Page 37 of The Princess and Her Grand King

"She is yours, my dearest. Don’t throw away something so beautiful, so fulfilling, so wholesome." Evie’s eyes were filled with melancholic tenderness. "Why dwell in the past when the present holds such promise, a chance to shape a future that could be radiant and joyful? Stop hurting yourself. It hurts me to see you like this."

"It's not easy," he said, hoarsely.

"I know." Her voice grew stronger. "But the Daemonikai I know is so strong, he's unbeatable. How can we rest peacefully, knowing our deaths pushed you this far into self-destruction?" She paused. "Why do you think our sons refuse to speak with you?"

Daemonikai’s head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Evie moved closer, placing her other hand on his cheek. "I only speculate, but if their feelings are anything like mine, then they are burdened with guilt, pain, and deep sorrow. Seeing their father—their strong, unbreakable father—walking every edge of destruction known to our kind, it's a heavy load to carry."

Daemonikai averted his eyes, his chest far too heavy.

"From the feral madness to a dying soul because of them. How do you think it makes them feel?"

Tears fell from his eyes.

"Your boys need to know their father is happy again. They need to see you thriving," Evie murmured, collecting his tears with her fingertips. "You want to alleviate their guilt? Then perhaps you should start by addressing your own.

"How can you tell them to let go, to absolve themselves of blame, when you cannot do the same? Our intelligent sons will see through your bullshit. Before you tell them,showthem," Evie stated firmly. "Show them you have moved on, that you are in a happy place. Show them your life isn't on hold because of what happened, because of what they believe is their fault. Show them you are not dying from it."

“You are burning up. I'm trying to wipe you with cold water, I hope you do not mind, Your Grace?"Emeriel’s voice came in again. Soft like water, an ointment to the soul.

A feeling almost like happiness bloomed Daemonikai him. If his heart could beat in this spirit form, it would beracing.

Heavens, he had missed that voice…

"For a male so observant, you are an expert at ignoring what you don’t want to see." She wiped her own tears, her lips curving. "One of those is how deeply you care for Emeriel. That’s her name, right?"

Daemonikai nodded, his cheeks hot.

"You can’t blame your beast, or the bond, anymore, my dearest. Your beast isn’t here, and the bond is not dormant, it's dying, along with your soul. They are not the reason you hear her voice now. Or why you are so desperate to hear more of it."

"Evie, I'm sorry." His guilt, the guilt he could no longer hide, was plain on his face.

He couldn’t pretend anymore.

He didn’t have the strength to keep denying it.

"Don’t be, you dumbass," Evie said with a light chuckle. "I’m rooting for you, Daemon. I always have been. I want you to be happy. I want to look back and know my dearest is alive again. Not just breathing, but truly alive. Anyone can breathe, but not everyone trulylives." Pain flashed in her eyes. "I want you toliveagain."

Chapter nine

BLESSED BONDMATE.

"Whensheleft,shetook all the color with her, drowning my world in black and white." Daemonika sighed. "I never realized how brightly she lit up my life, from the first day I met her as Galilea, until she was gone."

He closed his eyes, admittedly. "Then… then I was just free-falling into darkness until I hit rock bottom."

Admitting it aloud for the first time was like shedding twelve heavy cloaks Daemonikai hadn't known he was wearing.

"Oh… dearest, I know." Evie gave a kind, watery smile. "I know you better than you know yourself, Daemon."

He breathed deeply, the air suddenly feeling lighter, fresher. He could finally say it without drowning in sorrow, without the rain of guilt.

It was exhilarating.

"I don’t know what I ever did to deserve a woman like you, Evie." Daemonikai smiled.

"I was the lucky one." Evie exhaled a slow breath. "Always have been."

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