Page 74 of The Stolen Kingdom

“I will wait, even if I am an old woman, I will wait for it, and I will be here when you’re ready to grant me that forgiveness.”

Maris’s lips parted as if wanting to say something else. Instead, she bit her lower lip, nodded, and rested her body against Valda’s strong one. It would be awhile until she came to terms with what Valda had done; Valda knew this.

Though she was in no hurry to receive her grace, one thing was certain: never again would she be forced from Maris’s side.

15

Maris had fallen asleep after some minutes in her lover’s arms, and Valda had brought her inside the cave to shelter her from the cold wind. When Maris woke up, Valda was there with the food she had declined earlier and the waterskin. This second time, she took the proffered items without a fight.

She shared her meal with Cerberus, against Valda’s wishes, of course. Valda kept saying she needed to eat, and that Cerberus was already fat enough to endure a couple of days without food. How could Maris deny anything to those yellow eyes?

She had missed them both and was happy to know Cerberus was safe and healthy.

Maris didn’t speak to Valda after their last discussion. Instead, they basked in each other’s company in complete calmness. There was still something bothering Valda, Maris could feel it in their bond. The older woman was restless, and she noticed that tension when Valda handed the trident back to Maris. Valda must trust her completely if she was returning it.

Valda wouldn’t face her, and although Maris was grateful for the space she’d been granted after their heated conversation, she still wanted to know what was wrong.

“We should get some sleep and head out first thing in the morning.” After feeding the fire, Valda broke the tense silence and finally raised her eyes to meet Maris.

Maris nodded, her hand playing with Cerberus’ fur. The cat refused to go with Valda now that she was back in the picture, and if Maris was being honest, she loved the attention she was getting.

What happened outside was cathartic, to say the least, but had all been truthful. She missed Valda. Even if she loved that they met in her dreams, she was still resentful, but deep down, she wanted things to go back to the way they were.

Maris was aware it would be awkward, and it would take time, even though her body was practically begging her to run to Valda, kiss her and quench the thirst she had been holding for so many months. Seeing her by the fire, with only the pop and crackling of the wood as background music, with the light of the flame accentuating Valda’s beautiful yet handsome features, was proving to be distracting.

Maris bit her lower lips and turned her attention back to Cerberus. “What have you been doing, Valda?”

Valda took a deep breath, as if thinking about all the things she wanted to say. “A lot. Too much, if I am being honest.”

“I am all ears.”

“Other than missing you, Isen and I have been forging an army. I have no idea if it is strong enough to take on Arwin and Eris, but as I could see back in New Agenor, it was strong enough to hold our ground.”

“Where have you set camp?”

Valda scoffed and brushed the hair away from her face in frustration. “Anywhere away from Ophelia and New Agenor. My biggest camp is at the south deep of Umbriel, Cressida and Titania have also secretly joined us as well as Perdita. They give us sanctuary, food, shelter, and information.”

Maris arched her brow. “You said you wouldn’t lie to me, Valda.”

“I am not.”

“Lia saw Cerberus by the lakes,” Maris said, picking up Cerberus and waving her paw at Valda. “Why were you at the lakes, Valda?”

The older woman hooked her hand behind her neck and rubbed the tense muscle there. “I needed to know you were all right. I couldn’t bring myself to concentrate on any task if I didn’t know you were safe.”

“I was always safe.”

“I could sneak into New Agenor with no problem. Youwere notsafe. Also, you shut yourself to me. I needed to know!“ Valda’s tone was desperate. Maris watched as Valda chewed on the inside of her cheek before rubbing her face and talking again, this time more calmly. “I needed to know, and you cannot blame me for wanting to see you.”

She didn’t. If she were as courageous as Valda and knew where she was, she would’ve done the same. But Maris had hurt them both in her stubbornness. “When did you go to New Agenor?”

“Time is a blur, Maris…” Valda mumbled as she fed the fire again. “Might have been the third month, or fourth.” She shrugged.

It must’ve been the same time as Isen’s first visit. Maris could still remember her disappointment when she saw him and not Valda. “I remember.”

Valda frowned. “Do you?”

“Isen came to visit. He was alone, and I was downhearted when I noticed you were not with him.” She bit her lower lip again. “I wanted to see you again, Valda. I thought seeing you in my dreams would’ve been enough. It clearly was not.”

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