Page 39 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Daemonikai flinched, her words stinging like a slap.

Evie took his hand into hers. "It's the truth. You lost us saving them, and look at what it's doing to you. You saved thousands of lives that night, but the ones who could have kept you sane and anchored were lost.

"And because of that, you are walking every edge of death, leaving them unprotected and at the mercy of someone like Zaiper. In the end, you are no use to anyone this way. Not them, not yourself. This time, be selfish, my dearest. Take what you want. Put Emeriel first. Protect her. Don’t lose yourSoulbondbecause of our people."

Daemonikai absorbed her words, letting them wash over him. A profound silence settled between them, broken only by the rhythmic crash of the waves.

"Do you know why your soul is dying, beloved?" Evie asked.

Yes.

Daemonikai had always told himself it was because of his grief. That was the story he had clung to when the symptoms first showed.

But deep down, where the sun never touched, barricaded by walls and locked with an iron key, he knew the truth. Of course, he did.

It was because of Emeriel.

She was his greatest loss.

And that, had sent his guilt into overdrive.

Evie nodded, his silence confirmation enough. "Now, will you go to yourSoulbondand reconcile with her? I hope you make things right with her. When the time is right, your spirit will return here, not because your soul is dying, but to say goodbye. And then, your sons will be ready."

Daemonikai came to a stop, turning to look at her once more.It had always been easy to talk to Evie.

While others saw him as the grand king, Evie had always seen beyond the crown, past the title, to the male beneath.The mortal, with his own feelings, fears, imperfections, and insecurities.

"I fear I don't know where to begin," Daemonikai admitted, letting his worry show. "Iyearnto try again with her, but I might fail. What if my heart is too damaged? I care for Emeriel, I miss her terribly, but what if I can't love her the way we were meant to? What if I'm too empty?"

"Daemon—"

"I hurt her so badly the night after her secret came out, and in the days that followed. What if I have burned the bridge between us forever and we can't find our footing? What if we can’t find our way back to each other?"

"Too many what ifs, my dearling." Evie sighed, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Even in spirit, you overthink,”

Then, her expression turned serious. "The best you can do is give it a chance, dearest. Open yourself to the possibility, take it one step at a time, and give each step your best effort. You two will figure it out. You are both hurting, and you can heal each other." She looked around. "The first step is to find your way back home. This is not the place for you."

"Thank you—"

"Shh." Evie pressed a finger to his lips. "None of that. Thankyou, for being the best bondmate any woman could ask for. You made my life fulfilling. Now, go back and live your own."

"I don’t know the way back," Daemonikai confessed.

Evie’s smile grew softer as she stepped away. "Follow her voice, and it will lead you through the deathmines, to the boundary between worlds. It might take time, but you will find your way.”

Her presence became lighter, almost ethereal. “Be strong, my unbeatable dearest. And be careful. The crossing is perilous. Not many make it through the Cold Sea. I hope you do."

Daemonikai stood there, watching her form dissolve into the soft glow of the otherworld.

Her words remained, echoing through him.He would follow Emeriel’s voice. He would find his way back.

No matter the obstacles. No matter how long it took.

***

"There is not much I can do."

She stopped pacing, turning to glare at Zaiper. "What in the burning fires of hell does that mean? Do something about this!"

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