Page 169 of The Princess and Her Grand King

She beamed up at him, her eyes sparkling. There was no hesitation in her voice as she whispered, “I love you.”

“I want nothing more than to be able to return those words to you one day,” he groaned, kissing the crown of her head.

It's alright." She traced the lines of his chest with her fingers. "Please don't say it until you truly feel it. I will be here as long as it takes."

Daemonikai tilted her chin up again, pressing a tender kiss to her nose.You already mean so much to me. I can’t lose you, my sweet, stubborn princess.

“Let’s head back. We’re long overdue for a bath.” He scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her against his chest.

She rested her head against him, a soft, contented smile curving her lips as he carried her out of the woods.

***

The fire in the hearth had burned low, lighting up the room with a flickering glow.

Emeriel and Daemonikai lay nestled together on the plush bed, after they bathed, and he applied ointment to her bruises. They propped up on their elbows, facing each other.

Emeriel traced a lazy pattern on his chest with her fingertip.

“You are lost in thought,” Daemonikai observed. “What are you thinking about?”

"Hmm?" Emeriel blinked, meeting his gaze. "Oh, it's nothing, really. It’s just… my sister," she confessed with a sigh. "I left her with quite a shock before our unexpected trip.”

"Our child."

Emeriel nodded sadly.

"She will be alright. Vladya is with her. He will ensure she doesn't worry too much."

"I know. It's just… she'll blame herself for not knowing sooner. And she will be concerned about me."

He nodded understandingly. "Vladya will be worried about how I’m handling all of this, too. He knows me better than anyone."

"That's true. Lord Vladya cares for you deeply."

“He worries about me as much as I worry about him. It gladdens me that he doesn’t have to be so alone anymore. He has been lonely for so long.”

“Aekeira told me they are planning to bond," Emeriel confided. "I truly hope it works out for them. She will be devastated if it doesn't." she paused. " Can Lord Vladya really not get his soul back? Is there truly nothing else that can be done?"

Daemonikai's expression turned somber. "Only through dark magic. Something of equal value has to be given in return." He exhaled heavily. "The Oracle might know of another way, but she slumbers."

"You have mentioned the Oracle before. Tell me about her," Emeriel said, curiously.

"She is an Elder. One of the oldest and most powerful of our kind. Older, even, than I."

"Really?" Emeriel's eyes widened. "How old is that? You are over five thousand years old! Is she seven thousand?Nine?"

Daemonikai smiled. "The Oracle is twenty-five thousand years old, Emeriel."

Emeriel's jaw dropped.

She sat up abruptly, staring at him in disbelief. “Someone isthatold?!”

He nodded, amused by her reaction. "There are very few beings that ancient. Perhaps ten in the entire world. Our Oracle has seen civilizations rise and fall, witnessed the turning of ages. She is the closest connection we have to the gods, especially to Ukrae, the god of powerful beings."

Slowly, Emeriel lay back down, her mind reeling. "You speak of her with such respect."

"As we all do," Daemonikai confirmed. "She knew my great-grandfather, and his father before him. She was even present the night I was born." His eyes on her were filled with warmth. "She is a wise and powerful being, Emeriel. A true guardian of our people."

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