Page 46 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Frowning, Emeriel nudged her. "Are you alright?"

Aekeira stopped walking, placing a hand on her forehead. “I’m fine.”

"Are you sure? If you’re not feeling well, we can go another time." Emeriel insisted, her worry growing.

Aekeira hesitated before sighing. "It’s just... I think I have a fever. I haven’t been feeling well since this morning.”

Emeriel was in her space in an instant, pressing the back of her hand to Aekeira’s forehead. “Why didn’t you say something?!”

"It’s not a big deal," Aekeira protested weakly. “I can ask Madam Livia for some herbs when we get back.”

“No way,” Emeriel took her hand. “We’re going back now.”

Striding quick and purposeful, she guided Aekeira back toward Ravenshadow. By the time they reached the gates, Aekeira’s breathing had grown uneven, sweat glistening on her forehead, matting her hair to her skin.

Emeriel helped her into her chambers, laying her gently on the bed and tucking the sheets around her.

“I’ll get Madam Livia,” she said hurriedly.

Aekeira didn’t respond, her eyes fluttering shut as she swallowed hard.

Emeriel fought to keep the fear away, but it was so hard. Gathering the heavy fabric of her gown, she ran from the room, searching the halls for the head maid, scratching her itching arms all the way. Stopping the maids and slaves, asking if they had seen Madam Livia.

Finally, one of them pointed her toward the royal kitchen.

Emeriel rushed in, her breath coming in short gasps, finding the older woman bent over a table, rummaging through bundles of dried herbs.

“Madam Livia! Madam Livia!” she called, breathless.

At the urgency in her voice, the head maid straightened at once, alert. “Is something the matter, Princess?”

“You have to come. My sister… I don’t know what’s wrong,” Emeriel's words tumbled out in a rush.

“Let’s go.” She hurried after Emeriel.

***

Emeriel pushed the door to Aekeira’s chambers open, stopping short, heart lurching in her chest.The bed was empty.

“Kiera!?” Panic sharpened her voice as her eyes darted wildly around the room. “Kei—”

A pained moan echoed from across the room.

Rushing toward the sound, Emeriel found Aekeira crumpled on the ground, curled tightly into herself, her body wracked with tremors. “I’m here now, I’m right here.”

Scratching her arm to alleviate the prickling itch, Emeriel knelt beside Aekeira, grasping her sister’s clammy hand in hers. “I brought Madam Livia—Keira, you’re burning up! What’s happening?”

Aekeira’s eyes fluttered open and—

Emeriel. Stopped. Breathing.

A furious, bloodshotredstained the center of Aekeira’s iris.

Full heat.

“I don’t… feel… good at all,” Aekeira rasped, sweat pouring off her in streams, soaking through her clothes. “I feel like… I’m burning up… from the inside.”

“We have to get Grand Lord Vladyaright now!” Emeriel shouted, turning to Madam Livia, unable to hide the terror in her own eyes. “Aekeira is going into full heat!”

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