Page 126 of The Princess and Her Grand King

But then it became oddly comforting—no questions meant no accusations, no humiliations.

And now, that comfort had given way tofury.

“He cannot stay away forever,” Sinai muttered, stomping back and forth, her hands clenching and unclenching. “He cannot go without blood for long. Heneedsme. I am his bloodhost. He will come.He has to.”

But even as she said those words, a cold voice in the back of her mind mocked her.You’ve been saying that every day, haven’t you? And yet… here you are.

She snatched up the empty plate from her last meal, hurling it across the cell. The clatter of it smashing against the stone did little to ease her anger.

“How could he do this to me?!” she screamed, breathing hard. How could he choose to starve himself just so he could punish her?

Do they even know he has not fed? Do they realize how long it’s been?

She paused, staring at the shadowy corners of the room. “He hides it, I know he does. Do they realize what that does to him?”

She doubted it. Her Daemon would hide the symptoms. He was far too proud to let anyone see his weaknesses.

Sinai could picture it vividly. The headaches, the trembling hands, the constant ringing in his ears, the dizziness that would leave him staggering.

He would suffer through it all in secret rather than admit he needed her.

Would he rather die than come here and see me? Would he truly leave me to waste away in this hellhole?

Sinai turned to the nearest wall, slamming her fist into it with all her might. “Damn him! Damn him for leaving me like this!”

Again and again, snarling, growling, letting her restless beast claw its way to the surface. Until her knuckles were raw and bleeding.

And Zaiper,thattreacherous bastard…

Not once had he visited her. Not once had he checked on her.

Sinai knew he couldn’t be trusted. He had told her to act first, to deal with the consequences later. And where was he now?

What was he doing to fix this?

He was out there, living freely, while she rotted in this pit.

She raked her fingers through her tousled hair, tugging at the strands in frustration.

"I hate this! I hate this! I hate HER!" she yelled. “This is all because of that vile girl!”

With another scream, she kicked the wall so hard pain shot up her leg, but she barely felt it. Her beast roaring inside her, just as furious.

“What did I do that was so wrong?! What is my crime!?" She shouted at the top of her lungs. "That I tried to kill Emeriel!? My only sin was failing, do you hear me?! She should have died! I should have made sure she died!"

Panting, she kicked the walls again. “I will get you, Emeriel! I will make youpayfor this!”

Chapter twenty-nine

JUST… FEEL, RIEL.

Razarrsteppedoutofthe chamber, letting the door close behind him with a quiet thud, leaning his head against it.

“How is he?” Lady Adissa asked as she approached. She tried to keep her panic at bay, but the tremor in her tone betrayed her. “Is he doing any better?”

Razarr shook his head gravely. “He’s waiting for you inside.”

Lady Adissa’s stomach churned. “But… has he eaten anything at all?”

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