Page 12 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Emeriel's patience snapped. "Okay, what the hell is going on?"

Years ago, she never would have dared to speak to the king in such a manner. But years ago, she had cared about things like decorum and respect.

These days, she could barely care enough to drag herself out of bed.

"What is happening?" Aekeira asked.

"They are here.” The king looked downright terrified.

"Who is here?" Aekeira’s voice dropped to a whisper.

Time stretched and distorted as Emeriel’s heartbeat pounded in her ears. Then she stopped breathing entirely.Surely he doesn't mean…

"The Urekai. Three in number," King Orestus said at last. "They are here to see you two."

Aekeira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

But the sound seemed far away, muffled. The world tilted on its axis.

Emeriel’s hearing was replaced by a rising, high-pitched ringing, drowning everything else.

No. No. Not them.Not here. Not now.

The dining hall blurred. The table, the walls, even her sister… everything receded into the distance.

Or was she falling back? Emeriel wasn’t sure anymore.When had she stood up?

"Em?" Aekeira’s voice was faint. She saw her sister’s mouth move, her lips forming her name, but it didn’t feel real.

Aekeira was pale. Too pale. The color drained entirely from her face, leaving her whiter than a vampire.So, this isn't a dream.

They are here.

Emeriel stumbled backward until she slammed into something solid—a wall, maybe—but she barely registered the pain.

Her breaths came in shallow bursts.No, no, no…!

Thoughts slipped from her grasp. Limbs sluggish, like she was wading through thick mud. She had to run away.

"Em!" Aekeira was suddenly in front of her, pulling her into a fierce hug.

Emeriel recoiled.

Too close.

Too crowded.

She didn’t want to be touched. Couldn’t handle the closeness.

But Aekeira didn’t let go. No matter how hard Emeriel pushed, her sister’s grip only tightened.

"What is happening to her?" King Orestus’s voice was distant. "Do I need to call for the medicine man?"

"You are okay, Em. You are fine," Aekeira soothed. "I’m here. I’m not letting go."

Small, pitiful whimpers came. Hers.

Emeriel bit down on her lip and shut everything out. The voices. The world.

---