Page 44 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

His touch. His warmth. Hiscloseness.

Emeriel swallowed thickly, clutching her gown. She missed the way he would look at her as though shewere the only light in his world.

So many wishes. So many cravings. So many dreams.

Wiping the lone tear trailing down her cheek, Emeriel breathed deeply stepping closer. Leaning in, she gently touched his arm. “My King…”

His eyes snapped open. Yellow.Fierce.

They startled her, and she immediately snatched her hand away, as if burned.

But his gaze focused. Recognition flickered. The yellow hue dimmed, retreating, until only warmth remained.

“Riel,” he rumbled, voice rough with sleep.

Butterflies attacked her belly. “Yes, I apologize for waking you from slumber, but I know what today is, and I know you have to leave early, so… I prepared your bath.”

Daemonikai rose, shifting to sit at the edge, reaching for her. Arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer until she stood between his legs. He buried his face in her chest, taking a deep, shuddering breath.

“You smell like heaven wrapped as a gift to mankind,” his muffled deep voice vibrated against her skin.

He missed me too.Emeriel bit back a moan. It’s good to know she wasn't the only one feeling this way.

Her hands hovered uncertainly for a moment before settling in his hair, fingers threading through the dark strands. His breath against her skin made her shiver.

Raising his head, eyes slitted drowsily, he said in a soft command. “Kiss me.”

Emeriel’s head lowered instantly, lips pressing softly to his, a shudder running through her at contact.

The familiar heat of his mouth was sweet heavens. This was the closest to intimacy they had been sincethat night.

Pulling back just enough for only a breath to separate them, his hooded gaze lifted to her face. “Kiss me harder.”

And so she did.

His lips remained still, letting her to take the lead. Tasting him tentatively at first, she explored the contours of his mouth, but soon, the pent-up longing inside her took over, and she kissed him with a desperate fire that left her whining and trembling. Hands gripping his shoulders, anchoring herself as the world tilted around her.

When they finally broke apart, she was dazed and breathing heavily. Her mind, blank. It took her a moment to remember why she was there in the first place.

Right. His bath.

“Come,” she whispered in an unsteady tone. “Your bath is ready.”

Daemonikai stared at her, as if debating whether or not to pull her back into his arms.

Then, at last, he exhaled and allowed her to take his hand. She led him out of his bedchamber and down the hallway to hers, savoring the feel of him at her side. The way his body leaned slightly into hers.

He would return tomorrow, and already, she missed him.

She wanted him so much it was unhealthy. Longed for him to, one day, be herscompletely, no barricades between them.

Emeriel was obsessed with him, and she was not ashamed to admit it to herself. She would die for him.

Today, she would help him prepare for the Celestial Offering. Today, she would remind him he was not alone.

And tomorrow, when he returned, she would be waiting. Always waiting.

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