Page 18

Melvian let out yet another exasperated sigh.

“Melvian, stop it.” Maris groaned and moved her hand underneath the curve of her stomach and pressed her hand there. “You know I need to do this; you taught me this, remember?”

“I didn’t take this long though…”

“Well, the thing is that Coral was pregnant with one baby, you have two. I must make sure they are both ready for the birth and they are in the best position possible. If you are already having contractions, and according to the date you’ve given me, these two will be here any day now,” Maris said, her hand moving to the side of her swollen stomach. She pressed a little too hard, making Melvian let out a pained groan. “Sorry, sorry, I know. I am trying to get baby number two to move.”

“Stubborn like their father?”

“And their mother. Are Skylians always that hardheaded?” Maris asked with a soft curve on the corner of her lips.

“I wouldn’t talk so much about being stubborn if I were you.”

“Oh, hush.” Maris moved away and placed her fists on her hips. “How far along are the contractions?”

“To be honest?”

Maris frowned at Melvian. “Are you really asking me if you can be honest?” Maris arched her brow .

“Fine. It was the morning of the attacks. I’ve been having them once every…. Ten? Twelve hours? I am not sure.”

“Why in the world didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to bother you and add more weight to your shoulders. I am having twins, Maris, this will not be an easy birth.”

“It will be more difficult if you don’t tell me what is wrong with you!”

A knock on the door interrupted them. Isen opened the door, and as his eyes fell upon Melvian, they sparkled with want. “How are my two queens doing this evening?”

Maris chuckled and turned to Melvian, whose face was now beautifully colored pink. “I was just telling your mate that she needs to tell her healer everything.”

“Oh, please, don’t let me stop you. This woman doesn’t want to be a hassle and won’t tell anyone if she is uncomfortable.” Isen walked to Melvian, kissed her temple, and then moved to sit on a nearby chair. “Did you tell Maris about the contractions?”

“I did,” Melvian answered. “I told her the truth.”

“I expect nothing less than the truth!” Maris said, crossing her arms under her chest and sitting next to Melvian. “As soon as you notice your contractions becoming more frequent, you have to let me know.”

“I will…” Melvian said, placing both hands over her belly and eyeing Isen before looking back at Maris.

“That doesn’t sound convincing. Maybe I should stay the night with you just in case the contractions worsen.” As she finished her sentence, Melvian tensed, inhaling deeply and looking at Isen once more. The Sealian soldier puckered his lips and looked down at the ground, as if wanting to avoid saying what was on his mind.

“Is something wrong?” Maris asked, arching a brow.

Melvian turned before touching Maris’s knees. “You know I love you, right?”

Maris narrowed her eyes and nodded.

“Good. But I haven’t seen my mate in a very, very long time. You haven’t seen yours even longer and I really believe we all need some alone time.”

Maris opened her mouth to answer, but just as she was about to talk, Isen cleared his throat and spoke. “We made some arrangements before you arrived. You and Queen Valda have the best room in the inn, and I think you will enjoy it.” Isen didn’t look up, his face red.

“It has a private washroom and everything,” Melvian added, sprinkling a polite smile on her sentence .

“You know you can just tell me to leave…” Maris whispered.

Melvian leaned closer, squeezing Maris’s knee. “Leave.”

Maris’s eyebrows arched. “That was direct. All right then.” She slipped off the bed and patted her waist. “You do know sex can accelerate labor, right?”

Melvian smiled politely again, this time showing her teeth. “I know. I was the one who taught you that.” She pointed at the door. “Your room will be on the left at the end of the hall.”

“Have a pleasant evening, Your Highness.” Isen chuckled, walking Maris to the door. “Send my regards to Queen Valda.”

“Oh, I will. Please, don’t push me out.”

Isen laughed. “I would never.”

Maris tried to reciprocate the amusement in Isen’s face. But as soon as she was out of the room, the door closed behind her. An audible turn of the lock broke the hall’s silence.

Maris turned from the closed door and peered down the long hall. Her hands shook as apprehension and nervousness seeped out of her skin as sweat. She rubbed her hands over the dirty fabric of her tunic as she stood before the closed door of the room she was to share with Valda.

Eyphah hadn’t returned after dinner, and she was sure Valda had something to do with it. Everyone was having such a wonderful time, as if the danger of war and the genocide of the Sealian people weren’t looming over their heads. This short time, eating with her friends and mate, seemed to erase all the horrible things that might happen in the next couple of days.

It wasn’t until Melvian said she felt tired everyone decided to leave to their rooms. Valda said she would head out to hers first to wash off days’ worth of grime, while Maris agreed she would look at Melvian to see how the twins were doing, and now…

Now Maris was staring at the door separating her from her mate.

She shouldn’t feel so nervous, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling she was going to be alone, with Valda, next to a comfortable bed, and free of any danger. She could relax in her presence and not be hypervigilant of her surroundings.

And yet, that thought made her stomach twist.

The kiss they had shared in the cave could have been mistaken for forgiveness—but it wasn’t.

Maris hadn’t forgiven Valda. Not fully .

Still, she was willing to try. To work toward it, one hesitant step at a time. Despite everything that happened, there was no denying the magnetic pull between them. Their bond called for them to be together again, and her body ached to give in.

She desperately needed to surrender to those urges, even if her mind wasn’t ready.

Taking a deep breath, Maris ran her fingers through her hair before grabbing the doorknob. Slowly, she turned it and stepped inside.

The sleeping quarters were empty.

Maris exhaled a sigh of relief, closing the door behind her before walking over to the bed.

“I’m in the washroom. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Valda startled her, though it shouldn’t have. Maris wondered how Valda knew it was in her in the room, but then again, her hammering heartbeat was a dead giveaway. Surely Valda could either hear it in the room’s silence or feel it within their bond.

“All right,” she replied.

Her soft footsteps echoed inside the chamber as she took in its size. Valda’s dirty clothes were discarded in a corner. The Heaven Sword and the trident were leaning against a wall next to the bed.

Cerberus crawled out from under the bed, padding over to greet Maris. She bent down to scratch the cat’s head, but Cerberus quickly grew bored and slipped back into her hiding place beneath the bed.

The sound of shuffling feet drew Maris’s attention to the washroom. Valda stepped out, pushing wet strands of dark hair away from her face. The clean yellow blouse clung to her body like a second skin, droplets of water glistening on her neck and collarbone.

To Maris’s surprise—and slight delight—Valda wasn’t wearing any pants or shoes.

Her mouth went dry. She swallowed hard, quickly averting her gaze just as a low chuckle escaped the queen.

“I drew you a bath,” Valda said, before pausing and taking a deep breath. “I know you’re tired and want to get the sand off you.”

Maris nodded, watching as Valda gestured to a small bundle in the chair. “I had some clean clothes brought in.”

Reaching for the neatly folded garments, Valda handed them to her. “Here.”

Maris took the clothes, noticing immediately that they were Sealian with the light blue tunic and white pants. She glanced up to meet Valda’s gaze, but the other woman was already turning away, giving her space .

As Valda walked toward a nearby chair, Maris couldn’t help but notice how she struggled with her hair. Valda kept tucking it behind her ear, only for the damp strands to fall back into her face.

“Valda?”

The other woman froze mid-step, turning to face her.

Although Valda tried to mask it, Maris could see the weariness etched into her features—the faint tremor in her posture, the dark circles under her eyes.

“Yes, Seashell?” Valda replied softly, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly at the nickname.

Maris hesitated, clutching the clean clothes to her chest. “After I’m done washing up, would you like me to take care of your hair?”

Valda arched a brow and ran her fingers through her hair again, as if truly noticing its length for the first time.

“It’s… going to get in the way when you fight,” Maris said before pulling at one loose strand of her own. “I should know.”

“You don’t like it?”

Maris rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “I think you should cut it back to how it was before we—“

“If you want me to, I’ll get a haircut,” Valda interrupted, her eyes surprisingly hopeful. “Anything you want, I’ll do it.”

Surprised, Maris blinked. “Do Skylians’ hair grow faster than Sealians’?”

Valda laughed, and Maris’s stomach stirred. “I guess so.”

Maris nodded, her gaze trailing over Valda’s face. She tried to ignore the faint slash on her cheek but couldn’t help remembering how she looked with shorter hair. It suited her, Maris thought.

Short enough to be manageable, but still long enough for her fingers to trace through, to fist tightly… Maris’s heart jumped at the memory, her pulse quickening as she imagined tangling her fingers in Valda’s hair and yanking it back.

Lost in the vivid image, she didn’t realize Valda was watching her.

The intensity in Valda’s gaze hit her like a wave, the honey in her eyes darkening as they settled firmly on Maris.

The air thickened, and Maris felt the warmth spread through her face, her chest, and lower stomach.

“Maris. ”

Maris looked away, focusing on the clean clothes in her hands as she tried to gather her thoughts. Her fingers tightened slightly around the fabric. “Yes? What is it?”

Valda’s smile turned wicked, the kind that almost made Maris’s knees give out.

“I miss you.”

Maris inhaled sharply through her nose and jerked her head towards the washroom. “I will be right back.”

A large, clawfoot cast iron tub sat in the middle of the room with warm, soapy water waiting for her. Maris didn’t waste a second.

She placed the clean clothes atop the wooden vanity before turning to undress. She first removed her tunic and pants, then undid her chest wraps, peeling away the last layer of her undergarments.

The chill of the air prickled her skin as she stepped closer to the tub.

She dipped her fingers into the water first, testing it, before letting out a content sigh. Slowly, she eased herself in; the warmth spreading over her skin. She needed this after being on the road for so long.

The water rose to her shoulders as she leaned back, her body relaxing for the first time in what felt like days. The tension unraveled from her muscles as she soaked, her eyes fluttering shut.

After a few minutes, Maris tilted her head back, working her long, damp hair. Her nails scratched gently at her scalp.

Her ride through Umbriel had been grueling. The sun had scorched her skin, leaving a faint burn on her shoulders and arms, and the sand and dirt had clung to her, grinding into every crevice. Maris scrubbed her hair and skin vigorously, watching the grime swirl into the water until it turned murky. Only then did she decide to slip out of the tub.

Grabbing a clean, plush towel, she patted herself dry, sighing as the cool air kissed her damp skin.

The tunic waiting for her was slightly larger than what she was used to. The loose fit and sturdy fabric suggested it was a man’s tunic, but it was comfortable, falling just past her thighs and hips.

Maris decided she’d wear the pants only if she needed to leave the room.

Walking over to the vanity, she rummaged through the drawers until she found a hairbrush. She worked through the tangles with care, leaving her hair down to dry naturally. With her body clean and her hair freed, she walked back into the bedchamber. Valda was sitting on a chair, facing the window .

“I’m done,” Maris announced, tossing her dirty clothes into the corner with Valda’s.

Valda turned toward her, her hands holding up a small object that caught the light—a pair of scissors.

“Oh! You found some scissors,” Maris said with a smile, stepping closer. “I guess you really want me to cut your hair.”

“You were right,” Valda said, her lips curling into a faint smile. “It does get in the way. It’s long enough to poke me in the eyes now and…” She paused, her honey eyes gleaming with mischief. “Even though I’ve proven I can fight without my vision, I’d rather not have my hair blinding me.”

Maris chuckled, crossing her arms. “Well, I’ll see what I can do.”

She took the scissors from Valda and stood behind her as the tension dissipated from her lover’s shoulders. Maris wetted her lower lip before biting it and ran her fingers through Valda’s damp hair. Valda exhaled, closed her eyes, and leaned into the soft caress.

The other woman seemed to be as thirsty for affection as Maris was. While Valda indulged in the sweetness of Maris’s caress, the younger woman relished in the softness of Valda’s hair. It had been so long since she had touched it, it felt unreal.

Maris grounded herself by coursing her fingernails along Valda’s scalp. Valda shuddered in delight before Maris brought the scissors to the long strands. She started with the strands on the back of her head and worked her way up. Valda sat still; her nervousness revealed through their bond. Maris couldn’t help but smile.

“I won’t make it look bad; I promise.”

Valda grunted softly. “I trust you.”

“Good. Then why are you so nervous?” Maris asked, focused on the task, wanting to make sure that she didn’t screw up. She would never forgive herself if she gave Valda a horrible haircut.

“I am not nervous, Seashell, I am excited because you are touching me again,” Valda said while Maris’s hands moved about her head. “Or maybe I am scared this is actually a dream.”

Maris’s upper lip twitched into a brief smile. “Where is Cerberus?”

Valda tilted her head to the side. The large cat was under the bed, her tail swaying from side to side. Maris followed her gaze and tutted her tongue. “There are other ways to make sure this is not a dream.”

Valda frowned. “And how will you do so, if I may ask? ”

Maris slipped her right hand through Valda’s hair, pressing her palm to her scalp before closing her fist and pulling Valda’s head back. Hard enough to make it sting, soft enough for Valda to know she didn’t mean any harm.

Valda released a pleasurable hiss and opened her eyes to look at Maris. “You are playing with fire.”

“No, darling. I am playing with your hair.” She gave it another tug, and Valda’s breath hitched. Releasing her grip, Maris pulled away and Valda strode to the full-length mirror. Now wearing the yellow blouse and linen pants, Maris could still outline every muscle and curve. Maris sat in the same chair and admired Valda’s body.

“I think it looks perfect,” Maris said, her eyes glued to Valda.

Valda looked at herself in the mirror, playing with her hair, taking in the change of length until her eyes locked with Maris’s reflection. They stared at each other through the mirror until Valda turned around.

“Do you like it?” Maris asked, slowly crossing her legs, allowing Valda to have a delightful view of her thick, muscular legs. “I tried not to cut too much. I kind of like this look on you,” Maris said, spinning the scissors. “What do you think?”

Valda wasn’t paying attention. Maris could tell by how her eyes trailed over her entire form. Her burning gaze moved about Maris, first her face, then her neck, chest, and legs. Maris cleared her throat, and Valda’s eyes were back with her.

“Are you listening to what I am saying, or are you purposely ignoring me, Your Highness?”

Valda’s smirk sent a shiver down Maris’s spine, engulfing her in the excitement she feared had long forgotten.

“Forgive me, my Queen,” Valda said, a smirk stretching over her lips.

Maris took a deep breath at Valda’s playful tone. If they didn’t stop this soon, Maris would give in.

“Why should I?” Maris asked, her head tilting to the side.

“It was not my intention. I was just,” Valda’s attention dipped to Maris’s thighs, then back to her face. “Distracted.”

Maris narrowed her eyes, clicking her tongue scoldingly while shaking her head as she placed the scissors on her lap. “Such disrespect to the person who just gave you the perfect haircut. What should I do with you, Valda?”

Valda shrugged, smirking. “Whatever punishment you deem fit, Your Highness . ”