Chapter 10

"All hail Queen Valda of the Sky Kingdom!" Kayden's cry broke the deafening silence.

The gathered crowd repeated his words uniformly, louder, filling the throne room with a cacophony of cheers and a sense of excitement.

Maris watched from her corner as the village dignitaries and viziers bowed as Valda placed the tiara over her head.

Taking a deep breath, Maris decided if she should approach Valda. It wasn't until the now queen turned her head that she gathered enough courage to step forward. Grabbing Valda's trembling hand, Maris gave it a firm squeeze, letting her know she was there, and she wasn't going anywhere.

"You did well," Maris whispered, rubbing her thumb over the back of Valda's hand.

Valda turned toward Maris and gave her a thin smile which quickly disappeared when a set of hurried steps headed their way.

Maris watched quietly as the General got close. Her face furrowed, unable to hide her displeasure.

It seemed she wasn't the only one angry, the General's frown could be seen a mile away. "My queen," he began, moving to grip Valda's forearm in a strong salute.

"General," Valda rumbled with annoyance.

Although Maris was curious as to why, she held the question buried deep within her mind to pull out later.

"I never thought I would see the day that you became queen. I am more than proud of you," Arwin said, touching Valda's shoulder before slipping his hand to her nape. "You have my utmost loyalty."

Valda nodded, grabbed his hand, and pulled it away.

"Is something wrong?"

"I haven't had a clear head since," she pointed at her face, "this happened, and even less so when I found my mother dead." She sighed and squared her shoulders. "But now that I can think clearly, I have to ask, where were you when I became blind? Why haven't you visited me in all these weeks?"

The General scoffed. "My dear tornado," he whispered and moved closer. "I had to take care of the kingdom. With you hurt, your mother traveling to Harmonia, I had a lot in my hands. I trained you well and I knew you would be fine. You are strong! And—"

"You will address me as Queen Valda, General. Do not get confused," Valda said, moving her hand to his chest and pushing him away from her. "Maris?"

"Yes, my Queen?" Although she was used to calling her ‘Your Highness', calling Valda ‘queen' sounded right.

"Are the people in the throne room moving out to the garden?"

"I believe so," Maris whispered, trying her hardest to keep her gaze on Valda and ignore Arwin's burning glare. "The throne room is emptying."

Arwin scoffed and relaxed his stance, propping his hand on his waist. "I am sorry, my Queen, I have to ask." He pointed an accusatory finger towards Maris. "Who is this woman? And how come she is acting as your personal helper?"

"Because I am." Maris's chin jutted forward; her lips pressed into a thin line. Arwin's eyes widened before snarling.

"How? Every single servant in this castle must go through me first."

"Not Maris," Valda began as she touched Maris's shoulders, reassuring her that she was protected. "She was appointed by my mother."

"I've never seen her before," Arwin said as he looked at Maris from head to toe. "We've never had a Sealian inside the castle other than Captain Hurley."His upper lip twitched. "Appointing him wasn't my call."

"I am capable of deciding who gets to be in my army, General."

His shrug followed by a condescending nod didn't sit well with Maris.

"You are still learning to be a leader. It's normal to make mistakes."

"I beg your pardon?" Maris asked, her heartbeat quickening. Who does this man think he is talking to Valda— to the Queen.

"Arwin." Valda's voice deepened as she took a step closer to him. "I am not the little girl you took under your wing to train. I will not make the bad decision of following all your orders as I did before."

"When you followed orders, you were better off, Your Highness." He gritted his teeth. "Having a Sealian in the castle, even as the help, doesn't look good for us."

"Neither does "the help" we've given them."

Arwin scoffed, squared his shoulders and looked at Maris again. "I think we've done enough for them. The least they can do is be more grateful."

"Do you even know what you are talking about?" Maris asked, her hands clenching by her side.

"How did you get in this castle without me knowing?"

Maris opened her mouth to answer but was silenced by Valda's warning growl.

"Enough! She answers to me, General. Not to you. Now, please move on to the burial grounds. I want this day to be over."

Arwin took a deep breath and turned from Valda to Maris. He fixed his hazel eyes on her, as if burning her into his memory. "I will be taking my leave. Yet, I do need to know when you will be available for your first briefing."

"Later."

Maris smiled at the terse answer and at the General's annoyance.

"Of course," Arwin ended the conversation, grabbing the handle of his sword and walking away.

Valda waited for a couple of seconds before closing her eyes and exhaling. "He is a handful," she began before moving closer to Maris. "Sometimes I cannot stand him."

"Do you, now?" Maris asked before touching Valda's hand on her shoulder. "He seems controlling."

"A Skylian trait, I assure you," Valda smirked.

Maris caught that smirk and couldn't help but show one of her own. She cleared her throat as Valda straightened her back before squeezing Maris's shoulder.

"Take me to the burial grounds, please."

The Skylian sun was unforgiving. The heat filtering through her clothing burned her shoulders and back. Valda was used to the heat. The many battles she had fought in the southern deserts had made her skin tough. The darker shade was proof of that.

As she stood before her mother's closed casket, Valda listened to the words of a high priestess, reading from the Codex Olympica, specifically the book of Ouranos.

Valda had memorized each verse relating the god's journey through the world as a child, yet never truly followed the god's teaching.

Maybe that was the reason she was cursed. Maybe not following her studies was the reason all of this was happening.

The priestess closed the Codex and said the words everyone wanted to hear. Queen Rionach will be reborn, she will find her mate, and continue the endless cycle of birth and death.

Valda shifted her weight from one leg to the other uncomfortably, and Maris pressed her side to her arm. Valda thanked the gods for her. Even with a simple touch she was able to calm her, enough to pull through the horrible ordeal of burying her mother.

She tried not to cry, but as soon as Maris told her that they were placing desert roses and lowering the casket to the ground, a sneaky tear slid down her warm cheek.

She was going to miss her mother. Her smile, her jokes, the way she protected her. How she always tried to have a solution to her problems, no matter how big or small. She would miss her warmth, and how she encircled Valda's entire being in her slender arms. She would miss the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her lips upon her cheek and forehead. She would miss having her worried sick when she left for missions and the spark in her eyes when she came back, unharmed.

"Long live Queen Rionach!" Valda croaked, unable to hide the pain of finally saying her goodbyes. She pressed her fist to her chest, saluting her mother one last time. She didn't move untilMaris signaled that it was done, and that the queen's casket was covered with dirt.

After the burial grounds were emptied, Valda moved to the castle's main quarters. The room belonged to the queen and king. It was located on one of the tallest pillars. Its balcony looked over Ophelia Plaza in its entirety, and some of the surrounding villages.

It was time for Valda to address her people, and though she was not ready to speak with thousands of Skylians, her heart poured out for them. They were scared, and they had their reasons to fear the unknown. The dawn of the new Kingdom looked bleak, as if a dark curtain had cast its shadow upon them, and even if Valda could not see, she could feel the tension in the air.

Valda stood on the balcony, her hands gently resting on the cold railing. Blind to the bustling streets below, the energy was palpable. She took a deep breath and lifted her chin, determined to be whatever her people needed her to be.

"Sky Kingdom," she began, her voice ringing out strong and clear. "I stand before you as your queen."

She paused for a moment, listening to the murmur of the crowd below, and she hoped they could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"I promise you the peace we have lived in, the order that you have grown used to, and prosperity you all look forward to," she continued, "I know that these are difficult times, but we will work together to overcome any obstacle. The Sky Kingdom will be stronger, wiser, and fair to all, where every person can thrive and yes, that includes our Sealians brothers and sisters, who've come to our land with their hopes and dreams of creating a future for them and their children. As long as they live here, I am their queen as well, and I will do all things necessary to build a better kingdom."

She paused again, her hands moving subtly as she gathered her thoughts. There was a knot in her chest, tight with the knowledge that the weight of the kingdom was on her shoulders. Every decision from now on would affect millions, and she wasn't sure she could stomach something going wrong.

"I may not look like the Valda you are all used to seeing, but know, this will not stop me from protecting you from enemies inside and outside our lands," she said firmly. "I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done."

The crowd below erupted in cheers, and the queen smiled, her hands still moving gracefully as she acknowledged their applause. "I am honored to be your queen," she said finally, her voice ringing out over the cheering masses. "Together, we will build a brighter future for all of us."

Maris watched from the inside of the room, standing behind the curtains that led to the balcony. There was no mistaking the tension in Valda's back as she spoke loud and clear, her arms over her head, a play of strength and a script of confidence. Maris wasn't fooled. Valda was petrified and anxious about her new duties, yet when she talked to her people, there was no trace of that fear in her movement, voice, or face.

Maris's dark blue gaze held Valda's clear, worried, and tired eyes.

Never far from them for long, Kayden's gaze was just as exhausted as Valda's, and that worried Maris. She had never seen him in such a state. Yet he gave her a tight smile, a silent promise that he was fine.

Maris frowned and looked away, focusing her attention on Valda. Maris knitted her brows together in worry and rubbed her hands against the dark dress, smoothing a persistent wrinkle. She tried to keep her mind busy with other thoughts, to clear her head of what might come, but all her thoughts fell upon the queen.

After one last, "All hail Queen Valda," the tall woman took a couple of steps back, turned on her heel, and walked inside her new room.

Valda let out a ragged trembling breath. The day was done, and Maris was sure that she wanted nothing more than to take her clothes off, including the tiara, and go to bed.

Maris was about to help her, but Kayden stood before her and the queen.

She tensed at the delicate way Kayden cupped Valda's face. Yet, she knew that the queen needed her friend, and she shouldn't get in the way of Kayden supporting her. They talked— mostly Kayden reassuring Valda that she would be fine, and he would be there for her. Among the breaths of hope, Kayden told the queen to take it one day at a time, to be strong, to which Valda agreed with a nod, her large hand encircling the Harmonian's waist, pulling him to an intimate hug.

They stood like that, holding each other and taking in the other's presence before Kayden separated first. Without saying anything else, he kissed Valda's cheek, bowed to Maris, and left the room.

Now Maris was left with a tired and broken queen. The awkward silence consumed both women for what seemed an eternity until Valda spoke.

"I do not wish to sleep here."

Maris focused on Valda. "My Queen?"

Valda's upper lip twitched. "This is my mother's room. It will always be her room. I do not wish to be here."

Maris understood Valda's desperation. She grabbed hold of her sweaty and trembling hands. "Let's get you out of here."

***

Maris closed the door behind her as Valda walked in. She undid the belt, pulling at the Heaven Sword scabbard. Without uttering a single word, Valda tossed the weapon across the room, hitting a full-length mirror and shattering it into pieces. Maris recoiled at the sudden clattering. She pressed her body to the door while Valda walked cautiously until sitting on the sofa.

Cerberus jumped out of her hiding space, sitting on the sofa's arm rest and blinking slowly. Maris thought the poor animal was so used to the racket and commotion that she didn't react.

"The mirror—"

"What the fuck does it matter? I am not using it," Valda mumbled, leaning against the arm rest and propping her temple on her fist.

Maris inhaled and slowly walked over the mess Valda had made, making sure not to step on it and cutting herself. Her hand found Cerberus's tail. She pet it absentmindedly while staring at Valda. What was she to do now?

"Do you want to talk?"

Valda grunted. "About?"

Maris opened her mouth but then closed it. What could they talk about?

Cerberus's tail flicked in her hand, and she cast a brief look at her adorable face. Cerberus was staring, slowly blinking at Maris and purring. "Your cat seems to like me," Maris said, petting the long fluffy tail.

Valda didn't answer right away, instead she kept quiet until Cerberus nudged her arm. The queen leaned back and held her hand out, palm facing upward. Cerberus stood from her position and rubbed her face ferociously and almost aggressively against Valda's hand.

"You are her favorite," Maris added but quickly bit her tongue over the stupid comment. Of course she is her favorite, Maris. She is her owner.

"Cerberus was a gift from Arwin a long time ago. She hasn't left my side ever since."

"Did… you have other pets other than Cerberus?"

"No," Valda answered while Cerberus moved with deliberate grace from the arm rest to Valda's lap. She curled up into a ball and let out a soft huff when the queen's hand fell on her back. "I don't want any more pets. She is a handful as she is. She hates Arwin, dislikes Kayden… I am surprised she hasn't bitten you yet."

"Yet," Maris repeated, trying to break the tension with some humor, but Valda's expression didn't waver, and she decided it was better to let it go. "Do you wish to be alone, my Queen?" Maris asked, seeing Valda's tense upon calling her.

Valda shook her head, the tiara on her head did not budge. She stood from the sofa seconds after Cerberus jumped from her lap and proceeded towards the table with the bottles of liquor. Seeing Valda move about without much help pleased Maris. Still, she wanted Valda to get some of her independence back. She should do something to help Valda navigate her chamber, but Maris didn't want to be separated from Valda. Not yet at least.

Valda pouredherself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid glinted in the dim light, and she could almost smell the pungent aroma from where she stood. The queen's hand trembled as she raised the glass to her lips, a telltale sign of the inner turmoil she was trying to quell. The first sip burned, making Valda cough and her eyes water, but she didn't stop. She took another sip, then another, her throat working as she swallowed hard. The tension in the room ebbed slightly with each sip, replaced by a distant numbness that settled over Valda's features.

Valda rubbed her hand against her pants, opening her eyes, lost in the swirling liquid in the glass, as if seeking solace in its depths. The lines of worry on her face softened, replaced by a fleeting moment of respite, a temporary escape from the burdens that weighed her down. She was trying to distract herself, but then again there were other ways to do so, other ways that the queen had openly suggested to Maris.

"It sounds weird when you call me ‘queen'," Valda muttered, guiding herself to the sofa again. "I am no queen."

Maris frowned. "Then, what was all that ceremony? A show?"

Valda didn't even turn to face her. She usually did so when they talked, at least Maris would know she was paying attention to her, but now, Valda wouldn't do so. It was as if she was talking to a damn wall.

"What do you need, my Queen?"

"I need to go to sleep for four months."

Maris pursed her lips. "You are allowed to cry."

"I've done that plenty," Valda growled, a warning for Maris to be quiet and not to meddle.

"It's fine to do until you are dry out." Maris walked towards her, as she took another sip. "It's much better than what you have been doing," Maris said, overstepping her boundaries and taking the glass from Valda's hands.

Surprisingly, Valda didn't react to it. Instead, she turned to Maris.

She sat in silence and the darkness of her existence. Resting her elbows on her knees, the tiara dangled unimportantly and forgotten from her forefinger.

Valda fell from the sofa down to her knees while tightening her hold on her mother's crown until her knuckles were white.

"You must rest." Maris touched her muscular forearm.

Valda closed her eyes and nodded. The crown slipped from her hands as Maris grabbed it and placed it on the nearest table. She came back and put her hands on Valda's face.

"My Queen," Maris began, feeling the weight of the word upon her lips. Valda was the queen. She commanded the strongest army on the planet. She was unreachable, stoic, strong, and yet there she was, small, wounded, vulnerable.

Valda scoffed and shook her head. "No, not yet. I can't—"

Maris lifted Valda's head to face her. She witnessed Valda Aither crumble down to a mess of snot and tears. Maris didn't judge her. She was too familiar with that grief. Maris had felt this vulnerability before, loneliness was needed in a time like this, but it surely was not recommended. It only made things worse, opening the door to overthinking, which led to deplorable and self-harming actions. Maris closed her eyes tightly and inhaled sharply as she pushed down long buried memories.

Vulnerability was a gift that not many were eager to share. And Valda had given her just that, the thing that humanized and equalized everyone.

Pain.

Maris's fingers played with the sweat-damped hairs on the back of Valda's head. She knew Valda's way of dealing with things was unorthodox, but her very soul was screaming to do something, not just sit there and listen to Valda cry.

Valda shuddered, took in a sharp intake of breath, and grabbed hold of Maris's upper arm.

"My Queen..."

"I am no queen. I am not good at making decisions. I act like I am, but I am not."

"Then who shall rule? Arwin?"

Valda scoffed.

Maris wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be all right, but she knew better. After her own mother's death, the only good thing to happen was her employment in the castle. Everything else was overwhelming. "My Queen..." she needed to stop Valda from falling into that pit that she knew too well, and she knew exactly how to do so.

"Forgive me, my Queen."

Valda frowned in confusion. "For what—"

Maris clamped her eyes shut, pressing her lips over Valda's fuller ones.

The entire atmosphere of the room changed. The kiss muted all the noise inside Maris's head. It was quiet, tranquil, it was home. As soon as serenity settled in, a rippling wave forged into her, pulling her closer.

Raw energy irradiated from Valda, and Maris relished in that warmth, taking in the intimate scent of the queen's skin, mixed with her unique taste and whiskey. Her mouth opened before the kiss deepened again. It was abrupt, still soft and tender, but hopefully enough to shove away all the queen's pain.

Her queen.

But as soon as the attack started, it ended.

Maris was the first to pull away, afraid of what she had done. She agreed to this, to be intimate with the queen, but it was too much, too soon. Her lips, moist from the attack, burned with an incomprehensible need to be pressed onto Valda's again. Her hands trembled to do more than just hold onto Valda's shoulders for support. Staring in utter surprise, she studied Valda's strong features.

There was no coldness on her face. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to hold Maris softly in her arms. As if, scared to hurt her in some way, and Maris couldn't take it. She should've listened to Melvian, she should've stayed away. She didn't want this. Right?

What have I done?

"Pl-please forgive me… That was overstepping my boundaries," Maris whispered, but her hands didn't move. Her lips parted as she studied Valda's mouth.

Reluctantly, she pulled herself away enough to stand. Distancing herself from Valda seemed to be the best thing. But her body craved to be pulled in again. To be held, to be touched by Valda. Shivering, she formed a fist and tried her hardest to control the pool of desire that was unleashed within her stomach. She turned her back to Valda and wondered if it was a good idea to leave for the night but was stopped by Valda's booming yet quivering voice.

"Don't leave."

That plea suffocated her. Maris's heart squeezed inside her chest as she turned to look at Valda.

"You are not allowed to."

Maris shuddered at the steeliness in Valda's voice. Slowly, the fear melted away and was substituted by a burning need coiling in her lower abdomen.

"My Queen..." Maris swallowed the knot in her throat. Her breath hitched the moment Valda stood up straight and meticulously made her way towards Maris, slowly, steadily, searching. "My Queen, I..."

"I want to see you," Valda declared, her hand reaching to Maris. She allowed herself to be captured. A calloused hand warped around her nape, pulling her closer before pressing their foreheads together.

"I want to see you how much you want me, Seashell."

And gods, she wanted her. She wanted her from the first second she laid eyes on her. She shouldn't. Not now. Not ever.

Shaking, she grasped Valda's jaw, blue eyes glued to white. A distinctive ache in her stomach melted away between her thighs. Her thumbs slowly caressed Valda's cheeks, parting her lips, wanting to bring forth words that would hold Valda near her heart and soothe her aching.

"Your voice..." Valda leaned closer as she spoke. "Your scent. I know, I can feel just how gorgeous you are." Valda traced her calloused fingers over Maris's upper arm, leaving a trail of delicate goosebumps before circling Maris's waist, pulling her even closer. "I want more." Leaning her head to the side, Valda closed the distance, capturing Maris's lips in a searing kiss.

Moaning into her mouth, Maris deepened the caress, her tongue darting to taste Valda in soft strokes. Valda tasted like raw power and whiskey, and the saltiness of her tears. She was delicious and the desire that flourished within her chest filled her up with a sense of belonging she hadn't felt…ever. As if she had found something she never thought she had lost.

Thick fingers gripped the hair at the back of her head, holding her steady. Valda's tongue slipped inside her mouth with a desperation that made Maris whimper with need. A soft rumble vibrated from Valda's chest.

Pulling away, Valda's hands roamed her waist, her ass, the back of her thighs and up her waist again while her lips trailed a fiery road of open mouth kisses from neck to her chest. She realized Valda wasn't simply feeling her up, this was her way of seeing her and worshiping her body.

"My Queen… wait—"

Suddenly, a roar emanated from deep within Valda, her hand clutching Maris's cheek, forcing her mouth open.

"Listen to me, Seashell," Valda began, her chest rising and falling with her hard breaths. "I want you to say my name."

Maris swallowed hard, her hand clutching Valda's powerful forearm, eyes searching at her features. To call her by her name would be too intimate, too provocative.

"I want you to whimper my name when you come."

Releasing Maris, Valda concentrated on the buttons of her clothing, undoing them as fast as she could. Maris watched her struggle until something inside of her snapped. She pushed the queen's hands away, undoing the buttons and ignoring that, in her desperation, she tore a couple of them. If Valda heard them clattering on the ground, she didn't care. That, or she was as desperate to taste her as Maris was to taste Valda.

As she revealed the queen's wrapped chest, her mouth watered with the need to press her lips to the smooth skin. But before she could react, Valda pulled at her dress, revealing thick, strong thighs to the cold night's air.

"Off," Valda commanded, dragging Maris's dress over her shoulders and tossing it aside, forgotten on the chamber's floor. Her hands flew to the now exposed skin of Maris' back, ass and waist.

"Oh, blessed be the gods," Valda whispered between heated kisses to Maris' jaw, neck, and finally her shoulder. Maris quivered as Valda painted her skin with brushes of pure lust. Her skin came alive with every stroke of her lips, with every harsh, demanding caress of her hands. "Bless them for gifting you with this body." Valda groaned, her hands digging into Maris's ass before removing her undergarment, cupping her hard enough to lift her from the ground. "I will take my time tasting all of you."

Liquid lust pooled between Maris's thighs at the hoarseness of Valda's voice. The queen's need was palpable, and the way she touched her, how she voiced her cravings for her made her pussy throb, knowing well that the queen was a woman of her word. She had never felt self-conscious of her body, but she had never felt this wanted in her life.

Maris closed her eyes when Valda's teeth scraped her neck, touching the pillar of muscle, begging for submission, which she wasn't ready to give just yet. Her breath was labored, her heart was hammering, and wetness dripped down her thighs.

"Valda." The name came out more like a whisper, beseeching the other woman to do as she pleased. She pulled at her pants and pushed the queen to the large bed.

Valda wasn't having any of that. She growled, grabbed Maris by her throat, stopping her from moving altogether.

Maris froze, her hand flying to grip Valda's taut forearm, fearing that she had done something wrong to provoke the other woman"s anger. But Valda wasn't angry, she was fighting to stay in control.

"Stop." Valda's voice was drenched with lust. She was on the verge of losing all sense of control, and Maris was more than happy to take the reins if needed. Though she yearned to be under Valda's command. Valda brought her back to reality with a soft squeeze, easing the fog of desire enough to listen. "I am the one in control." Valda breathed over Maris's parted and moist lips. "Don't forget who I am."

"But I want to sooth your worries." Maris was the one that initiated, and although she felt she wasn't supposed to do so, having Valda reciprocate her desire fueled her need. She wanted to please her, make her forget about everything, at least for tonight.

Valda shook her head. "No. Let me… You deserve as much as pleasure as you are willing to give to me."

With a growl, Valda claimed her mouth in a rough, violent kiss. Her arms enveloped Maris's waist, and Valda deftly spun them around, causing Maris to land gracefully on the bed, her legs playfully dangling from the edge.

Valda positioned herself by the bed, leaning in with her hands on either side of Maris's supple torso. Without hesitation, her lips descended on Maris's skin, tenderly caressing the silky plains of her stomach, leaving a trail of goosebumps in her wake.

"My Queen," Maris managed to say in between shudders and gasps, her voice strained with desire. She doubted she could form a coherent sentence if Valda kept touching her the way she was.

"No. Say my name again..." Valda whispered, withdrawing slightly to allow her hands to continue the tender caresses that her lips had begun. "I want to hear my name on your lips. Say it again."

Maris, overcome with longing, pulled Valda up and kissed her with urgency, the howling wind inside her head drowning out everything else. She felt dizzy and lost, but the only anchor was the firm, calloused hands of the warrior spreading her legs. Maris gasped, looking down to see Valda's hands on either thigh, parting her with purposeful intent.

"Valda, wait."

"Should I?" Valda shuddered and leaned closer, pressing their clothed breasts together. "I can smell how wet you are for me." She dipped her hand down Maris's soft stomach, over the plush mound, and finally between her legs. Her fingertips slipped through Maris's wetness. Maris gasped, joined by Valda's groan.

"My dear Seashell." Valda knitted her brows together, faking worry. "You are drenched…" She grinned, her face inches from Maris's. "If you taste as sweet as you smell…" She pulled her hand away, bringing it to her lips and licking her middle finger before releasing a delighted sigh. She bit her lower lip, pulling Maris closer to the edge of the bed. "Gods, you taste as sweet as ambrosia."

Maris propped herself on her elbows, looking down to witness the sight that had been plaguing her mind. The queen fell to her knees, pulled Maris closer until her ass was hanging from the edge of the bed. Her large and rough hands spread Maris's legs wider and leaned her face closer.

The first glide of her tongue over Maris's wet folds was wide, thick, taking in as much as she could in a single stroke. Valda closed her eyes in pure ecstasy as a deep rumble of pleasure erupted from deep within her.

The sudden caress undid Maris. Her eyes rolled back as Valda's hands gripped her thick thighs roughly, blunt nails digging into soft flesh, keeping her obscenely open. With lips parted, Maris's labored breathing and soft moans inundated the room, quieting down the noise inside her head until nothing more than them existed.

Valda's strokes were slow, painfully slow. She licked her folds, from her opening all the way to her aching clit, circling it with the tip of her tongue, sending waves of ecstasy coiling and building at her lower stomach. Maris quivered underneath her tongue while her hand searched for something to hold on to. She fisted the silk bed sheet, anchoring herself before opening her eyes and daring to look down. Valda was buried between her legs, eyes closed as if she was devouring a pomegranate.

Suddenly, Valda pulled away, licking her lips and pressing her cheek to Maris's luscious thighs. The queen seemed to be struggling with her own desire, as if she was on the edge of coming just by eating Maris out.

However, Maris wanted none of that, Valda couldn't leave her on the edge of orgasm. If she needed to grab her by the hair and pull her back between her thighs…

"No, no, please. Don't stop."

Valda's breathy laugh broke Maris. She had never heard such a delicious sound come from the queen. She opened her eyes wide and took in the sight of the large woman standing before her. Her frame exuded strength and power, enough to make anyone cower in fear, but Maris shuddered as her pussy pulsed with need.

"Maris," Valda's voice came out shaky, uncontrolled. Her hands moved to squeeze Maris's hips, demanding attention. "Keep your eyes open." Maris swallowed hard, her throat dry from panting. She propped herself on her elbows once again as Valda undid the chest wraps.

"I want you to see for both of us." She tossed the wraps away and moved her hands to her belt. The queen was fast. She pulled the leather garment off before quickly tossing the pants aside. Now, finally bare, the queen smirked with all the confidence in the world.

"Give me your hands."

Maris's blue eyes roamed over the queen's torso, memorizing every soft and hard line on Valda's body, every grotesque scar she carried proudly. Maris bit her lower lip, eyebrows knitted together as she tried to close her legs. She needed to find some sort of relief from the ache that had been building in her very core.

"Give me your hands, Maris."

Maris couldn't disobey, even if she wanted to. Valda's words pierced through her like a dagger. Sitting up, she moved her hands and placed them over Valda's chiseled stomach. Her grip was surprisingly soft. Valda cradled Maris's hands in her bigger ones before bringing them to her lips. She kissed her knuckles dangerously slowly, one by one, with a tenderness that threatened to undo Maris's control.

"Don't be afraid to touch me, Maris," Valda said, her lips brushing over Maris's fingertips."My body is yours to enjoy."

Maris stared at Valda, parted her lips, but the only thing that came out was a deep moan as the queen pressed her delicate fingers to Valda's round chest. Her blue eyes trailed over Valda's lustful expression before sliding down to her hands. Unlike her, Valda's breasts were not big nor were they small, they were perfectly round, slightly heavy, topped with dark, hard nipples. She tested their weight by cupping them in her palms, feeling the aching buds against her hands. Maris couldn't help herself, and leaned forward to kiss Valda's sternum, not quite reaching her breasts and aching to take one nipple into her mouth.

"Good girl."

Fuck. Maris quivered, the small praise sending a jolt down her spine. She wanted to hear that again, she wanted to hear Valda saying that again.

"Keep your eyes on me. Touch me." Maris nodded against her stomach, her gaze hazy with longing as Valda pushed her back on the bed. Trailing her hands down Maris's thighs, she cupped the back of her knees. Kneeling once again, the queen pressed her tongue to Maris's folds, combining sweet strokes with harsh sucking.

Maris was lost, but she followed orders. She kept her eyes open, memorizing how Valda looked pleasuring her with her mouth. It was too surreal. The queen was serving her, fucking her, drinking from her core. Maris shook with each stroke until she thought she couldn't take it anymore. Wanting to make this last, Maris grabbed hold of black hair and tried her best to steady the queen's ministration to no avail. Valda never stopped. Each time she licked a place that made Maris pant, moan, or tremble, she repeated the movement again.

Maris felt her release with one final flick of Valda's tongue. Her grip grew tighter as she let out a silent scream that consumed her. She had to close her eyes as Valda anchored her to the bed and helped her ride the final waves of pleasure against her mouth.

Slowly, Valda released her grip and slowly pulled away, not before leaving a trail of open mouth kisses to Maris's quivering thighs.

"Delicious," Valda muttered, brushing her lips over the blue mound. "You are absolutely delicious."

Maris opened her eyes just in time to see Valda licking her lips and wiping her chin as if not wanting to waste a single drop of her. Maris swallowed hard and noticed right away that she needed something for her dry throat. She tried to pull away, but Valda quickly placed her hand over her lower stomach.

"Vald—"

"No," Valda cut her off, crawling onto the bed, covering Maris's body with her own. "I said you are staying."

Maris nodded, looking up at Valda's face, studying her, tiredness enveloping her. Now that wouldn't be fair, would it? To come and leave the queen wanting? Moistening her lips, Maris moved her hand to Valda's shoulders. "Valda."

"I want you to experience how good you taste." Valda grunted, grabbing Maris's face again and forcing her mouth on hers. The kiss was consuming, especially when Valda forced her tongue inside Maris's mouth. She tasted herself, and rolled her eyes again at how forceful and dominant her queen was. She swirled her tongue over Valda's, licking her and pulling her harshly to cover her body with the queen's.

Valda was addicting, and she wanted to experience her as well. With their mouths locked, Maris moved her hand to touch the mound of black hair before a hand gripped her wrist.

Hissing in annoyance, Maris pulled back, only to find Valda with her eyes open and shaking her head at her.

"Not tonight. I had my fix; I want you to sleep.

"What… No– I want to taste you too…"

"There is no rush." Her husky voice pulled Maris in from the cloud of pleasure and settled her into the warm embrace of comfort. Valda pressed her nose to Maris's temple, rumbling contently before inhaling deeply. "You can eat me out later. You are not going anywhere after all…"

Maris released her and saw how the tall woman settled on her side next to her. Her muscled arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling Maris's back to her chest. Her breathing and warmth lulled Maris into a slumber she didn't realize she needed. As she drifted off, she heard Valda whisper, "Your eagerness will be rewarded, Seashell."