Page 23 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Dying.

"Out of the way, everyone," Lord Ottai's commanding voice cut through the crowd.

Wegai appeared at Emeriel's side as the crowd parted. "We will escort both of you inside."

Wegai led Emeriel, while Yaz guided Aekeira.

Inside, they stopped at the intersection of passageways. "Your old rooms in Blackstone have been prepared for you, Aekeira. But I’ll have a room made ready for you, Emeriel, in Frostfall, near the grand king’s chambers," Lord Ottai said. "Rest assured, no harm will come to either of you within these walls. I’ve assigned my most trusted soldiers to keep watch. It’s been a long journey for all of us. We will rest tonight. Tomorrow is a new day."

***

At midnight, while the rest of Ravenshadow slept, Emeriel stood alone in the corridor outside her chambers, staring into the darkness, letting the silence wrap around her.

How sick was he?

Emeriel hated how much it bothered her. She had worked so hard to rid herself of feelings like this. Submerged them deep until she was numb to them.

But now, here they were, creeping back to the frontline like traitors in the night, robbing her of sleep.

She was back in this accursed place. The source of so much pain… and yet it still felt like home.

Her shoulders lifted in a deep breath, then fell.What could she even do for him? What if she could not help him?

The night crawled by. She stayed until her legs arched.What would tomorrow bring?

Eventually, when her legs could no longer bear the weight of her thoughts, she turned back into her room. Lying on the bed, she stared blankly at the ceiling.

"My heat suppressants!" Emeriel sprang from the bed. The realization hitting her with the force of a loaded carriage, cold sweat breaking across her skin.

How could she have forgotten to pack the most important thing? What if she went into heat?

Her throat seized, and panic came.

She did not want to go through that, not here, not now. If she could help it, not ever again.

What if the grand king triggered her heat?

Dread settled like rocks in her chest.

Emeriel gripped the sheets, forcing herself to stay calm. To breathe.

It’s alright. You never missed a dose in two years. Surely one or two missed doses will not hurt, right?

Besides, he cannot trigger your heat from a deathbed, and once he recovers, you will leave Navia with the speed of thunder.

You will be fine.

You will be fine.

She repeated it to herself, over and over again. Slowly, her pulse steadied. Wiping her sweaty brow, she lay back down.You will be fine.

The passage of time went unnoticed as her mind drifted far, far away.

Only as the first light of dawn edged through the window did her eyes finally close.

***

IN THE SPIRIT REALM: THE DEAD OCEANS

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