Page 193 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Shame sliced through Zaiper. Rage rose in him, but he had no words to wield it.

“Why didn’t I look your way?” Daemonikai’s voice dropped lower. “Because younever ranked high enough on my radar to matter. Dragaxlov has always resented the Naelzharoth, but the feeling was never mutual. We simply didn’t care enough to return it. I gave you too much credit,” he said softly. “I assumed—even with our history—that you had at least a shred of honor. I didn’t know your cowardice ran deeper than the blood in your veins. That was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for that. But tell me, Zaiper,” his voice was a smooth drawl. “How does it feel to have lived for five thousand years seething with hatred... for a man who never gave you a second thought?”

Zaiper couldn’t hold back a snarl.That asshole…!

“How does it feel to have nurtured all those wicked dreams, only to failevery single oneof them?”

Zaiper’s chest heaved in rapid, shallow bursts. Every breath hurt like fire scraping down his lungs, but he couldn’t stop.

Daemonikai slanted his head. “How does it feel to be nothing but a dangling sack of shame—strung upside down in a cage—watchingme, alive, whole, and undefeated?” He smiled. “I have a new family now. A son and daughter with my blood. A kingdom at peace. And a mate—the same one you thought you broke—waiting to receive me with open arms as soon as I walk through the door.”

Zaiper despised the mental images the words created. He tried to shut them out but couldn’t. The pain in his body, numbed by his momentary high, was fast returning.

“How does it feel, knowing you’ll die in this world without ever once sitting on the First Throne? That you’ll leave this life without so much assmellingthe power of sole rule?”

Don’t let him get to you, do NOT let him get to you. Don’t react. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

“How does it feel knowing that every move you made, every scheme you set into motion, was fornothingbecause the gods have given backeverythingyou took from us? I have aSoulbondand two strong, amazing younglings. Vladya has aSoulbond, too, and an heir. Ottai’s female? She is with child, did you know?”

“Shut the fuck up!” Zaiper roared, thrashing violently, the chains rattling like wild thunder, biting into his flesh.

Daemonikai only raised a brow. “Oh. I forgot to mention—you were probably wondering what the celebration was about last night. Well, Vladya got his soul back. The final ritual succeeded yesterday.”

Zaiper screamed again in rage, fury, pure animal madness. He fought the chains like a dying beast, writhing as if his hatred alone could break steel.I’ll kill him! I’ll tear his throat out with my teeth!

Daemonikai reclined back in a relaxed pose, watching with disinterest as if Zaiper was merely throwing a tantrum.

“Yes,” the male continued coolly. “Vladya feels whole now. The male you always mocked for being cursed, then took away his bondmate. But she returned to him, not merely as a lover who may be compatible with him, but as his fated mate.” Daemonikai’s lips twitched. “Then there’syou. Hanging here like a carcass in my dungeon. With a dead lover, no heir, no legacy. No throne.”

Zaiper’s scream tore from deep within his soul. “DON’T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HIM!”

“Who? Oh you mean the dead lover?” Daemonikai smirked, adding with a drawl. “I never did tell you, did I? Justhow good it felt to kill him.”

Zapier struggled even harder. One leg jerked so hard, causing the chain to snap taut, nearly dislocating him, but Zaiper didn’t care, writhing and snarling like a feral.

“His spine snapping in two as it struck my knees… that sound... it stayed with me for months. It had a better tone than even the harp.”

“Fuck you, Daemonikai! I’ll fucking kill you!” Zaiper was out of control, spitting rage with so much venom. Hehatedhowcasually Daemonikai spoke of Razarr’s death. And worst of all,he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

Tears stung his eyes.Helplessnessdevoured his burning limbs. “I should have killed you when I had the chance, back when you were struggling with soul death! I should’ve ended you and damned the consequences!”

Daemonikai threw his head back and laughed.

That amused sound made Zaiper tastebile.

Finally, the male took a deep, calming breath before lifting a brow. “Have you forgotten? You tried, but my female killed your assassin. As for not doing it yourself... well. That’s just one more regret to carry to your grave, isn’t it? It’s going to be a full one, Zaiper.”

Zaiper shook, physically vibrating with rage and shame. The unwanted tears came again, burning his good eye.

“Tell me, how does it feel knowing Kristoff’s son will sit on your throne? Knowing he was under your nose the entire time, and you never knew? How does it feel to know our people are happy again? That the humans you manipulated—used like a pawn to take the fall for your plans—fought for us on eclipse night? They protected our younglings, standing for our lands when we could not.” He leaned in. “How does it feel knowing, once again,Naelzharoth wins?”

“Stop talking!!” Zaiper roared. The chains clanked, rattling fiercely as he pulled against them with all the force he had left. “Stop talking right now!”

“Easy, Zaiper,” Daemonikai said. “Don’t let your heart give out on me just yet. This is only the beginning. Your life is my price, and I’d hate to lose it before I’ve had my fun.”

Zaiper panted like a rabid dog on its last leg.

“So before we get started,” Daemonikai continued with indifference. “Wegai, cut him down.”

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