Page 80 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Emeriel was swaying to the rhythm of music playing in her mind, while Aekeira reclined in a chair, her fingers working a crochet hook through loops of thread.

"Arms move like this," Emeriel said, lifting her hands in the air and twisting them with a playful flourish. "And the hips—like this." She swayed, her skirt flaring as she spun in a graceful arc.

Ah. She was practicing, or perhaps teaching Aekeira the steps for the upcoming Lantern Festival. Her sister, though silent, watched attentively, never pausing in her work.

"Now, a quick turn left, then a dip. Like this." Emeriel spun, her body flowing gracefully.

Something in Daemonikaieased. Smiling as he watched, the exhaustion of his day, the weight of responsibility, all faded to nothing.

How his life has changed, all because of this woman.

Ironic, truly. Daemonikai hated humans. A part of him still did—likely alwayswould. And yet, the brightest color in his world right now was this fearless human woman.Hishuman woman, who painted his life in hues he had never known.

The feral incident should have torn them apart. Shattered whatever fragile thread managed to tether them together. By all logic, she should have fled from him, far from this place. Yet here she was.

Still in his territory. Still leaving traces of her intoxicating scent in every corner of his halls. Twirling in his living room. Smiling, glowing,so fucking radiant, as though she had not endured more horrors and pain in her young life than most would in a thousand years.

A girl who had set his long-dead heartracing. Who now filled the soul he had once thought empty withlife.

“Listening is not enough, Keira. You must—” Emeriel’s words faltered as her gaze landed on him. “Your Grace!” she gasped, her face coloring with surprise at being caught. “I had no idea you were finished with your work.”

Daemonikai straightened, stepping further into the room. Aekeira, flustered as well, rose swiftly and curtsied.

“I have only just finished.” He moved to take a seat opposite Aekeira. “Now, I await Vladya’s return so we may join the others for the run.”

“Vlad—I mean, Grand Lord Vladya is returning early?” Interest flickered in Aekeira’s voice.

“He is,” Daemonikai confirmed. Then, without shifting his gaze from Aekeira, he spoke to Emeriel. “Come here.”

A flush deepened the color in Emeriel’s cheeks, but she approached him almost timidly.

“Sit.”

She made to settle beside him, but he caught her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. She squealed, startled as she landed against his thighs.

Then, averted her eyes, staring down at her lap. "Oh…"

Daemonikai bit back a smile. He did not know whether it was her sister’s presence that made her so shy, but he relished every moment of riling her up.

Her scent washed into his nostrils. Unable to resist, he leaned in, pressing his nose to her neck, breathing more of it in. Holding the slow, deep, loud inhale, lettinghersettle deep inside him before he released the breath with in a satisfied purr. “You smell heavenly.”

“Dae—Daemon…” she whispered, voice hushed, mortified. Her eyes flickered toward Aekeira, who had suddenly taken a great interest in the paintings along the wall.

His prim and proper little princess. Always mindful, always restrained. It was precisely why he enjoyed making her squirm.

But when she looked at him with pleading eyes, he relented, letting her be.

A voice rang from the hall, announcing Vladya’s arrival. A moment later, the doors swung open, and he entered.

Aekeira’s entire face lit up as she rose hurriedly to her feet.

Seeing her, Vladya’s hard, stoic features visibly softened and he opened his arms.

The girl wasted no time practically flying to him and barreling into his arms.

“Hello, little bird,” he drawled.

She beamed up at him, glowing in a way that was impossible to miss. Daemonikai did not fail to notice the resemblance—the way Emeriel had mirrored that very expression when he had first walked in.

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