Page 116 of The Demon King's Destiny

Marrok gingerly disentangled himself from Evelyn, sitting up beside her. His right hand stroked her forehead. She felt clammy. He forced himself to remain calm. Help would be here any second.

Danil tore a strip of fabric off from the sheets. “Here,” he said, tossing it to Marrok. “Wrap that up until someone can look at it.”

Marrok rolled the rag around his arm, watching Danil study Evelyn’s wounds. Her face was bruised and bloodied, already swollen. The fingers on her right hand, misshapen.

Danil’s eyes lingered on the knife. “Tell me that bastard is dead.”

“If the dreamworld was her real memory, then he’s dead. My little mate removed his head and set him on fire.”

“Let’s hope that wasn’t just wishful thinking manifesting in her dreams.”

Favin bolted into the room, Salix, the healer, close behind. Marrok moved off the bed so the male could tend to his mate.

Salix reached for Marrok’s arm and he jerked it away. “See to my saatus.”

“Of course, Sire.” The healer pressed his fingers to Evelyn’s wrist.

“Her pulse is weak. She’s lost a lot of blood. With your permission, I’m going to cut away her top.”

Marrok nodded.

“Here,” Danil offered, holding out his small pocketknife towards Salix. “Cut away the leather and lift the sheet.”

Salix took the item and quickly sliced the front of Evelyn’s leathers. Gently, he pulled the top apart and lifted the sheet to cover her nakedness.

The healer’s hands skimmed the place where the steel entered her flesh.

“I was afraid to remove it,” Marrok stated.

Salix’s brows slanted downward. “It’s embedded deep. She should have lost more blood than she has. Honestly, I’m not sure how she’s still alive.”

Marrok took a shuddering breath. “Can you save her?”

“I don’t know, Sire. I think she may be beyond my help.”

“Marrok?”

The King swiveled his head to his Second.

“Hale is here, sooner than planned. He and his entourage arrived right before you awoke. Maybe you should have him take her to Theron. The priest has healed severely wounded beings in the past.”

“Bring him to me. Ask if any of the others have been to Terenuskit. If they have, take Danil and check on Lazlo. If not, I’ll send Hale back to teleport you.”

Favin bowed and opened the door. “Hale? We need you.”

Hale came into the room, blanching when he saw Evelyn on the bed. “What do you need?” he asked.

Marrokcarefully liftedhis mate. “Take us to Theron.”

Hale planted a hand on Marrok’s shoulder and ported them to the entrance to the temple. Theron was there, waiting with the door propped open.

“You knew this would happen,” Marrok accused walking up to the old man.

Swirling violet and silver looked right past him, right down into the Demon King’s very soul. “It was one of the possibilities, yes. Of them all, this was the only one where she lived.”

Theron looked over to Hale. “Go back to the palace. Favin needs you. Marrok, let’s get Evelyn to the infirmary and see about removing the vampire’s weapon.”

The priest patted the King’s shoulder as he marched past. “I knew you would do it. I couldn’t see it, but I had faith you would.”

“I would do what?”

“Choose her. It was the only way you’d be allowed to keep her.”

Marrok’s step faltered. He shook it off, refusing to consider the possibility of ever living without Evelyn.

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