Page 195 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Low at first. Then rising. Hungry. Alert.

Zaiper’s eyes slowly,dreadfully, moved from the door to them.

Two pairs of inhuman eyes stared back at him—glowing, wide, andawake. They looked at him the way a starving wolf looks at a wounded rabbit.

His own beast whining within him, sensing unfathomable danger. The worst kind of danger.

Both ferals rose.

Zaiper shook his head, hard. “No... no, no,wait!”

They pounced on him.

Chapter forty-five

IN LIGHT AND RETRIBUTION

Daemonikaidelayedjustoutsidethe dungeon corridor until he heard Zaiper’s first blood-curdling scream. Only then did he walk away from the dungeon hallway. He soon stopped hearing them. Almost a regret.

He had instructed the guards to move Zaiper to the deepest, most fortified cell to keep his torture from disrupting the tranquility of the Citadel. But now, for the first time, he wondered about the wisdom of it.

Reaching his bedchamber, the scene greeting him caused him to pause.

There on the couch, Emeriel sat in sleep's soft embrace, holding their son, Daesovxscar, against her chest. His small mouth had slipped from her breast, milk dotting the taut, dark nipple still exposed to the cool air. Her arms held him close, even in sleep.

Daemonikai’s mouth went dry.

He was not a male to steal his youngling’s food—he had never done so before—but in the past few days, the thought had settled into his mind like an unsealed scroll. It was all he thought about.

“Your Highness,” came a soft whisper behind him.

He turned to find Livia in the doorway.

“I came to check if Princess Emeriel was done feeding the young prince, so I could bring in the little princess.”

“Is Heraxiolia fussy?” he asked.

“No, Your Grace. She sleeps.”

He glanced once more at hisSoulbondand son. “Hold off from bringing her for now. My female sleeps, she needs to rest.”

Livia inclined her head. “Of course. They keep her awake all night.” She turned to leave.

“Livia.”

She looked at him expectantly.

“I’ve never said this before, but thank you for everything,” Daemonikai told her in a quiet tone. “Caring for my beloved long before she ever became mine. Protecting her, and her sister. For still watching over her to this day. I see and appreciate it truly. If you ever need anything, come to me. I will make it happen.”

Livia’s eyes glistened, and she bowed her head, swallowing emotion. “Thank you, my king. I don’t know why, but from the first day I saw her—them—they grew on me.” She looked back toward Emeriel and the baby. “I’m grateful I never fought those feelings. I’m happy things turned out the way they did.”

Daemonikai nodded slowly. “When the humans are set free, I sincerely hope you choose to stay. You will always have a life here.”

Livia smiled, touched. “I’ll give it thought, Your Grace.”

“Who knows... you may have dormant Syren traits waiting to be awakened by a compatible male.”

Livia laughed aloud. “Hopefully not. I’ve seen what the princesses go through during their heats. Even if it’s for a worthycause... it’sa lot. I wouldn’t wish that on myself,” she added. “Plus, I am too old for such chaos.”

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