Page 186 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“She sent three birds, Beloved,” Emeriel had said softly. “That’s no ordinary message. Let’s at least see the context before we burn it.”

So he had opened it. And in reading it, learned everything. The extent of Zaiper’s past sins. The terrifying intricacy of his current plans. It had beenenraging. But it had also given him an edge.

All thanks to his radiant star, who had urged him to call in his favor with the werewolves, even when he had resisted with stubborn defiance. Calm and rational, she had made him see the wisdom in it, drawing his eyes to the hope, to the brighter possibilities of their aid on a night like this. And now, he was glad he had listened. Glad he had made the call.

“Hey, Ancient One,” Vladya’s voice came behind him.

Daemonikai turned. His brow arched at the state of him. “You do remember you weren’t supposed to fight tonight?”

Vladya snorted, blood spattered across his tunic, grin wide. “Says the male who just spent the nighthunting.”

Daemonikai exhaled a faint chuckle.

“I saw our newest prisoner,” Vladya said. “I must say, this night is turning out to beverypretty.”

“It is,” Daemonikai agreed, folding his hands behind his back as they walked side by side. “How are things with the bloodsuckers?”

“They never reached the inner halls. Our people are safe. Well…” he glanced skyward. “Mostly thanks to the werewolves. They tore through the vamps before half of them knew what hit them. The rest ran.”

Daemonikai gave him a side-eye. “You’re awfully chirpy tonight for a Urekai going through the eclipse moon.”

Vladya laughed. “Good things are happening, my friend. My third ritual passed yesterday. Tonight, we captured Zaiper. I beat the fangs out of a few bloodsuckers. What more can a male ask for?”

Hurried footsteps reached Daemonikai before the figure came into view—a young girl sprinting toward them.

The familiar slave girl bowed, eyes wide. “Your Highness… Your Majesties,” she said breathlessly.

Daemonikai stilled as Vladya tensed.

“My name is Amie,” she continued quickly, “and I’ve been sent with a message from the healers.”

“Speak,” Vladya ordered.

“The princesses are in labor,” Amie burst out. “Princess Emeriel was the first to break her water, but she said not to worry you, Your Grace, that you had more important things to handle and she’d be fine—butPrincess Aekeira started panicking, and now her water has broken too, and she’s crying for Lord Vladya, so—so the healers finally agreed you should both be informed!” She gasped, panting. “They’re both delivering. Right now.”

Tension rippled down Daemonikai’s back. The moment the wordsdeliveringsank in, he and Vladya locked eyes, then bolted into a full-blown run.

***

Daemonikai prowled one corner of the hallway while Vladya paced the other. From behind the heavy doors came the raw, wrenching sounds of labor—the cries, the screams, the urging voices of the healers. Each one sliced through Daemonikai’s composure like knives.

He caught Vladya’s eye across the room. No words needed. They were both hanging on a thread.

The entire fortress of Ravenshadow held its breath. Whispers ran like wind through the stone halls—Both princesses in labor,on the eclipse moon night.

What were the odds? The night that had stolen everything from Daemonikai—his family, his sanity, his soul—would now be the night that gave it all back?

Another scream ripped through the air.“Vladya!”

His friend snarled, already lunging toward the door, fist raised to shatter it for the fifth time.

Daemonikai caught him yet again. “You can’t.”

Vladya’s voice was hoarse, his beast so close to the surface his eyes flickered gold. “They’re in pain, Daemon. Serious pain. I can feel her through the bond, even with her shields.”

“They are,” Daemonikai said softly. “But this… this is their battle, Vladya. The only thing we can do is be here when they come out of it—”

Emeriel screamed and something in himbroke.

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