Page 76 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

"You look absolutely stunning!"

“Andyoudo not look so bad yourself.” She grinned.

And he truly did not. It was as if the past two years had never touched him.

"Oh, you flatter me, Little One. I—"

"Hold on a moment."His look-alike stepped between them, scrutinizing her in a manner that made Emeriel wonder if she had sprouted horns.

Then, he turned to Lord Herod, expression flat. "You really are going to get yourself killed, Father."

Emeriel blinked. "Wait. Father?"

Lord Herod’s laughter rumbled once more, warm and amused. "Meet my son, Dale."

Turning to the younger male, Lord Herod gestured toward her. "Dale, meet Princess Emeriel—my dear friend."

His son’s eyes lingered on her for a moment before he straightened and bent into a formal, full-bellied bow. "Your Majesty."

Emeriel shifted, awkward. "You need not bow that much."

Lord Herod smacked the back of Dale’s head. "Quit it. You are making my friend uncomfortable."

"No, it is alright," Emeriel assured them with a small smile. “It is just...wow.” Her head shook in disbelief. “I remember you telling me you had a son, but I never expected...”

Her gaze flickered between them before she huffed. “Though I wonder what I was thinking. In a species where peoplenever truly age, sons are bound to look more like their father’s brother.”

Lord Herod roared with laughter.

Dale, however, looked less than impressed.

"I refuse to believe I look identical to the old male," he muttered. "I'm not even a day over three hundred, while he—with all his loneliness, self-isolation, and brooding—looksseven thousand, to say the least."

Now it was Emeriel's turn to burst into laughter.

Lord Herod shook his head in exasperation. "Firstly, you are three hundred and seventy-seven years old. And secondly, I donotlook seven thousand."

Emeriel felt like she had to help. “He really does not.”

“You hear that?” Lord Herod said smugly, shooting his son a pointed look.

Dale scoffed and retorted. Only for Herod to fire back, sparking a heated exchange between father and son.

Emeriel watched them, emotions stirring in her chest. They bickered like this so easily. So naturally.

She was glad to know Dale had returned home, that he was keeping Herod company. But… self-isolation?

Her smile weakened. It had to be because of his lost position.

Her eyes drifted over the familiar surroundings, the manor that had barely changed. Blinking rapidly, she tried to fight off the sting of tears burning behind her eyes.

Two years ago, she had roamed every inch of this home, clothed in male slave garb, hiding within its walls, spending time with the one friend she had found in a sea of enemies.

This male had made slavery bearable. Had given her an escape. Had fed her, protected her, and cared for her during her brutal, full heat. Lord Herod had saved her life in so many ways.

It feels nice to stand here again.

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