Page 135 of The Curse of the Goddess

Valda frowned at the mention of her mother. “I know. Things will change. You were right, Hurley. You all needed a break.”

“I hoped you would. I practically live in the castle. Always fighting for my people, in hopes the queen would listen.” Eyphah waved her hand dismissively. “She didn’t.”

“I cannot speak for my mother. I can speak for myself and the decisions that I will make regarding this place from now on.”

Eyphah grunted and crossed her thick arms over her chest. “You still act as if you rule here.”

“You are still stepping on Skylian sand. This,” Valda swirled her index finger. “This is my kingdom. I am the ruler. As you step on Skylian land you must abide by my rules. Now I do know my family has not been fair with you, or your people. But I am here to rectify those mistakes.”

Although Valda wasn’t exactly looking down at her, Eyphah couldn’t hold her blind stare. Her cobalt eyes trailed to the ground before raising her stare at Maris. “Thank you. We have lived in the dark long enough.”

“That will change. I assure you,” Maris said, interrupting Valda as she opened her mouth to talk.

Eyphah nodded. “I really hope so. Not for my sake, but for the kids. They deserve better.”

“We can all agree on it,” Valda said, flashing Eyphah an encouraging smile.

Eyphah chuckled and placed her hands on her waist. “We do need seeds, though. We would like to broaden our crops and foods.”

“Done. I will tell my agriculture expert to bring in as much seed as you need after we build the watering system.”

“What about our lakes?”

Maris rubbed her temples. “I would call them ponds.”

“Whichever,” Eyphah huffed.

“I will leave that to you, Maris. I haven’t seen them. I will do whatever you wish to do,” Valda said, her hand moving towards the young Sealian. Maris quickly grabbed it and placed it back on her shoulder. “Is there anything else?”

“Schools. We need a school, a bigger square to trade goods.”

“Let’s fix the roads and get the goods before looking for a way to trade them,” Maris interjected before moving to touch Eyphah’s forearm. “One day at a time.”

Eyphah grinned and patted Maris’s arm. “I am sorry if there is not much entertainment that I can bring you today. As you can see,”she pointed over to the square. “We are getting ready for the Night of the Nymph.”

Maris raised her eyebrow and turned to look over Eyphah’s shoulders. Indeed, there were a couple of musicians talking while holding their instruments. There were drums, but it was the violins that piqued Maris’s curiosity. She wondered if they were built the same way as the one her mother gave to her. She bit her lower lip, and Eyphah noticed enough to turn to the musicians and then back to Maris.

“Do you play?” Eyphah asked.

“I do, actually.”

“Well! You are a Sealian, after all. We are all blessed when it comes to the arts.”She chuckled.

Valda slipped her arm from Maris’s shoulder to the middle of her back and pushed her slightly away. “Go talk to them.”

“What? No. I don’t want to be awkward.”

“Not at all!” Eyphah interjected and shrugged. “They would be more than happy to gush about their skills. Go!”

Valda shoved her softly. “Go, Maris.”

Maris’s gaze moved from Eyphah to Valda and back. She inhaled deeply and fixed her blouse before exhaling. “All right then. I will be right back.”

As Maris’s steps receded, Valda stood awkwardly next to Eyphah, who cleared her throat uncomfortably. As she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, Valda waited for the sound of violins playing in the distance. Instead, she got to hear Eyphah annoying chuckle.

“What is it?” she snapped.

“Nothing. Just taking in the scenery.”

---