Page 35 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Her hand moved from his brow to his neck. His body radiated a hotness that seemed to climb higher with every passing second.

Peeling back the bedding to wash his body, Emeriel gasped.

His left arm was covered in dark lines, like cracks filled with blackened blood, trailing upwards and disappearing beneath his sleeping clothes.

With unsteady hands, Emeriel lifted his garment, following the grim path, tracing it back to his chest. The thickest, blackest lines pulsed from the center of his chest.

His soul was truly dying.

"Oh, my beloved," Emeriel whispered shakily as she stared at the mark of his slow death.

Her fingers traced the darkened veins, her forehead dropped to his chest. "How could you let grief get you to this extent? You cannot leave like this."

***

IN THE SPIRIT REALM: THE DEAD OCEANS

"Our children won’t talk to me," Daemonikai said.

Evie squeezed his hand, offering comfort.

They were walking hand in hand along the beach, the soft rhythm of the ocean waves lapping at the shore.

“Myka too?”

"Yes." Daemonikai sighed. "I found him earlier, but he wouldn’t say a word. Just… vanished. It’s disheartening."

"I know. We may not remember the moment of our deaths—no dead person does—but we do have some knowledge about the circumstances surrounding them. Myka feels guilty for failing to protect me. And Alvin, for bringing this upon our people. For failing you," Evie said sadly. "I don’t think he will ever forgive himself."

"I wish I could tell them I forgive them," Daemonikai said bitterly. "I wish I could make them see that none of this is their fault. It’s me who should carry that burden, not them."

Every time he got close, their eyes would widen at the sight of him, and they would disappear, like wisps of smoke caught in the wind. Hours later, they would reappear on a different part of the endless shore, and the search would begin anew.

"I wish I could at least talk to them,” he muttered. “But they won’t let me. I have so much to say.”

"I know." Evie rubbed his arm soothingly. "I know, my love."

They walked in silence for a while. The only sounds were the cries of gulls and the ceaseless roar of the ocean.

"Oh, my beloved."

They both stopped, their heads snapping up.

Daemonikai's brows furrowed as he scanned their surroundings. "Did you hear that?"

"I did." Evie was staring at him with soft eyes. "Did you?”

He nodded slowly. "But… you didn’t call me."

"No.Shedid. The female who is the real reason you are here."

Daemonikai frowned. "You’re confusing me again. I’m here because ofyou."

"No, my love. You are lost to the realm of the living because the one thing that should anchor you there—your soul—is dying. And so, your spirit wanders into the otherside. Drawn to this place, the Dead Oceans."

Daemonikai's gaze swept across, taking in the vast expanse of water and sky. "So that's where we are."

"Yes. Every soul on the verge of passing experiences this. Their spirit wanders into the otherside, seeking joy and peace, finding it in the places they yearn for most. Your departed loved ones can sense your presence. They choose whether to come and keep you company."

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