Page 146 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

He’d tasted the blood of his enemies, and he had given in. Fully.

Taken his beast form, he’d massacred every human soldier in sight. The sound of their bones breaking, their screams ringing in his ears... those had been the last coherent things he remembered before he tumbled over.

Now, he was teetering there again. And the hunger for slaughter was back.

Sheer will was no longer enough to hold him steady. He needed to satisfy his basic instincts soon.

A knock came and his door opened without waiting for a reply.

Daemonikai opened his eyes to find Emeriel standing there.

“I heard you returned,” she said quietly. But her gaze flicked immediately to the bandages, worry following. “My King…”

“I’m fine.” He extended a hand toward her. “Come here.”

Her steps were slow as she crossed the room toward him. He watched her in silence, his possessive instincts stirring. Seven months into her carrying, her belly was high and full—rounder even than her sister’s, which made her self-conscious. But Daemonikai thought she looked sexy. Good enough to eat.

As soon as she was within reach, he caught her hand, tugging her gently into his lap. He settled her against him with careful hands, one large palm sliding protectively to her belly.

“What happened?” she asked. “Did you find him? Did you fight and he escaped? Is that why you’re bruised—and why he isn’t here?”

Daemonikai shook his head once. “We crossed feral territories. Fought packs of them.” He caressed her belly. “But I’m fine now.”

Her hand lifted, resting on his chest. “And your mind?” she asked. “The voices?”

“Quiet.”

He did not tell her how loud they had become of late. How difficult it had been to hold the bloodlust at bay. She didn’t need that weight.

“What about the dark mage who wove the spell?” she asked next.

“It’s as if he vanished from the face of the world.” Daemonikai forced calm into his tone. “The only thing we know is that he’sstill within Urai. The borders are locked down—none can cross without my knowledge. But he remains hidden.”

Emeriel’s lips thinned.

“The Mage King suggested we use magic to find him,” Daemonikai went on. “He can weave the spell… but it would require me to be paralyzed for a full month.”

Emeriel was already shaking her head before he finished.

“I said no,” he told her. “I will not be crippled and bedridden while enemies roam free in my kingdom.”

Daemonikai reached out, smoothing a stray strand of her hair back to join the others. “So I will stick with the plan I have.” His fingers lingered a heartbeat longer than necessary. “Find Zaiper first. Once I have him, finding the sorcerer will be simple.”

“I agree.” Emeriel’s long lashes lowered, shadowing her gaze. “So, I’ve been thinking…” when she lifted her eyes again, there was resolve in them. “I wish to feed you properly.”

He opened his mouth, but she held up a hand.

“Hear me out,” she said. “I hate knowing you’re starving. That you aren’t feeding as you should. I am yourSoulbond,Daemon. Three years ago, my blood saved your life. Dark magic or not, that truth remains. My blood still means something—because I am yours. With or without our bond, that doesn’t change.”

In the past, he would have refused outright, without question. He hadn’t forgotten the healers’ warnings—that taking blood from her at an advanced stage could cause her discomfort. But what he’d neglected to remember was the rest of their counsel. If she found it comfortable, ifshechose it, then it was not only safe but vital.

“I’ve been taking plenty of vegetables,” she said, smiling faintly. “And the safe herbal concoctions the healers prepared for blood fortification. I can do this.”

And gods help him, he wanted to.

He craved her blood with a hunger that was an ache in his fangs. He missed it. Missedher—the rich, potent taste of her sliding down his throat instead of the teasing sip or two he had allowed himself these past months.

His throat worked around a hoarse word. “Alright.”

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