Page 114 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“Just a little. The healer made certain I took the potions, so it has eased.”

“Good.” He took her hand, guiding her to the seat beside him, Vladya doing the same for Aekeira.

“Thank you,” Emeriel sighed softly settling herself, hand resting on the swell of her belly.

Hours passed in a blur of ceremony.

Feasts, oaths, and blessings. And through it all, Daemonikai’s attention never strayed far from her.

Even when he spoke with ministers or acknowledged the nobles who sought his favor, his mind was half-turned to her. Hesaw every smile she gave every noble who approached to greet her.

Look at Lord Jakal,the Voice said.See the way his eyes linger on her. He is unmated, searches still for his life partner. I wonder what he imagines now...

Daemonikai released his gritted teeth. Across the arena, Lord Jakal had taken Emeriel’s hand, bowing low to press his lips against her knuckles.

Does he think of those thighs? The sweet thighs that have not opened for you in over five months? Does he imagine them wrapped around his waist?

Daemonikai forced his locked jaw to relax. Emeriel glanced his way and beamed.

He returned the smile with a flawless, smooth one. She turned back to Lord Jakal, speaking softly.

Those pretty thighs,the Voice crooned.He will take her, and she will welcome him. His mind is clear... he does not mount his female half to death.

“Shove those thoughts away,” Vladya said suddenly beside him. “Do not let them win. Whatever they are telling you, it’s not true.”

“I know, I know. It is just…” Daemonikai exhaled. His fists ached from how tightly he had clenched them and he forced his fingers to ease, one by one. “Sometimes, it's really,reallydifficult.”

“I know. I have lived this too,” Vladya said with pity.

“Congratulations, Vladya.” His tone was flat, but the sentiment was genuine.

Unlike himself, Vladya was healed fully. He had not suffered a single feral episode in four months. His mind was clear, his beast calm and engaged, more at peace than it had been in centuries. Everything truly did improve since Vladya started drinking from hisSoulbond.

Daemonikai did not feed from Emeriel. It caused her discomfort, as the healers had warned. And even if he could, the shaman said it wouldn't heal him like it once did in the past.

“This one is different; it's unnatural," the shaman had told him. "Unfortunately, only the dark mage who wove those threads can undo it.”

“These too shall pass,” Vladya stated firmly.

Daemonikai did not believe it. He wished his faith was as strong as his old friend’s, but in these past months, his hope had dwindled to nearly nothing.

He had not satisfied sexlust in over four months, yet his female believed he was still bedding his bloodhost. Because of that belief, there was a sadness in Emeriel’s eyes that never quite left, no matter how bright her smile and how much love shone in her blue eyes.

Tonight, as on so many nights, he was expected to visit Sinai first, then return to her chamber, and hold her while she slept. Whenever Emeriel thought he'd fallen asleep, she let her muffled cries spill.

It hurt Daemonikai immensely that she was going through this pregnancy sad, but they had gotten to a point where he had no idea what to do.

She did not know he'd not touched another female. That the feral episodes still came. Only Vladya and Ottai knew, and only they helped with the measures Daemonikai had taken.

When Daemonikai felt the signs, he went willingly to Blackstone’s deepest underground chamber. There, Vladya bound him in chains of reinforced iron laced with toxins, fortified doors locked. He remained there for twenty-four hours until the storm passed.

As far as his people were concerned, their king was whole again. His mind clear as the first light of dawn. As far as Emeriel was concerned, his madness was controlled, because he wassatisfying all his basic instincts. Deceptions he wore like a crown of thorns.

While the people feasted, he watched her from his high seat. She added fruit to her basket at the fruit region. A young male hurried forward to take it from her, protective of her as so many had become since the pregnancy and Emeriel smiled at the youngling in gratitude.

Daemonikai’s stomach turned inside out.

Is that smile not supposed to be for you? Why does she bestow it so freely on some random male?

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