Page 72 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Why did you torture me like that? Each night I saw you, I … we…”

“It was real, Maris.”

“I was mad at you and yet you used our connection to coerce me to—“

“Coerce you?” Valda frowned. “Maris, you gave in as much as I did. Your need was palpable, just as mine was, even if it was a dream.”

“My dream of when we were back at the castle—“ Maris’s jaw quivered at the sudden realization.

“I told you it was real, didn’t I?”

“I thought it was just my mind looking for solace… I thought it was my subconscious trying to save me from my loneliness, but now you’re saying it was you.”

“It was you too… You were there waiting for me, Maris, in my bed!”

“I don’t want to hear about it! You think just because we rolled around in the sheets in our dreams that everything is fine? It is not!”

“Maris, please put down the trident. We need to talk.” Valda finally moved. Her steady hand pushed the trident away, only to have the weapon push against her harshly.

“You want to talk? Fine! I am all ears!” Maris planted the base of the trident in the sand and crossed her arms under her chest. “Talk! But I want every single detail of what happened that day, and I swear if I find out you are lying—“

“I would never lie to you.”

Maris swallowed hard and jerked her chin. “Go ahead. Talk. Tell me about the day you murdered my father.”

Valda looked at the ground. She had never spoken about that day with anyone but her mother. To finally open up about what she had done to no other than the person most affected by it, was excruciating. Valda rubbed her hands over her pants as if she was wiping away blood. She inhaled deeply and started.

“I was sixteen years old,” Valda began, her eyes glued to the ground. “I had started my training a couple of years back as a warrior under Arwin’s wing. The day before, he had told me he was going to teach me a “valuable” lesson. I never thought ill of it. Arwin took my father’s place when he died, in more ways than one.” Valda scoffed. “I didn’t know what he was about to make me do. He told me he was going to teach me how to dispose of a traitor to the crown.” Finally, Valda lifted her eyes and saw Maris’s lower lip trembling.

“Go on…” Maris said, jerking her chin again.

“He brought your father through the back entrance of the castle and—”

“Details, Valda. I want all thedetails.”

“Maris, I don’t think—”

“You owe me that!” Maris’s voice broke. “Just tell me.”

Valda wanted to hold her so badly. She wanted to wrap her arms around her, pull her into a tight hug and beg her forgiveness, but maybe this was what she needed to heal. She needed to know everything.

“He was tied to a horse, and his head was covered up. I guess Arwin took him by force at some point. I… I remember I asked him if he knew why he was here, and he didn’t know.”

“Of course, he didn’t know! He was an innocent man!”

Valda nodded. “He was… I asked Arwin to explain. He said that Raan was a traitor to the crown, and it was because of him that my father was dead. He didn’t get help fast enough on purpose and that… he was also in charge of a group of rebels down at Umbriel. I suspected something was off, so I… I let him speak.”

“And?”

“He denied everything Arwin was accusing him of. Arwin kept rambling, saying that it was obvious he would deny things, and it made sense, anyone would say anything to not face death, and…”

“You believed him.”

Valda nodded. “Arwin kept screaming at me to kill him, and then Raan spoke of you… of his family.” Her heart ached for Maris as her mate’s tears trailed down her face. “I did hesitate. I knew what it was to lose a father.” Valda’s gaze dropped once more, ashamed. “But Arwin was louder than my doubts, and as the uproar continued, I lost myself. I moved towards him, but Arwin grabbed my hand and…” Valda paused for a second, wiped her palms once more and continued. “I stabbed your father in the stomach.”

Maris swallowed hard and also looked down. Valda gave her a moment to recuperate, to take it all in. Maris wiped her face angrily and nodded for her to continue.

“He called to you, and just as he was about to say something about you, Arwin…” Valda’s hands formed fists as she bit her lower lip. “Arwin slashed his throat…”

---