Page 72 of The Princess and Her Grand King

He would tear down her defenses, one brick after another, until he found that girl again. And this time, he would never let her go.

"And Vladya? What about him?" he asked Ottai.

"Aekeira is with him. She spends most of her days there."

Daemonikai nodded. "She will bring him home."

"I hope so. Blackstone is empty without him."

"She will," Daemonikai said confidently. Now, it was time he do the same.

Rising, he climbed the rock. "Wish me luck, Ottai."

"I absolutely will. Seeing as you're rather terrible at this whole courting thing."

"Of course I am." Daemonikai threw a glare behind him. "I’m four thousand years out of practice."

The fourth ruler's lips twitched at the corners. "I wish you all the luck in the world."

Daemonikai clapped him on the shoulder, then strode down the hill toward Emeriel.

It was time to try again.

Chapter seventeen

COURTING MY WOMAN.

Alongtheway,hegritted his teeth as yet another well-wisher greeted him.

How was Daemonikai supposed to sneak up on his woman when everyone kept "Your Gracing" him?

He noticed the precise moment his princess became aware of his approach.

Pausing her conversation with two slaves, Emeriel's entire body went rigid.

But they were in public, and remembering her impeccable manners as Galilea, Daemonikai knew—hoped—she wouldn't cause a scene.

As he drew closer, she turned and offered him the perfect princess greeting, complete with a graceful curtsy.

"Princess Emeriel," he said warmly, taking her hand, pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles.

The contact sent a pleasurable jolt through Daemonikai, and he had to force himself to let go.

"To what do I owe the magnificence that is your visit, Your Grace?" she asked, tone formal.

"I wish to spend the rest of the day with you."

She made a nervous dart of her head. "It would be unkind of me to monopolize your attention, considering your quite busy schedule, Your Grace."

Hiding his smile, Daemonikai said smoothly, "I assure you my schedule has already been cleared. I am, after all, a king recovering from one of the deadliest illnesses ever to afflict our kind." He shrugged. "My advisors insist I need more rest, and I can think of no better rest than to spend time with you."

Their exchange was attracting attention. Even the human women nearby were gushing over his words.

"Go with him, Princess," one of the women to Emeriel’s left whispered in excitement.

"Follow His Grace," another echoed from the right. "You know you want to."

Moments like this made his heightened hearing a blessing.

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