Page 99 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Defiance crumbling to dust, he bared his throat for Daemonikai. “Please… Alpha.”

Kneel.

His knees hit the ground so fast, so hard, Daemonikai thought he heard a crack.

Bending down, he looked into the second ruler’s teary eyes. “How dare you try to raise a challenge against me?"

“I’m… truly… sorry.” Zapier's voice choked.

Daemonikai punched him hard in the face, the sound echoing around them.

Blood poured from Zaiper's mouth and Daemonikai wiped it up with his fingers, smearing it on Zaiper's forehead.

"Where did you get the nerve?" he growled. "Tell me."

"Please, forgive me," Zaiper begged, barely breathing, Daemonikai's pheromones making him ill.

Daemonikai gripped his jaw. “I'm sick and weakened with poison. Maybe that's where your audacity came from, but get this clear, Dragaxlov; you are still no match for me."

Zaiper grunted, more blood pooling from his mouth.

"You never will be, not now, not a thousand years past. So keep that wounded pride and arrogance for the crowd.” Daemonikai grabbed his hair, yanking it hard, forcing his head back. “The next time you defy me, I will drag you into the public square and discipline you before everyone. Do I make myself clear?”

Zaiper’s face flushed, humiliated. “Yes, yes, Your Grace…”

“If I uncover any evidence you had a hand in what happened to Emeriel, I will return,” Daemonikai said, voice cutting like a blade. “And believe me, that is something you do not want.”

Delivering the killing blow to Zapier's pride, Daemonikai buried his face in the crook of his neck, scenting him.

Zaiper whined, the sound layered with horror, shame, and self-loathing.

Daemonikai could almost see Zapier's beast shrinking back, scurrying into the depths of his mind, cowering like a scolded child, its tail tucked between its legs.

Completely satisfied, Daemonikai released him, physically and from the weight of his alpha command, striding out of Greyrock.

Behind him, Zaiper slumped forward, his head bowed in submission and defeat.

Chapter twenty-three

REALITY LIKE A DREAM.

Themixofscentsmade Daemonikai's investigation a maddening task.Incompetent fools.

If he’d known they’d only muddle the scene, he wouldn’t have sent them to investigate in the first place.

Their footprints and scents cluttered every corner, making it harder than ever to sift out what truly mattered. But this wouldn’t deter him.

Three hours later, he was still at the crime scene, having retraced every step Emeriel had taken.

He combed through the garden, over and over, with a thoroughness bordering on obsession.

Yet, still, he found nothing.

Irritation gnawed at him as he prepared to repeat the search yet again.

This time, he shifted partially into his beast form to heighten his senses, focusing his nose to distinguish Emeriel’s scent from the web of others clinging to the air. But still… nothing.

Very soon, dawn would break. It was time to return.

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