Page 177 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Daemonikai let out a deep breath and grumbled, “Fine. The truth.”

“There was… no need for all that, Your Grace,” Faiwick said, adjusting his collar. “The Princess is improving. Her heart rate has stabilized, her pulse is nearly normal. I still recommend plenty of rest, but at this point, she can begin easing back into non-strenuous activity.”

Something in Daemonikai…settled. The coil of anxiety in his gut released. Warmth burst through his chest—relief, joy. He laughed.

Then, with a strong thump, he clapped Faiwick on the shoulder. “Well why didn’t you say that first!?”

Faiwick blinked, startled. “I would dare say, Your Grace, you didn’t exactly give me the chance to—”

Daemonikai raised a brow.

The healer coughed. “Of course, it was entirely my fault. I… hesitated.”

“Itwasyour fault,” Daemonikai agreed with an easy grin, throwing an arm around Faiwick’s shoulders, leading him back toward Emeriel’s chamber door. “When mates are unconscious and their partners are half-feral, speed isalwayswise, healer.”

“I’ll remember that, Your Majesty,” Faiwick muttered dryly.

Still smiling, Daemonikai released him at the chamber threshold. “That’s all for today. Wegai, compensate him. A pouch of gold coins. He’s done well.”

Faiwick’s eyes widened in astonishment. Then his face lit up. “Thank you, Your Highness!” he burst out, bowing repeatedly. “Your benevolence is astounding. Truly, your generosity knows no bounds. Thank you, thank you!”

Daemonikai waved him off with amused dismissal, watching as the man and the rest of the healers retreated down the hall, their nervous tension replaced by relief and—at least in Faiwick’s case—gleeful greed.

Behind him, Ottai crossed his arms. “Someone who nearly threw our best healer off a ten-story balcony just minutes ago is now in a very good mood.”

“Don’t get cross with me, Ottai,” Daemonikai said, still grinning.

The Grand Lord rolled his eyes. But he was smiling, too, as they stepped into Emeriel’s bedchamber.

***

Sinai stirred.

Her head throbbed dully as consciousness returned. Her limbs were leaden, her senses sluggish. Every inch of her body ached as though she’d been wrung out and left to dry.

“You know,” came a dry, amused voice. “This would have been far easier if you had simply offered a sack of gold coins. No need for betrayal.”

She bit back a groan as she sat up—or tried to. Her head nearly smacked against metal. She stopped just in time and blinked her heavy eyes open.

A cage.

She was locked in a cage. Low ceiling, cold bars, no strength in her limbs. She felt weaker than she had as a newborn.

Toxins. She couldn’t smell them, but she could feel the sluggish burn in her bloodstream. Her body had woken several times before, but whatever drug had been used on her had dragged her back under.

Now, she forced her eyes open again.

“When one is fleeing for his life, mage,” Zaiper’s voice cut in, far too at ease. “The last thing on his mind is coin. I didn’t even have twenty gold to my name, much less a full sack.”

He sounded closer. Standing, probably, somewhere beyond the bars.

“Besides,” he continued. “She had this coming. Sinai’s been a liability for a while. She knows too much, always has. You never know what someone like her might do in a tight corner. She’d sing like a bird if it meant saving her own skin.”

You coward.I gave you centuries of loyalty.

“Mm,” was the answer.

A moment passed, then his voice shifted. Distant. Resonant. As if reciting a prophecy. “In four moons’ time… when the last buds fall and the first frost descends… the eclipse moon will rise again over Urekai.”

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