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I sen sprawled out a large world map in front of Valda. She worried her lower lip as her eyes roamed over the different cities and villages, as well as the marks of where they had found the Vulcanian troops and Arwin’s. Maris stood next to her, dressed in a fiery red Sealian tunic with a tight, black waist belt and beige leggings. Next to the Sealian was Melvian, sitting down, stroking her stomach idly. Isen hadn’t left her side either.

He pulled his messy, tangled hair into a bun, wearing a similar outfit to Maris. His colors were darker brown and cream, with no waistband to tailor his frame. Surrounding the group of friends were young and old faces. There were ex-soldiers who came out of retirement to help the rightful queen take her place on the throne, and able bodies who took it upon themselves to learn how to fight were among the group.

Valda was more than grateful for all of them. Now, more than ever, she needed minds with experience and fresh eyes to bring forth the retaking of the throne.

“Arwin has taken over all cities closest to Ophelia,” Isen said, moving pieces of rocks over the cities. “Sadly, they are the ones with the largest population.” He sighed and scratched his chin. “Ariel, Puck, Portia, Desdemona, and Setebos have all proclaimed their loyalty to him. Some of them were willing…” He looked at Valda, “Some of them not.”

“How many chiefs were killed?”

An ex-soldier moved in and answered for Isen. “According to our reports, the chiefs in Ariel, Portia, and Desdemona city were murdered on the spot. ”

Valda pursed her lips in aggravation as Maris tenderly touched her lower back. Valda was more than sure that not only the chiefs were murdered, but anyone who even looked at Arwin funny was probably dead.

“He is no fool,” Valda said, her voice low and edged with venom. “With the castle’s army already under his command, he is now consolidating power by taking the enforcer divisions from the cities.”

“And the larger the cities…” Maris began.

“The larger the divisions,” Valda finished. She exhaled sharply and ran her fingers through her freshly cropped hair, the motion restless and agitated. Her gaze flicked back to the map sprawled across the table, but the lines and markings only deepened the pit in her stomach.

She could feel Maris’s concern radiating through their bond. Valda didn’t bother to hide her emotions anymore—not from Maris. Not now.

“All of them with Arwin? Every single one of those city guards?” Maris asked, her eyes glued to the older soldier.

“We are not sure.”

“His execution frenzy must’ve traveled around those cities,” Valda growled and turned to Isen. “What cities are with us other than Cressida, Titania and Perdita?”

Isen didn’t answer, allowing a young soldier to speak. He must’ve been no older than twenty, with hair cut close to his scalp all around his head except the top, where his curly hair was prominent. “Your Highness, Rosalind joins you in your efforts to recuperate the throne.” The young man smiled proudly. “They signed their loyalty to you.” He bowed and handed Valda a roll of parchment.

Valda dipped her head in a quiet salute and unrolled the paper. In it, the signatures of the chief of every city were written on it alongside their words of loyalty. It was all nice, diplomatic even, but as soon as Arwin entered the cities with the power of his army, if those chiefs wanted to stay alive, they would have to break their oaths.

“Thank you.” She gave the young man a rueful smile before her eyes traveled to every single person in that tavern. All of them stared back with hope shining through their eyes, hope she was trying to hold on to. “After talking to Maris, we’ve decided to move every Sealian unable to fight back to the Sea Kingdom.”

Isen’s eyes widened as his chest puffed with pride. He turned around to the multitude around them, but his happiness dissolved into confusion. His attention drifted to Melvian, who took his hand and gave it a soft squeeze before shaking her head, as if answering a silent question.

“Every able body, guard or warrior that wants to join our troops will be welcomed with open arms. The others will go to the Sea Kingdom, where they will be protected. Edemus gave us plenty of provisions we could give to stay there until this war is over.”

“Because it will be over soon,” Maris added before pressing her hand to Valda’s back again. “Sealians want to go back to our land. We want to rebuild, and we cannot do that if we are all here.”

“Right, and I will be heading to Cressida to send out the message and get everything in order for the moving,” Valda said before pointing at Prospero. “On our way here, we encountered a Vulcanian troop, after some questioning, we believe they have taken Prospero. It makes sense because of the pier. They can move in and out with ease. Now, we might have the enforcers of these cities,” she waved the rolled paper. “But we need more. We need all the help we can get to put a stop to the senseless massacre Vulcanians are unleashing on us. Any cities near Prospero are not safe.”

“We’ve been subject to attacks already. The town of Caliban is the closest to Prospero and we haven’t heard from them in a long while.” Another young soldier said, “My brothers live there, and I haven’t received any letters from them for a couple of months now.”

Valda turned to Isen and nodded at him. The captain placed a red rock over Prospero and Caliban on the map.

“We have to go there and make sure Chief Jaltious is alive. We could add more people to our side if they are,” Isen said.

“Gather more provisions as well…” Valda added, rubbing her chin. “We need to get the Sealians going, but before that, we have to clear out Prospero and Caliban,” Valda said before pointing at the rocky formations in Umbriel. “We can set camp here for our trip to Prospero.” Valda put two blue stones on the rocky formations of Umbriel, the same formations she had used for shelter before arriving in Titania with Maris.

“It’s a shame your people won’t stay,” an older soldier said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he addressed Maris. “We’ve been taking good care of them.”

“I know,” Maris replied. She shifted slightly, drawing the attention of everyone in the tavern. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for my people—truly—but we can’t keep moving from city to city, living at the mercy of others. It’s not sustainable. ”

She paused, glancing around the room. “There are so many Sealian children among us. We’ve… well, we’ve certainly taken it upon ourselves to repopulate.” Maris grinned jokingly, earning a chuckle from the people in the tavern. “But,” she added, her smile softening as her eyes briefly met Valda’s, “I would sleep better at night knowing they were somewhere safe, somewhere Arwin’s men could never reach them. And what better place than our own home?”

“Arwin or Eris,” Valda added, resting her hand on the hilt of her sword. “We have to be wary. We are fighting with a mortal and a goddess. One that can change her appearance on command. She can pose as either a Sealian and Skylian or even Vulcanian.”

Isen sighed and rubbed his temple in apprehension. “How can we know she is among us?”

“We don’t,” Valda muttered, her grip on the sword growing tighter. Within seconds, she felt Maris’s hand on her back again, attempting to soothe her. “I want to make one thing clear,” Valda began, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, and she felt the weight of their worries on her shoulders. She didn’t crumble or balk from their tired gazes.

“It is time we stop putting the needs of the rulers first. It is time we look out for the civilians, the regular people inside and outside this tavern. We have people trying to carry on with their lives, regardless of who is ruling or not. They want to have the reassurance that everything will be fine.

Most of you believe I want the throne back because I am the rightful queen, because of my birthright, to the symbol on my forehead, and for the power of the wind that I yield. I will not lie, yes, I am indeed all that, but I want the throne back to make a change. You deserve more than a queen who didn’t care much about your well-being and simply filled a space in the castle to boost her ego, or a queen who puts out a show and poses in the next royal painting.

Things will change. Believe it. I will use my power not to serve me and my lineage, but to serve you all. You all deserve better than a powerless queen and a blood-thirsty tyrant. You deserve to live a dignified life, surrounded by peace, family, and friends. Arwin believes he knows what is best for our kingdom, but at the end of it all, he wants to fill up his ego, to let everyone know that he was the one created for this role and he wasn’t.“ Valda turned to Maris, who looked at her as if she was the only one in the room. “Sealians deserve to have the chance to choose for themselves. To rebuild their homes or stay here as equals. To have their needs taken care of, even if they decide to head back, they still need our help to restore what was destroyed. I don’t know how long it will take, but I know I will not stop until we get what we want.”

“We,” Maris rectified. “ We will not stop.”

Valda nodded, her hand finding Maris’s and giving it a soft stroke over her knuckles before pulling away. She took a couple of white stones and placed them over the rocky formations in Umbriel and the blue stones. She stopped and looked in a young soldier’s direction. “Gather as many carts as you can, as well as provisions. The trip is long, and I need them all with as much energy as possible.”

The soldier nodded understandingly.

“I will head to Cressida and deliver the news and get them ready.” She patted at the map and then raised her eyes to Isen. “We need a small group to head to Prospero. We are not fighting, we are investigating. The fewer people we take, the better.” Before Valda could continue, she noticed Isen’s expression darken. She turned to Melvian and saw the young healer turning away after looking at her mate. “Is… something wrong?”

“Your Highness…” Isen’s voice lowered. “Melvian is soon to give birth. Any day now, and I don’t—“

“Don’t.” Valda waved her hand at him. “I understand.” A sigh of relief escaped him, and he quietly thanked Valda while she looked about the people in the tavern. She frowned and stood straight, her shoulders squaring with tension. “Where’s Eyphah? I could always take her if she doesn’t give me an attitude…”

Isen opened his mouth to talk, but he looked around and noticed his sister’s absence. “I haven’t seen her since our dinner last night.”

“She left early this morning. I saw her leave town, but she didn’t say where or if she would come back,” Cai spoke for the first time, making his presence known in the tavern. “I didn’t think I should’ve gone after her…”

Valda turned to Maris and frowned at her mate’s accusatory expression. Valda didn’t know where Eyphah could’ve gone. “What do you think?”

“She has never done this before…” Maris answered and turned her attention to Isen.

“Eyphah can have her temper tantrums,” Isen sighed and rubbed his temple. “But running away?”

Valda pressed her palms over the table and dismissed everyone except Isen, Melvian, and Maris. Once alone, she turned to Isen and pursed her lips in disapproval.

“Listen, my sister loves her people more than anything and she would do nothing to harm them… at least not in tentionally.”

“Is she a danger to herself?” Melvian asked, but Isen was already shaking his head before she could finish her question.

“No, no. She isn’t. That’s not the Eyphah I know. The Eyphah I know probably got angry at something and wanted to release some anger.”

Maris arched her eyebrow at Valda and crossed her arms scoldingly.

Valda cleared her throat and scratched the back of her neck. “Anyways. I will head out to Cressida tomorrow. I can take Cai and the other guards to keep me company—“ She stopped as she heard Maris let out a disapproving groan. “What is it?”

“Are you sure you should go with a small group?”

“I will be in and out in no time. I will be fine.”

“I am sorry I cannot go with her, Maris,” Isen said.

Maris waved him off. “Don’t worry, Isen. It is fine. You need to see your babies’ birth.” She turned her attention to Melvian. “You need to let me know about your contractions.”

Melvian rolled her eyes, patted her stomach, and nodded. “I will.”

Before the sun peeked over the horizon, Maris could feel her lover slipping away from her embrace. She watched quietly as Valda walked to the washroom and emerged with wet hair and naked. In her hand, she held her chest wraps and white blouse.

“So early?” Maris’s voice was groggy, and apparently Valda found it amusing. Maris could tell by the soft curve of her lips as she wrapped her chest up.

Her eyes trailed over her, taking in how breathtaking she looked every second of every day. She devoured Valda from her head down to her powerful thighs. Maris frowned at the new scar. If only Valda were a Sealian, she could erase those scars by drinking Sealian water.

“Another one for the collection,” Valda said, stealing Maris’s focus from her scarred leg and back to her face. “I don’t mind as long as you don’t.”

Maris shook her head tiredly. “I don’t,” she whispered and leaned back before letting out a soft yawn. “Are you leaving now? ”

“I have to,” Valda said, giving the wraps one last tug before putting her blouse and pants on. “If we want to get all of this done before another raid,” she sighed and hurriedly moved to the bed to give Maris a terse kiss. “Cerberus can stay with you.”

“She is your cat.”

“Ah, you see, she is your cat too. I think she likes you better.”

“That’s because I give better scratches.”

“Can’t argue there,” Valda chuckled, gently grabbing Maris’s face to peck her lips. “Remember what I told you.”

She remembered. They had stayed up all night talking about their plan. Valda was going to Cressida with at least three soldiers to not draw attention to herself. She would deliver the news to the Sealians, then reunite with Maris at the formations before going to Prospero and making the Vulcanians join them. It was a big stretch, but with the three kingdoms united, Maris was sure they could take on Arwin, Eris, and their army.

“Stay safe. Stay hidden. When in doubt, run.”

“And?” Valda raised her eyebrow.

Maris rolled her eyes and sighed. “Don’t fight if you don’t have to.”

“You are such a good girl for listening to your mate.”

Heat rose to her cheeks, and just as she grabbed Valda’s blouse to pull her down for a kiss, Cerberus jumped on the bed and came between them. With an annoyed grunt, Maris released Valda to pet Cerberus behind her ear. “You better leave before I make you late, darling.”

“I will,” Valda said, sounding more like she wanted to stay.

Maris didn’t want her to go, not when they started healing and getting comfortable around each other again. Yet, she allowed her to, pleading to Asclepius to keep her safe. Before Valda closed the door, she called Cerberus, who jumped on her shoulders.

From inside the chamber, Maris could hear the horses outside the inn, and even though Maris wanted to sleep for a couple more hours, she got up from the bed and watched from the window as Valda left the inn. Two young soldiers waited for her while a third one tied supplies to their horses.

As if being called, Valda turned, looked up at the window, smiled, and waved before hopping on her horse. Cerberus settled in her usual spot behind her. Maris returned the smile tenfold, waving her hand and chanting one last prayer for Valda’s protection. She watched her leave, a guard in front of her while two more guarded her flanks. It wasn’t until she couldn’t make her out in the crowd at the city entrance that she finally pulled away from the window.

Yesterday, after their meeting, the news of the Sealians moving was spread by Valda’s soldiers. For once, Maris had to admit that she missed Eyphah. She always had a way with words and with her people, and found ways to persuade them into doing what she believed was right. The city folks in Titania gathered everything they could for their fellow visitors. Wagons, horses, food, and supplies were all prepared for them to leave, and Maris couldn’t help but feel her stomach turn. She was sure Valda could feel her hesitation and weariness because she, too, felt Valda’s soft tug. A reassurance that everything was going to be all right, that she was there, and she wasn’t going anywhere.

Maris decided that a couple more hours of sleep wouldn’t harm anyone. When the sun’s rays seeped into the small window, it was time to get up. It didn’t take Maris long to get ready. She took a cold bath and prepared for the arduous task of riding a horse through a scorching desert. She dressed in light colors, as Valda suggested, and left the room with the trident in her hand. Many dipped their heads to her before continuing on their way. With how things were running, she guessed she would get a move on before midday.

Excellent.

On her way to the welcoming arches by Titania’s entrance, Maris caught a glimpse of both Isen and Melvian. The captain was on top of a wagon, moving some cargo around enough to make some space for Melvian. Melvian was the first to notice her, and her bright smile was contagious enough to make Maris smile back and wave with her free hand. “Morning!”

Isen stopped what he was doing to greet her back. “Good morning.”

“How’s everything going?” Maris asked, lazily patting Melvian’s shoulder. “How’re the contractions?”

“They are fine,” Melvian answered, while Isen grunted in disapproval. Melvian rolled her eyes and sighed. “All right! All right! Talk about overprotectiveness.” She turned to Maris. “They are becoming more frequent, but nothing I cannot handle.” The soft grimace was there, and if Maris could see it, so could Isen.

“Are you feeling all right, though?”

Melvian grinned and nodded. “Peachy.”

“She is having more and more contractions. I’ve been keeping an eye on her. I even told her to stay at the inn while I get everyone ready to leave, but alas—” Isen sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Skylians and their hard heads make it impossible to deal with them.”

“Has she been trying to block her pains from you?”

“Worse!” He sounded desperate and anxious. “She says she is fine when she isn’t.” He turned to Melvian and let out a soft growl, which she returned.

“Can you please stop talking as if I am not here? I am due any time now, but that doesn’t mean I am disabled.”

“You are—“

“Ah! Ah! Don’t remind me I am carrying twins. Believe me, I know.”

“Then why are you so careless?” Isen asked, his hands on his waist.

“Isen, don’t baby me. I am not being careless. I am being helpful. The Sealians are my people more than ever now that I am about to give birth to two of them. I know you worry, but…” She hissed as a contraction cut her off.

Isen sighed, rubbed his face, and then turned to Maris. “Well, I have something for you.”

Maris arched her brow. “Oh?”

Isen nodded at Maris before rummaging through the supplies in the wagon. He yanked out what appeared to be a holster before tossing it to Melvian, who caught it effortlessly. “For the trident. It would be easier for you to have both hands free,” Isen said before moving the supplies.

With Melvian’s help, Maris placed the trident in the holster and strapped it across her back. She was grateful for how the item distributed the weight and that her hands were free. She was much more comfortable now. She tried it out, reaching for the trident and finding it much easier to grab and pull out.

“Perfect!” Melvian said, her face wrinkling slightly.

“We have a couple of wagons to work with,” Isen mentioned, jumping off the wagon and next to Maris. “If I am not mistaken, we have a couple more carts to fill before we can head out. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get us by until we get the formations.”

“Good…” Maris smiled, her arms akimbo, before she turned to look back at the movement of people around them. Everyone was focused on preparations or helping others. Yet she couldn’t brush away the feeling of someone missing. “No news on Eyphah?”

Isen sighed and shook his head. “I am getting worried. She disappears, but not for long. It’s usually a day before she comes back.”

“Where do you think she could’ve gone to? ”

“New Agenor perhaps?” He shrugged. “That’s the only place she has ever called home after the disaster. She literally has nowhere else to go.”

“I don’t think seeing a bunch of corpses will help her mental state,” Melvian said, grabbing Isen’s forearm firmly. She grimaced slightly as she hissed again.

As soon as Melvian touched him, Isen focused on his mate. Melvian’s writhing expression made Maris move closer.

“What is it?”

“It’s just… That one actually hurt a bit.” She gasped, her grip on Isen’s forearm tightening.

“She is lying. It didn’t hurt a bit. She is in pain.” Isen sat her down at the open door of the wagon and locked his eyes. “Tell her the truth.”

“It’s a contraction,” Melvian moaned, her hand squeezing Isen’s shoulder. “Aaaand another one!”

“The contractions are too close to one another. We need to get her back to the inn so I can have a look at her.”

“I am—”

“Don’t you dare say you are fine because you are not! We will return to the inn, and Maris will be the one to determine if you are indeed fine.” Isen huffed, and just when he was about to gather her in her arms, Melvian uttered a soft yet surprised squeak. A dark wet spot spread underneath her.

Her eyes grew wide as she turned to Isen and gave him half a smile, trying to hide the panic brewing inside of her. “My water just broke.”

A heavy weight pressed against Maris’s chest. It was happening. Melvian was about to give birth, and suddenly she felt like she had just forgotten everything she had learned in the past eight months!

Shit! Shit, shit, shit.

“We must go back to the inn. Now!”