Page 101 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“What am I going to do with you?” The words came out in a rush of love before she softly whispered, “All I want is you.”

“No,” he said firmly, brushing a kiss to her nose. “Give it some more thought.”She is such a sunshine. My radiant star."Your twinkling light heals me, Emeriel Galilea Evenstone."

***

Grand Lord Zaiper stood in the highest tower of Greyrock, staring down at the celebrations with a heart so heavy it might split apart in his chest.

Tears stung his eyes.The human princess was with child.

As if that weren’t enough heartbreak and devastation to bear, Vladya followed soon after—announcing his own female's pregnancy as well.

Urai was in an uproar.

The Lantern Festival turnedhotterwith added celebration. Countless lanterns lit the sky, like stars descending to dance over the city. Gallons of ale flowed endlessly, filling goblets, spilling over tables.

The people danced without stopping. Cattle were slaughtered. The woods rang with the sounds of hunting and feasting.

It was almost dawn,yet Urai did not sleep.

Zaiper stood watching it all, the wound in his chest growing deeper.This was pain.

No. Pain was an understatement.

Evendevastationwas too insignificant a word.

Neverin all his years, had he believed an alpha’s heart couldshatterlike this.

His legs were stiff from standing too long in isolation. Throbbing, from holding himself together up here while he processed the news.

At last, he turned away. Walking slowly as he made his way to his Royal Residence.

I refuse to weep over this, damn it!He blinked with anger, forcing back the persistent wetness.

Too many impossibilities have happened these days. Too many legends were being rewritten. They were too old for the world to be changing this much.

Because in what realm, what time, what magic, does a female get pregnant from a mini-heat?

In what world does a Urekai sire a childoutsideof a mating bond?

Is this dark magic?

Was it Urekai spell, or was a mage involved?

What manner of enchantment was this?

And Vladya, the king of failures, master of disappointments... the male who had spent millennia swimming in the endless sea of defeat not only secured aSoulbondbut also impregnated her? What in the name of the gods is this?

And if they could do it, why couldn't he?

His hands shook as he entered his chamber.

What kind of witches are these human princesses?

What manner of sorceresses were they, to bend fate and twist impossibility into reality?

To pick up two dead males whose stories had nearly reached their end andbreathe life into them?

He lost his battle with tears. They fell.

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