Page 55 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Daemon?

Her heart leapt, but as she listened more closely, she realized it was Lord Ottai and Madam Livia speaking in hushed tones nearby.

Bracing herself for the pain, she slowly pushed upright. But thankfully the agony had receded to a dull, throbbing ache.

"The princess is awake, Madame!" Amie’s voice rang out as Emeriel blinked hard, clearing her vision.

Madam Livia was suddenly before her, cupping her face to check her temperature. “How do you feel?”

“Aekeira...” Croaking through her parched throat, Emeriel struggled to her feet, swaying as the room spun.

Madam Livia was there to steady her.

“How is Aekeira...?" Emeriel asked. "I need to know she’s alright.”

The head maid looked at her with regret. "She is not doing well. Just got out of yet another heatstroke."

A sharp stab of pain shot through Emeriel’s lower belly as she tried to straighten to her full height. Giving up, she stooped over, gritting her teeth, as she moved with determination to reach her sister.

Aekeira lay trembling on the floor, wracked with silent sobs. Slick with sweat, her taut nipples red and raw from her own desperate attempts to find relief.

Hell, even this position hurts.

Sinking to her knees, Emeriel crawled the rest of the way. "Keira..."

"Her body is rejecting all contact, Emeriel, be careful." Madam Livia said.

Paying her no heed, Emeriel brushed her fingers over her sister’s arm. “Keira, honey… I’m here. I’m right here.”

With a strangled moan, Aekeira turned her head, leaning into Emeriel like a touch-starved kitten.

"Em?" Her voice was the faintest whisper.

Tears spilled freely down Emeriel’s cheeks as she pulled Aekeira into the crook of her arm. "Yes, it is me."

Spreading her legs, Emeriel made space for Aekeira’s trembling body to rest comfortably as she cradled her.

Clutching tightly to Emeriel’s arm, her sister cried. "I don't know h-how you survived this, Em." Wincing in between heavy breaths. "I hurt everywhere. There is this fire... in my privates... that will not go out. And the more I touch it... the worse it burns."

Emeriel swallowed against the lump in her throat. "That’s the way it is, my dearest sister. But you will get through this, I promise."

Out of the corner of her eye, Emeriel saw Lord Ottai, Madam Livia, and Amie watching them with worry.

She should probably be concerned about modesty, being naked in a room with a male, yet Emeriel could not care less. Bending, she pressed a gentle kiss to Aekeira’s damp forehead. "You will get through this."

Aekeira shook her head. "I don't know how much longer... I can bear this. I don't think I can..."

"Think about the positives, Keira," Emeriel soothed, her own tears falling onto her sister’s hair. "Now, you can bond with the love of your life. You always told me nothing good comes easily, right? See this agony as the new, shining light it is. We will get through this together."

Aekeira’s body went stiff, panic creeping into her voice. "Em... oh my gods, Em..."

Another wave was coming.

More tears fell from Emeriel’s eyes. "They will be here soon," she whispered firmly, not just to convince her sister but herself too. "We have to stay strong."

A wretched cry of sheer anguish tore from Aekeira as another contraction ripped her a new one.

"Oh, gods—Em!" she screamed so loud, tangling her fingers into her own hair, pulling fiercely.

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