Page 108 of Princess Redeemed

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you too, princess,” Rogan murmurs, his voice thick with exhaustion.

I sigh.“It’s time.”

He nods.“I know.Give me a minute.”

I shake my head.“I have to go alone.We both know it.”

“You’re the mate of my heart, princess,” he growls, “and that child you carry is mine.I won’t let you do this alone.”

“I’m sorry, my love.”I push his hair off his sweaty forehead.Already the pressure is building behind my ribs like a second heartbeat.

I’ve felt it before, when we move from this world into the ether, but now I recognize it for what it is.

It’s calling me.

And I’m ready.

I rise and dress as quickly as I can, depositing the bloodstone in my pocket and sliding the dagger into a sheath on my belt.

Rogan stands as well, and in a flash, he’s changing before me, his bones snapping, hair sprouting.

When I’m ready, I throw my arms around him, snuggle into his dense fur.

“It’s happening,” I say.“I can’t stop it.I wish I could take you, but I can’t.”

Then the ground gives way beneath me.

Not all at once.Not like a fall but afloat.Like gravity just gave up, or maybe it finally let me go.My feet lift.My stomach lurches, but not from fear.

No.This feels right.

Light surrounds me, but it isn’t sunlight.It’s silver and endless, soft like snow but burning like stars.The edges of my world unravel, all folding in on themselves like a page being turned.

And then I’m somewhere else.

Not any part of the ether I’ve seen before.

The sky here is crimson.The ground is dark as soot and slick with something that smells like ash and thunder.In the distance, mountains rise.

I land on my feet, knees bending slightly, breath catching in my throat.

I’m not alone.

66

He’s here.

The demon king.

I feel him before I see him—the dark evil that slithers around me like a fucking cobra.

Why did I never see it while I was growing up with this man?

Under the crimson sky, he looksinhuman—not just cruel or cold, but ancient, elemental, like something carved out of fire and shadow.His eyes gleam red in the dying light, and his smile is all teeth.

I used to think his anger was human.That his silence was disappointment.That his punishments were discipline.