Page 122 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Emeriel startled. “Who are you talking to—?”

A figure stepped forward from behind the stone archway, looking sheepish. Mistress Sinai.

Emeriel’s jaw dropped.

“What are you doing here, snooping around?” Vladya growled, tone ice. “You truly think we would not smell you?”

“You need to find a new supplier for your scent suppressants,” Ottai added dryly. “They did a poor job.”

Sinai gave a strained laugh. “Apologies for sneaking. I was at Blackstone and happened to see where the three of you wereheaded. I… couldn’t help my curiosity.” Then she straightened her spine, slipping into the cold confidence that Emeriel had seen so many times before. “There is nothing to be worried about, I have known about all of this for months. Iamthe one feeding him and his supposed lover, remember?”

The Third Ruler’s expression did not soften. “Which is the only reason I allowed you to stay behind those doors. But you know our laws. Spying on private matters is a punishable offense.”

“I should have you dragged back to the dungeon,” Ottai snapped, angry too.

“You will not do that, Fourth Ruler,” she said smoothly. “Not when I'm offering to help.”

Ottai released Emeriel’s shoulders and turned toward her. “What help could you offer?”

“You cannot bloodfeed him now,” Vladya said before Sinai could answer. “He would tear you apart, piece by piece, and Daemonikai doesn't need that on his conscience too.”

Sinai tilted her head. “I plan to do more than feed him,” she said coolly. “Bloodfeeding will not bring him out of this. It’s his sexlust starving now, becausesomeoneis being a coward in the face of a real challenge.” Her brow arched at Emeriel. “The heat was turned up once. Guess who turned tail and ran?”

Emeriel’s temper flared. Closing the space between them, she raised her chin, and met the other female’s eyes without flinching. “Donotspeak so carelessly about that which you know nothing about.”

The Mistress laughed. “I know my Daemon unleashed on you, and itmessedyou up.”

“Enough.” Lord Vladya ordered, stepping between them. “That isnothow our kind unleash, and you know it. One is never mindless for that.” He took a step closer, crowding the mistress. “Stop trying to cut Emeriel with your tongue… or I'll cut it out myself.”

Mistress Sinai paled, her bravado faltering. “I ap-apologize. That was… ill-spoken.” Clearing her throat, she composed herself. “Anyway, if you permit it, I wish to serve the beast.”

“Too dangerous,” Lord Vladya snapped at once.

“You underestimate me.” She lifted her chin. “I am Urekai, not some dainty little human.”

“You arrogant fool. Put your ego aside andthink, just for one damned moment.”

“And you forget,” Ottai added flatly. “That over the millennia,thousandsof Urekai have died at the hands of ferals, and countless who arefemaleshave died beneath them. Don’t think you are beyond that fate.”

“I am. I am his bloodhost, we share a bond.An active bond,” she jabbed at Emeriel. “If not for fate’s bitchy games, he would’ve been mine.Mine!”

Emerielsmiled. “But he's not yours and he never will be.”

The mistress snorted. “We shall see.” She turned back to Lord Vladya. “You need me. I can do what the human cannot. It’s been three days already. You need me, and you know it. Send me inside.”

Grand Lord Vladya looked at Emeriel, seeking her permission.

The truth was, she wanted the mistress to go in there. Not from spite—Emeriel refused to see herself as a rival to that woman, but she wished for Daemonikai to come back from the edge. If it took the mistress crossing that threshold, then so be it.

She gave a solemn nod.

Lord Ottai looked troubled but inclined his head in agreement.

Vladya swiveled his head once more to the mistress. “I don't like this. Even if we allowed it, there should be a safeguard—a word to call if it becomes too much. But that chamber is heavily fortified. Once the door is locked and the window shut, no sound will escape.”

“That’s alright,” the Mistress smirked, smug. “I don’t need one. I’m not some youngling suffering through her first mini-heat, needing hermamato hold her hand."

Vladya’s scowl deepened. “Once you step through that door he will pounce on you. Are you sure—”

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