Page 105 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Chest heaving, Vladya took a moment to regain his shattered control.

"I am done," Vladya repeated, his voice now calmer. "I will give them what they want of me. I am done fighting. I am tired, Daemon."

For a moment, no sound was heard. The weight of his words filled the room.

"Only you can tell me to put up a fight, and I will.” He glanced at Daemonikai, and the unshed tears brimming in his eyes. “Only you can tell me to resist the pull of the madness, and I will. But please, Daemon, if you have any love for me at all… if you’ve ever cared for me, please…I beg of you,just let me go."

Chapter twenty-nine

VLADYA IS PRIORITY

"Over.My.Dead.Body."Daemonikai's voice was steel. He gripped Vladya’s shoulder. "Look at me, Vladya. You will have to go through me before you get to that feral madness. I will not let you."

“Daemonikai, please.”

“I. Will. Not. Let. You,” Daemonikai reiterated, his eyes boring into Vladya. “You forget sometimes, you’re not the only selfish one around. I need you here with me. Alive.”

Vladya's gaze fell to the floor.

Daemonikai cupped his jaw, forcing him to meet his eyes. "What did you tell me the night I returned?"

"Daemon..."

"You said not to escape. Not to hide. You told me living was the only choice we had, that we should live even if it felt like hell. So if you think I'm going to let you die, then think again."

A muscle ticked in Vladya's jaw. "I know that,” he admitted, his voice tight. “It's why I've kept it a secret."

"Too bad. You are not running away from this. Promise me."

"Daemon..."

"Promise me you will fight it." Daemonikai hated this feeling in his chest. So raw from pain. Exposed.

But more than that, he hated the thought of losing Vladya to madness. He would get a promise out of this hardheaded mule if it was the last thing he did. Because just like him, Vladya's word was his bond. A vow was all he needed.

After all they'd been through, centuries and millennia, through every challenge and disaster, the very thought of losing Vladya was simply... unacceptable. Not while Daemonikai still drew breath.

If this was how Vladya had felt when he'd gone mad, it was no wonder Vladya couldn't let go. No wonder Vladya had gone to such extremes to bring him back.

"I don't care if you have no soul, you will fight it. I cannot lose you. Promise me.Now, Daemonikai said fiercely. "Because let me tell you, if I have to lose you too, I will go on a killing spree. I will slay every last human in this world, including the ones born today. I will erase the human species and turn their lands to dust. I truly will set this world on fire, V.D.”

A flicker of amusement sparked in Vladya’s eyes, breaking through the tension.

"Oh, stop. That sounds like the most twisted love confession," Vladya said in a lighter tone. "You sound like a lovesick idiot."

Daemonikai didn’t share his amusement. His face remaining grim, deadly serious.

Vladya must have seen something in his eyes, for the lightness in his vanished. "You're serious, aren't you?"

“Gee, I wonder what gave me away?” Daemonikai crossed his arms.

Vladya's mouth opened. They closed, words failing him.

"Ukrae's balls. Not that the idea of erasing the entire human population isn't tempting as hell, but you can't do that," Vladyasaid at last. "You'll becomethatperson again. Evie went through hell to purge the world of Daemonikai the Cruel. The Berserker. Vicious Destroyer. Harbinger of Ruin. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Daemonikai stared him down. "You will fight it. You will not give in, easily. Promise me."

"Daemon..." The fight drained out of Vladya, his shoulders drooping like willows. "Fine, you stubborn ancient wagon. Agreed."

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