Page 153 of The Princess and Her Grand King

They moved through the space in a companionable silence.

While Daemon filled the tub with steaming water, Emeriel wandered into the bedroom, her fingers trailing over the polished wood of the furniture.

She opened the closet, revealing a variety of clothing. Rows of tailored male attire alongside an assortment of feminine clothes.

The women’s garments caught her eye. Each piece beautifully made, from elaborate ceremonial gowns to soft, delicate nightgowns.

Are they his late bondmate’s?

“They are not Evie’s.”

She turned, startled to find him leaning casually against the doorway, his arms crossed.

“I had the servants prepare the closet for you after I woke up. I always intended for us to come here.”

“You do not have to explain,” she said, her fingers brushing the fabric of a gown. “But thank you.”

He nodded once. “Come, the bath is ready.”

***

Minutes later, they were in the tub, bathing in silence. The warmth of the water soothing the exhaustion from their bodies.

Following his guidance, Emeriel turned, giving him her back as he ran the washcloth gently over her skin. When he finished, he presented his broad back to her.

She mimicked his earlier motions, tracing the cloth over the expanse of his shoulders, the muscles beneath her touch strong.

Afterward, they dressed for the night and laid on the bed, facing one another. Gazing at each other for a long moment.

Daemonikai reached out, taking her hand, bringing it to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on it.

“How do you feel?” Emeriel asked quietly.

“Better. Exhausted, but better.” His eyes flicked to hers. “How do you feel? All this must not have been easy for you. I cannot even imagine…”

“That day in the woods, you told me it took losing the best part of you to crawl out of your grave.” His eyes dropped to their joined hands. “I didn’t realize this was what you meant. No wonder you couldn’t forgive me. No wonder you couldn’t find it within yourself to give us a second chance. If I had known the extent of what you went through…” he shook his head. “I would never have pestered you so much. Never have tried to force it.”

“Then I’m glad you did not know,” Emeriel stated coolly. “The truth is, I never wanted you to find out. I knew what it would do to you, so it became a burden I was prepared to carry alone to my grave.”

"That's too much for anyone to bear alone. I'm grateful I know now. Even though it breaks my heart, I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, I can share this burden with you."

Emeriel wouldn’t say she was happy he knew—not entirely. But she couldn’t deny the relief she felt. Sharing it with him was liberating.

A lot had happened tonight.

She'd finally faced the loss she had always run from. For so long, she believed speaking of it would reopen wounds too deep to heal, which was why she shoved it deep within herself, into darkness.

But she had been wrong. Talking about it had brought relief.

“Another will come.” Emeriel wrapped her other hand around their already intertwined fingers, squeezing gently. “We will have a child in the future.”

“If only it worked that way,” he said wistfully, his voice a soft ache. “This one was a miracle.”

“Have a little faith, Beloved.” As she reassured him, she also reassured herself, clinging to hope.We would have another… right?

“When is your next heat?”

“I don’t know,” she confessed.

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