Page 113 of The Demon King's Destiny

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“The palace is secured,” Favin told Marrok, who was wearing a hole in the floor of his study with his pacing.

“Those who refused to cease attacking were killed,” he continued. “The others we’ve had to corral into the throne room. There are too many to jail. They’ve shown no signs of aggression since, well, since you brought them to their knees, Sire.”

Marrok glanced at Favin. He had no idea how his cry of anguish brought them to a crashing halt. Nor did he care. He only cared about finding his mate.

“I can feel her pain, Favin. It’s coming through the bond hard enough I can feel where he’s hurting her.” His voice broke, forcing him to swallow past the lump in his throat.

His demon was simmering, just below the surface, wanting to harm. To disfigure. To exact revenge. He could do nothing until he found Evelyn.

“Question them. Start pulling memories,” he told his Second. “One by one. I want to know where he is, anyplace he might be.”

“Hale and reinforcements will be coming before too long. Not that we need reinforcements now,” Danil said. “He can teleport you around if they can give you a starting point.”

“I—”

A searing pain stabbed through Marrok’s chest, his hand slapping over top of it. The saatus bond pulled at him, his mate’s agony blaring loud and clear. He fell to his knees, both Danil and Favin rushing to him.

Quickly, it went numb and he could take in air again. “Evelyn,” he exhaled.

Danil held Marrok’s shoulders. “Is the bond still in place?”

“Yes.”

The white-haired demon relaxed. “Good, then she’s alive.”

“Good?” Marrok gritted. “I’m not getting anything from her now. I was able to feel her fear and her pain. Now, it’s like her mind’s shut down. Like …”

“Like she’s asleep?” Favin suggested.

“More likely knocked unconscious,” Danil corrected. “Whichisgood, Marrok. If she was in tremendous pain, now she’s not feeling it.”

“It is not good! She cannot defend herself if she’s not awake!”

Favin cleared his throat. “I think Danil has a point, Marrok. If she’s not awake, you need to gandeste. Immediately.”

Marrok straightened, then hopped to his feet. “Favin, get the valerian powder and bring it to my chambers. I’m not going to fall asleep easily.”

“Right away,” he said and swiftly exited.

“Danil,” Marrok looked at his friend, “stay with me, just in case.”

“Just in case what?”

“Just in case those docile rogues decide they’re no longer content to sit and stare at the floor.”

“I’ll gather some of the guards and meet you in a under a minute.”

Danil ran off in one direction and Marrok hurried to the chamber he shared with Evelyn. He used the pitcher on their breakfast table to fill a glass with water. Favin entered and handed him a small packet.

Marrok poured only a fourth of the contents into the glass. He needed to be able to wake and feared too much of the sleep aid would hinder the process. He drained the glass, downing it in a single gulp.

Setting it down, he turned to Favin. “Have a blade ready. If I cannot wake myself, you’ll have to do it.”

“How long should I wait?”

“Five minutes after you’re sure I’m asleep. No more.”

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