Page 177 of The Princess and Her Grand King

BUT, if you choose to continue, please consider this the gentlest reminder toproceed with caution.

Chapter forty-one

ONE DARK NIGHT

“Come,Em,let’sgetout of here!” Aekeira urged, tugging her toward the window.

Emeriel was trying to force herself to move. But even though fear was shaking her body, she couldn’t bear to leave her Beloved in this state.

“We cannot hold him for long!” Lord Ottai shouted. “We need to decide what to do before he shifts!”

“Shit! His fist caught my eye!” Lord Zaiper growled from behind. “We really need to decide fast.”

“It’s either knock him out or the forbidden chambers,” Lord Vladya said, his voice deeper and distorted in his half-shifted form.

Knock him out? The forbidden chambers?

“No! Don’t!” Emeriel tried to run toward the door, but Aekeira held her back. “Don’t lock him up! Don’t hurt him!”

“We might not have a choice, Princess. We’re trying to save you!” Lord Ottai's hand fisted into the grand king’s hair as Daemonikai struggled harder at the sound of her voice.

“What happens to him if he doesn’t satisfy the instinct pulling at him right now?” Emeriel demanded, her voice trembling.

“It could truly drive him mad,” Lord Zaiper answered.

“We can keep knocking him out until we get healers or go to the shrine... or anyone at all who can examine him and tell us what the fuck is going on,” Lord Vladya said.

Emeriel did not like that. “You can’t keep knocking him out, he is not an animal!”

“He is acting feral, we are flying blind here! If we don’t act, not just you, but everyone in this fortress is in danger!” Lord Ottai shot back.

“Now go, Emeriel." Lord Vladya added firmly. "It’s bad enough he can smell you—your voice is only fueling him. Go!”

She knew they were right, but seeing the way they restrained Daemonikai, the way he thrashed and fought against them, hurt her soul. Her entire body was quaking.

“Ffffuck! He got my damn nose!” Lord Zaiper roared, and angrily headbutted Daemonikai from behind.

The grand king retaliated immediately, slamming his head into Zaiper’s so hard the impact echoed around them.

Lord Ottai and Lord Vladya winced while Lord Zaiper clutched his head, roaring in pain.

“That’s going to hurt like a bitch,” Lord Ottai grimaced.

Emeriel snapped her hand out of her sister’s grasp and rushed to them, ignoring their shouts to stay back.

“Let him go!” she cried, shoving at Lord Vladya blindly. “Let him go, all of you!”

Her instincts screamed at her to protect Daemonikai. Rationally, she knew it was the others who needed protection from the mindless, powerful king. But her brain didn’t care.

“Stop hurting him! Let him go!” she screamed, forcing herself between Lord Vladya and Daemonikai.

The grand lords had no choice but to release Daemonikai to avoid hurting her.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a very bad idea,” Lord Ottai warned.

Daemonikai’s arms went around her immediately, holding her in a fierce, possessive embrace as he walked her backward into the room.

Aekeira slipped past them, bolting for the door. Lord Vladya lunged, catching her as she reached the doorway, holding her securely to him.

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