Page 163 of The Princess and Her Grand King

He was here. Watching her. Hunting her.

Her breath quickened, heart hammering erratically in her chest. She couldn’t see him, but shefelthim.

Felt the familiar intensity of that gaze like a physical touch. She was the prey, and he was the predator.

Was it because she was Syren or hisSoulbond? An urge suddenly slammed into her.

Run.

And so, she bolted.

Emeriel’s feet barely touched the ground as she sprinted through the woods, the trees whipping past in a blur.

The wind roared in her ears, her hair streaming behind her like a banner. She ran as though the devil himself was on her heels.

A deep growl rolled through the air, sending a thrill down her spine.

She glanced around, eyes darting between the trees, but she couldn’t tell where it was coming from. She didn’t stop.

The memory of the last time she’d run like this surfaced. Three years ago, when assassins had chased her with the intent of ending her life and she had outrun them all.

Does my Beloved know I'm very good at this?

Smiling defiantly, she pushed herself harder, leaning into the wind. If her male wanted a hunt, she would give him one.

She felt exhilarated, laughter bubbling up as she moved with a speed and grace that came naturally to her.

Come, My Grand King. Catch me if you can.

***

“You have a visitor,” a soldier’s voice called out, resounding down the corridor.

Sinai shot up from the ground, her heart racing. Sinai moved so fast she nearly stumbled as she hurried toward the barricade. “Who is it? Who—”

Grand Lord Zaiper came into view, walking with his usual air of superiority as he approached her cell.

The excitement of seeing him was so great Sinai found herself bouncing on her feet.

“Yes! Yes! I knew you would come for me!” she exclaimed, her voice high with relief. “What took you so long? I’ve been rotting in here!”

“Is that how you greet your ruler, Mistress?” Zaiper drawled, an arrogant smile curling his lips as he stopped in front of her cell. His eyes swept over her, taking in her disheveled state. “Well, well, well. I must say, this place does not look good on you.”

“Stop with all the pleasantries, My Lord, and get me out of here,” she grumbled, her tone laced with frustration. “I miss my bed, a proper bath. This place stinks. Please, get me out of here.”

Zaiper tilted his head. “Surely you cannot be that naïve, Sinai. You and I both know I can’t release you. Daemonikai is the one punishing you. I might have been able to intervene if it were Ottai or Vladya, but not the Grand King.”

Sinai gritted her teeth, hands curling into fists at her sides. She knew that already, but the reminder made her venom spill. “Oh yes, I forgot. You don’t have that much power. Daemonikai will always be the ultimate leader.”

The smile vanished from Zapier's, replaced by an icy fury. “How dare you.”

Damn it. She needed to tread carefully. This male was her only chance at freedom. “I apologize, My Lord. I was not thinking straight.”

“I am half-tempted to order the guards to give you thirty lashes of the whip.”

“No, please!” Sinai clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. “Forgive me, I beg you. I’ve been here for weeks—my sanity is dwindling. Please, the greatest second ruler, you must do something to get me out of here.”

Zaiper exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a sneer. “I will excuse you just this once because of your situation. But the next time you speak to me like this—” His hand shot out, grabbing her neck in an iron grip and slamming her into the cold metal bars. “—I will kill you with my bare hands.”

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