Page 62 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Her first glance landed on her master. Dressed in loose pants, his powerful frame relaxed but alert, standing by the mattress where Princess Aekeira lay asleep beneath the sheets.

Relief flooded Merilyn when she saw he was whole. Sated. In control. Aekeira was getting care.Good.

But when King Daemonikai led her into the adjoining bedchamber, all relief vanished. Princess Emeriel was awreck.

She lay curled into herself, shaking violently, as if gripped by the coldest winter. Teeth chattering, twitching with spasms, arms marked with angry red scratches, skin slick with sweat and tears. Soft, incoherent cries spilling from her lips.

She had retreated into her own mind, completely unaware of her surroundings.

Merilyn’s stomach twisted.

"What is happening to her?" The grand king's guttural growl came as he paced the room like a caged animal. "I tried to mount her, and it would not..." He ran a restless hand through his damp hair. "And I could not… I hate seeing her like this! Every part of me wants to end her suffering, yet I can’t!"

Merilyn flinched. His rage, frustration, and helplessness filled the room like a brewing storm.

"Why will she not let me in?" He sounded pained, anxious. "Why can I do nothing for her?"

Merilyn moved closer, forcing herself to focus. Sitting beside Emeriel, she examined her closely.

“Where is... my Beloved?” Her voice was so weak with clear pain. “Make it stop...”

Merilyn’s beast whined in sympathy for the princess. She had a sense of what might be happening.... and it wasn’t good.

Chapter fourteen

THE STRANGER. THE INTRUDER. THE BELOVED.

“It’sbad."LadyMerilynturned to the grand king. “Very bad.”

King Daemonikai came to a halt. “What is the matter? What can I do for her?”

Lady Merilyn looked down at the trembling princess. "Princess, can you hear me?"

The faintest whimper was the only response she got.

"She is suffering." She looked up to the grand king. " We must put her to sleep first."

"I have a sleeping potion in the drawer," Lord Vladya’s voice came from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, brows pinched with worry. "It does not work on me, but Faiwick swears by its strength."

Merilyn was already reaching for it, pulling open the drawer and retrieving the small glass vial. Uncorking it, she shifted to the head of the bed, lifting the princess’s head onto her lap.

Tilting the vial carefully, she poured a small measure of the potion between the princess’s parted lips, watching as it trickled down.

"She is in heat,” Merilyn murmured, watching for a reaction. "The sleep will not last long."

Across the chamber, King Daemonikai resumed pacing, agitation rolling off him in waves. Merilyn had never seen him look so helpless.

The potion worked quickly. Within moments, Emeriel’s lashes fluttered, and her head lolled to the side, her breath softening as she slipped into sleep.

A pained cry echoed from the adjacent chamber.

Lord Vladya stiffened, snapping to attention before he disappeared through the doorway, leaving Merilyn, the grand king, and the sleeping princess behind.

King Daemonikai halted. His gaze was fierce when it settled upon her. "Tell me what is wrong, Merry."

"I will, Your Grace," Merilyn hesitated. "But first, if you do not mind, I would ask that you sit down for this."

Frustration flashed across his face, and for a second, Merilyn was certain he was about to snap. “For Emeriel. Try to stay calm… for her.”

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