Page 48 of Exiled Prince

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When I wake, I try to force my eyes open, but they are too heavy. My chest hurts, and I’m struggling to breathe.

A deep, raspy voice sings to me, calming me, allowing me to slow my breaths.

It’s the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.

I’m safe.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Bane

“She’ll be fine, Bane. She’s all healed. She’s just sleeping it off now,” Astrid assures me, pushing Saylor’s hair off her forehead.

“If you weren’t here…”

I could have lost her.How the fuck did I allow this to happen?Xan is dead, and someone decided to shoot an arrow at my mate. The thing is, no one saw anyone. Silver and Sage checked the castle and the balconies but found nothing.

The Demon Kingdom, my birthright, is mine once again.

But I can’t trust anyone… yet.

Someone here has already tried to kill my mate, and I’m not going to rest until I find out who it is.

“But I was here,” Astrid replies, sitting back on the chair she pulled up to the bed. “And we will find out who did this.”

“Yes, we will.”

“You just rest with Saylor. Her brothers are dealing with the army and the staff here until you can go and talk to them,” she continues, scrubbing her hand down her face.

“I’m going to give everyone the option to stay and be loyal to me or leave,” I say, lowering my head to kiss Saylor’s soft cheek.

Astrid nods. “I think that’s a good idea. I want to go and help Shadow in case he needs a healer, but I have no idea where they would have gone. I can’t believe Laurel is his mate. I’ve been worried about her since I first saw her, so I hope now she can live a happy life away from King Bax.”

I don’t tell her that I don’t think King Bax will be breathing for much longer.

“I’m sure they will come looking for us if they need us.”

Saylor stirs, and I move my body closer to hers.

“You both rest. I’ll be around if either of you need me,” Astrid whispers, pausing with her hand on the door. “Bane?”

“Yeah?”

“She’s going to be okay. You think we can end the storm and find some sunshine again?” With those parting words, she leaves my new bedroom.

Looking down at Saylor, I picture sunshine and hear the heavy rain stop outside.

Glancing around the room decorated in black and gold, I wonder if Saylor knows exactly what she’s signed up for.

Queen to a kingdom that doesn’t know us. We’ll both have to prove ourselves and earn the trust.

Saylor makes a slight whimpering sound, and I start to sing to her again, something that has been settling her. I don’t remember much about my mother, but I do remember her singing to me and us singing songs together. She had a beautiful voice.

I watch Saylor as she sleeps for another two hours before waking, her hand going to her chest where the arrow hit. “Bane?”

“I’m here, Sunshine,” I whisper, cradling her cheek with my palm. “How do you feel?”

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