Chapter 22

"Valda!"

Her call was unanswered, and a part of her went missing when Valda did not turn back. She was sure she heard her. Why was Valda ignoring her?Maris looked down at Eyphah, their eyes connecting for a second before she snatched her hands away from the other woman's burning lips.

"No," Maris warned Eyphah, watching as she stood up straight with piercing, icy cold eyes.

"No?"

Maris quivered under the intense gaze until she looked away to escape it, only to be met by hundreds of different shades of blue eyes looking at her with hope, wonder, and exhilaration. Maris swallowed hard and moved away from Eyphah's space. Everyone was expecting her to say something, and as much as she wanted to give them words of trust, Maris couldn't think of a single thing to say.

"Princess? You are our princess, right?" An older man asked, taking one unsure step towards her.

"No! She is our queen! The one that will take us back to the Sea Kingdom!"A middle-aged woman bellowed, grabbing the old man's hand and dragging him back.

"Where have you been all this time?"

"We thought we were left on our own."

"Why have you been hiding?"

"What happened?"

Maris took a step back, but as she turned to look behind her, more Sealians gathered around her, waiting for answers.The beaming symbol cut the darkness, and the dimming fire by the center of the square. Taking a deep breath, she opened the palms of her hands and spoke.

"I know this is sudden, and you are all as surprised as I am."

"You didn't know you are our princess?" Cai made his way from the throng of people and stood before Maris. "How?"

Maris shook her head. "I am sorry,"she whispered, her lower lip quivering as she looked upon their faces. "I want to tell you everything, but I don't think I will be able to answer each and every one of your questions."

Cai nodded, and so did the people around him.

"I will answer them first thing in the morning. Please." Maris moved her hand to the fire. "Celebrate the Night of the Nymph," she trembled as her heart pounded rapidly inside her chest. "And as you fall asleep tonight knowing this, tomorrow will be a new day for all of us." She bowed her head and turned to leave, only to have Eyphah block her path.

"Where are you going?"

With her forehead no longer shining the symbol of Poseidon, Maris didn't answer; she pushed Eyphah aside and started for House of Arago, but a rough, thick hand grabbed hold of her elbow, pulling her back.

"Let me go! I need to go back to her!"

"She is no longer your concern! We are! We! Your people, the people from the Sea Kingdom! Not Skylians, and definitely not that woman."

"Let go of me right now, Eyphah!"

"I don't know what bullshit that woman has put in your head, but you…" Eyphah's lower lip quivered. "You are everything we have been waiting for. All these years, we thought you were dead!"

Maris couldn't tear away from Eyphah. The gathering tears in the other woman's eyes made her shiver with an unknown force as the sudden realization dawned on her. Ever since Valda took her to the pool back at Oberon Castle, the idea of her having royal blood crossed her mind, but she never truly stopped to think how it could be possible. Her eyes drifted down to her own hands. She had the gift. She had the symbol… She was the heiress of the Sea Kingdom.

No, not the heiress.

She was the rightful queen.

Shaking her head, Maris shoved Eyphah away. She ignored the angered and curious gaze of the people around her. Disappointment and fear trickled down her very soul when she turned to look at each and every person in that square. They had called to her in hope, joy, and disbelief. What did she have to give them?

Nothing.

Maris had nothing to show for all the hope that glimmered in her people's eyes.

"I need to think," Maris said apologetically. "I need to talk to Valda."

Eyphah scoffed. "What you need is to understand. You are our ruler, and we need you."

"I know!" she bellowed, desperation and fear set deep in her chest. "I know! I know!"

"Then why were you hiding it from us?"

"I wasn't!" Maris said, but Eyphah grimaced, and she knew that she did not believe her. "I didn't know!"

"Lies! Did she tell you not to say anything? Does she have you so wrapped around her finger? Did she want that much control that she took the Sealian heiress as her fucking whore!?"

Her anger boiled over, and without thinking, Maris drew her hand back and struck Eyphah on her face. The sting in her hand ran through her very bones. It had been so long since she had been that angry. Eyphah might have been protecting her people, but Maris would not be disrespected.

Eyphah's turned to her, her hand on her cheek, and Maris couldn't tell if it was astonishment or rage shining through those cobalt eyes. "I've had it with your stupidity and you running your mouth as if you know me. You don't, Eyphah. I will be damned if I have to stand here and let you run that fucking mouth of yours and insult me or the Queen."

"You are lovers, aren't you?"

"Did you even hear a word I've just said?"

"Why won't you answer?"

"Because that is none of your concern." Maris turned away from Eyphah and headed after Valda.

Valda wasn't sure how many people she tripped over. She didn't know if they did it on purpose or if she was moving chaotically in search of safety, House of Arago. In search of silence. Where were her guards when she needed them?

When she was just about to give up and sit down on the dirty, uneven ground, a small voice called out. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. It wasn't just one; it was three. Coljar, Kimmi, and Lia called to her as if she was one of them, as she was an equal, and for the time being, she believed that was what she needed.The kids circled her. Coljar grabbed her pant leg and tugged on it while Kimmi pressed Valda's forgotten blouse to her flank. Valda didn't speak. She stood her ground until little Lia asked what was wrong and why she looked so sad.

Valda frowned at the question. Sad? She looked sad. She chuckled and ran her fingers through her hair before giving them her best smile. "I seem to be a bit lost, that's all."

"Do you wish to go to House of Arago?" Kimmi asked.

"Very much so," Valda answered, turning her face in Kimmi's direction.

The young girl's small hand slipped inside Valda's as she whispered, "Here is your blouse."

"It has some paint stains on it," Coljar added.

"It's fine. It was bound to happen."Valda's hands closed over the soft fabric.

"You messed up your painting while dancing," Lia said, her small finger poking the many dots she had made over Valda's left hand.

"Yes. I am sorry."

"No! It's fine! You were having fun!"

"Lia's right. You looked like you were having a lot of fun," Kimmi said, her hand now resting on Valda's wrist. "Do you mind if we take you back to House of Arago? You are pretty far away from it."

Valda swallowed hard and nodded. "Please?"

All three kids quietly guided Valda to the doorstep of the cabin. Valda could feel their hesitation to let her walk in alone. Holding her blouse with a death grip, she moved her other hand to search for the doorknob, turned to the children, and once again gave them a cheerful fake smile.

"Thank you. I think I will wash off and head to bed."

"Would you like to come to the lakes with us tomorrow?" Kimmi asked.

Valda shrugged at first, but then agreed with a dip of her chin. "Sure. Good night."

Valda turned the doorknob, walked inside, and quickly closed the door behind her. She exhaled the ragged breath she had been holding and stumbled to the sofa. She dropped her blouse somewhere on the cabin floor as she sat down, mentally exhausted.

Then, it hit her.

Maris was the heiress of the Sea Kingdom.

She had always been the heiress.

Leaning her elbows on her knees, Valda rested her head on the palm of her hands.

Everything made sense…

The relentless attraction, the moment she smelled her in her chambers when she lost her vision. The way her touch burned her skin, the way she craved to be near her every single second of every minute, of every hour, of every day. Valda could only succumb to Maris's touch as she had never done for anyone. Valda burned for her as she had never burned for anything or anyone in her life. She craved her. No, she needed her like she needed to breathe.

The Fates spoke to her father about the union of the sea and the sky, but she could never have imagined the whirlwind of emotions it could represent. Maris was the sea, and Valda was the wind. Her raging gusts made Maris's waves stronger, taller, more destructive. They slammed into her heart, breaking down the stone walls she had built. With just a touch, Maris had killed the old, stoic queen, and brought forth this person, this woman.

Valda couldn't recognize herself…

Valda touched her face, arms, chest, and she felt the paint there. She remembered how she felt when she was with the children, and dancing around with Maris at the square, and she sobbed.

Gods…Maris was her mate, the one the Oracle spoke of.

She covered her mouth, closed her eyes tightly to hold her tears.

She loved Maris. She loved her, but was it because it was written in stone that their union was supposed to happen, or was it an amalgamation of all those moments they had spent together, of all those nights, those kisses, those tight, suffocating hugs…

Fuck…What if she still denied her? What if she said no to being her heart mate, her soulmate?

Valda slipped down to the cold, wooden floor and brought her knees to her chest, her hands now fisted her dark hair.

"Valda?"

The air got caught in her throat, and she lifted her head towards the door of the cabin.

"Valda, it's me. Can I come in?" Maris called out from the other side of the door, and Valda wondered if she heard her cry.

She could tell her not to come in, to sleep somewhere else. Valda needed to think. She needed a moment by herself.

No, she couldn't. She couldn't stay away. Maris was hers, she was Maris's, and the stars had agreed on that millenniums before their birth. Valda pushed herself off the ground and slowly walked to the front door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. The smell of the sea engulfed her, and she almost succumbed to it.

"Hi," Maris whispered, taking in how disheveled Valda looked. The paint on her face was smudged all over her forehead, cheek, and nose. A clean trail ran down her cheeks where her tears had slid. Maris felt her heart break into a million pieces at the state of her queen. "Can I come in, please?"

Valda simply nodded and opened the door the rest of the way before going back to the sofa.

Maris closed and locked the door behind her. She didn't want any interruption this time. As she turned to her, Valda's eyes were open and lost as if she was searching for something. Maris stood uneasily by the door, wringing her hands, wanting nothing more than to hold the tall woman and kiss her worries away, but Valda didn't need that now.

"Valda," Maris began, but Valda was faster.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Maris rolled her tongue over her lower lip. "I didn't know."

Valda lowered her eyebrows into a deep frown. "You didn't know?"

"I didn't…" Valda scoff and shook her head in disbelief before Maris continued. "I didn't know! You must believe me!"

"How the fuck do you not know?" Valda's rage bubbled and spilled out. "Please, explain to me because I fucking knew I was different from the first day I became self-aware as a kid!"

"I knew I was different! I knew it! I– I started to notice I could control water, but I thought it was just magic, tricks Sealians could do. It was nothing out of this world!"

"You can control…" She shut her mouth as sudden realization washed over her. "You could breathe underwater too."

Maris nodded, her hands tangled in a mess of anxiousness and fear. "I… thought I was just another Sealian, a stray?"

"A stray?"

"Yes! You said that some people do have the gift, but they are bastards and—" She shuddered in a breath. "My parents… they were scared that I would be taken away. There was always this fear that my real parents would find me. I don't think they could survive handing me back." Maris knew that her fear might sound irrational, Valda's confused expression washed over her, agitating her further. If Valda couldn't believe her.

"Maris…" Valda began, shaking her head again as if trying to come up with some words that might be able to relieve some tension, but Maris was faster.

She spoke over Valda. She couldn't brush this under the rug as if it was nothing. "I was petrified. When you took me to the pool, I was able to breathe underwater when I felt this..." She shook her hands desperately as if to prove a point. "This power surged through me as if I was being reborn again! I knew that I could've been the heiress." She sighed, afraid that she wasn't making any sense. "I had my doubts. I couldn't be from royalty. I am just a—"

"Why didn't you tell me then?" Valda asked, and she looked so defeated and hurt that Maris didn't know what to say or do to make her whole again. "Why didn't you want to tell me? Did I ever make you feel unsafe?"

Maris inhaled through her nose; her shaking hands held onto the fabric of her tunic as she sorted through her thoughts. Valda never made her feel unwanted or unsafe. Well, maybe that one time she walked in her chamber drunk, but it did not count. Valda was not in her right mind. Valda always did her best to protect her, to make her feel wanted, needed…

Maris exhaled, and the words slipped out in a whisper. "I was scared." She shook her head. "I am scared. I am so, so scared, Valda."

Valda stood from the sofa. Dark, tall, and intimidating, all the ever-powerful queen. Maris raised her chin, and for the first time, she wasn't afraid of Valda's anger, but rather her sudden rejection.

Her hands trembled again. All she wanted was run her fingers through her short hair, run her palms over her broad shoulders, arms, and abdomen. She wanted to press her body against her. For some reason, she felt that she wasn't going to do any of that again, that she was losing Valda right before her eyes, and there was nothing she could do to stop her from just leaving as she had done when the symbol of Poseidon beamed proudly on her forehead.

But Valda was full of surprises and secrets of her own, and as much as Maris wanted to believe she knew her from the inside out, she didn't.

"I am the one that is afraid," Valda said.

Maris's breath faltered. "Why?"

Valda's eyes seemed to search for a beacon. As she found none, she decided to close her eyes before her shoulders slumped and she spoke. "The Fates spoke to my father in a dream many years before our birth. They told him how the sea and the heavens would unite, bringing forth a new world order." Valda paused to wet her lips. "Many thought that it would never happen. My father fell for my mother; they were mates. There was no one for my mother but my father. The same was with your real parents…"

Her real parents.

"Amphitrite loved Aegaon deeply. Then I was born, and everyone believed that I was one of the links of the prophecy, of course—" Valda chuckled and tilted her head. "Amphitrite went ahead and had a daughter. They didn't know if you were the other missing link to that prophecy, and I could never find out because your kingdom was destroyed, along with the king and queen… and after all these years, I thought the heiress was dead. Until I spoke to the Oracle."

Valda swallowed hard. "The Oracle said I would meet my mate on my twenty-fifth birthday. But then." She waved her hand in front of her eyes, her hand curling into an angry fist.

"I know I asked you to be my heart mate and you said no. But now, I cannot tell if my feelings for you are because of a stupid prophecy, if you are my soulmate, or is it because I truly…"

Slowly and unsure, Valda took a couple of steps towards Maris. She met her halfway and grasped the Queen's hand as the other woman reached for her. As soon as she had Maris's position set, Valda caught her jaw. Maris closed her eyes, savoring the feel of Valda's rough grasp on her face.

Valda leaned closer. Her forehead pressed to Maris as her warm breath washed over her lips. "My beautiful seashell…" The longing in Valda's voice settled deep within Maris's core. Her heart beat wildly inside her chest, her head, and between her thighs. "When I am with you the rage consuming me burns out like a candle until all that remains is you. I don't care if the gods didn't choose you as my soulmate. I will burn everything to ashes if I ever find myself without you."

Maris's hands played with the button of Valda's pants. Her eyes glued to the unsettling white gaze that seemed to stare down at her.

"I cried in anger and jealousy because others get to see you when I cannot, but that doesn't matter because I get to feel you next to me. I can feel your breath on my neck when I am inside of you, and I am engulfed with your scent, with the scent of the sea that you love— that I love so much, and I know that the only thing I need to feel like a real human is your touch, your lips—" Valda captured Maris's mouth in a heated yet short kiss. "Your taste… That's all I need."

"Valda—" Maris whimpered, her own need pooling at her lower stomach. Her breath hitched as Valda got closer. She smelled so good, like the clean Skylian air, like warm sand.

"I do not care if this desire that burns me is due to some prophecy, or it is because of all the things we have shared. All I know is that I want you here, with me, next to me, every moment. If you are not the one the Fates called out for me…" Valda shuddered, her thick arms now wrapping around Maris's waist, as she squeezed their bodies together, slotting in perfect harmony."I love you so much, Maris. Heart mate or soulmate. I love you."

Maris's heart had come to an abrupt stop. She clung to Valda as if her entire life depended on it, as if she let go, everything around her would dissolve into a dream.

But it wasn't a dream...

Valda loved her…

Maris's breath came out in a soft sob she tried to hide by pressing her face to Valda's shoulders. Valda snuggled her nose to the side of Maris's head, inhaling deeply while Maris gathered strength from her very soul, trying miserably not to cry.

Valda loved her, and Maris could only cry in both happiness and relief.

Her hands slipped from Valda's slick body, and she pulled away enough to cup Valda's jaw. She needed to see her face. She needed to see the truth shining through her features. She needed this to be real.

Valda's fresh tears were the answer she was waiting for, and on instinct, Maris wiped them away, along with the yellow dots adorning her gorgeous face. Suddenly, the weight of those words fell into her mouth. As much as she could show Valda how deeply she loved her, she decided it would be wise if Valda heard it too.

"I love you," Maris whispered. Liberating warmth spread through her chest, down to the tip of her fingers and her toes. "I love you, and I wanted to tell you two nights ago, but I always thought that it wasn't my place to say it."

She still felt like it wasn't her place to say it. She was the Skylian queen's secret! No one knew of their relationship behind closed doors except for Melvian, and now Eyphah.

Valda's face lit up in such wonder that it seemed to take years off her features. She looked like a young, innocent girl, hearing the one thing she had wanted to hear all her life. "You love me?"

Maris nodded, taking Valda's hand, and pressing it to her chest, over her heart. She wanted Valda to be her mate. She knew there was no way of knowing if they were soulmates, but for now knowing that their hearts belong to each other was enough.

"Yes, I love you. And I know it is not my place and I didn't want a mate but, Gods, Valda." Her hands squeezed Valda's hand tighter as if she was grounding herself.

"You love me…" Valda sighed, her strong arms squeezing Maris closer. It was no longer a question. It was a statement, and one that sounded so beautifully in both women's ears.

Maris smiled, her hand never left Valda's. She wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs, she wanted everyone to know, but as she opened her mouth, Valda's warm lips covered hers, taking the words out with every caress, with every stroke of her tongue. Valda burned her. She burned her with a passion that she had never met in anyone she was intimate with.

"Lead me to the bedroom."

Maris fixated on Valda's rosy lips when she heard the command. As much as she wanted to ignore Valda's words, to forsake them, and just let the other woman have her in the living room, she decided it would be better to do as she was told.

"Come."

Maris grabbed Valda's wrist as she headed to the bedroom. The queen's need drove her into a frenzy, making her miss a couple of steps and almost fall on their way up. Maris was there to catch her, chuckling at her clumsiness, regardless of Valda's warning growls.

Maris opened the door hastily and pulled Valda in. Yet before she could close the door behind her, Valda's hands were already on her bottom and thighs as she pressed her to the wall.

"You drive me absolutely crazy, Maris."

The way Valda carried her, the way she would pick her up and take her with such confidence, regardless of her condition, how her mouth would say the dirtiest things to get her ready for her, yet whisper the most beautiful, love confessions…made Maris melt, and she could only let her do as she wished.

This was the Valda no one else got to see. This was the Valda that was saved for her eyes alone.

And now, as the queen pulled her chest wraps off, baring her skin to Maris's hungry gaze, as Valda's eager hands yanked Maris's clothing desperately, Maris could only think of how much she loved her, and how spending a second away from her would mean the death of her very soul.

Valda was her soul; she was the beating of her heart, the air she filled her lungs with. She was both her heart mate and soulmate. There was no doubt about it, and she would accept no other than Valda.

Maris got up to her knees, still on the bed, and kissed the other woman ardently, her tongue licking at the seam of Valda's mouth, begging for entry. Valda warped her arms around her, pressing their bare chest together. The feeling of their warmth drew desperate sighs from their throats.

Just like that, Maris was surrounded by all that was Valda, her scent, her taste…

The queen kneaded at Maris's ass, pulling her closer.

Maris moved back from the assault, kissed her way down Valda's neck until she reached a taut nipple. She captured it with her lips, sucking on it slightly while her hand tested the neglected one. She wanted to make Valda beg, but instead the other woman groaned, her hand on the back of her head, guiding her mouth to the other nipple—it drove Maris insane.

Maris pressed her thighs together, wetness already seeping. Her blue eyes lifted to Valda's white ones before dipping her chin. Valda clutched her, heaving with desire, and Maris wanted to discover how badly the queen needed her. She caressed Valda's hips first, her fingers drawing soft circles on her waist before moving down to her thighs. Her slender fingers made a ticklish path before pressing to the junction of her legs. Maris sighed at the wetness there. She remembered a few nights ago, how wet and delicious Valda had been on her tongue, and she wanted to taste her again.

"What are you doing?" Valda asked with a throaty moan. Maris didn't answer. Instead, she slipped her index finger enough to coat it with Valda's wetness. "Seashell?" Valda asked again, her hard breathing engulfed the silence in the room.

Maris slipped her finger out, and sucked on her digit, smacking her lips loud enough for Valda to know exactly what she was doing.

"Delicious as always, Your Highness."

Maris gasped as Valda gathered her in her strong, powerful arms, settled her on her lap, and breathed her in. Their mouths parted, and they drank from each other while Maris's hands clung to the dark locks she had grown to love. She pressed her chest to Valda's, relishing the softness of the skin she had come to know as if it was her own.

She moaned into Valda's mouth as the queen's hand found the junction of her thighs. Valda slowly began to make love to her with her skilled yet rough hands. Maris's eyes rolled to the back of her head as long thick fingers worked her tension away while the queen's lips trailed goosebumps down Maris's neck.

Yet, Maris's concentration was on the feeling of Valda inside of her. Those hands… Capable of bringing her so much pleasure, capable of so much bloodshed. Capable of grabbing her face forcefully, exactly how she liked it, and stroking liquid heat to her very core.

"That's it, Seashell." Valda's voice pulled her back to reality, grounding her. "Let the entire settlement know who belongs to you."

Maris's eyes shuttered open, and her gaze fell on Valda's hooded white eyes, lost in their own darkness. Oh, how she wished Valda could see how easily she could ease her body, how easy it was for the Sealian to let go. Maris moaned again, louder as Valda slipped a second finger inside of her, the meaty part of her palm pushed roughly against her clit, and she gasped, called out to her again, and clung to her.

"Good girl, that's it. I got you." Valda smirked.

That smile—Maris would do anything to keep that smile painted on Valda's lips. She thought about when she first lost her sight, and how weak, weary, and sad Valda was, and how she never got to see her smile as she was now. That grin calmed the raging onslaught of worries, eased the storm of uncertainty until all that remained was Valda… and that smile.

"I love seeing you like this."

A deep growl surfaced from within Valda's chest, her arm tightened around Maris's waist, and instead of burying her face in her breasts, she tilted her head to press her ear over Maris's chest. There, vibrating within her lover's bosom, was the steady beating of her heart. Valda steadied herself, listening to it.

It dawned on her that she was holding the most important person in her life, and Maris's heart was beating like that because of her, because of her lips, her fingers—because of the way she was making her feel.

Maris's hand shily brushed her hair from the forehead, possibly scared that something was wrong, but Valda calmed her worries with a sweet kiss to the valley between her breasts.

There was no doubt in Valda's mind that she would give up anything to see Maris, but… as time seemed to stop, and the world around her dissolved into nothing, all that existed was Maris, her skin, her scent, her taste, her warmth, her heartbeat, and above all, the loving strokes of her fingers in Valda's hair.

"Your heart is beating so fast, Seashell."

"Isn't yours?

"Of course, but you are so worked up." Valda moved her face, her lips tracing a ticklish road from Maris's cleavage all the way up to her mouth. Maris's held her there, their mouths joined in a chaste yet gentle kiss. Valda was the first to pull away and resume the journey down Maris's neck, chest, and back to her breasts.

Valda's lips clamped over Maris's nipples, pulling the perked nub into her mouth as Maris pulled her closer.It was as if Maris couldn't get enough, as if she wanted more, and Valda was glad to give her exactly what she needed.

"I want you to keep your eyes on me at all times, Maris," Valda commanded, her hand rubbing roughly against Maris's clit.

"Yes, Valda." She managed to answer between soft pants.

"I want you to understand, no one will ever fuck you and make you feel the way I do."

A low keening moan escaped Maris. Valda moved swiftly and precisely, pulling her from her lap and gathering her in her arms until Maris was lying underneath her. Valda captured Maris's cries with her mouth, silencing her as she spread her leg and settled herself between them. Her own pleasure slipped out of her throat at how warm Maris felt against her core.

Maris's hands moved to her waist as she guided the rolling of their hips together, but Valda wanted to take things slow, to prolong Maris's pleasure for as long as she could. If she gave in to Maris's taunts, it wouldn't be long until they were both succumbing in each other's arms.

"Maris, please," Valda's body quivered, her hips moving away only to be pulled right back by Maris's eager hands.

"I need this," Maris pleaded, blunt nails digging into Valda's skin. "You—I need you, darling."

At the velvety use of the sudden pet name, her control cracked. "Darling?" she asked, her hands gripping the tender flesh of her lover's waist.

"Yes, darling, my darling—please, Valda," she whimpered.

Valda groaned as she pressed herself harshly against Maris. Feeling the other woman's dampness against her own cracked her self-control further. Maris clasped Valda's nape, tilting her head so she could look at the Skylian queen.

Maris's breath was warm over her mouth, her grip was desperate as she pulled her back yet again. How could Valda ever deny herself to Maris, especially when she was begging to be taken?

"Fuck," the broken moan escaped the Sealian's chest. "Valda, please, please, make me come."

The last thread of control snapped inside of Valda in an audible gasp. She leaned back, pressed her hands over Maris's stomach commandingly, forcing her to stay still as the rolling and rocking of her hips became almost erratic. Her left hand climbed from her stomach, over the sweet valley of her heavy breasts to her sweaty and slender throat, until her fingers settled over Maris's mouth.

Crying out, Maris clutched Valda's thick thighs, scratching her while Valda's thumb rubbed Maris's lower lip. Maris's tongue darted out, licking as it met Valda's caress. She kissed the rough pad before pulling the finger into her mouth and sucking on it ardently.

Valda's rhythm faltered. She leaned over Maris, the hand that held her steady by the stomach moved to clasp Maris's neck, squeezing it enough to make her gasp and release her thumb.

"Maris," Valda growled a warning, her hips going back to the steady rocking as she helped them both reach that peak. Maris smiled against Valda's thumb and snickered in between soft cries as Valda rumbled again.

"I am close, darling," Maris whimpered, clasping Valda's broad shoulders as her hips met hers.

Valda nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence while her mouth hovered over Maris. She swallowed her cries, the warmth of her breath washed over her parted lips.The broken cry filled the cold air in the dark room.

With a jarring thrust, Maris threw her head back and shuddered in delight. Valda smirked, her lips trailing over Maris's pulse. "That's it, Seashell. Come with me. Let's come together."

"Don't stop, please," Maris's grip on Valda's thigh was almost painful.

"Never," Valda snarled, leaning closer, gathering Maris in her arms, pressing their bodies closer.

Finally, the air exploded out of their lungs. Her lover's hands flew to her back, scratching freckled skin, leaving a score of red marks. A distinctive warmth settled on her forehead and slowly dripped through her face, shoulders, and breasts. Valda gathered herself in soft pants as Maris's hands moved from her back to her jaw.

"Your forehead…"

"I know," Valda panted.

"Mine too," Maris whispered.

"Perfect," Valda answered, the teasing smile spreading across her sweaty face.

Maris covered the queen's lips in a sated yet passionate kiss that ended with both women pressing their beaming foreheads together. It burned slightly, nothing too painful, but as they touched, a sensation of fullness spread throughout their very souls.

The warmth finally settled, slipping away through their limbs and then fingers. Sighing contentedly, and with a dopey smile, Valda shifted on the bed until she was softly secured in Maris's loving embrace.

Maris ran her hand through Valda's sweaty hair, kissed her forehead, and pulled her impossibly closer. "Are you comfortable?" She asked, that same hand now rubbing against the other woman's jaw.

"Yes. Are you? Am I not too heavy?"

The concern in Valda's voice earned a chuckle from Maris. "You are fine. I am fine."

Valda nodded, her arm finding a very comfortable curve on Maris's waist. She moved her face enough for a kiss which Maris gave without a second to waste.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Valda answered, happy and dazed, and so full of love her chest was about to explode. "Just thinking…"

"About?" Maris asked, her hand now rubbing against the dimples of Valda's lower back.

"About how I would forsake my duties as queen only to stay in your arms just like this." Valda's large hand clamped over Maris's jaw as she brought her in for another kiss, this time possessive and eager.

"We do not have anything planned, now do we?"Maris asked against her lips.

"Oh, Seashell, after tonight, I am pretty sure Eyphah, and the rest of the settlement would like to have a word with their ruler…"

Maris tensed and Valda tried her hardest to calm her anxiety. "Other than that, our schedule is pretty much clean," she said, giving Maris an apologetic smile.

Maris pulled away and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Maris—"

"Valda," Maris began, interrupting her. "I am frightened. All my life, I have been hiding in the shadows. I didn't know who I was, what I was, and just like that, the problems of an entire kingdom have fallen on my shoulders."

"You have every right to be terrified."

"But I shouldn't be! I shouldn't! I should—"

"Maris," Valda began, her hand falling on Maris's shoulder. "I was petrified when my mother died, I was petrified when I crowned myself, I was petrified when I faced my people…" She swallowed hard, not used to talking about how unfit she felt as a ruler, how she still felt she wasn't doing her people any good. "I am petrified knowing that I will have to make decisions that will affect them all. It is normal to be afraid."

Maris groaned. "You are right… Tomorrow, I will face them, and I will come to terms with this new reality and try to make the best of these changes for everyone." She shrugged. "There is nothing else I can do but take it one day at a time."

"True, but you have to remember one thing, though."

"What is it?"

"I will not allow my mate to face this alone," Valda said, her hands lazily stroking Maris's waist.

"Mate?"

"You are my heart mate. And I am more than sure you are my soulmate." Her face dropped as she pursed her lips. "If I was able to see I am sure we would've formed the bond ages ago." Shaking her head, she titled Maris's face towards her. "I will be here to help you in any way I can. I promise. We will do this together."A sniff came from Maris, and Valda frowned, wiping her tears away. "Tonight is not about crying, Maris."

"I know. I just…"

"Tonight, we celebrate that against all odds, we found each other," Valda whispered, leaning to kiss the corner of Maris's lips, which was moist with her tears. "We found each other, and I love you."

Maris nodded, as she sniffed again. "I love you so much, Valda." Snuggling closer, Maris pressed her ear to Valda's chest, squeezing her flank before speaking again. "Valda?"

"Yes, Seashell?"

"What does the Oracle look like?"

Valda scoffed. "Hideous. They are not a man nor woman. They have wraps all over their body because they wander the Umbriel desert. The sun has burned their skin to a crisp. They face is dry and dark with blemishes and, well, they are hideous."

"What did you feel when they said you were going to meet me in your birthday?"

"Relief," Valda whispered, pressing her lips to Maris's forehead. "Sleep. Tomorrow will be an exhausting day."

It wasn't long until Maris's soft snores creeped into the quiet room. Valda cradled her, as if protecting her from what was yet to come. It wouldn't be easy, but it was the right thing to do, for the Sealians to start to heal with their real ruler.

***

The warmth of the sun shining through the window fell upon Valda's back, but it was the burning itch inside of her eyes that stirred her. She didn't think much of it; it happened from time to time. The queen pressed her eyelids with the meaty side of her palms as she sat on the bed before gracing Maris's figure, still sleeping next to her.

Her steady breathing was almost a lullaby, coaxing her to come back to bed and sleep the morning away, but Valda needed to relieve herself. She stood from the bed with her eyes closed and slowly walked to the washroom.

Inside, she moved her hands until she found a wash bin. She cupped her hands to gather some icy water and then splashed her face. Valda gasped. She wasn't expecting it to be so cold.

Her eyes flew open, and she stared down at the red dots in her hands…

Wait.

She strained her eyes, watching the water dilute the red pigment and sluice down her wrist, forearm, to her elbow. Valda watchedher muscles move underneath tan skin, the veins in the back of her scarred, rough hand. Her eyes jumped to the other hand, and she held her breath. She studied the small, childhood scar on the back of her left hand, the white lines over her knuckles.

Her gaze moved to her chest, there was no paint there, but her flat stomach was smudged blue all over. She noticed her dark brown mound and then her bare thighs…

She saw everything…

Valda lifted her gaze to the small hanging mirror above the wash bin. The mirror was big enough to reflect her face. Its fractured side made her think it had once been bigger and noticed the nail from which the mirror hung. She could see everything—the smallest details.

Valda moved before the mirror… Honey-colored eyes stared back at her with the same incredulous spark. Honey-colored eyes.

"There is no way."Valda grabbed the mirror, ignoring its damaged sides.

Valda swallowed hard, her lips parting in her reflection, her neck moving as she tried to talk. There were smears of paint on her shoulders, exactly where Maris's hands had been last night as they made love.

Her heart missed a beat, squeezing inside her chest.

"Maris."

As the fog of disbelief cleared out, the sudden realization that the woman she had wanted to see for so long was steps away, sleeping soundly in the bedroom, loosened Valda's grip on the mirror. She shuddered and placed it inside the wash bin, and turned towards the door, slipping in the process and falling in her desperation.

She stood up quickly, slipping twice more without losing her footing. Pausing at the opening that divided the washroom and the bedroom, her hands held to the door frame with white knuckles.

She exhaled as her still burning eyes fell on Maris's sleeping form. Her chest was about to burst with all the emotions she had been holding since the first day she heard Maris's voice.

Valda's knees buckled, and she fell again hard on the wooden floor as if about to worship the holiest of goddesses. Finally, she found her words, only to let them out in a whisper.

"Holy Ouranos."