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“ S low down, Maris!” Melvian screamed, the gallops of her horse drumming loudly against the sandy ground.

Maris wished she could. She wished it was as easy as slowing down, taking a breather, and going on with how things were. She wished she could close her eyes, shake her head hard enough, and when she opened them, she would be back in Oberon Castle, with Valda walking out of the garderobe with her perfect, teasing smile. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Valda, but not the woman she’d grown used to. She saw her clutching the Heaven Sword, drenched in blood, with her father lying at her feet, pale and cold.

“Maris!”

Pulling on the horse’s reins, Maris slowed her pace down just as Melvian blocked her path. She couldn’t face her friend. The reality of her shame made it almost impossible for her to even lock eyes with her. She’d always known Melvian would never judge her, but the truth of what was happening was too much for her to bear.

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, Maris was hiding. She was hiding from Valda, hiding that they needed to talk about what happened with her father; she was hiding from Melvian, leaving her mate to babysit her, and she was hiding from the shame of not being able to proclaim that she was the real heiress of the throne of the Sea Kingdom .

She wasn’t worthy of Melvian’s love or her friendship. She wasn’t worthy of leading anyone. Yes, she wanted to warn the Sealians in New Agenor of what had happened, but could she actually make the decisions necessary to keep them safe?

“You still have time to turn back, Melvian.”

“Are you still going on with that? Is that why you wouldn’t even look at me before leaving Lasmeer’s place?”

“Melvian...”

“Stop it! I will not go back. I’m already set on staying with you.” Melvian tutted and pressed her knuckles to her lower back. “I am not used to riding horses, and you making me chase after you is going to prove horrible for my coccyx.”

“You can still go—”

“I will not abandon my best friend!” Melvian yelled, her shoulders slumping. “Why won’t you just let me help you? I’ve done so before, why stop now?”

“Help me with what, Melvian? Huh? You are leaving your mate, the father of your unborn child, to follow me to a place that isn’t even that comfortable. I am going back to New Agenor, not only to save them, but because I want nothing to do with Valda.”

“Yes, sure, because it is that easy, right? You think it’s just like that?” Melvian snapped her fingers and scoffed. “You are wrong, Maris. You are mated; you carry the bond. She is latched onto your heart and soul, and you will feel her every minute of every hour of every day. You can try all you want to keep busy, to do things, to rule over a settlement, but at the end of it all, when everything quiets down, you will feel her, and she will feel you, and there is nothing you can do to escape that.”

Maris’s chest rose and fell with every breath. She hated that Melvian could read her like an open book. Her friend knew her well enough to know that was exactly what Maris planned to do. If she kept her mind busy long enough to not think of Valda, maybe the bond would dilute. Right?

Shuddering in a sob, Maris closed her eyes tightly and let out a frustrated scream. She didn’t stop until her throat burned, until she was about to faint. Why did it have to be like this? Why did it have to be Valda!?

Her throat burned, and she slammed her hand against the saddle’s horn before snapping.

“And what do you want me to do, Melvian? Tell me! You want me to go back? To just be with her like she isn’t responsible for all the shit I’ve gone through? She killed my father and subsequently she killed my mother, and, fuck , you knew how bad it was after that. ”

“I know how bad it was.” Melvian nodded. “Of course, I remember. I was right there, just as I am now!”

“Then don’t act as if you know what is right for me. Your mate is a good man, who loves you and cares for you and, shit , you guys are going to have a family. What do I get? I will be disrespecting my parents’ memories if I stay with her.”

Melvian opened her mouth to say something, but her eyes trailed over Maris before she bit her lower lip.

Maris jumped off the horse, her shoulders shaking from the need to scream again, and the cold night air filtering through her Sealian clothing.

“I can feel her. I can feel her screaming; I can feel her despair, and she is probably fighting with Isen, maybe even trying to punch him and…”

“The sickness will start soon; you know that, right?” Melvian asked, jumping off her horse and reaching Maris.

“Sickness?” Maris asked, turning to Melvian. “What sickness?”

“Your body will literally act as if you were in … some type of withdrawal. You won’t be able to sleep, you will get nausea and body aches. Maybe even a fever. It’s different to everyone.”

“Are you kidding me?” Maris’s eyes shot up to the starry night. A fucking withdrawal as if she was addicted… “I can’t deal with this…” Maris clutched her blue hair and closed her eyes firmly. “How long will it last?”

“Weeks? Months? I am not sure.”

“Is there any way you can cure the sickness?”

“No, but…” Melvian squinted. “That’s not all.”

“There is more? What is it?”

“The vivid dreams,” Melvian began, rubbing Maris’s forearm. “One of you will find the other in your dreams. The good news is that seeing each other might help with some of the sickness.”

“What? Am I going to see her in my dreams?”

“Probably. The bond runs deep, Maris. It is hard to escape.”

Maris looked up at the starry sky again, this time she laughed, a soft cloud forming in front of her mouth. She wanted to escape Valda, but as soon as she closed her eyes, she was going to see her again. Bond or no bond, that woman was all she thought about.

Damn her.

Melvian grabbed Maris by her sleeve and pulled her in for a tight hug .

The warmth of the embrace was enough to break Maris. Tears spilled down her cheeks like a stream, her chest heaving as she clung to Melvian’s blouse.

“You know I’ve always got you, right?”

Maris nodded against her shoulder, her tears and snot ruining her best friend’s blouse, but she knew Melvian didn’t care. They’ve already seen each other in the most embarrassing of situations when children. A little snot and tears here or there would not change things between them.

“I am not leaving you alone. Not for anything in this world. Unless, of course, all that power gets to your head, and you will one day decide that the queen of the Sea Kingdom doesn’t want to be associated with a low-life maid from the Sky Kingdom.”

Maris snorted and squeezed her harder. She would never think that. She loved Melvian too much to think less of her. “I am so, so, so sorry for this. I swear I will be the best Asclepius worshiper, and I will make sure you give birth to a healthy baby.”

“You fucking better,” Melvian said, pulling Maris away enough to wipe her tears with her thumb. “I need you around, worshipping Asclepius by myself is difficult.”

Maris scoffed. “I don’t think I will much help.”

“I need you to be,” Melvian sighed as she turned to look at her hands. Her face contorted for a second, a mixture of pain and fear. She squeezed her hands into fists and swallowed hard. “I am… not sure if I am blessed or not.”

Arching a brow, Maris tilted her head to the side. She didn’t want to bring it up, but she found it strange that Melvian wasn’t able to heal Valda like she said she could. Tartarus, her arm was in pain even after the Sealian water. “Why do you think that is?”

“I am not sure, but…” Her lower lip quivered. “I’ve worked my ass off to be a blessed worshipper. I don’t know if the god took away my powers or if I never had them.”

“But you healed a soldier… You told me—”

“I healed Isen,” Melvian said, shooting a shy glance at Maris and then at the ground. “I don’t want to think that it was the sudden realization that he was my mate that healed him… Maybe I did something that angered Asclepius, and he decided to aban—”

Maris grabbed Melvian’s hands and squeezed them tightly. “No, Melvian. You are a good person, Tartarus, you are way better than I would ever be, I don’t think Asclepius abandoned you.”

“Then why am I not able to heal? ”

Maris curled her lips in and bit them. She didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know how Asclepius chose who to bless. “I don’t know. Maybe as you teach me the ways of the worshipper, you regain the blessing?”

Melvian’s eyes watered for a second before looking back down. “Maybe.”

“Listen…” Maris began nudging Melvian and wrapping one arm around her shoulder. “We should rest for the night. We can make it to New Agenor tomorrow,” Maris said, pulling on her horse’s reins and leading it closer to a rocky formation.

“Oh, blessed be Asclepius, I don’t think my ass could’ve handled more hours on that horse.”

Maris chuckled as she settled against a tall rock that would give them the protection needed to end their day. “I am wondering something, though.”

“What is it, Maris?”

“Please tell me you have a good relationship with your mate’s sister…”

Melvian winced. “Let’s just say we are amicable.”

***

Maris couldn’t help but smile as she saw Cai wave his sad attempt at a trident at her. The teenager ran, leaving his post at the entrance of New Agenor, and jumped right into her arms just as she had gotten off her horse.

“You are back! So quickly!” His smile diminished as he looked behind her and saw Melvian waving at him. “Where’s Queen Valda?”

Swallowing hard, Maris thought of an excuse to say. She needed one, being that probably every person she encountered in the next hours would ask her about her mate. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, tell them the reason she left Valda behind.

For now, she didn’t answer Cai’s question, instead, she ran her fingers through his blue hair before patting his arm. Cai pulled himself away from her hug, his face paling.

“Is she okay?”

“Cai, I need you to get Eyphah. I need to talk to her,” Maris said.

“Oh. Alright.” Nodding, he dashed through the plaza and into House of Arago. The lights inside the large cabin were still on.

Melvian’s hands found hers. Her best friend squeezed her sweaty palm before pushing her towards the plaza; their horses followed close behind .

In a matter of seconds, Eyphah slammed House of Arago’s door open. Her neck almost snapped as she turned to face Maris and Melvian.

Taking a deep breath, Maris tried to ease the anxiety bubbling in the pit of her stomach and the heaviness of her chest.

Eyphah ran to her, her face dark with worry and confusion. Because of her disheveled hair and clothing, she was probably in bed. “Melvian, Maris.”

Eyphah bowed low to Maris before gripping Melvian’s forearm. “Where… where is Valda?”

Giving Melvian a quick glance, Maris took a deep breath and said, “I need you to gather everyone at the plaza.”

It surprised her that Eyphah didn’t fight or question her at all. The other woman nodded, as if understanding that whatever Maris was about to announce was urgent. “I will get to that.” Eyphah snapped her fingers at Cai and jerked her head towards the other cabins. “Let everyone know their queen is back and wishes to speak to them.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cai nodded and ran into the settlement.

Eyphah’s questioning gaze was back on Maris. She could feel it burning holes through her, but Maris stared on at Cai, watching him slam his hands on every shabby cabin door.

“Something happened,” Eyphah whispered, touching Maris’s shoulder.

Maris bit her lower lip, trying her hardest to stop her jaw from quivering. “You will know soon enough.”

***

Talking to her people without Valda was overwhelming. The other woman’s presence always helped calm her nerves, but now, as all her people’s eyes were on Maris, she could feel the heaviness of the situation, of her existence.

Maris wrung her hands, pulling at the skin between her index finger and thumb. Her left leg bounced, and if it wasn’t for Melvian touching her shoulder, Maris thought she would’ve fainted. Behind her, Eyphah stood, arms crossed, awaiting what she was about to say.

For the first time in her life, Maris wasn’t scared of being surrounded by people, but of what she was about to say.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” Maris began, swallowing hard, her back tensing. “Something happened in Oberon Castle. ”

Eyphah moved to sit down on the ground next to the wooden log Maris was using as a seat. She thought Eyphah would interrupt, saying that she didn’t care what happened in Oberon Castle, but surprisingly, the other woman’s face contorted with worry.

“General Arwin Tuuli has declared himself king of the Sky Kingdom. Valda has abdicated.”

The sudden gasps rippled through the Sealians, a wave of confusion sweeping over them. A flurry of questions erupted, but even if she wanted to, Maris couldn’t answer them all. She raised her hands, pleading softly for silence before she could continue.

“Arwin is the one behind the rising rebels in the south. He wanted to be in control, and it seems he had asked for the help of the goddess Eris. She…” Maris paused to swallow the knot in her throat. She remembered Valda turning to her back in the throne room, begging her to tell everyone that she was the rightful heiress. Instead, she kept quiet, and because of that, Valda was hurt. “Eris is disguising herself as the heiress of the Sea Kingdom.”

“ What?” Eyphah snarled. “She is not the heiress.”

“But she is making everyone around believe she is. Arwin’s… goons think they are the link to both the Sky and Sea Kingdom unification, but it is a lie to get them ahead,” Maris said.

Eyphah shook her head in disbelief. “We will not bow to—”

“You will,” Maris interjected, and another rush of angered screams flourished from within the throng. “You will bow down to her when she comes here.”

“We will kill—”

“You will do no such thing, Eyphah!” Maris yelled, her heart beating wildly inside her chest. Tartarus ! She felt as if she was about to faint. “You will not try to kill Eris; you will not try to kill Arwin. I’ve seen what that man is capable of, and I will not allow your hardheadedness to put everyone in harm’s way.”

“How can you expect us to bow down to a false ruler? You are our queen; she is an impersonator and—”

“Because I am beseeching you, Eyphah,” Maris’s voice broke. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Maris finally released the sob she was holding and grabbed onto Eyphah’s arm. “He mercilessly kills anyone who comes between what he wants. Eris wants all knees to bow to her. I would rather have your fake devotion to her than have any of you dead.”

Eyphah opened her mouth, but Maris’s grip grew tighter.

“Please, Eyphah,” Maris said, her voice low and strained .

The other woman’s eyes trailed over her face, first in bewilderment, then in understanding. Her hand covered Maris’s before nodding.

Maris could breathe again.

“Fine.” Eyphah turned to the throng and stood. “We will do everything in our power to stay alive.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if we packed our things and left?” a woman from the crowd asked.

“If you leave, it will be too obvious that you all know what is happening,” Melvian added before bowing to everyone. “We know Arwin has plans to turn New Agenor into a new city within Sky Kingdom’s territory. We cannot trust that you will suddenly be treated with the respect you seek, but leaving…” Melvian shook her head and turned to Maris.

“We can’t leave. Not now, though. We can slowly prepare, but…” Maris sighed, her hand pressing on her chest.

Anger…

She felt anger burning inside her chest. It was Valda.

Maris could almost feel the other woman thrashing about. It was as if a wild, injured animal was trying to escape its confinement.

Closing her eyes, Maris forced the feeling down, focusing on the events unfolding before her. Valda’s emotions would have to wait if she hoped to calm her people’s fear.

“We must make Arwin and Eris believe we are on their side, even if it means lying for the time being,” Maris said, pulling up her walls and ignoring the sensation all together.

“What about Valda? Where is she? Is…did he—” Eyphah lowered her gaze, as if afraid to voice what she was thinking.

“Valda has been injured in battle. Arwin stabbed her back… literally.” Melvian rubbed her forehead. “I tried to heal her as much as I could, but…” She then turned to look at her hand and groaned. “I don’t know what is happening with my powers.”

“Valda is convalescent,” Maris added.

“Will she join us once she is better?”

“No.” Maris’s answer was firm.

Silence fell in the middle of the plaza. Clearly, Eyphah wasn’t comfortable questioning Maris more about Valda, and Maris was grateful for that.

“Our survival now will be successful if we lie about our devotion and allegiance. I won’t hold it against anyone. We must stay alive long enough for everyone to flee, and to make matters worse…” Maris swallowed hard. “The Vulcan Kingdom has declared war against the Sky Kingdom, and I don’t want Arwin to find more soldiers within our people.

"No harm would come to anyone, even if it means denying my existence to Arwin if the time came to do so. Valda, Isen, Melvian, and I are wanted for treason, and anyone who dares to help us would be killed.”

Maris stared at her people. Many clung to their mates, while others hid their children’s faces away, as if shielding them from what was about to come.

“Why? What happened with the Vulcanians?” Eyphah asked.

“They killed the Vulcanian king. Now his daughter is seeking revenge.”

Sitting back down, Eyphah scoffed as she rested her head in the palm of her hands.

“If we work together, no harm will come to us,” Maris said, loud enough for everyone in the plaza to hear, but she knew it wasn’t the truth. Harm would eventually come, and she hoped she was strong enough to stop it.

It wasn’t long before Eyphah dismissed all the Sealians. Maris couldn’t bring herself to stand and say her goodbyes. Eyphah did it for her. The other woman patted their backs, gave words of encouragement that Maris couldn’t quite hear.

She was tired, mentally and physically. She was tired of running around, of trying to muster a hopeful smile at whoever looked to her for words of encouragement. Even if she assured her people everything would be fine, Maris’s smile cracked under the pressure of their reality.

Things would get worse.

Her friend stayed with her near the large fire as the square emptied. Melvian didn’t utter a word, and Maris was grateful for that. The silence surrounding them brought Maris a glimmer of much-needed peace. It was short-lived as Maris heard heavy footsteps heading her way. As she raised her gaze from the fire, she noticed Eyphah’s hesitant form next to her. Once again, Maris mustered a strained smile.

“I’ve prepared House of Arago for you. I’ve moved my things elsewhere. I’ve also prepared a cabin for Melvian.”

“I was used to the House of Proteus. You didn’t have to move your living quarters for me.”

“No. You are our queen. It is only fitting that you have the best house in the settlement.”

Maris nodded, yet her gaze fell back on the dimming fire as the coldness of the night seeped into her skin. Sleeping without Valda near her, waking up to an empty bed… It ma de Maris wonder if she could rest at all. She was truly terrified of dreaming. How would she react if she saw Valda in her dreams?

Eyphah hesitated, the desire to say something tightening her expression, but the words were forestalled by the situation. Thankfully, Melvian noticed and stood from Maris’s side, leading Eyphah away and leaving Maris to her thoughts.