Page 3 of The Demon King's Destiny

Chapter 1

Evelyn, Age 16

“You don’t seem at all disappointed, if you don’t mind my saying,” Evelyn noted to her older sister as they walked arm-in-arm along the walking path.

Eden’s mouth curved downward at Evelyn’s observation. She must have hit a nerve. It was her forte, even though she hadn’t meant to nettle Eden about the King of Burghard.

“How can one argue withFate?” Eden replied.

“Ooh, kudos for evasiveness. You’re good at this game.”

“It’s not a game,” Eden sighed.

Evelyn twisted her lips. “I know it’s not.”

They meandered through the trees surrounding their home. Several wide walking paths had been created long ago so the children would not get lost in the woods.

The people of Gwydion loved being in nature. They were elementals and had an affinity to the natural state of the things in the world.

It was calming to be among the greenery. It was why Eden and Evelyn had ventured outdoors after what had been a rather taxing day for their family.

“I—I am loathe to admit I am relieved,” Eden finally acknowledged.

“Why? You are certainly entitled to your feelings.”

“It hardly seems fair to Nora.”

Evelyn mulled over Eden’s words. Today, Kellan, King of Burghard, had come to visit Eden. They’d been betrothed to one another Eden’s entire life. Now that she was eighteen, their father wanted the engaged pair to get to know one another.

The Wolf King arrived this afternoon, along with his Second, Foley. They’d barely made it through introductions when Fate decided to intervene.

Everyone was beyond shocked when Kellan scented his fated mate in their home—and it wasn’t Eden. The male was a wolf. Once his beast picked up the scent of their younger sister, Nora, and knew her to be his, all bets were off and the betrothal to Eden was dissolved.

The issue was Nora was only fourteen years old and far too young to marry. She was also a sickly little thing. But these were obstacles that could be overcome.

Probably, Evelyn thought to herself.

Eventually, Nora would grow up. With any luck, she’d also find a way to be healthy. Evelyn chose to be hopeful. It was, after all, preordained that Nora belonged to the wolf.

She patted Eden’s hand. “You’re only saying that because Nora is young and looks so fragile.”

“Sheisfragile.”

“Physically. Not emotionally. I think we all forget sometimes.”

“Perhaps. Yet it is still the physical that bothers me. She’s going to live among the wolves in the Northland, Evelyn. What if she’s challenged? She can hardly defend herself against a wolf.”

“You’re right.”

Eden did a double take. “I’m right?”

Evelyn laughed. Those were not words anyone heard out of her mouth very often.

“It’s obvious. Nora is tiny, especially compared to a wolf. She could easily be harmed.”

Evelyn didn’t bring up the damage to Nora’s soul inflicted upon her the day she was born. It wasn’t a time for the reminder of how they’d lost their mother or the fact Nora could not wield magic like every other elemental in the Kingdom of Gwydion could.

“Then why are you so accepting of this, Evie?”

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