Page 81 of The Princess and Her Grand King

“Maybe you should take her out. She will be a far easier target.”

"I’d do that, but Ottai’s out for my blood. He’d sing like a canary to the court if harm came to the brat," Zaiper mimicked, his tone dripping with disdain.

"That doesn’t meanyoucan’t do it, Sinai." He stared at her. "Enough with the childish back-and-forth with her. Strike head-on—poisoned food, poisoned arrows. You won an archery game a millennia ago, didn’t you? You are good with arrows."

Sinai’s lips curved slightly.Goodwas an understatement.

Though she hadn’t taken aim in a long time, one of the perks of a long life was time for endless hobbies. Archery had been one of hers, once. "I might actually do it."

Zaiper came with a blissed-out groan. Sinai could imagine his knot extending, locking him to the unconscious girl.

"You should," he urged with a satisfied gruff, falling atop the girl. "Use poisoned arrows. Do it from afar and leave no trace. Make sure the poison is rare enough that the antidote might as well be in another universe. Fire as many arrows as you can—ensure she dies on the spot. Her death first, consequences later."

"Mmm." Sinai's gaze drifted thoughtfully before a slow smile spread across her face, her lips curving so wide they almost touched her ears.

A poison came to mind. One so rare its antidote was practically a myth.

"Her death will solve everything. It might even throw Daemonikai off balance again." Lying on his side, Zaiper pulled the girl to him. " It better, because something has to give! Right now, my anger could boil an entire river."

“Stay calm, My Lord.”

"Nothing ever goes my way.” He glared daggers at the wall. “Next thing you know, Vladya will return to the fortress."

Sinai’s mouth twitched. "Now you’re just torturing yourself. The third ruler was in the worst state imaginable when he vanished. I’m sure by now he’s raving mad somewhere."

Surveying her neat nails, her smile grew wide. "Calm yourself, Lord Zaiper. Vladya is gone, and he’s not coming back."

***

"Let’s go back to the fortress," Lord Vladya announced suddenly, his voice breaking the silence between them.

Aekeira turned to face him, her brows furrowing in surprise as she took in the serious set of his features. They were lying side by side, his face as composed as ever, yet the weight of his words hung in the air.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Yes."

The simple word left Aekeira momentarily stunned.

She had spent so long trying to convince him to return, to go back to the fortress and face what he’d been avoiding. He had always been so stubborn, so adamant in his refusal. And now, just like that, he was ready?

"What made you change your mind?" she asked curiously.

"A few reasons." He was staring into her eyes. "I realized I had placed my life on hold, waiting for this, when I should be living it to the fullest."

He paused, and Aekeira kept silent, waiting patiently.

"You are here," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "and suddenly, I don’t want to simply wait anymore."

Aekeira’s heart skipped a beat.Was he aware how words like this affected her?

"I want to go back to my world. I miss my people." His tone remained as monotone as ever, but his eyes turned thoughtful. "And…"

"And…?"

For the longest time, he didn’t answer. Those sharp, storm-gray eyes watched her in silence, as if he were searching for something in her expression.

"And I want to bring you into my world, Aekeira,” he said at last. “To show it to you, properly this time."

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