Page 64 of The Princess and Her Grand King

"I come here occasionally to unwind," King Daemonikai said, walking ahead with his hands clasped behind his back.

Emeriel took in the scenery. The well-maintained fields, the swaying tall grasses, and the majestic peaks of the mountains rising in the distance.

"It's a beautiful place," she admitted.

"It is," he agreed, stopping at the makeshift table, selecting two bows.

He offered one to Emeriel. "Archery is a way for me to center myself, to relax. Focusing on a single point, blocking out the world… it's calming."

Emeriel’s eyes traced the elegant bow, noticing the royal markings etched along its length. She ran her fingers over them.

***

Grand King Daemonikai strode towards the archery stand, positioned a good distance from the target, and with ease, loosed an arrow. It flew straight, striking the bullseye dead center.

"Nice shot," Emeriel commented.

"Thanks. Hey, come over here," he beckoned her closer.

Strapping the quiver of arrows to her back, Emeriel joined him at the stand.

"Each shot is a moment to breathe, to release the burdens weighing on you," Daemonikai said in a soft tone, setting up her shot.

"Weeks of caring for me must have been difficult. I figured this would be a good way to relax. Archery can be surprisingly therapeutic."

Emeriel focused on the target, her fingers brushing the bowstring.

"It’s also a useful skill for safety and defense," he continued. "In the days of old, archers believed—"

The sudden whizz of an arrow cut him off.

Emeriel had already loosed her arrow, striking the bullseye with pinpoint accuracy.

His jaw dropped.

He stared at the target, then back at Emeriel, then back at the target.

Emeriel shrugged nonchalantly. "I learned a thing or two."

"Wow," he finally said, stunned. "That was impressive. Archery is not an easy skill to master. How did you learn to shoot like that?"

Silence met his question. Emeriel stared blankly at the target, her eyes distant, as if reliving some private memory.

"Emeriel?"

She blinked, snapping out of her reverie. "Let's just say pain can be a killer… and a motivator."

Just like that, Daemonikai’s good mood soured.

After he’d sent her away, theSoulbondhad been crueler than anything he’d imagined.

He’d known it would be bad, had expected suffering, but the reality was on a whole new level.

It was a hollowinghungerin his very soul.

Days had blurred into a haze of misery, with him barely functional.

Grief was swallowed by something darker—a soul-deepneedthat clawed at himruthlessly.

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