Page 58 of The Princess and Her Grand King

So far, all news was positive.

Except for one glaring absence. Emeriel.

No sight of her. Not a sign… for six long days.

***

As night fell, Daemonikai lay in bed, awaiting his final dose, catching up on the news sheets detailing events he'd missed during his absence. Or at least, he tried to.

He was actually grinding his teeth together in frustration while staring at pamphlets.

She hadn’t come.

And Daemonikai ached to see her again.

He wanted—no,needed—to see her again.

"Once I'm free from this godforsaken bed, I will hunt her down," he grunted.

"Your medicine is here, Your Grace," his steward announced.

"Send them in."

Her scent hit him first.

Every cell in his body, every fiber of his being, awakened to it. His racing mind, his empty heart, even his dying soul.

Slowly, Daemonikai lifted his eyes from the news sheets, and there she was.

Emeriel moved gracefully across the room, carrying a tray loaded with vials and pouches, placing it gently on the table at the far end.

Dressed in a luxurious red gown, her full princess regalia was on display. And Daemonikai was dumbstruck.

She was stunning.

Hell, she was more than stunning… only he couldn't find words adequate to do her justice.

There was something about her now, something that hadn't been there before.

Yes, Daemonikai had seen Galelia, and this female before him looked exactly like her, but there was something… more.

Was it the way she carried herself? A way only someone who has mastered the ‘royalty poise’ could manage.

"Good day, Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady as she focused on the herbs. “Madam Livia was indisposed this evening and has assigned me to deliver your medicines, I hope you don't mind?"

Crossing the room to him, she held out a small cup filled with a dark, pungent liquid.

Hand-feed me, like you did when I was feral.

The words rose in his throat, but Daemonikai trapped them there, extending his hand, accepting the cup.

"You didn’t return," he stated, taking a sip of the bitter concoction.

She looked away, her tone cool. "I was busy."

Daemonikai tried to find something beneath that disinterest, but her face betrayed nothing.

He had seen her—felther—there with him on the Cold Sea. He'd been so alone, the icy waters dragging him down, his body numb, his hope waning.

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