Page 100 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

"You have no idea the blessing you just gave me. You cannot begin to fathom the joy I feel within me."

"I feel truly happy as well," her voice was a breathless laughter as she glanced down at herself. "I cannot believe it…oh, the gods.I truly cannot believe it, Daemon."

"It is difficult for me as well," he confessed. "I cannot scent it on you yet, and it makes me—makes us—restless.”

He turned her hand over, pressing a tender kiss to her palm.

"But I can feel it, Emeriel. Deep in my heart, I know that just beneath yours lies the greatest gift of all."

Her lower lip wobbled. "I am elated. My heart is filled to the brim."

"You need to see my own," he murmured. "If only our bond were active now, I would bare it to you, so you could feel all I feel."

"Daemon, your words make me feel so..."

"Thank you for being born.” He swiped a tear away with a finger. “Thank you for surviving despite everything. Thank you for living as a male all your life—for enduring, for standing strong every day."

He held her by the waist, pulling her to the edge until she was seated before him, legs spread on either side of his kneeling form.

Then, he dropped his forehead to her stomach. "Thank you for being stubborn enough to get yourself sold with your sister."

He could not recognize his own voice. Shaky. Not at all like the confident tone he was attempting to use.

But it was okay.Let her see it all.

"Thank you for serving my beast. For satisfying our sexlust, for offering us your blood. Thank you for not giving up on me."

"Daemon, please stop," she cried, patting his hair.

"Thank you for coming close to me as Galilea. For loving me even when it seemed impossible." He raised his head, his green eyes holding her blue ones. “For drawing close to me, knowing I may very well break your heart to pieces.”

Those cute bow lips wobbled again.

"And thank you for granting me another chance even after I shattered your heart. You still returned to Urai and helped my soul heal—"

Her arms wrapped around his neck, hugging him fiercely. "It's okay. Say no more."

"No, I need to express this—"

She kissed him.

It was a bold claim, made without an ounce of shyness or finesse. She gripped his neck firmly, claiming his lips, sucking on them as though they were nectar.

He growled, the words left to say dissolving into mist as he returned the kiss ravenously. With all the joy in his heart.

At last, she tore her lips away, pressing their foreheads together as she tried to catch her breath.

"No more, none of that. Thank you for giving my life purpose and meaning.” She took his hand, placing it on her belly. “We did this, my king. I have your seed growing inside me, and knowing that fills me with unending excitement. Thank you for breathing this new life into me."

This female...

She was so special.

“I have something final to say,” he told her quietly. “I am your servant, Emeriel. Anything you want, name it, and it’s yours. If you wish for me to kill anyone, speak their name, and I will do so without hesitation—no questions asked. Lands. Coins. If you want me to conquer kingdoms, I will bring them to your feet. Anything. Wish it, and it is yours.”

“The worst part is… I know you’re not joking.”

“I do not jest about serving or killing, my love.”

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