Page 119 of The Demon King's Destiny

“Stupid wolf hearing,” she grumbled and they laughed again.

Not allowed to leave the infirmary yet, her sisters, Theron, and all four kings came to her. Everyone had been updated on what happened to Evelyn this past week. To her dismay, her sisters fussed and coddled and she tried to bat them away each time they approached.

To Evelyn’s surprise, her father hadn’t reacted the way she thought he would. He seemed to take it all in stride and had even congratulated both she and Marrok. Granted, he’d had a week to think on it, so maybe he just needed the time.

None of the others, aside from Theron, had known how bad things had gotten over the years. Each kingdom knew the other faced some sort of plight. Or, at least, they had been. Now, things seemed to be turning around.

“Marrok,” Theron spoke, “please continue with the news Hale brought this morning.”

“As I mentioned earlier, the majority of the rogues ceased their attacks, simultaneously, when, well, when I reacted to the knowledge Evelyn had been taken. At first, they seemed to be in a sort of a daze. We don’t know why or how.”

“And now?” Viktor asked, tracing his fingers across Eden’s back lazily.

“They seem normal. It’s like they woke up from a coma, with no memory of what happened.”

Edward leaned forward in his chair, dropping his elbows to his knees. “Power drains in Gwydion. An unknown sickness killing off the forests of Burghard. No mated pairs or live births in Prajna. Growing madness and limited matings in Sundari. Each epidemic ending shortly after my daughters married.”

Evelyn coughed into her hand. “Um, technically Marrok and I—”

“Will be married immediately. Maybe today while you are all here,” Marrok interrupted.

“I can barely walk, demon. At least let me heal enough to stand on my own two feet.”

“Anything you want, my love.”

Nora shook her head with humor. “Careful what you promise to Evie. She’ll take advantage.”

He looked down at his mate, with total adoration. “I don’t mind.”

“You should,” Nora deadpanned, prompting Kellan to pull her against him and nip at her neck.

“Yes, a wedding will be most welcome when Evelyn is up to it. In the meantime, I’d like to return to Edward’s point.” Theron looked to Edward.

“My point is only that none of it was a coincidence. We knew something was happening across Imperium. Oddly, the king’s finding their mates seems to have ended whatever has been going on.”

“I think you are correct,” the priest agreed. “Which brings me back to Evelyn. Please tell them what Dmitri said to you before he died.”

Evelyn licked her lips. “He told me we were the threat, Nora, Eden, and I. He quoted Mother’s words.”

“Which ones?” Eden questioned.

“Northland, Eastland, and Southland quest. Heed the threat from the West,” she recited the portent Elora had given when she was a child.

“He said the kings from each of the kingdoms mentioned in that prophecy had found a fated mate, all in the same family, and that it couldn’t be allowed. He thought we were the threat because we would be able to control all of Imperium, a Gwydion on each of the four thrones.”

“Upsetting the balance of power,” Kellan thought aloud. “Too bad they didn’t take into consideration your family wasn’t out for power and that Fate had chosen each of our mates.”

“Messing with Fate and her plans is never a good idea,” Viktor supplied.

Eden stood. “Sephtis Kenelm wasn’t wrong. There is a threat from the West.”

Nora frowned. “Who?”

“Us. Don’t you see? Wearethe threat. They were right about that and wrong about who or what we threatened, right Theron?”

The ancient’s eyes twinkled. “I would have to agree, yes.”

“Explain,” Viktor ordered the priest.

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