Page 90 of The Demon King's Destiny

“Her. I knewhervery well. She was our governess, Mara. Father sent her with Nora so Nora wouldn’t feel alone. We treated her like family and she deceived us all. She raised Nora from birth,” her voice cracked. “I’d kill the traitor myself if she was in front of me.”

“Come here, little mate,” he coaxed, pulling Evelyn onto his lap so he could wrap his arms around her.

She settled easily against him, allowing him to soothe some of the rage threatening to rise. He tucked her head under his chin and gave what little comfort he could before turning his attention back to the priest.

“Bogdan and this Mara are dead. Unless they had plans in place for their replacements, that would mean there is still a wolf and a vampire at large.”

“Yes. Kellan and Viktor have made plans to track them. The wolves caught their scents already near the border to Prajna.”

“When will Edward return?”

“He won’t,” Evelyn squeaked, her emotions getting the best of her. “Not for a while, at least.”

“Why ever not?”

“The scent they found? Of the vampire? It came from the forest … from where my Father and those traveling with him were attacked. He was almost killed.”

Marrok tried to keep his muscles from tensing under her. His mate needed a soft place to land right now, not a hardened warrior out for vengeance.

“I’m sorry,moj draga.”

“Don’t be. It’s not like there was anything you could do. Luckily, we were assured he was on the mend when Nora and Kellan visited.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

He kissed the top of her head, thinking. Stroking her back, they sat in silence for long minutes. Marrok felt her relax and her breathing even out. He wasn’t surprised, not after their night-long exertions.

“What’s coming, Theron?” he asked quietly. “What should we do?”

The old man’s kaleidoscope eyes spun. “That I cannot tell you.”

Marrok exhaled. “Can’t or won’t?”

“Both. I cannot steer the ship. It is forbidden. I can give you information on the wind, on the swells, but I cannot steer you through the storm, nor can I see if you make it through to the other side. There are rules to the universe, Marrok, and the full revelation ofavision comes with a price.”

“Tell me what you can, then.”

“Evelyn needs to return with you to the Southland.”

“It’s not safe.”

“Do not forget what I told you of Gwydion, Burghard, and Prajna. Choices were made for those kingdoms. Nothing about them came easy, but in the end, thechoicesmade all the difference.”

Theron’s gaze lingered on the beloved female in Marrok’s arms. “It’s time for you to choose, Marrok.”

“Choose what?”

“Your saatus.”

“A saatus isn’t a choice. You know that,” Marrok bit out, aggravated with the priest’s riddles.

“Isn’t she?”

Marrok started to argue and stopped himself when Theron went rigid, the purple and silver of his eyes spinning oddly.

“You need to return to Sundari,” Theron insisted, coming out of his stupor.

“I will.”

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