Page 11 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“I love you too,” Aekeira whispered, wiping at her cheeks. “But I’m not half as strong as you are.”

“That’s debatable.” Emeriel laughed. “How about we both agree that we’re each the strongest person the other has ever known?”

Aekeira chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “Deal.” Then tentatively rested her head on Emeriel’s belly. “Is this okay?”

“Oh yes.” Emeriel’s fingers drifted into Aekeira’s hair, stroking it gently.My Keira.

For so long, this woman had been the single most important person in Emeriel's life.

Through every trial and tribulation, Aekeira had been her anchor, her protector, her sister. And even now, as Emeriel lay broken and healing, Aekeira’s presence was her greatest comfort.

But there was someone else now.

Someone just as important.

Someone who had been on her mind all day, though she had tried not to ask. And Aekeira, perhaps sensing her hesitation, had not spoken of him either.

Emeriel wet her lips, gathering the courage to speak. “How is he?”

Aekeira’s soft, even breathing met her question. “Your Grand King?”

Emeriel’s heart clenched. “My Grand King.”

Aekeira lifted her head slightly. “Lord Vladya and Lord Ottai put him in the forbidden chambers after… what happened,” she sighed. “He woke on the third day, without any memory of it. But Lord Vladya filled him in and brought him to see you.”

A knot twisted in Emeriel’s stomach. “And?”

“He stayed all day beside you, seated right here.” She patted the edge of the bed. “I’ve never seen him so…”

“Broken?” Emeriel supplied softly.

“Defeated,” Aekeira whispered. “He was in a daze the whole day. He didn’t move, didn’t say a word. Just… stared at you.”

The knot in Emeriel’s stomach tangledpainfully.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Emeriel spoke through her constricting chest. “And after?”

“And after… nothing.” Aekeira’s tone went flat. “He went back to his bedchamber and hasn’t come out since.”

Emeriel went still. “What?”

“Lord Ottai calls it a self-imposed exile. No one has seen or heard from the grand king in almost a week, but we knowhe’s still there. He shut down the Royal Residence and stopped taking visitors."

Aekeira placed her head back on her belly. "Not even Lord Vladya could get in, and apparently, he has tried repeatedly. The Frostfall soldiers guarding the royal wing won’t budge. They have strict orders not to let anyone in.”

I am glad he is back to his senses.Whatever had overtaken him that night had been terrifying. Uncontrollable.

She could still see the wild, vacant look in his eyes. Could stillfeelwhat had happened afterward.

Shoving those vile, disturbing memories down, Emeriel thought of the daysbeforethat horrible night. Their days together at the cottage.

She thought of the male who was her soulmate. Who had never given up on her, even when she had given up on herself.

Daemonikai had chased her tirelessly. Relentlessly. He had been determined to prove their bond deserved another chance.

Her grand king had stood proudly in court and fought for her. Before an audience filled with those who hated her kind, he declared her hisSoulbond. His Woman.

And Emeriel wouldn’t lose him over this.Never.

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