Chapter 9

After a restless night, Maris woke with a gasp. Melvian had already left, her bed neatly made with Maris's clothes folded to perfection. Looking out the window, she knew she was already late. She hoped the princess wouldn't blame her.

She managed to get ready in time before running out of the servant's quarters. It wasn't bad enough that she had woken up almost freezing in the middle of the night, but she had experienced the closest thing to intimacy she had ever had with the ruler. She could still feel Valda's fingers on her neck, her breath on her ear, her scent.

After Valda left, Maris couldn't regain her composure enough to fall asleep right away. Instead, she was kept awake by arousal trickling down her thigh every time the image of Valda came to mind. There was no doubt that the gods sculpted Valda's body, but something about her presence made Maris melt with need. She tried to stop herself from finding some release, knowing that Melvian might wake up if she got too loud, but as the minutes ticked by, she had no choice but to quietly ease her frustration with her hand.

She imagined Valda slipping under the covers behind her and aggressively placing her large hand over her mouth with the same strength and violence as before. The woman's other hand then would slip to the junction of Maris's legs to tease her to the point of delirium. Alas, it wasn't Valda's hand keeping her quiet or spreading the wetness, but her own.

After finding her release, she still couldn't sleep… All her dreams ended with the princess, between her legs, eyes open, honey-colored eyes staring at her with her tongue deep inside Maris's wetness. Each time, Maris awoke during the night, covered in sweat.

And now Maris was late. She had overslept, and she ran down the castle hall, hoping and praying that Valda had somehow dealt with her emotions enough to not jump at her throat when she walked in.

Today was the queen's burial, and she knew that Valda needed all the emotional support she could get. Maris was somewhat lucky that Kayden was around for that. Maris wondered if she was even allowed to attend the burial.

Maris sighed, fixed her hair into a high ponytail, and took a deep breath before opening the door.

She found Valda sitting on the edge of her bed, a random maid tying her boots. A burning rage of jealousy set her blood on fire when she saw the young girl touching Valda.

Cerberus was close to Valda, sitting right behind her. The tip of her fluffy tail waved from side to side. As soon as the cat saw Maris, she blinked slowly and released a soft happy chirp. At least someone was happy to see her.

Valda's stoic features seemed distant until she heard the door opening. Her emotionless fa?ade dissolved, replaced by curiosity. It was as if Valda wasn't expecting her.

"You may leave," Valda murmured to the young maid before pulling her leg back.

The servant nodded and quickly made her exit.

After the maid was gone, Maris took a deep breath and turned to Valda. "Princess, please forgive me for being late. I—"

"I understand," Valda interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "It was my fault," she added standing from the bed.

Gaze roaming Valda's body, Maris's admiration of the black chest wraps was impeded by recognition that the lower half was already dressed with the same outfit she wore on her birthday. Valda tried to fix her leather belt, moving it about as if wanting the buckle to be right underneath her belly button.

Maris walked towards Valda, her fingers lingered over the buckle before she fixed it. Looking up now, she noticed the dark circles under Valda's eyes. She must've had trouble sleeping, hopefully for different reasons than Maris.

"What do you need?"

Valda tensed her jaw before she answered. "I need my black silk dress shirt, my jacket's uniform, and the box with my medals in it. I need them for the coronation," Valda said.

Maris nodded and quickly did as she was told. She placed both the jacket and shirt on the bed before going back for the box. It was wooden with a simple latch. Looking inside revealed numerous gold and silver medals. All of them had different sizes and ribbon colors. It was going to take a long while to put them all on her.

"Did you find it?" Valda asked, her voice surprisingly soft compared to last night.

"Yes, I got it," Maris answered going back to Valda. "I got the shirt and jacket too," she said, helping Valda put both on, checking for wrinkles or specs before patting her shirt's collar. Maris then turned to the box. "You should sit down for this."

Valda nodded and searched for the edge of the bed before sitting. "I wasn't feeling well yesterday."

Maris nodded but knew that she wasn't able to see her. She wasn't ready to talk about what happened just yet. She was still processing the way her body reacted to Valda, and what she wanted from her. Now, she had known about lust. She had been intimate with men and women before entering the castle. After her mother's death, she found solace in the arms of people that worked with her. Misery loves company.

But with Valda, it was different. She burned for the princess, aching to be touched and be near her from the first time she saw her. She wanted every interaction to be with her. Even now, as she pinned the many medals onto the jacket, Maris still wanted to feel Valda's hand upon her skin, whether it was on her neck, waist, or breast. She wanted it all, and she still couldn't believe that she had been seconds away from agreeing to be the princess's lover or heart mate.

"I understand what you are going through. Sorrow and grief can cloud your judgment."

"I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable," Valda said, tilting her head as if looking at Maris.

Maris shook her head. "You didn't," she said but then noticed the mistake of her confession. "I mean, I was uncomfortable, yes, but I understand. I am a good listener, and if you need to talk to someone, I can be that person." Maris raised her gaze to Valda's, whose eyes were now closed. "I do ask you to do it at more accommodating hours, though…"

Valda scoffed and hid her laughter.

Maris almost melted when Valda's shoulders relaxed.

"If my roommate would have woken up to see us, I don't know what would've happened."

"Yes, I was about to mention that. She didn't wake up?" The princess bit her lower lip as she stifled a chuckle.

It was Maris's turn to laugh. "I hope not! I don't think I could keep a straight face if I told Melvian that the Princess of the Sky Kingdom had managed to find my chamber drunk out of her mind."

"I wasn't that far gone," Valda scoffed.

"You were. You basically asked me to be your heart mate."

Valda's playfulness was washed away from her features in a matter of seconds. "I wasn't that far gone," she repeated sternly.

Maris took a deep breath and placed the final medal around Valda's neck. She decided it was better to change the subject. "Should I get the Heaven Sword?" she asked but didn't wait for a response. She stood up and walked to the bureau.

"I spoke the truth," Valda said, sending a shiver down Maris's spine. "Even if you decline my offer of being my heart mate, I want you in my chamber at all times. I already spoke to a room keeper, and they will bring a bed and settling you in here." Valda stood up, towering over Maris.

"I do not wish to sleep here," Maris said, looking up at Valda. "I have a room, and I have personal belongings that I would like to keep protected."

"This castle is protected. Your personal belongings will be safe. If you wish, I will also ask them to be moved here as well."

What was happening? Maris didn't want her stuff to be touched or moved. She had her room, and although the idea of being close to the princess was extremely appealing, she still needed her space! "You have no right. I need privacy!"

"I am minutes away from being your queen." Valda raised her chin high and squared her shoulders. "I have every right over the decisions that happen in my castle. Either you accept the accommodations, or you accept the accommodations."

Valda was hiding something. Why did she want her close? What was the use? She could manage around the castle just fine. Tartarus! She made it to the servant's quarters! Maris bit her lower lip, trying to keep her anger at bay. "Why the urgency?"

"Urgency? There is no urgency. My mother's last order for you was to stay near me. To help me. It would be a shame for you not to do as she asked."

Valda's stoic features scared Maris. The way she stood as if staring down at her, reading her every move, so confident and commanding, made her knees buckle. How could she be angry and turned on at the same time?

"I need my sword…" Valda said before extending her large hand.

Maris's shoulders slumped. She turned to the bureau and found the Heaven Sword exactly where Valda had last left it when her mother brought it. She walked the box back to Valda. To let her know she was near, Maris grabbed Valda's extended hand.

"Put it on," Valda ordered.

Maris sighed. She looked down at Valda's leather belt and slowly undid it. Intentionally slow, Maris strapped the scabbard to Valda's right side before buckling her up again. Her hand lingered around her waist before looking up at Valda's blank features.

"Thank you," Valda said before sitting back down. "What are you wearing?"

Maris frowned at the sudden question. "My uniform…"

"That won't do." Valda patted her thick thighs before turning to where the closet was. "In the far left of the closet, you will find a black dress." She smirked. "I wore it a long time ago. Once."

Maris gazed at the closet and then at Valda. "What about it?"

"You are accompanying me to my mother's burial."

Maris froze. "Wait. What?"

"You are accompanying me to my mother's burial," Valda repeated nonchalantly.

"I thought you were going with Sir Kayden."

"You thought."

"Why—"

"Because I am giving you an order," Valda answered, opened her eyes and scratched her temple in exasperation. "I am starting to get slightly annoyed at your constant asking and questioning. I've never had this kind of problem with any other servant in this castle. Not even my most insubordinate soldier has ever dared to question me."

"I don't think I should be at the burial. I am not royalty, and I will be in the way."

"Maris…"

Maris swallowed hard and stared at Valda. She shivered at the way she had whispered her name. The soon-to-be queen sounded tired and angry.

"You won't be in the way. You'll be in front of me, helping me. Whoever dares to do something to you, or even whisper one ill word against you, will suffer the consequences."

Maris knew Valda spoke the truth, but something in the back of her mind screamed at her to stay hidden, to not go out, to remain as unnoticed as possible. She was scared, and she needed Valda to know that. Taking a deep breath, she made a quick decision to open up more. Valda needed to trust her, and the only way to do that was to speak the truth.

"I am terrified of being out there."

Valda cocked her head. "Out there?"

"Around people."

"Why?"

Maris bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands, the hands that could control water and manipulate it at her own will. "I just am."

Valda nodded. "You should never fear anything, especially if you are in my presence."

"Not even you?"

Valda chuckled. "I tend to have a temper, but I would never do anything to put you in harm's way."

Maris nodded before heading to the closet. "Fine. I am going to change." She walked inside the closet and quickly found the dress. It was a simple black linen dress with wide sleeves. An intricate golden design embellished the shoulders, collar, and front side of the dress. It was wide, not fitted to the body. Maris wondered if the dress was long enough to trip on the hem. After all, Valda was a foot taller than her. Taking the dress, Maris placed it over herself, to check the length, then headed to the changing panels on the other side of the room.

"Really? You're going to change behind the dividers?" Valda chuckled, stood up, and moved to her bureau. She searched for the chair, and placed it in the middle of the bedroom. "You don't need to do that." She waved her hand in front of her eyes.

Valda had purposely sat down in front of the divider, spread her legs, chin resting on her knuckles, eyes open. If Maris didn't know better, she could've sworn the soon-to-be queen was staring at her.

"Please, don't let my presence stop you."

What is she doing?

Maris sighed, placed the dress on the bed and grabbed the edges of her blouse before stopping with a frown. "Why did you really go to my chamber last night?"

Valda didn't answer. Instead, crossed leg jutted forward and bounced over her knee.

"What did you think was going to happen last night, Your Highness?"

Still Valda acted as if she wasn't listening.

"Did you mean what you said?"

"I told you a moment ago that I was willing to move everything to my chamber—"

"You asked me to be your heart mate."

Valda bit her lower lip, closed her eyes and shrugged. "I guess I was inebriated after all."

Maris narrowed her eyes at Valda. "You don't remember?"

"Listen, I haven't fucked in a while, Seashell. We've gotten closer. Why not take advantage of the situation?"

"Seashell?" Maris asked, her brow arched. "You asked me to be your heart mate. Or did you mean mistress?"

Valda chuckled, picking at the meaty part of her hand as she faced nowhere in particular. "It sounds classy, I suppose. But I clearly remember you saying ‘no'. We don't have to do anything you don't want to. Heart mate, mistress, lover—" Valda shrugged. "You can name whatever we have however you want."

"I won't deny that it is tempting," Maris said, her hands rubbing the fabric of her blouse. "I won't deny my attraction to you."

"You've made it clear since day one."

"Other than pleasure, what would I get out of this?"

"If you decide to be my heart mate—"

"I don't desire a heart mate," Maris cut her off. "I have my reasons."

Valda nodded and continued. "Then it will be purely physical," Valda answered, squaring her shoulders. "You still have to obey orders, do as I say and… behave, as you have been till now."

"I've been behaving?"

Valda chuckled. "Don't get too comfortable, Seashell."

"I am a seashell now?"

"You are from the Sea Kingdom, and you mostly keep to yourself. I think it fits you."

The corner of her lips curled in a teasing smile. She liked that endearment. It was short, sweet, and could lead to many things. Seashells sometimes had pearls in them, something valuable.

Heading towards Valda while the princess concentrated on her footsteps. She turned towards Maris and leaned back on the chair as Maris stood a couple of inches away from her. Without uttering a single word, Maris pulled on the buttons of her skirt and let it fall with a heavy flop.

Valda moved in her chair, straightening her back, pressing her thick forearms on the armrest, and inhaling deeply, her nostrils flaring.

Maris hooked her thumb to the edge of her tight shirt, pulled it over her head, and threw it with her skirt. Now, standing in just her undergarments, Maris purposely released a tired groan, enough for the princess to make out where she was standing.

"Are you trying to get me to fuck you, hours away from burying my mother?" Valda asked. "Have you no respect?"

Maris blinked and took a step back in precaution. The princess's voice sounded harsher than seconds ago.

Valda released a deep rumble from her chest and pushed herself up. "Get dressed."

What in the world is going on? "I know what you are doing," Maris said, trotting to the bed. She pulled the dress over her shoulders and made sure that it didn't drag. It didn't, it was long enough to cover her ankles. It must've belonged to Valda when she was a young girl.

Valda frowned. "Oh?"

"You feel bad about wanting to keep your mind busy instead of thinking of your mother's passing." She tied the sashes behind her and walked to Valda. "I get it. You don't want to fall into despair."

The princess did not react, instead she hesitantly walked to the small table with the large liquor bottles. "Did you do it? Keep your mind busy when your mother passed away?"

Maris looked away briefly, gathering her thoughts before answering. "Of course, I did. That's what you want isn't it? That's why you came to my chamber last night?"

"Maybe."

"Do you think it is a wise decision?" Maris asked.

Releasing a scoff, Valda shook her head. "You are going to question my decisions as well?"

Stuttering, Maris shook her head, silently cursing herself. "Forgive me. It is not my place to do so."

Valda nodded and extended her hand towards Maris, who gladly took it and placed it upon her shoulder. Suddenly, Valda's other hand gripped her waist. Maris tensed as the heavy hand brushed against her stomach and underneath her breast. "The dress fits you well."

"Thank you?"

"You are welcome." Valda released her hand and fixed her hair for the last time. "You will walk in front of me at all times. First, we will be in the throne room. I will take my mother's tiara and crown myself queen. Then, her body will be taken to the burial grounds on the outside of the castle. She will be put to rest next to my father."

Maris nodded at Valda's words before she felt the heavy hand upon her shoulder again.

"It will be quick… Then I will talk to my people. I do believe a crowd is already gathering at Ophelia Plaza."

"I will be sure to follow orders, Princess."

A knock on the door signaled someone waiting for them. As Maris guided Valda to the door, she opened it to find a tired-looking Kayden standing on the other side. His clear blue eyes lacked the usual spark and there were dark circles under his eyes. Next to him was a tall, brooding man. His silver hair was disheveled, as if he had also missed a couple nights' rest.

Maris gazed at the side of his face intently, recognizing the scar.

Arwin Tuuli….

It's been weeks since she last saw him. Her stomach turned as she saw how close he was.

Jumping at Cerberus's sudden hiss, Maris looked down to find the cat's tail puffed up, body arched, and pupils blown out as she stared up at the General. Maris arched a brow yet thanked Ouranos she wasn't the only one agitated by his presence.

Good girl.

"Good morning, Valda."

"Good morning, Kayden," Valda responded.

Maris gave Kayden a warm smile which he reciprocated right away. His presence was synonymous with comfort and ease, yet the nagging jealousy she got whenever Valda and Kayden were together would always ruin the moment, especially when she saw how Kayden and Valda interacted.

But, at the moment, Kayden and Valda greeted each other with the utmost respect, like colleagues rather than friends.

"I am accompanied by General Arwin Tuuli. He has come to escort you," Kayden said with a slight annoyance.

Maris quickly glanced at Arwin and then turned to Kayden. She could feel and see from the corner of her eyes the man's burning gaze upon her. His hazel eyes widened as they trailed over her body and then focused on her face. Maris eyes narrowed, before she canted her head towards him. She locked her stare with his, and her entire body ran cold.

Arwin looked at her as if he had seen a ghost. His upper lip curled for a second as his hand formed fist by his side.

If only she had a dagger… if only she was alone with him. She just wanted to ask him a couple of questions to talk to him but as she opened her mouth, Valda's hands squeezed her shoulders. She accepted Valda's touch and looked away.

"How are you feeling, Valda?" Arwin asked, his attention still on Maris.

"As anyone who has lost a loved one could feel, General," Valda said vehemently.

Arwin nodded and bowed his head. "Of course. Forgive my imprudence, Princess," he said with a hint of embarrassment.

"Shall we go?" Kayden asked.

"I am ready," Valda answered before slightly pushing Maris forward.

Before Maris could go, she waved her hand at Cerberus, quietly asking the cat to step aside and stay in the room. Waving her tail angrily, the animal took a couple of steps back and disappeared into the living space, hiding in a corner.

Maris walked in front of the group. Eyes locked with the long hall and the stoic guards that stood at the walls. Behind her, Arwin muttered to Kayden, asking him who she was, why was she here. Kayden spoke the truth telling him that Maris was here only to help Valda.

She made her way through the corridors until she saw the large doors that connected the throne room to the main hall. Taking a deep breath, she moved her hand and gently placed it upon Valda's, curling her fingers with the tall woman's.

"Everything will be fine," Maris whispered only for Valda to hear.

The weight of an entire kingdom fell upon Valda's shoulders. She knew the throne room like the back of her hand, but her nervousness made it difficult to navigate. Valda was aware of the whispers. They wondered silently what had befallen her, while others scoffed in disbelief that this blind woman was about to be the new ruler.

On numerous occasions, Maris had to help her up the stairs and dais that led to the thrones. Instead of the usual two, there was only one. Her memory provided the image of an intricate chair that seemed to be built from sand. In front of the throne stood the open casket of the late Skylian Queen Rionach.

Standing at the head of the casket, Valda ordered Maris to leave her alone for the intimate yet important ceremony. Word had already gotten out about the queen's death. Every single person in the kingdom knew.

Inside the throne room were the lords of all major cities as well as the smaller villages. Not everyone could fit inside the throne room, and not everyone could make it to Oberon Castle on such short notice, but there were enough people to witness the ascension of a new ruler, one who should promise to keep the peace.

Valda could feel the building pressure deep within her chest, and though her features remained stoic, her hands told another story. Her left one dangled at her side with a white-knuckled fist while the other hand squeezed a death grip upon the Heaven Sword's handle. She kept her eyes open, looking into nothing yet hearing and feeling the atmosphere in the room. The air was dense, gloomy, the heaviness of loss permeated around her.

It was suffocating.

Valda took a deep breath and one confident step forward. She relaxed her hands and touched the casket and was soon met by cold cheeks. Valda swallowed the lump in her throat, she needed to say a proper goodbye to the woman who'd tried her best to keep Valda's humanity on the surface.

The pressure intensified, bubbling up to escape her throat in a cry, but she held on. She leaned forward until her forehead was pressed against her mother's. It was part of the ceremony to say goodbye by pressing foreheads together. Skylian thought that the mark of the gods was used to pass on knowledge, ruler to ruler, generation through generation. Her mother had done the same with her father, although her mother didn't carry the blood of those blessed with the gift as Valda did. Feeling her mother's cold skin pushed her to the brink but taking deep breaths and pressing hard to her core shattered away the need to cry out.

It was but a touch, nothing more, and yet, Valda couldn't tear away. If she did, everyone would see a tear escape her eye. With a violent exhale, Valda pulled back, her face void, her cheeks moist.

"Saying goodbye is never easy," Valda began. The soft buzzing of whispers in the throne room quieted until no soul could be heard. "Not when it happens so suddenly.

I wasn't looking forward to this. Never have. There were moments in my life where I thought I would die a princess," Valda confessed. "With all the wars I've fought, my mother always said goodbye fervently, thinking that I wouldn't come back. She would ask Ouranos to bless me and keep me safe, but she would kiss my cheeks until she was sure that she would linger on my skin even after I left the safety of the castle.

Queen Rionach was an excellent queen. She put her people's needs above her own. She worried about every single one of the villages and developed cities in this kingdom. I only pray that I will be half as good a ruler as she was. She worked so hard, alone and with a child. The weight of honoring that hard work is heavy, but hopefully bearable."

Valda trailed her fingers upon her mother's face until she touched cold, hard gold. The queen's tiara made of glistening, pure gold, delicately crafted with intricate designs that called to mind the swirling patterns of wind-blown sand dunes, adorned with rare gems,rested on the queen's head. Slowly, and as if she would damage the perfection that was her mother, Valda took the tiara in her hands and presented it to the soldiers and leaders of her kingdom. The tiara, although small, felt heavy in Valda's hands.

Straightening her back, Valda closed her eyes and bowed her head at the delicate crown before her voice boomed and inundated the throne room's silence.

"I, Valda Aither, daughter of Brontes and Rionach Aither, High Commander of the Skylian army, descendant of the god, carrier of the gift of the wind and the symbol of Ouranos, crown myself Queen Valda Aither of the Sky Kingdom."