Page 179 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Emeriel met her sister’s eyes, Aekeira giving her a small nod. Together, they stepped forward.

Emeriel glanced toward the Oracle’s hand. “May I…?” she asked softly.

The Oracle nodded.

Emeriel took her hand gently. It was hot to the touch—feverish. “It’s an honor to meet you,” she whispered.

A faint smile ghosted the woman’s lips. “I suspect… you now see the colors, do you not?”

Startled, Emeriel’s eyes widened and she drew back instinctively, glancing over her shoulder at Daemonikai.

He only smiled and gave a slow nod.

Emeriel turned back. Her voice hushed. “Yes.”

The Oracle’s eyes glittered. “Asvia’hes Araz.A bond seer.”

The words resonated with power.

“When one is physically touched by the gods,” the Oracle said slowly, “He leaves a mark. A trace. YourSoulbondwith the Grand King did not activate it, as it should have. It was dormant. But thelifeyou created together—your child—that sacred spark... it awakened the gift.”

Emeriel stood still, heart humming.

“Because of you,” the Oracle continued. “Our people will suffer less. They will know who they belong with. There will be fewer broken bonds. Fewer failed rituals. You are atreasure, Princess Emeriel. A light to the Urekai.”

Emeriel bowed her head. Humbled beyond words.

“You have a gem for a lifemate, Great Grand King,” the Oracle’s voice was fragile but clear as she turned her gaze to Daemonikai. “Treasure her,always.”

“For all eternity,” he said without hesitation.

The Oracle looked back at Emeriel. “Your birth was set in motion a long time ago. It was written in the stars.” She made a dry, crackling sound that left her clutching at her ribs, clearly in pain.

“You should rest,” Lord Vladya urged softly. “Don’t speak more than you must.”

The Oracle looked at him. “The one who wasnotwritten… not fated in the stars… buthadto happen…” Her gaze shifted—to Aekeira. “Come closer, child.”

Aekeira stepped forward slowly, standing beside her sister.

“You see her, do you not?” the Oracle asked.

Emeriel’s brow creased in confusion.Who?

To her surprise, Aekeira nodded. “Three times. In my dreams. I don’t know what it means…”

Lord Vladya’s brows furrowed. “Who do you see?”

“She sees herself,” the Oracle answered before Aekeira could speak. “A memory no soul should retain… but which now returns.”

Vladya moved in front of Aekeira, cupping her face with both hands, locking eyes with her. “Whodo you see, Aekeira?”

“Tiara.”

The room went still.

Breathless silence.

“I’ve seen her in my dreams three times now,” Aekeira went on. “At first, I didn’t understand what I was seeing. When I woke, it was always vague and blurry, so I waved it off. But it kept returning. The same dream. The same words.”

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