Page 88

“If he is a traitor to the crown,” Valda whispered as a sudden fear washed over her. She wiped her palms over her pants roughly.

“I’ll look into that. Of course.”

Valda sighed and crossed her legs again. “Is there any news about my mother’s death? Have you been able to find something?”

“The investigation is going well. I will be receiving a full report from King Hagan. If anything, whatever happened to your mother happened in the Vulcan Kingdom.” He paused and the sound of fingers drumming over wood caught Valda’s attention.

Valda raised her eyebrow. “Yes?”

“If we were to tie your mother’s death to them, what will happen?”

“You know damn well what will happen. I said I wanted blood, I will have blood.”

Silence consumed the room again and Valda heard taping fingers against wood.

“Arwin? What is it?”

Arwin huffed, the tapping of the fingers stopped. “I wonder.”

“What?”

“Is the Sky Kingdom ready to engage in war with the Vulcanians?”

14

Valda closed the door behind her. She was greeted by the rustle of bed sheets. Expecting Maris, she was surprised when Melvian cleared her throat before speaking.

“Your Highness, I gave Maris some medicine from the healer's chamber. Her shoulder was banged up, nothing to worry about, yet I gave her something so she could rest the night with no pain,” Melvian’s voice came from somewhere near the bed.

“Is she resting?” Valda inquired; voice tinged with concern.

“She is. Just now she closed her eyes. I was waiting for you to return before I took my leave,” Melvian replied.

Valda nodded, acknowledging the effort Melvian had taken. “I will take over now. Thank you, Melvian.”

“I left some medication on your nightstand also. Just in case you get a headache,” Melvian added.

“That won’t be necessary, but I appreciate it,” Valda said, making her way to the bed.

“If you need anything, I will be in the kitchen,” Melvian said before leaving and locking the door behind her.

Valda sighed wearily, her right hand behind her head as a pounding headache intensified more because of stress rather her cut on her eyebrow. She considered taking the medication, realizing she might need it after all. She lay down, turning towards Maris’s sleeping form. Soft snores filled the room, and Valda smiled at the sound. She scooted closer, placing her hand on Maris’s waist, noting the younger woman’s deep sleep.

Valda’s fingertips trailed over Maris’s face gently, tracing her eyebrows, nose, and lips as she tried to etch an image of Maris in her mind. She fought the urge to wake her, moving strands of hair away from Maris’s face before leaning in and kissing her forehead. As soon as Valda realized what she had done, she pulled away abruptly, her breath hitching. She turned to lie flat on her back, facing the ceiling, frowning.

Valda was conflicted and confused. She didn’t want to involve Arwin, she didn’t want him to look into Maris. But she needed to know that Arwin was wrong about Maris. She wasn’t in the castle to disrupt, she was in the castle because the Oracle was right and Maris was her mate.

Heart mate, or soulmate, whichever. It didn’t matter. Even if Valda didn’t want a heartmate in the first place, she still wanted Maris.

But, if Arwin was right about Maris, what would Valda do to her?

Valda turned to Maris again, their bodies entwined in the shared bed. Maris was fast asleep, in her room, her territory. Valda couldn’t help but feel a sense of intimacy and closeness as she shifted closer, her hand finding Maris’s waist and pulling her into her chest.

Maris whimpered softly, instinctively nuzzling into Valda, their legs tangling in the way of lovers. Valda couldn’t resist the temptation of Maris’s scent, the strong sea aroma that both calmed her and stirred a longing within her. It was intoxicating, addictive, and Valda found herself craving it more and more.

“Your highness should rest,” Maris’s groggy voice broke the silence, and Valda couldn’t help but chuckle deeply at the concern in her tone.

“You’re banged up. Melvian told me, despite your attempts to hide it,” Valda said, her fingers tracing soothing circles on Maris’s back.