Page 143 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

She thought she might have already slipped into dreaming when his voice came. “I’m not going anywhere, my little, great bird."

Chapter thirty-three

ON THE VERGE, AND HOPELESSLY HERS.

“Itoldyoutoinform me the moment she awoke.” Grand King Daemonikai’s growl reverberated down the corridor as he loomed over the two trembling servants waiting for him outside the meeting hall. “What do you mean she is no longer in the fortress?”

The male servant shuffled uneasily, his hands wringing together. “I... I truly do not understand, Your Majesty. I inquired after her myself, and her handmaidens said she left the Citadel.”

“Bring them to me, now.”

They bolted as though demons hunted their heels.

Daemonikai turned and stalked into the Grand High Court.

The meeting dragged long, his mind elsewhere the entire time. Why would Sinai leave her medications unfinished to embark on a sudden trip no one knew about?

She didn’t inform anyone when she’d be back and didn’t think to ask for his permission as his bloodhost to arrange alternatives until her return. What was so important she would leave like this while still unwell and not fully healed?

Something about this doesn’t feel right.

When he finally emerged, evening shadows stretched long across the floors. Two females now stood waiting by the door, heads bowed low.

“Your Grace,” one of them squeaked. “You su-summoned us.”

“What is your name?” he demanded.

“N-Nora, Your Grace.”

“Nora.” He let the name sit heavily in the air. “Where is your mistress?”

“She left ye-yesterday, Your Grace, packing su-supplies.” Nora’s hands twisted in her apron. “She said she was go-going on a simple trip and would return soon. She... she did not take m-much gold.”

Her nervousness reeked. Stank of deceit.

Zaiper was the mastermind behind everything. Joined forces with…

The Oracle’s final words had troubled him. Who were Zaiper’s accomplices?

The question never left his mind. They had slept beside him, eaten at his table. He had recounted everyone he knew who had been close to Zaiper—high lords, mistresses, friends, even commoners. No one was beyond suspicion now.

Could it be… Sinai?

Could it be his own bloodhost?

“Wegai, seize them,” he ordered.

Nora’s rounded eyes filled with panic. She and the second handmaiden didn’t have time to scream before the soldiers surged forward, clamping iron grips on their arms.

Daemonikai turned on his heel, their cries following him down the corridor.

“Please, Your Majesty! Have mercy!”

“Your Grace—please!”

He neither spared them a glance nor slowed his steps.

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