Page 84 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

"They cannot unweave the dark magic on Daemonikai’s mind without you," Zaiper said. "Remain in the shadows. Hide better. Never let yourself be found."

At that, the dark mage’s head swiveled slightly, the faintest glimmer of amusement in his voice. "I am never found unless I wish to be. You should know that by now."

Zaiper did. That much, at least, gave him a bit of relief.

The comfort did not last.

Restlessness crept back in as he left, seeping into his bones, wrapping around his ribs like unseen chains.

Why does it feel like doom is coming?

***

Even something as simple as breathing sounded thunderous in the silence.

Vladya stared at Daemonikai as if he had lost his mind. Aekeira mirrored the exact same expression, while Emeriel gasped.

Saying it aloud had made it real—even to Daemonikai.

"I cannot believe this." Daemonikai shook his head in wonder, looking directly at Vladya. "You are going to have a child."

His friend was as stiff as a board.

"If this is some kind of jest, it's not a particularly amusing one, Your Grace." Voice tight with anger, Vladya glared. "I know you have been struggling, Daemon. I have seen it, and I do not fault you for it. But not every dark thought that enters your mind should be spoken aloud."

Daemonikai rolled his eyes. "Are you finished?"

Vladya's jaw clenched tighter. "Yes. We are done here. Aekeira, let us go."

Now, Daemonikai was furious. In a flash, he seized Vladya by the collar and shoved him back, making him staggered a step.

Daemonikai was on him again, gripping his tunic and slamming him against the nearest wall. He pressed into Vladya’s space until there was no room left between them.

"Look me in the eyes," Daemonikai growled. "Take a hard look at me and tell me if, even at the depths of madness, and the voices banging around in my skull, making my damn nose bleed,do you honestly believe I would ever jest about something like this?"

Vladya’s fury only burned hotter, eyes flashing yellow.

That arrogant, powerful brute—his beast—who would rather fight than believe, was trying to force a shift.

"Daemon, wait…" Emeriel’s voice came soft and uncertain. Confused.

"Get a hold of your control,tell your fucking beast to stand down." Daemonikai snarled, not looking away. "Look beyond your rage, think—and tell me, do you truly believe me so heartless that I would lie about this? Your woman is pregnant. There is the faintest scent of osmanthus and lily on her. You will smell it in a few days, but for now, as early as it is, only I can."

Vladya’s breath left him in a shudder. His anger remained—flaring, crackling in the storm-gray and yellow of his eyes—but beneath it, Daemonikai saw hope.

Painful, desperate hope.

"B-but we only had one full heat." Vladya’s disbelief was barely audible. "No one conceives without a mating bond. And certainly no one conceives after only one heat." A stark pain, which his friend now allowed him to see, was evident in Vladya’s eyes. “Why would you say something like this—"

"I was…"

The soft interruption made them both stop.

They turned as one, their gazes landing on Emeriel, who stood pale, looking at Vladya hesitantly. "You asked who becomes with child outside of a mating bond, after only one full heat… I have."

Daemonikai nodded once, firm. "Yes. My female has. Who is to say it is impossible for her sister?"

Silence.

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