Page 168 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Every color she had ever seen hovering near people was always different. Unique. Separate. Except with Amie and Lord Herod.

“If what you’re saying is true… does that mean Lord Herod and Amie are—” She hesitated. “That they are compatible? But Amie is human.”

“For the swirling colors to intertwine so completely,” Lord Vladya answered, “she must have Syren traits. Ones that haven’t manifested yet but will in time.” He paused, thoughtful. “OnlySoulbondsgo into heat at first contact with their destined mate, not bondmates. And you saidallthe colors merged—not some, but every hue—intertwined into one?”

Emeriel nodded slowly.

“That is full compatibility,” Vladya said with certainty. “When she becomes Syren and they attempt the bonding ritual, it will succeed.”

Emeriel tried to absorb it all. “But if this kind of ability exists, how come…” She didn’t know how to say it delicately.

“You’re asking why bond seers haven’t been used to guide mating, to help Urekai avoid failed bonds and prevent heartbreak?” Lord Vladya finished.

Emeriel gave a small nod.

“You may have already noticed—bond colors don’t appear for everyone,” Daemonikai explained. “That alone makes it impossible to force it. You can’taska bond seer to match you with someone if your colors don’t appear at all.”

That was true.

“I was one of those people the colors never appeared for,” Vladya said with a shrug. “Ottai’s grandmother—our last known bond seer—was revered across Urai. I hoped, prayed, that one day she’d see colors for me. But she never did, until the day she died.” His smile had a tinge of sadness. “Some people are just unlucky. Or as I used to think… cursed.”

Emeriel understood, reeling.

Beside her, Daemonikai looked at her like she was some kind of miracle. A rare, sacred wonder. She didn’t understand how thiscouldbe her.

“But… whyme?” she wondered aloud. “I’m just… Emeriel.”

“You’ve never beenjustanything,” Vladya snorted. “You were handmade for the Grand King of the Urekai. Touched by the gods while still in the womb. You’ve never been ordinary.”

Emeriel’s throat tightened.

“Do you know what this means?” Daemonikai ran a hand through his hair, clearly overwhelmed. “Our people will rejoice. There’shopeagain for those who are scared of the bonding ritual because of the risk of failure. You’re the key to guiding them.”

“I still can’t believe this is happening,” Vladya said, shaking his head, looking at her with new eyes.

The more she processed it, the more a slow, powerful wave of joy began to rise in her chest.

Relief.

Her vision wasn’t failing, it wasn’t some strange pregnancy symptom. It was something good.Something amazing.

The idea that she could help people find their true companions through bonding in the future was humbling. Knowing thatno one would have to endure the suffering Lord Vladya experienced, nor become whatheonce was, shaped by loss and bitterness... filled her with a joy beyond words.

Chapter thirty-nine

THE FIERCE MAMA

“Feverfewforthehead,”Madam Livia murmured, clipping the leafy plant and placing it into the basket Emeriel carried as the two of them walked through the woods. “Comfrey for wounds, valerian for sleep.”

Emeriel whistled absently, her spirits lifted by the joy of her newgift. Her Daemon had decided to keep the revelation a secret for now, at least until the Oracle could provide more insight. In his own words, "To protect my pregnant female before the people start lining up in crowds outside the residence all day to see her.”

“Are you listening to me?” Madam Livia asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

“Of course,” Emeriel replied with a quick smile.

The woman wasn’t fooled. “No, you weren’t. I understand how difficult it must be not to think about the Grand King every waking moment, but if you truly want to learn herbal craft, you must focus, Princess.”

Emeriel flushed, still smiling. She hadn’t been thinking about Daemonikai… notexactly.

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