Chapter 26

Valda didn't move. She didn't breathe or think. She just stood there, staring at Arwin's devilish grin. His posture was so calm and confident it made her stomach turn. Something inside of her twitched, snapping her back to reality as Maris's voice in her memory as she asked her why should she trust Arwin?

"What's in the report?" Valda asked, finding her voice again, her hands trembling with unreleased anger.

"Go read it."

"What is in the fucking report, Arwin?"

Arwin let out an aggravated sigh. He sat down again, lifting his boot to the table as he leaned back. "Do you remember when you were… sixteen? Seventeen? When I gave you a special lesson?"

Valda frowned as her mind went through thousands of memories of Arwin training her, teaching her combat skills and techniques. This man had been with her since the second she opened her eyes, and yet she couldn't recall this special lesson he spoke of, as if she had erased it from her memory on purpose.

"Which one?"

"The day I taught you to kill a traitor. Your mother was so mad when she found out I made you execute a man in cold blood. She claimed you were too young. I said you must start them young for them to become good rulers. I guess I was wrong with that one."

"Arwin. Get to the point!"

"Do you remember or not? The man I told you was responsible for your father's death? One that was attached to the rebels down at Umbriel?"

A sudden realization dawned on Valda's face, and her legs weakened, not enough strength left in them to hold her body weight. She remembered the sword she held, how heavy it had felt in her hands. She remembered the smoldering, afternoon sun on her back and shoulders, burning her face. Arwin had contacted a man, claiming he was responsible for her father's death. She remembered the man's face, his pleas for mercy…

"I remember. I couldn't… finish it." Dread settled in Valda's stomach.

"Raan Era," Arwin said.

"Captain Hurley, I want you to meet my personal assistant."

"Maris Era. It is so nice to meet a fellow Sealian."

Era…

Fuck

Fuck! Fuck. FUCK!

"Don't tell me…" Valda's throat constricted; she could barely breathe. "He was—"

"I think you should head back to your chamber. I need to make an announcement and I would love for you to be there with your mate." Arwin's tone was densely condescending. "This controversy happening between us needs to be resolved in a diplomatic way, don't you think so?"

Though Valda was lost in her own thoughts, she managed to register Arwin's words. She nodded in agreement. She didn't care about the announcement. Whatever the asshole was thinking about doing could be fixed. Valda could fix it, but what she had done to Maris…

She rubbed her palms over her slacks harshly, her mind transported to that day. The memory was buried along with all the other deaths she had caused. She dared not to remember it not only because it was her first execution, but because she regretted the way it was done.

It was the same day she had spoken with the Oracle. Her excitement over the news was brushed away as she stood over a man, kneeling on the courtyard sandy ground, shaking, sobbing. His face was covered up and his shirt stained with blood.

Once Arwin removed the bag over his head, she asked him if he knew why he was kneeling before her. He didn't know why he was taken away from his family. He cried and pleaded. He bowed his head asking for mercy, screaming that he had a soulmate, a daughter and that he wanted nothing more than to go back to them.

She felt disgusted as the memories of Raan's pleas washed over her. She could feel the warmth of his blood on her hands, his eyes turning glassy and lifeless. Everything was coming back to her, as well as the fear, the self-hate. Suddenly she heard him. He called Arwin a liar, and he kept recalling his daughter.

His daughter…

Maris.

Gods, what had she done?

Without a word, Valda slammed the door open and ignored the soldiers chasing after her as she headed back to her chamber. Behind her, Arwin commanded the soldiers to leave her be. Good. She didn't have the patience to fight now. She needed to get to Maris.

The raging wind inside her mind deafened Valda. Her hands trembled as she grabbed hold of the doorknob. She tried to open it, but it seemed Maris had placed the chair back in its place, keeping any uninvited guests out.

"Maris, it's me. Open the door."

Silence.

Valda's stomach turned yet again. She slammed her hand against the hardwood. "Maris! It's me, Valda. Open the door." Her mouth was dry. Had someone entered while she was away? Did someone take Maris away? Was she hurt?

Taking a step back, Valda pressed her palms together right above her chest, closed her eyes, and exhaled. A gust pulled the door off its hinges and into a mess of flying splinters.

Inside the room, Maris sat unmoving on the living quarter's sofa. In one hand, a piece of paper dangled from her fingers. In her other hand, she gripped the handle of the unsheathed Heaven Sword, the blade resting on top of her thighs. Cerberus was hidden underneath the sofa.

Blue eyes moved from the paper up to lock with glassy honey eyes.

Valda swallowed hard, her throat bobbing as she pushed down the fear she had been holding onto. Her gaze trailed over the paper Maris was holding and a cold shiver overwhelmed her entire body. "Maris? Are you all right?"

Valda had never seen such hatred in someone's eyes. Her chest was heavy with so many dreadful things, and she wanted to pull Maris in, hold her, and kiss her. But before she could say anything, Maris spoke.

"You killed my father. "

It wasn't a question. It was a statement—a fact.

"Maris, I didn't know he was—"

"You killed my father…" Maris snapped, standing from the sofa, the paper falling at her feet. Her hold on the sword tightened. "Why?"

Valda didn't have an answer that would suffice. Saying that she was following orders, she was young, she didn't know Raan was Maris's father. They were all excuses. They wouldn't ease the pain. It wouldn't undo anything.

"You are the one responsible for my mother's death! You!" Maris shook her head in disbelief. "You! You fucked my life!"

All the pent-up anger, unshed tears, everything that Maris held back was all because of her. Gods, it—was her all along. And it didn't matter if she was queen or not, or if she had the power to create hurricanes or tornadoes, to hold the Heaven Sword over her head, or if the symbol of Ouranos burned steady on her forehead. None of that mattered now that she was the one who broke her lover. Valda couldn't do anything but stand before Maris and accept everything the younger woman threw at her.

"Everything makes sense! I always wondered why the crown wasn't helping the family of their fallen soldiers. It was because his name was sullied as a traitor!"

"Maris," Valda whispered, her palms out reverently, "Maris, listen, please. You need to listen to me."

Maris looked down, grabbed the report, and threw it at Valda. "You killed him because he was a traitor?" Maris scoffed in disbelief; her brow furrowed. "A traitor? My father?"

She wasn't listening. She was letting out all her anger at once, and there was nothing Valda could do but stand there and take all of it until she tired out. Maris raised the Heaven Sword with both hands. Her grip trembled with the weapon's weight, but her eyes didn't waver.

"My father was a good man!"

"I have no doubt about it now that I know you."

"And you! You…" An earth-shattering sob escaped Maris's chest. "It was you all along."

"I didn't know…"

"You kill people without knowing their crimes, then? What kind of a ruler are you? You cold-hearted murderer!"

"You are right. You are right, I am so sorry, Maris."

"I bet he begged for his life. I bet he told you about me."

Valda's lower lip quivered, and she nodded. "He did."

Maris's face twisted in pain and anger all the same. "And still you killed him."

"I was following orders."

"From who?"

Valda didn't have to answer the question. The way her shoulders slacked in defeat was all the answer Maris needed.

Maris pursed her lips, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes. "Arwin?"

"I was young." Valda slowly lowered herself to one knee, then the other, her hands still open. "I didn't know what I was doing. Maris, I am so sorry."

"You are not." Maris got closer, the blade of the Heaven Sword inches away from Valda's pulse. "You are not, you killed a good man, destroyed a family. My mother killed herself because her mate was taken away from her. I lost my parents not only once, but twice, and it was all you; my mate." She hissed with such uncontained fury that Valda closed her eyes, waiting for the final inches of the blade to meet her neck.

She would gladly welcome death if she were to die by Maris's hands. She had hurt her in a way she would never be able to repair, and knowing she was the cause was a burden too heavy for Valda to carry.

"Maris," Valda's soft silky voice quivered inside her chest.

Tears flowed down her face. She was unable to hold them back, not when Maris was so hurt. Valda knew Maris wanted nothing to do with her. All fragments of love had become pure and unfathomable rage and hate. Still, Valda grabbed her sword handle, covering Maris's delicate fingers with her own and pushed the blade. The pressure was enough to break her skin into a bloody fine line.

Maris stumbled back as she saw the crimson of Valda's blood stained the blouse. Her eyes widened in shock and a hint of worry. Yet Valda could only see a sliver of hope that Maris still cared.

"If you wish to kill me, Seashell, do it." Another drop of blood sluiced down her neck, deepening the stain. "You deserve to avenge your father. I know that's what I would've done. If it will make your hurt disappear, do it. I shouldn't have caused you this much torment. If the damage is beyond repair, take your revenge."

The hesitation was there. She saw it in the spark of Maris's eyes. Maris's grip on the sword slackened enough for her to slip her hands away. Valda took control of the weapon yet kept it in the same position.

"I can't," Maris murmured, her hands falling at her side. "I won't."

Valda noticed the way she trembled; she watched a million thoughts run through her lover's mind, and gods, she wanted nothing more than to know what she was thinking. The pain was evident in her features. Her heart was broken. Valda could feel it deep within her chest, and as much as she tried to pull Maris back, she would just drive her away.

No… Valda couldn't pull her back now. She couldn't force her to do anything. It would just make them drift farther apart.

Maris's gaze shot up to the bedroom entrance. Her anger subsided, replaced by dread.

Following Maris, Valda turned and found a group of guards by the chamber's entrance. Their swords were drawn, waiting for either of them to attack. Valda gripped her sword tightly, standing and putting herself as a barrier between the intruders and Maris.

"What do you want?" Valda asked, her voice low and menacing.

"King Arwin has requested your presence in the throne room, as well as your companion," the guard said before pausing and adding, "He has an announcement to make."

***

The last time Valda had seen the throne room this full was on her twenty-first birthday. Then, friendly faces filled the room and welcomed her. Now, scowls and angry stares greeted her. Insults were hurled at her. Mediocre, fake, unlawful, weak.

Weak.

Taking her anger out on them would prove she was not only weak, but a coward. A coward like Arwin. Valda could still not wrap her head around the fact this man was responsible for the bodies outside her castle. The same man who showed her how to rule and make day to day decisions. His tough love never led her to believe he could kill so many people in cold blood, and if he was capable of that, what else could he do?

Maris walked closely behind her, and Valda could feel the anger blazing from their connection. Maris didn't want anything to do with Valda. Whenever Valda reached for her, she pulled back and averted her gaze to look anywhere but at her. The rejection hurt, but Valda preferred her angry than away from her. As much as Maris was the most important thing in her life as her mate, Valda needed to find a way to deal with what was happening in her kingdom and Arwin.

Valda and Maris stood in the middle of the throne room, away from the dais. Around them, the people had created a circle isolating the two women and making them the center of attention. They stayed away from them as if they were diseased.

"Ah! Good! You are here. All of this wouldn't be possible without your presence."

Valda's gaze shot to the dais, where Arwin circled the king's throne. Her father's crown dangled disrespectfully from one of his fingers. Valda clenched her fists and tensed her jaw.

Arwin spread his arms with a theatrically handsome smile on his rugged features. "People of the Sky Kingdom, I am the bearer of exciting news."

Valda heard Maris shuffling behind her, putting space between them. She turned to look at her, gaze apologetic, wanting to do something, anything to get the other woman to talk to her. As Valda was about to reach out, Maris's eyes widened at the spectacle over Valda's shoulder.

A young woman walked from the entranceway behind the thrones. Long aqua curls reached her back, her clothes were all Sealian, and she carried a waterskin on her belt. The woman moved to Arwin, whose palm was out, inviting her to grab hold of it.

When she did, she stood beside Arwin and smiled at everyone in the room. Her eyes traveled across every face until it landed on Valda. The innocence of the smile faded, replaced by a cynical and dark grin.

"My compatriots. I present to you, the heiress of the Sea Kingdom, Nerea Thalassa."

Valda felt the taut pull of Maris's emotion right away. She heard her inhaling deeply and hold her breath.

For the first time, Valda saw Arwin for the liar he was. She had seen that woman before; right before she lost her vision.

"The Fates were right. The wind and the waves. The sky and the sea would join together," Arwin said, his hand slipping over Nerea's waist, presenting her. The woman turned from Valda to Arwin and smiled again, her hand slipping to his shoulder, holding him intimately close.

"Lies!" Valda bellowed. "How dare you sully the throne room where my parents ruled. How dare you spew such lies!" Gritting her teeth, Valda unsheathed her sword and ignored the surprised gasps of the people around her. She pointed the blade at Arwin, who waved his hand dismissively.

"You will not turn my throne room into a circus, Valda. Lower your weapon…"

"I should suffocate you where you stand. You and this fake heiress. Whoever she is." Turning back to Maris, Valda pleaded with her eyes for the other woman to talk, but Maris didn't. She didn't even meet her gaze. "Maris…" Valda called, reaching out with one hand while holding the Heaven Sword with the other. "My mate…"

Another burst of surprised gasps and whispers exploded within the throne room. Valda looked upon the leaders of her army, the directors, Hadeon and Lyra… Her directors. It took Valda a moment to recognize the few faces that looked at her with both shame, pity, and disgrace.

They turned their heads away as Valda made eye contact with them. Valda stumbled for a moment and waited for them to stand up for her. Then she realized that the only reason they were alive, and Dristan was dead, was because they had forsaken her. They gave up their loyalty to stay alive. She wanted to be angry at them. She wanted to be furious, but… they did what they could to survive.

As the unknown woman stood at the dais, her forehead shone with dim light, the mark of Poseidon. Valda didn't flinch. The light was not vibrant and strong like Maris's… A poor imitation. A shapeshifter.

"The symbol! It is true! She is the heiress!"

"Praise be Poseidon for keeping her safe!"

Valda scoffed. How could they be so gullible? How could she have been so gullible? She had swallowed Arwin's lies all her life. She had hurt her mate by doing as he asked. Yes, it was years ago, yes, she was a child, but Valda couldn't free herself from the guilt.

Within seconds, the air inside the throne room grew dense, shifting and swatting about inside Valda's head and in her ears, growing stronger and louder as a hurricane engulfed her. Valda grabbed the wind within her hand and tossed it across the throne room towards Arwin.

With a flick of his wrist, Arwin stopped the attack and dissolved the tornado into nothing.

Valda's mouth slackened in a silent gasp.

Arwin could command the wind…

Arwin…

"Impossible…" Maris spoke for the first time since they left the chamber. "How?"

Arwin grinned and again waved his hand dismissively. "I am royalty," he turned to the woman next to him. "As well as her."

The woman whispered something only he could hear into his ear. With her hand still on his shoulder, Arwin held her close so she could lean against him. "Of course, you may leave, love."

The light coming from the woman's forehead dissolved within her skin. Arwin slowly released her, and she climbed down from the dais to disappear behind the thrones.

Valda frowned and took a shaking step towards the dais, still holding her sword. She heard Maris's soft curse under her breath and then a gasp. The sound of clanging metal echoed in the throne room as the guards and high-ranking soldiers mimicked Valda by taking out their own weapons. The tension in the room was palpable, yet Valda focused her gaze on the man before her.

"I have no fucking idea what you are trying to do. They might not see through your lies, but I do, and I am tired of standing by and letting you do as you please. This ends—"

"No, this is not ending. This is just the beginning, Valda," Arwin said, interrupting her as he hooked his hands behind his back. "I suggest you put away that toy before you are skewered to death by your former captains…"

"Put your sword down," Maris grunted behind her. "You will get us killed…"

Turning to Maris, Valda slanted her head as she stared at her lover. "Tell them you are the heiress."

Maris pursed her lips and tensed.

"Tell. them."

Maris shifted her gaze away from Valda to hide all the rage flourishing within.

Valda felt as if she had just been drenched with a bucket of icy water. The tight connection of her chest wavered. Maris wouldn't help her. She wouldn't talk. She wouldn't tell them the truth. Why? Was it to hurt her?

"Gentlemen, put away your weapons. I need to have a talk with our abdicating queen."

Valda snarled, and just as she was to move again, Maris grabbed hold of her blouse and stopped her.

The men around them sheathed their sword, spat on the ground, insulting her name, and one by one exited the throne room until only the three of them remained.

The door of the throne room closed heavily, locking them inside. The sound of dainty footsteps broke the empty silence as a fourth person joined them. This time, a woman with dark brown hair moved about the dais and sat down on what used to be Queen Rionach's throne.

Quietly, Arwin pulled a small golden sphere from his pocket, kissed it, and gave it to the mysterious woman. A golden apple. Just like Maris had mentioned. She had been to blind to see who this man's true loyalty lied with. And it wasn't with Valda.

"I remember when Arwin whispered your name years ago," Valda whispered in an angry hiss. "I know who you are."

"And yet, you keep praying to an unseen god who abandoned you. Pity," the woman sighed, her gaze falling on Arwin. "This one is way smarter than you or your father."

"You do not get to speak of him or sit in my mother's throne," Valda muttered, her sword pointed at the woman. "I will not hesitate to kill a goddess, Eris."

Maris's quiet gasp shuddered through Valda as a soft grin creeped through the mysterious woman's features.

"Oh, please. You humans and your costumes. This is just a chair." She slammed her hand on the armrest. "You give everything meaning and emotional attachments." She waved her hand dismissively.

"Valda," Arwin called out, sitting on King Brontes's throne. "My dear girl."

"I want you to shut up and answer my questions right now." As fast as the wind, Valda moved until she was standing face to face with Arwin. Her sword was close to his neck, inches from silencing him forever. "You command the wind."

Arwin nodded nonchalantly.

"How?"

"I have royal blood, of course."

"From whom?"

"Your grandfather."

Valda's furrowed brow quivered for a second. "You are my father's brother?"

Arwin smiled. "Half-brother. "

"You are lying. Why would you be kept out of the ruling chain?"

"That's exactly what I was asking myself all these years. Especially when your dear father died protecting the Sea Kingdom." Arwin turned his attention to Maris and widened his smile. "A tragedy really."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had something to do with my kingdom's tragedy," Maris rumbled, before looking at Eris.

The goddess laughed, filling the vast emptiness of the throne room and sending a shover down Valda's. "She is smart. Ever the real heiress. Too bad you didn't have the courage to show it."

"It wasn't lack of courage," Maris snapped before eyeing Valda with rage.

"Maris," Valda reached for her only to have her hand smacked away.

"Don't you dare touch me, you murderer. All this time I thought he was behind my father's death, and it was you!"

"Trouble in the Elysian Fields?"

"Fuck you, Arwin," Valda snapped back, yet she couldn't conceal the pain of being rejected and insulted.

"You want to head back to New Agenor? Will you go back as the ruler or another one of the bunch?" Eris asked, standing up. Dark purple wisps of shadows wrapped around her body, consuming her before disappearing into thin air. Her body transformed into the young woman she was before. Her aqua blue hair did no justice to the beautiful shades the real Sealians had, not to mention her sad attempt at the symbol on her brow was laughable.

"I am their queen," Maris said, her brow furrowing further at the sight of the impostor.

"You are nothing," Eris rebutted.

"Valda, I am going to make this easy on you." Arwin pushed himself from the throne, towering over Valda from his position atop the dais. "I want you to abdicate, run away, and disappear. Clearly, you are at a disadvantage. Your men have renounced their fidelity to you. I am the one in charge."

"You mean you killed the men who knew all of this—" Valda waved her arms around her, "is wrong."

"You were gone," Arwin said.

"I was working!" Valda countered.

"Fucking this slut is not working." Arwin raised his chin.

"She is my mate. The heiress of the Sea Kingdom! What you are doing will only hurt the balance of the entire kingdom."

"Ah, this kingdom is already damaged. There is a war brewing, Valda and I don't think you are ready for it."

Valda slanted her head to the side in confusion. "A war? With whom?"

Eris stood from the throne and circled back. She handed Arwin a bloody wool bag. The putrid smell emanating from it made Valda take a step back and cover her nose with her blouse.

"The Sky Kingdom has the biggest and strongest army. We are a force to be reckoned with," Arwin began as he opened the bag and stuck his hand inside. "What would happen when we forge war with the descendants of Ares himself?" His question was accentuated with a devilish curve on his lips.

"What did you do?" Valda asked.

Arwin pulled out the moldering head of Vulcan Hagan, King of Mars.

Maris gasped loudly and turned away at the horrific scene while Valda's eyes widened in pure terror. Before she could react, Arwin tossed the severed head to her feet. She took a step back, bumping into Maris.

"My investigation on your mother's murder confirmed she was assassinated by someone in the Vulcan Kingdom."

Valda shook her head, her eyes glued to Hagan"s head. "You are lying."

"I had long conversation with him, but the old man thought kicking me out and calling me a liar was a proper answer to my queries. I killed him and brought you the head of the man responsible for your mother's death."

"You are a liar! Every single word coming out of your mouth is a fucking lie!"

"You should thank me. Here is your revenge."

Valda heard his words but could not process what he was saying. How could the king be the one behind her mother's death? What could he gain from it? Why did Arwin do this?

"You are fucking insane!" Valda bellowed as she looked from the head to Arwin. "You just declared war on the Vulcanians! Do you have any idea what will happen to us? To the citizens?"

"I know damn well what will happen. When your father died, I ruled behind the throne room. When your mother was in power, I fucked the decisions into that pretty mind of hers, when you were a blind queen, I looked at my people and knew what they needed. They needed more than you could ever offer them. I have more experience in this than you, I can rule a kingdom and protect the people with an iron fist while you go and fuck your little tadpole bitch to your heart's content."

Rage and hatred broke his calm and collected demeanor. It wasn't until he found himself leaning over Valda that he pulled back, fixed his silver hair, and squared his shoulders. "Abdicate, Valda. You will give the Skylians a gift if you give up your title."

Valda raised her sword, moving it to Arwin's face, right over the scar. "I will kill you."

"Kill me? Can you kill the man who loved you like a father, Valda?"

Valda blinked at the sudden softness in his voice. Her sword wavered, and so did her powerful stance.

"If you don't abdicate, I will kill you, your mate, and I will send out a platoon to kill all the Sealian survivors in the settlements."

"You wouldn't."

"I killed Skylians who opposed me. Do you think I will second-guess killing those parasites?"

"Valda…" Maris pressed her forehead to Valda's strong back. "Please…"

The tension in Valda's chest returned tenfold. She felt Maris's warmth traveling over her body, seeping into her skin, and settling in her stomach. Maris was petrified for her people, as was Valda. If they both died, who would protect them?

"Please, darling," Maris whispered only for Valda to hear.

The word of endearment shattered Valda's brave veneer. And although she knew Maris used the term to manipulate her, Valda was just glad there was a glimmer of love in that word.

"Let's recoup," Maris breathed. "Let us choose our battles."

Valda swallowed hard as she felt Maris's hand over her waist. Reluctantly, she sheathed her sword and turned to face her. Maris's eyes shone with worry. The sorrow and hatred were buried for now. Dipping her head at her mate, Valda turned back to Arwin.

"Fine."

Arwin grinned. "Oh?"

"I abdicate. The crown is yours. You've caused enough innocent death as it is."

"A wise decision really," Eris interjected, but no one acknowledged her.

"I suggest you leave now. Don't take any personal belongings, just leave. I will make it look like I killed you and your mate, and no one will go after you. Think of it as a gift. To live among your people in complete anonymity could be a blessing."

Valda's deep rumble disturbed the room's consuming silence. Valda's gaze fell on her mate again, giving her back to Arwin. The young woman was holding on to her own feelings, trying not to crumble under the pressure of their situation. Valda could feel it, and what hurt her the most was she couldn't do anything to alleviate her pain. Valda brushed Maris's arms with a soothing caress, pulling her to her chest.

Maris did not return the embrace.

"We will be all right. Please trust me."

Maris did not reply, not even a nod of acknowledgment.

Without warning, Maris's hands darted and clutched Valda's shoulder, her fingers digging into the fabric of Valda's shirt in sheer horror. Valda's eyes widened in alarm as she heard Maris's desperate cry, but before she could react, a chilling jolt tore through her back like an icy dagger, piercing deep into her muscles.

Agony ripped through Valda's body, leaving her gasping for breath. With a surge of adrenaline, she forcefully pushed Maris away, her gaze frantically searching for the source of the pain.

Arwin stood before her, gripping the dagger that had just been wrenched from her back. Blood gushed from the wound, staining the pristine white marble floor.

Valda's strength wavered, her energy draining away. She sank to one knee, her eyes fixed to the man she had once revered as a father. The blood from the dagger dripped relentlessly.

"Valda! No! No!" Maris's desperate cries echoed through the air, her trembling hands futilely pressing against the gaping wound to stem the torrent of blood.

With a swift flick of his wrist, Arwin angled the dagger downward and jerked his head toward Maris. "I think we need to make this more convincing, don't you?" his voice dripped with sinister intent.

Maris's urgent tugs on her blouse urged her to rise despite the pain. Struggling to her feet, Valda leaned on Maris for support, leaving a trail of crimson behind. Her mate's anguished pleas reverberated in her ears, fueling their shared desperation. They had to staunch the bleeding, they had to flee, they had to survive.

As they hurriedly sought refuge, Valda heard the relentless pursuit of another set of footsteps. They stumbled into the first room they could find—her mother's chamber. The balcony doors stood ajar, allowing the frigid breath of the Skylian night to invade her already chilled skin. She shivered uncontrollably.

Valda's breathing became labored, her vision blurred. Amidst her panting, Arwin's voice pierced the haze. "This is not the way out!" he declared, interrupting Valda's faltering thoughts.

Glancing down, Valda noticed the pool of crimson forming beneath her. Despite her wavering senses, she caught sight of Maris manipulating water from a nearby pitcher, making it float before her. In an act of desperation, the liquid surged into Arwin's nostrils, choking him. Maris stood in a defensive stance, her fists clenched, striving to maintain her hold and deny him air. Valda could hear the suffocating gasps and gagging sounds, and a fleeting smile touched her lips before her strength gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Valda!"

Maris released her watery grip, kneeling before her, concern etched upon her features. In her gaze, Valda recognized love and worry, and was reassured that her mate still cared.

In the background, Arwin fought for breath, regaining composure. He brandished the dagger again, and in two menacing strides, he loomed behind Maris, raising the blade high and bringing it down.

Valda, mustering the last of her fading energy, wrapped one arm around her lover, and with her remaining strength, she unleashed a blast of power, hurtling them both off the balcony and throwing Arwin against the walls in a bone-rattling impact.

The wind roared in her ears as they plummeted. Valda clung to Maris, holding her tightly as they fell, desperately summoning a weak and uncontrolled gust of air to cushion their landing. Valda hit the ground first, the impact stealing her breath and forcing her to release Maris, who tumbled a few feet away, silent and motionless.

Swallowing the metallic taste of blood that choked her throat, Valda gazed at Maris, her gaze fixated on the collapsed and broken figure. Dread settled in her gut as she felt the absence of her lover's bond within her chest. But then, a flicker of movement from Maris stirred hope within Valda. She exhaled a breath of relief.

"M-Maris?" she called out, her voice strained. Reaching out as far as her limited strength allowed, she pleaded, "Get up, please."

Maris lifted her head from the ground, her eyes locking with Valda's, determination etched upon her face.

Valda managed to summon a ghostly smile, sensing the apprehension and looming of death reflected in Maris's eyes—those captivating, familiar eyes that held her own gaze.

An attempt at laughter escaped Valda's lips, mingling with a spray of blood.

In the final moments before the world slipped into darkness, Valda felt the gods' benevolence grant her one last precious sight of Maris's breathtaking blue eyes, etching their essence into her memory as everything faded away.

As Maris pushed herself off the ground, searing pain shot through her left arm, signaling a possible fracture. With a tearful cry, she stumbled back down, the impact jarring her further. Despite Valda's attempt to soften the fall, their descent had still been hard.

"Gods, Valda!" Maris gasped, her voice anguished.

Opening her eyes, Maris caught Arwin's imposing figure looming over the balcony of the royal chamber. He gripped the railing, scanning the area below in search of them. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if he couldn't spot them until his hazel eyes locked with Maris's.

Bastard. Bastard. Bastard.

Arwin shifted his body back towards the chamber's interior and shouted something unintelligible to Maris. She had no intention of staying to find out what he meant. Clutching her broken arm, she hurriedly made her way to Valda, sinking to her knees beside her.

"Valda!" Maris shook her forcefully. "Valda, wake up. We have to leave—"

Her words dissolved in her mouth as if stolen along with her breath. She struggled to inhale, to exhale, feeling as if the air around her was being constricted. Her uninjured hand desperately reached out, trying to grasp at an invisible force closing in on her neck. Her lungs burned, and her heartbeat pounded loudly in her ears. Gazing upwards, she saw Arwin's hand extended toward her, choking her, lifting her off the ground as though suspended by an unseen rope.

"Oh, what an honor!" His voice bellowed from the balcony. "To die just like your mother!"

In the midst of the suffocating ordeal, the sound of a whistling arrow sliced through the air, piercing Arwin's shoulder with a resounding impact. He released his grip on Maris, and she collapsed to the ground once more, her face flushed, gasping for air, but relieved to breathe again.

"I've got Maris, Isen! Get Valda now!"

Melvian...

The smaller woman's lifted Maris, her uninjured arm draped over Melvian's shoulder. A glimmer of hope ignited in Maris mingling with tears of both joy and desperation that streamed down her cheeks.

Melvian was alive. Alive and well. Her dear friend had survived.

"You're alive," Maris whispered, her voice hoarse and low. "I thought he had killed you, along with the others..."

"I managed to escape when he returned," Melvian explained. "I sensed something was wrong with Isen, so I made my getaway."

Maris turned her attention to the handsome Sealian just as he released another arrow that found its mark in an approaching soldier's chest. The guard staggered, clutching at the grievous wound before collapsing, revealing a group of armed soldiers emerging from the castle entrance, their swords drawn.

"We have to leave, now!" Melvian urged, pulling Maris towards her waiting horse.

"Wait! No, no! Valda!" Maris protested.

"Isen has her. We need to go, Maris!" Melvian grasped Maris by the waist, assisting her in mounting the back of her horse.

From her vantage point, Maris observed Isen secure the bow across his chest and lift Valda onto the horse's back. Despite his own injuries, Isen managed to position Valda carefully on her stomach. With a swift motion, he mounted the animal, urging it forward with kicks to its flanks. Maris and Melvian followed closely behind, galloping away from the danger that pursued them.