Page 54 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Without a second thought, Emeriel started taking off her clothes.

Lord Ottai looked at her, alarmed. "What are you doing?"

Ignoring him, she shed her everything quickly. Heat.I must keep him warm.

Naked, she climbed into bed beside King Daemonikai, pressing her body against his frozen skin. The cold was biting, painful. But she didn’t care.

Arms encircling his chest, legs entangling with his, Emeriel wrapped around him like a snake. Her body trembled from the cold, but she gritted her teeth.I'm not letting go.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind!?” Lord Ottai bellowed.

"This is dangerous, Emeriel!" Madam Livia shrieked, panicked. "You could freeze to death!"

She tuned them out.Must warm my man. Mine.

He’s not yours anymore,a part of her reminded her.

For now,Emeriel whispered back inwardly, just for a little while… he’s mine. I must save him.

"You're just as stubborn as he is. Why am I not surprised they chose you for him!?" Lord Ottai sounded frantic.

Moving atop him, Emeriel shifted so her body covered as much of him as possible. "Stay with me," she murmured, her breath ghosting over his neck. "Just stay with me a little longer."

Her fingers traced over his skin, cold to the touch, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

"This is dangerous.” Lord Ottai’s tone turned pleading. “Please, Emeriel, listen to me.”

"If he becomes too cold, I will move away," Emeriel finally responded.

"Are you sure?" Lord Ottai asked.

No, he was already too cold."I'm sure." She had to try hard to keep her teeth from clattering.

Madam Livia's head snapped up. "But—"

"Get the pile of blankets." Emeriel's eyes locked on the king's pale, unresponsive face.

They were quickly covered with a pile of warm wool. But the cold swallowed every bit of warmth, Emeriel barely felt the layers of fabric.

Madam Livia continued her work, exposing the king’s feet and hands one by one to wash them with the hot, sizzling water.

"You are the strongest male I know." Emeriel's hand cupped his cheek. "We all believe in you."

Leaning in, she gazed into those vacant green eyes. "You are the almighty Daemonikai, King of the Urekai. You will glide across that sea like it’s a mere creek."

Pressing a kiss against his cold lips, she whispered, "You are not alone. I’m right here beside you."

As the night deepened, stretching on in silence, everyone departed one by one.

Eventually Lord Ottai rose as well, walking to the door. "I will check back in the morning."

Emeriel felt his eyes on her back.

"The gods couldn’t have given him a betterSoulbond. You’re stronger than many of our females combined, Princess."

Emeriel had no words for that, so she didn't respond and the door closed behind her.

Alone with him, she finally let herself go, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. She was so cold she could barely feel parts of her body.

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