Page 188 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Over and over.

Two males—warriors, rulers, predators—turned helpless spectators as the fiercest fight they’d ever witnessed was waged right before them. A battle of life and death. Of blood and breath.

Then… a cry. A piercing, primal cry.

Daemonikai’s head snapped up as the midwife smiled, raising a small blood-slicked bundle. “You have a beautiful boy, Your Grace.”

My child.

Joy exploded in Daemonikai’s chest. He was smiling so wide it hurt, adrenaline still coursing, euphoria drowning every coherent thought.

“Here.” The midwife rose, her own eyes shimmering with tears, and gently placed the child in his arms. She was smiling as if she’d just witnessed a miracle—because she had.

Daemonikai’s hands trembled as he gathered his son close. Emeriel looked too exhausted to speak, but her eyes never left the small life they’d just created. Their boy.

“You did it. You did it, my brightest star. He’s here.”

Then another cry pierced the chamber.

Aekeira’s midwife beamed, holding up a tiny, wailing newborn. “Your Majesty, you have a son!”

Vladya’s jaw went slack for a heartbeat before splitting into a wild grin. His hands shook as he reached for the child. He and Aekeira stared down at the baby as though they were seeing the stars for the first time.

He kissed her damp forehead. “Thank you… for this gift.”

Daemonikai met Vladya’s. Both of them smiling, both blinking hard, emotion passing between them in a look that needed no words.

Emeriel looked at her sister. “We did it Keira.”

“We did,” Aekeira breathed. “We really did.”

But a moment later, Emeriel shifted uneasily. “Daemon… something feels wrong—”

“There’s another!” her midwife gasped. “It’s coming—Princess, push!”

Daemonikai’s mouth dropped open.Another one?

Twins?

Stunned, euphoric, he could barely breathe as he held his son watching his mate bear down again. And then—

Another newborn cry echoed through the air.

“A girl! Your Grace, you have a beautiful baby girl.”

***

In the quiet aftermath, with their mates fast asleep, Daemonikai and Vladya sat beside each other in chairs that had been brought in, each of them cradling a child.

Daemonikai rocked his daughter in his arms while his newborn son slept soundly in the crib beside him. Outside the walls, the celebration had begun—bonfires lit across the city, laughter echoing as the people rejoiced. For the first time on an eclipse moon night, there was no fear. Only joy.

The werewolves remained stationed at the borders, keeping the lands safe. The vampires were scattered or dead. Urekai had endured.

Ottai had visited earlier, holding the babies with reverence before returning to his duties. Morina was unwell tonight, and he was alternating between caring for her and seeing to the night’s cleanup.

“Look at them, Daemonikai,” Vladya murmured, gazing down at his son with eyes that could barely contain the emotion. “Look at our offspring.”

“So small,” Daemonikai said quietly. “So incredible.”

---