Page 3 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“Daemon?”

The grand king scowled. “What is wrong with everybody? Of course, it’s me. Who else would it—”

Vladya ran to him in a blur, slamming into him with such force that Daemonikai stumbled back a step. Vladya’s arms locked around him like iron.

“What the hell—”

“You’re back,” Vladya's voice had the faintest tremor, overflowing with relief.“You are back.”

Daemonikai huffed, trying to free himself. “First, let up on the hug before you crack a rib or several.”

Vladya didn’t budge. Holding on as though letting go would undo whatever miracle had just occurred.

“Seriously, V.D, I get it. I’m glad you’re starting to show emotions again, but you’re overdoing it,” Daemonikai grumbled, though there was a flicker of warmth in his tone.

At last, the male released him and stepped back, his features still uncharacteristically softened. Studying Daemonikai in a way that made him uncomfortable.

“What?” Daemonikai snapped.

“You don’t remember.” Vladya’s tone was resigned. It wasn’t a question.

“No, I don’t. And—” Something caught his eye.

His hand shot out, grabbing Vladya’s arm. “Vladya… Your hand. It changed back.”

The grand lord raised the hand in question, flexing it. Where once the flesh had been furry, paw-like, and bigger, now it was whole again.

“Yes. I woke up three mornings ago to this." Vladya flexed it again. "I wish to believe it means the madness is slowly losing its grip on me. And I also feel... more."

“No surprise there, you have been spending more time with a kind female such as Emeriel's sister, that hole in your heart is bound to start closing—wait—Three mornings ago?"

His old friend looked away.

"What is going on here?" his tone reflected his rising anger. "I woke up in the forbidden chambers, wearing the clothes I had onyesterdayat the training grounds. But Wegai”—he jabbed a finger behind him toward the head guard—“is saying three days have passed. And nowyou’retalking about three mornings ago? Someone better start talking before I start throwing hands, damn it!"

Vladya tilted his head toward the door of his chambers. “Come. You need to sit for this.”

Daemonikai opened his mouth to argue, then clamped it shut.

About damn time.

***

Grand Lord Vladya's arms were folded tightly over his chest as he observed his friend from across the room.

Twenty minutes had passed since Daemonikai entered Vladya’s bedchamber and Vladya had told him everything, and in all that time, the grand king had not lifted his head. Remaining seated on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly between his knees.

The thick silence in the room was broken only by the faint crackling of the fire.

“No. I would never do that.” Daemonikai whispered at last, his tone low and hoarse. “You just told me a horror story, Vladya. A nightmare. And youknowI would never do something like that to mySoulbond. So now I’m still sitting here… waiting.” His fist curled even tighter, knuckles going white. “Waiting patiently for you to get to the part where you tell me this was just some cruel, sick joke that went too far.”

“I wish it were a joke,” Vladya said sincerely. “But it’s not.”

Daemonikai shook his head. Slow at first, then more forceful.

“This cannot be happening. This cannot—” he sprang to his feet, pacing the room like a caged beast. “I need to see her, I need to see her. I must see—”

“Come,” Vladya said softly. “I will take you.”

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