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Maris felt Valda’s arm muscle shifting under her touch. “Valda,” Maris whispered and shook her head, trying to get her to calm down.

“You killed Vulcanians too…” Kenna said, her purple eyes remained on Valda, as if daring her to make a move.

Valda’s upper lip twitched as she crossed her arms over her chest and took a step back. Turning her attention to Kenna, Maris took a deep breath and said, “Queen Kenna, please. You said it yourself. The Sealians have nothing to do with this war. Your mate… Eyphah is a Sealian. She wants to go home. We want to go home.”

Kenna’s jaw clenched before turning to face the cabin where Eyphah was. “My mate deserves peace,” she muttered before flicking a braid behind her shoulders. “I will help you move the Sealians, but only because I want my mate to be safe.”

Valda released the breath she was holding, as did Maris. “Send your men to Prospero and let your people know we are heading there. We are already packed to move.”

Kenna nodded, threw her head back, and whistled sharply. In seconds, one of her men stepped forward. She gave the man instructions in Arevulcan and waved her hand dismissively. He bowed his head low and left.

“Done. What else do you need? ”

“Kayden…” Valda swallowed hard. “Where is he?”

Kenna locked her eyes again. “In prison for treason.”

“Treason?” Maris asked, grabbing Valda’s hand.

“He revolted against me when he heard what happened. He kept claiming you were innocent. Harmonia did not join in the war. So we cut all food supply to them. He tried to kill me using his little tricks.”

“He is alive?” Valda asked. Her grip on Maris’s hand tightened.

“He is,” Kenna answered.

Valda let out a relieved sigh, closing her eyes tightly as she brought Maris’s hand to her lips. She pressed her clammy forehead against it, murmuring a soft prayer that Maris couldn’t quite make out.

“I should’ve put him to death, but his mother begged me not to.” Kenna grunted and shook her head. “It was hard to see a woman as Leida Poyraz, a sobbing mess because of her son.” Kenna stopped talking as a Sealian and Skylian walked by holding plates filled with food.

They handed a meal to everyone before leaving. At first, Kenna stared at the mixture of Skylian and Sealian food. After inhaling the smell, she took a bite of what appeared to be chicken. She ate quietly, while Maris kept her gaze on her.

After a couple of mouthfuls, the Vulcanian queen sighed happily and said, “I will send word to release Kayden. That way, he can join us.”

“Thank you, Kenna,” Valda said, sitting on the ground to further enjoy her meal. Maris took a couple of bites, since her attention was fixed on both Valda and Kenna. It was weird seeing Valda dressed as a Vulcanian. The makeup and dirty chest wraps accentuated her rugged look. Valda was tired, while Kenna looked… refreshed.

“How are you able to wield your gift for such an extended period and not get fatigued?” Maris asked, taking Valda and Kenna by surprise.

Kenna was in the middle of another mouthful of chicken. Her face scrunched in confusion before looking at Valda. She scoffed and shook her head condescendingly. “We are not merely blessed with these powers.” She snapped her fingers. A single flame floated from her palm. “We are the gods’ vessels. Their essence runs through us. We are the new gods of this time. It is a matter of overcoming your mortal limits. Don’t be afraid of death, for you will be reborn again.”

Valda chuckled, raising her cup to Kenna. “Is it enough to kill an actual goddess? ”

Kenna shrugged, lifted her cup as well and touched Valda’s with it. “Three goddesses with their holy weapons will always be stronger than one any day.”

***

Maris grabbed the horn of the horse’s saddle and pulled herself onto the animal. She adjusted the trident behind her, pulled on the reins, and turned on her steed to look at the movement behind her. She watched Isen carefully settle his sister next to Melvian, who sat on the wagon bed with baby Ciel in her arms. Maris could see the emotions pouring out of Eyphah as Valda placed Struan in her arms. The wagon had a cloth tarp to protect them from the horrible heat and sun.

They were half a day away from Prospero. They had food and more security, thanks to the Vulcanians. Kenna stayed at the rear to keep the Sealians safe from any attack from behind, although she commented repeatedly that she wished to be near Eyphah. Watching the two women interact was awkward, to say the least.

Kenna was very passionate and possessive, while Eyphah wasn’t even sure how to act around her, which Maris found odd. The woman had always wished for a mate. Now that she had her, she wasn’t sure what to do with her.

Maris pulled her horse towards Valda, who looked up at her with a soft smile. Cerberus lay on her shoulder, and as soon as she saw Maris, she leaned close enough to jump on her lap and curl up.

“I will head out first and lead the way. You can stay here with Melvian and the rest,” Valda suggested. “I know you want to be near the babies and oversee Eyphah’s injuries.” Valda jumped onto her horse and then pointed at Cerberus. “Keep her safe, fur ball.”

Cerberus lifted her head and meowed at Valda before snuggling closer.

Maris leaned to her side, grabbed Valda’s shoulders, and pulled her into a soft kiss. “Be careful.”

“She will,” Isen interrupted, his horse coming to stand next to Valda’s. “I will keep an eye out with her.”

Maris nodded at Isen and patted Valda’s cheek before releasing her and allowing her to lead with Isen. Maris then turned around and spotted Melvian casually talking to Eyphah. The two seemed to get along better now than before. Melvian was showing off the small characteristics of each baby as she pointed at Struan’s dark hair and then touched Ciel’s blue curls. Melvian’s smiles spread across her youthful face. A proud flame burned in her dark eyes. Maris couldn’t help but also smile as she approached both women.

Eyphah was still injured, and it would take her a couple of days to recover fully, but she looked happy, calm, and overjoyed as she held her nephew.

Maris grinned at her back before saying, “Gorgeous, are they not?”

Eyphah let out a raspy breath and nodded. “They truly are. Who would’ve thought my brother would produce such perfect creatures?”

Melvian arched an eyebrow playfully and huffed. “Excuse you.” She scoffed. “He didn’t produce them alone, you see. I did a lot of pushing and producing, too!”

Eyphah laughed, but quickly regretted it. She hissed and held her side, careful not to disturb Struan sleeping on her lap. “I am sorry. You are right.”

“Of course I am,” Melvian declared, settling against the wagon and closer to Eyphah.

Maris watched contentedly as both women accommodated the other, sharing their warmth and the comfort of the babies. It wasn’t long until Melvian quieted into a peaceful slumber as Eyphah looked upon the infants.

Well into their journey, Maris saw Valda galloping towards her. There was no worry in their bond, so Maris smiled brightly as her lover stopped nearby. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes. We are stopping to rest here. We will leave in two hours,” Valda said before jutting her chin towards Eyphah and Melvian. “They should stretch their legs and you should get off that horse.”

Valda gracefully jumped off the saddle and onto the dense sand beneath her. Maris didn’t want to wake Cerberus. She was sleeping soundly on her lap. It would be cruel to disturb her, but Valda nudged her pet and patted her shoulder for her to jump on. Once she stretched her front paws, Cerberus jumped on Valda and accepted a piece of dried meat. Valda then turned to Maris and held her hand as she jumped off the horse. After opening her saddlebag, Valda pulled out more meat rations and handed them to Maris, ordering her to eat.

“Should we bring something to Melvian and Eyphah?” Maris asked as she turned to look at the wagon. To her surprise, Isen was already helping Melvian down from the wagon and ensuring she had some food in her hands.

“Isen will take care of them,” Valda mumbled before stopping and looking at Maris. “Eat.”

“You should too. You are looking slimmer,” Maris joked, patting Valda’s toned stomach and then her bottom .

She had changed back to her cotton attire after her talk with Kenna and she swore never to dress as a Vulcanian again. Although they wore less clothing, Valda still said it was suffocating to wear fur.

The deep chuckle from Valda made Maris shiver. She pressed her lips to Maris’s temple and inhaled deeply before pulling away. “It is quite nice how much you care for me.”

“It’s your ass I am worried about,” Maris said before sneaking her palm to pat Valda’s left ass cheek. Her lover released a warning groan, which prompted Maris to pull her hand away and securely rest it on Valda’s lower back.

“You need a wagon for yourselves?” Melvian asked from behind them. Her friend had walked to their side when Isen allowed her to move about while he cared for his sister and children. The healer took a bite of her jerky before her face contorted in disgust. “What is this?”

“Dried meat,” Valda answered before taking a huge bite of her jerky and then bumping Maris’s side, egging her to do the same before giving another piece to Cerberus.

Sighing, Maris rolled her eyes and ate the food Valda had given her. She wasn’t a fan, but it was easier to carry around dried meat than to build a fire to cook. If they were going to be moving again, they needed a quick meal, some minutes to stretch their limbs, drink water, and continue.

“How long until we reach Prospero?”

“We will make it there by nightfall,” Valda answered, taking another bite of the meat and turning to inspect the caravan.

Everyone seemed happy to be out of the wagons and off their horses, conversing and sharing a meal. Maris was pleased. Her focus landed on Valda, whose features turned uneasy and cautious.

“Valda?” Maris reached absently to touch her lover’s bandaged hand. “Is something wrong?”

Valda’s hand immediately moved to the hilt of her sword. Cerberus, who had been chewing happily nearby, froze mid-bite. Her ears perked, swiveling side to side, before she dropped to the ground and bolted under a wagon.

“Valda—” Maris began, but her words caught in her throat as Valda turned sharply to her, her honeyed eyes wide, her mouth slightly agape.

Before Valda could speak, a sharp whistle tore through the air, slicing into the fragile peace .

Maris’s breath hitched. Something streaked past her, too fast to see, but she heard it—the dull thunk of impact, followed by a gasp and a low, guttural groan of pain.

Time seemed to slow as Maris turned, her heart pounding in her ears. She watched, helplessly, as Melvian’s ration tumbled to the sand.

Then her gaze fell on the arrow lodged in the center of her best friend’s chest. For a moment, Maris couldn’t hear anything but the sound of her own blood roaring in her ears. Her scream clawed at her throat, but it was drowned out as the sky filled with hundreds of arrows, slicing through the air.

Valda yanked her down, dragging her under a wagon.

They were under attack. Again. And this time…

This time, they hurt someone dear to her.

No.

Maris’s vision blurred with tears and rage, her chest heaving with every shallow breath.

No!

“Valda, Melvian!” Maris cried out, her voice barely audible over the deafening thwack of arrows embedding themselves into the wagon above them.

Valda’s teeth bared in a snarl, her eyes wild and unblinking, like a cornered animal. “We have to wait for them to reload if we want to move!” she barked.

Maris’s entire body trembled, her pulse pounding in her ears as she shoved Valda aside, her eyes locking on Melvian, who lay crumpled on the ground beside the wagon. A second arrow jutted from her abdomen, the blood pooling beneath her spreading too fast for Maris to process.

“Melvian…” Maris’s voice cracked as she crawled toward her best friend.

Melvian’s head tilted weakly, her wide, unfocused eyes searching for Maris as her trembling hand reached toward her.

“No, no, no,” Maris chanted under her breath, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she pressed them to the wound, desperate to staunch the bleeding. “I’ll get the arrows out. I’ll get you some water. Sealian water. Yes—yes, that’ll work…”

Her mind raced as she fumbled, her movements frantic, erratic. Sealian water had to work. It always worked. It didn’t matter if Melvian was Skylian. Asclepius would hear her prayers, grant her the miracle. He had to.

Right?

The thought clawed at her, the bitter truth seeping into her chest like poison.

No .

Her breath hitched as Melvian’s bloodied fingers clutched at her tunic, her lips quivering.

“My babies,” Melvian choked out. Her gaze darted desperately towards the wagon’s direction. “Maris, my babies.”

“They’re fine. They’re all right,” Maris lied, her voice trembling as she worked to steady her hands. She didn’t know if they were all right. She could only hope. Please let them be all right. They were with Isen and Eyphah, and she clung to that thin thread of faith.

“Take care of them, Mar—”

“Shut up!” Maris snapped through gritted teeth, her voice cracking as she cut her off. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her hands firmly against the wounds, trying her hardest to avoid the arrows. “You are fine. You’re going to be fine. I just need to pull the arrows out, clean the wounds, stitch you up, and—“

A guttural roar split the air behind them, a sound so primal it made Maris’s stomach drop. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

It was Isen.

She knew he could feel it. He could feel his mate’s life slipping through her fingers.

“We have to go right now!” Valda’s voice jolted her out of her frozen state. Before Maris could react, Valda shoved her aside and scooped Melvian into her arms, cradling her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.

The arrows lodged in Melvian’s chest and stomach shifted as Valda moved, and Maris winced at her best friend’s weak groan. “We have seconds before they attack again!”

Maris’s heart hammered in her chest as her eyes darted to the arrows scattered across the ground. These weren’t Vulcanian weapons. The crude rock tips and rustic feathers were gone. Instead, these arrows were sleek and polished.

They’re not Vulcanians.

“Hurry! Hurry!” Maris begged, her desperation spilling as she stumbled after Valda. She pushed her mate toward the wagon with trembling hands, urging her to move faster. “Please, Valda! Please!”

Maris crawled into the wagon, her breath hitching when her eyes locked onto Eyphah. The woman sat frozen, her face pale with terror as she clutched Struan tightly in her arms while Ciel lay on her lap.

Maris turned her gaze to Melvian, and her heart dropped. Blood trickled from her best friend’s lips, staining her chin. The sight left Maris momentarily paralyzed, a lump rising in her throat. Shaking herself free of her stupor, she reached for the small dagger hidden in her boot, her fingers trembling as she unsheathed it and sliced through Melvian’s tunic.

“Melvian!”

Isen’s cries pierced through the chaos and Maris clenched her teeth, willing herself to ignore him in order to clear her mind and work on Melvian.

She knew what needed to be done. She knew pulling the arrows now would do more harm than good. But Isen’s voice, the screaming, the pounding of hooves, the clash of steel—it all made it impossible to think clearly.

Her best friend was dying and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She failed Melvian. She was never blessed by Asclepius, she didn’t follow his teaching as she should’ve had, as Melvian told her to do. This was all her fault.

“Asclepius, god of healing, hear my plea…” Maris began, her hands fluttering over the arrows as she pulled the one from her stomach, only to earn a heart-wrenching bellow from Melvian.

“I am sorry! I am sorry…” Her shuddering whimper dissolved into a cry as she whispered the words like a holy mantra, desperate for a miracle.

“Please, please, Asclepius, not her.”

Not her.

Not Melvian.

Maris felt the weak grip of Melvian’s bloodied hands on her own. Her tears blurred her vision, dripping onto her best friend’s chest as though her sorrow could somehow heal what her prayers couldn’t.

“I’m sorry,” Maris whispered, her voice cracking as her composure shattered. “I’m sorry, Melvian. I’m so sorry. I tried. I’m not blessed. I’m so—”

“Stop,” Melvian rasped, her voice so faint it barely reached Maris’s ears.

Maris stopped and bit her lower lip to control herself, but she could still hear Isen’s screaming and heartbreak. Gods, he was feeling their bond dissolving into nothing.

“Please,” Melvian choked, blood spilling from her lips as she forced the word out. Her chest rose and fell unevenly.

Maris’s tears flowed, landing like rain on Melvian’s skin. “Don’t talk.”

“Care for them.”

“No!” Maris shook her head vehemently, the denial tearing from her lips. “I won’t. They’re yours, not mine!” Her voice cracked, shaking as she fought against the weight of the words. To accept this—to promise—meant accepting that Melvian was slipping away, and she wasn’t ready. She would never be ready.

“Maris…” Eyphah’s voice came from behind, accompanied by the faint cries of the two infants.

“Please,” Melvian whispered, her trembling hands squeezing Maris’s with the last strength she had left.

Maris crumbled. Her chest tightened as she looked into her friend’s eyes, seeing the plea, the desperation, the fucking trust. She swallowed hard, forcing the knot in her throat down as she nodded through the tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I will. I swear,” Maris said. If she couldn’t heal her, she could at least give her this—reassurance, a promise to love and protect the children Melvian would leave behind.

Melvian’s lips curved into a faint smile. Her bloodied fingers patted Maris’s hands weakly, and then she exhaled.