Page 27 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Sinai seethed. Where did this newfound poise come from? Where was the fear? Where was the cowering?

Had this girl spent so much time with Daemonikai that she’d adopted this annoying, imperturbable behavior of his?

Her fury burned hotter. "You think because you're no longer a slave you have the right to waltz around here dressed likethat? You are no better than the rats that scamper in the sewers! How dare you come back here?"

Wegai moved, but Emeriel signaled him not to, stepping closer… into Sinai's personal space, and met Sinai's gaze with cool detachment.

"You have not changed, mistress. You are still the same loud, and annoying woman who sticks herself where she has no right to be," Emeriel said.

Sinai’s nostrils flared.What did she just say to me?"What did you just say to me!?"

"I don’t answer to you. Not now, not ever," Emeriel continued in a steady, completely unbothered tone. "And I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off me."

"Have you LOST YOUR MIND!?" Sinai screamed.

"Always the noisemaker," Emeriel merely said. "You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. Keep your hands off me, mistress. I’m not here for drama."

Sinai was too dumbfounded to speak.

Emeriel squared her shoulders, staring Sinai down. "I hope we do not run into each other in the future, Mistress." Then she whirled around and walked away.

Chapter seven

WOUNDED LITTLE BIRD.

PrincessAekeirastoodinfront of the cave, dawn breaking around her, staring into the yawning black. "Are you sure he’s in there?"

Yaz gave a solemn nod. "He’s been here for months. It’s unlikely he left during my absence."

"You said you have never been inside? Not even once?"

"Yes. He forbade it. Threatened to rip apart anyone who dared." A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Lord Vladya doesn't want to be seen like this. He came here to die, Your Highness."

Aekeira flushed. "Why do you call me that?"

"That's what you are, is it not?"

"It is." She glanced back at the cave entrance. "But you always called me ‘Slave.’ Hearing you address me differently now feels… strange. Please, call me Aekeira.”

Yaz seemed to consider this as she ventured into the cave. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground and walls. The deeper she went, the narrower the path became.

Aekeira glanced down at her extravagant attire, wishing she had worn something simpler for this. But the few clothes she possessed were all equally elaborate.

She lifted the heavy hem of her dress as she climbed over the rocks, her mind already picturing how awkward this was going to get. Perhaps Lord Ottai will supply simpler ones once she and Emeriel settle in.

The cave stretched on, vast and empty.

The echoes of her footsteps the only sound accompanying her.Maybe he really did leave.

Then she heard it. A low growl from the far side of the cave.

Aekeira hastily erected a mental barrier against the spike of fear shooting through her.You didn’t come here to cower.

Squaring her shoulders, she followed the sound.

"You should not be here, whoever you are.”

His voice…

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