Page 106 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Pulling her hand free from Aekeira’s, she lifted her garment and looked down at the spot where the wound had been.

Nearly healed, there was no swelling, no darkened veins, no lingering trace of the poison.

Emeriel glanced at her sister, mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.

But why… why would he do this?

“Every single moment, he was here, watching over you, caring for you." Aekeira’s voice was touched with wonder. "Even while he suffered, while the poison ate through his organs…”

Emeriel's hands spasmed, gripping her garments tighter.He took my poison…?

“He’s only away now because of a critical meeting regarding the new project to draw water for the crops. He missed countless duties because he refused to leave your side, Em.”

“But why…?” Emeriel’s voice was barely a whisper. “Our bond is gone. There’s nothing forcing him to do this.”

“I don’t think this is about the bond anymore,” Aekeira said, looking certain and equally amazed. “I think he genuinely cares about you. He took the poison into himself,bore the pain for days. The antidote only arrived yesterday.” Shaking her head, she added. “You would have died.”

Emeriel's mind was spinning. She couldn’t comprehend the depth of his sacrifice. Or why he would do it forher.

And he wasn’t fully recovered from his illness.

Emeriel swallowed the tight knot in her throat. “Do they know who was responsible?”

“His bloodhost.” Aekeira’s eyes turned fierce. “That damned mistress, I don’t know why she hates you so much.”

Of course. Why am I not surprised?

Emeriel’s eyes narrowed. “That foolish woman.”

“The grand king investigated it himself.” Her sister’s expression softened. “When no one else could find a clue, somehow, he did. He nearly lost his mind that night… all because of you.”

Emeriel’s heart fluttered. An erratic, vulnerable beat.

“Did you patch things up with him?” Aekeira’s voice was gentle, but Emeriel stared blankly ahead, saying nothing.

“Em…”

“I’m terrified to,” she finally admitted.

Her sister looked at her, pity visible in her eyes.

“I want to hear him, to know what he has to say,” Emeriel confessed aloud for the first time. “But I’m terrified out of my mind, Aekeira.” Her eyes traced the uneven, faded lines of dirt marring the wall. “What if he says the wrong thing? What if it’s pity, or he’s only trying to ease his guilt? What if he’s just being friendly, with no plans of a future for us?" Another tight swallow. "What if he’s doing all this because he feels he owes me something for coming back here to save him? What if he’s being nice and sweet simply to return a favor, nothing more?”

“Too many ‘what ifs,’ my darling sister,” Aekeira reprimanded quietly.

Emeriel exhaled, her gaze dropping to the nearly healed wound. “What if hedoessay the right things?” Her voice was filled with trepidation. “I'm terrified to walk the path of love again, Aekeira. I’ve been there, and it’s heart-wrenching. I feel too much for him. If I let those feelings out again, and he decides we have no future again, I’ll never recover a second time.”

“Oh, Em…”

“Don’t call me that,” she grumbled.

“Living this way isn't truly living, Em,” Aekeira said, ignoring her disapproval. “Yes, those protective walls shield you from pain, from all the harshness of the world, but they keep you from happiness, from truly living. From taking a chance.”

Emeriel folded her arms. “And is that what you’re doing? Taking a chance again, after everything Lord Vladya put you through?”

Aekeira pursed her lips.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the pain you endured, how deeply he wounded you. I was the one who listened to you cry, night after night, because of him. When you thought everyone was asleep, you’d sob into your pillow until dawn.”

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