Page 36 of Once Upon a Demon’s Heart

Chapter Twenty-Two

KALEL

King Achill tilts his wine glass boredly as I enter his study. His appointed royal guard is flipping through a tome on one of the chaise lounges, offering me a brief once-over before looking back to the book in his hands.

“Lord Lornhelm, I was relieved to hear that you and your army returned to our kingdom safely last night.” The king’s words are formal, but they hold no weight or genuineness in his tone.

Achill has envied me since we were children.

Even the wealthiest and most powerful people will loathe those who can find a fraction of happiness in nothing.

I was happy with what little my mother could afford us.

I enjoyed training to be an apothecary and then a knight.

Achill watched from his tower and would sneak out to practice with me from time to time.

I’m only the most revered knight because he sends me out on every battle, hoping I’ll perish. Nikolai informed me a few years ago after he’d used his sight on the king. Because what better way to inspire Devicit’s army than that of the demon who came back from death?

One of my biggest regrets is telling Achill what happened that day in Florum Forest.

I narrow my gaze, thinking about it. Recounting the past with Alira damn near tore my heart from my chest. Her lavender eyes and all the misery that rolled over her expression was enough to bury a man.

Did she really see me that night after the attack?

I blink away the thoughts before I get lost in them.

I nod and flatten my lips. “Thank you, King Achill. I am happy to be back in my palace.”

The king stands, leaving his glass of wine on the oak desk.

“Do you have the demigod in your possession?” he asks, eyes narrowing with disdain.

Although I doubt he’ll have that look for long.

He’s a man of vanity, I’m certain he will be smitten with her the moment he sees how beautiful she is, and that thought infuriates me to no end.

I don’t want anyone to look at her except me. I’ve already caught Nikolai watching her in a daze several times. She’s mine. Even if I can’t bear the thought of loving her, she belongs to me.

“Yes, the godling is at my palace.”

He grunts his disapproval. “I can’t believe it’s come to this.

Are you sure this is the path you want to take, old friend?

” He sets his hand on my shoulder—the weight of it is as heavy as his gaze.

I firm my lips and give him a tight nod.

“Your sacrifice in marrying that half-god will be rewarded, Kalel.”

It certainly felt like a sacrifice after I realized that the girl who found me in the forest that day was the same one who aided in destroying my childhood village. I knew it was her when we met in the forest two weeks ago. I could never forget such starlit hair, nor her floral eyes.

We were only children when she tried to help me. She couldn’t have known what would happen to my uncles or me, but the hatred that was born in my heart that day can never be completely washed away. It’s who I am now, and nothing can change that.

I can’t get her out of my head. The way she carries her heart on her sleeve. The way the little godling’s eyes go soft when she looks at me like I’m something more than I am. Like I won’t destroy every last spark of hope in her soul.

Guilt is a heavy burden to shoulder, but I can’t change what’s already been done.