Chapter 98

The soothing hand on his back dragged him back from the miserable abyss. It was as if all the demons of the past vanished, and his head was clear again. He swiveled his head and stared at Danika. She had concern written all over her face, her eyes filled with warmth. But she quickly snatched her hand back to keep from getting punished.

It was at the tip of the king’s tongue to ask Danika to put her hand back on him again—anything to keep those monsters at bay. But he didn’t. Instead, he moved forward. Danika walked beside his stiff body. Tension radiated from him in waves.

They walked away from the palace grounds. It was a long walk. With each step they took, the evening wind caressed them. The beautiful sight of the sun disappearing completely from the sky had Danika captivated.

It was refreshing, this walk away from the palace. Away from slavery and suffering—even for a moment.

It must have been refreshing for the king, too, because the tension slowly left