Page 89 of The Princess and the Demon

He pushes his glasses onto his nose as he sits, regarding me quietly.

The dread I felt in the garden returns, and I wring my hands nervously.

When Allocer doesn’t say anything right away, I lash out.

“Spill it!”

Allocer sighs.

“There’s no easy way to say it so I’m just going to say it.” He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees to clasp his hands in front of him.

“Elora, Amon is dying.”

At first, I don’t really register what he is saying. I frown, shaking my head.

“What-no. What?” I ask, looking over at him.

He regards me silently.

“He’s dying, Elora. His powers are waning quickly-much quicker than I thought they would.”

He stands, turning to walk to the other side of the room, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

I look down at my hands.

“I’ve researched and researched, and I just don’t know any other way…” He trails off.

I look up at him, frowning. When he doesn’t say anything for a few moments I stand, slamming my palm against the table.

“Speak plainly, Allocer!”

There’s a tone of desperation in my voice, and my limbs have begun to tremble.

He lowers his head, looking at the ground before continuing.

“Elora, there is something that Amon never told you.” He turns back to me, walking up to stand next to my chair.

I listen intently, my heart hammering in my chest.

“Elora, you are Amon’s mate.”

The world stops spinning. It takes me a moment to absorb Allocer’s words.

“What?” I whisper.

Allocer sits again, reaching out to take my hands in his. Tears burn the backs of my eyes as I sink into my chair slowly.

“Amon didn’t tell you. He chose not to, but he knew it from the moment you were bonded to him by blood.” He runs the pads of his thumbs over the backs of my hands.

A hot tear streams down my cheek.

I was his mate. And he knew?

Why didn’t he say anything to me?

All the feelings, everything I felt when I was near him.

It all made sense now.

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