said.

Valda swiftly grabbed Maris’s wrist, pulling her to kneel next to her. A pained hiss issued from the younger woman, and her angry visage broke down into a concerned frown. “They hurt you,” Valda whispered, her voice filled with remorse. “They hurt you because I couldn’t help.”

“You helped. You were there. They are...literally dead at our feet,” Maris said, her voice filled with gratitude.

When Maris’s trembling hand touched her brow, she flinched at the surge of pain but still held her place, accepting the sweet, comforting caress.

“I am fine...” Maris reassured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Valda sighed, leaning her face into Maris’s hand. “Forgive me,” she said softly.

“No. There is nothing to forgive,” Maris tenderly replied.

Before Valda could object, a pair of soft lips pressed to hers, calming her instantly. She wrapped her arms around Maris, wanting to squeeze her tightly, but unwilling to hurt her. Valda stood, helping Maris up with her. Her hands trailed over her arms, feeling her, checking for wounds.

“We are going back to the castle. I can have Melvian take a look at you. After that, you will rest,” Valda said with determination.

“I am fi—” Maris started to protest.

“That’s an order,” Valda barked, flinching and tensing as the sound of running footsteps neared.

“What happened?” Lasmeer asked, out of breath.

“We were attacked, but we’re fine,” Valda replied, holding Maris close. “Could you please fetch our horses, Lasmeer?” she asked kindly, while putting the badges away in her pocket.

“I would like to have my meal to go,” Maris added, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

13

The ride back was awkward yet oddly charming.

As much as Maris didn’t want to be carried around, she couldn’t say no to Valda.

She’d tried.

The queen had demanded her to sit on her lap as they made their way back to the castle. Argo was a good horse that knew his way around. Maris’s mare followed right behind as if it was tied to Argo.

As much as Maris wanted to relax and enjoy the ride back to the castle, the constant and deep-seated growling emanating from Valda’s chest made her uncomfortable. She understood her anger, but at the same time, she didn’t know if she could say something to calm her. Maris, herself, was still shaken up. The fact that she was out in public was enough to make her nervous, and now she was terrified.

She had just finished washing her hand when the two guards entered the washroom. Of course, she thought nothing of it. She even smiled brightly when she noticed the uniforms. She had no reason to fear them. But then they grabbed her, started asking her questions, regarding why she was in the castle, threatened to kill her if she didn’t talk, even slammed her against the wall when she refused. Her silence more fear driven than anything.