Page 113 of The Princess and Her Grand King

She shook her head faintly. “You already have so much pain. I couldn’t let you take mine, too—not if it meant you’d have to bear it within yourself.”

Ukrae. His heart twisted painfully.This girl will be the death of me.

She did not hug him back, but she didn’t push him away either. She stood pliant in his arms, letting him embrace her.

That much was enough for him.

***

Emeriel was tired. Bone-deep, soul-crushingly tired.

Leaving Urai was supposed to lighten her heart. To lift the burden pressing down on her chest, after all, she was going back to her world. There she planned to find a small cabin near the river to settle down and live a quiet, undisturbed life.

The first thing she would do was face the problem of her heat. No more suppressants, no more running from it. If it consumed her, so be it.

Even if it meant arranging five men to help her through the fevered, miserable nights, she would be ready. Anything to make her next heat bearable.

If she survived that, she would live out a small, quiet life, fading into obscurity until the end of her days.

See? I’m making plans. That’s living, right?

But the heavy stone pressing on her chest refused to lift… until her grand king pulled her into his arms. And, just like that, Emeriel could breathe again.

The suffocating heaviness eased, and her troubled inner self stilled.His arms were truly the most secure place in the world for me.

Tears pricked at her eyes. How could she ever live without this?

“I’m relieved to see you well again, Riel,” he said in a tender voice.

It did things to her… the way he said her name. Soft and intimate, like a whispered promise.

How will you live without all this?her mind whispered.

I did it before. I can do it again. Right…?

"You have been through a great ordeal. I’ll allow you to rest.” He finally pulled away, kissing her forehead. “Goodnight, Riel.”

Emeriel watched him leave, holding back tears.

***

She tossed and turned, sleep proving to be her greatest enemy. Her restless mind refused to still, her thoughts shackled to one man.

The heaviness in her heart was back again, the silence of the night too deafening.

At dawn, you will leave this place forever.The thought struck her like a sword.

Away from your Beloved. Never to feel his touch, to taste his kisses again.

Her throat convulsed, and she dragged in uneven breaths, fighting the constriction in her chest.

Never to feel his strong arms around you. Never to touch him again. Never to feel him inside you.

The ache was unbearable. Rising, Emeriel picked up her cloak, leaving her bedchambers.

She walked through the quiet halls, past guards stationed at the royal residence who bowed and stepped aside without question, until she stood before the door to his private chambers.

What are you doing?her rational mind demanded.If you allow yourself to have a taste of him when you are leaving tomorrow, how will you ever survive without it? This is NOT a good idea!

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