Page 85 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Aekeira’s lips parted, but no sound came. Her eyes dropped to her belly, trembling fingers hovering just above the flat surface, as if touching it would make ittooreal.

"I am... pregnant?"

"You are. Congratulations, little one," Daemonikai said. "Now we just need to get your male to believe it, so we can congratulate him as well."

Vladya stood frozen, breathing shallow. "But it's not possible." Looking between Daemonikai, Aekeira, and the floor, he appeared utterly gutted. "I mean… it isme. Things like this do not happen tome."

"They just did. YourSoulbondcarries your fruit." Daemonikai gripped Vladya’s face in both hands, forcing those wandering eyes to meet his eyes. "You, Vladya Theriozydovkar Skyvakto, are going to be a father. Now let that sink in."

Daemonikai saw the exact moment it did. The exact moment when it finally settled on Vladya that none of this was a jest. That Aekeira truly was pregnant. That he was going to be afather.

Releasing him, Daemonikai stepped back, giving him space.

Vladya didn’t move, but those wild eyes locked onto Aekeira. The girl stood still, clearly overwhelmed, alternating between looking at him and at her belly.

Finally, the third ruler pushed off the wall and staggered forward.

"I-I do not understand," Aekeira stammered. "I cannot be… I cannot be—"

"It would explain the sickness." Emeriel breathed, eyes gleaming with tears. "Your new aversion to flower scents… It would explain everything."

"But… but…" Aekeira’s mouth opened, closed, opened again. Her hands twitched at her sides as if unsure what to do, where to hold, what to feel.

“Aekeira, you are carrying… you are carrying my child?” Vladya looked stunned. Lost.Awed.

“I do not know, I—”

Vladya’s knees struck the floor with a thud. Grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her closer jerkily and buried his face against her stomach.Sniff. Sniff. Sniff.

He looked up at Aekeira. “I cannot smell anything… I…”Sniffsniffsniiiiiiff.

“In a few days, you will, V.D.,” Daemonikai said.

Perhaps it was the girl, or the rituals, orboth, but for the first time in so freaking long, Daemonikai saw Vladya...like this.

The whirlwind of emotions on his face was enough to give Daemonikai a whiplash. And it made him ache for his friend. Vladya had wanted this for solong.

"My little bird," Vladya whispered. He lowered his head and brushed a soft kiss against her stomach. "My sexy little witch… Perhaps youarea witch after all."

Aekeira shook above him. A single tear slipped free, falling onto his dark hair. "My lord…"

"Blessed is the day I first set my eyes on you in Navia." Another kiss, this time lingering, reverent. "Blessed is that day in the Abyss land when I first felt the slightest attraction for you." A tear fell from Vladya’s eyes. "You are everything good.Everything fucking beautiful."

Daemonikai felt his chest tighten. He pulled Emeriel into his arms, and she wiped the tears that fell from her eyes.

"Blessed is the day you looked upon this cruel, mad ruler and chose to devote your love to him," Vladya whispered to Aekeira. "And blessed is the belly that bore you and your sister."

"Truly blessed," Daemonikai pressed a kiss on Emeriel’s nose.

Vladya reached up, cupping Aekeira’s face in his hands.

"I love you," she breathed, caressing his cheek, "I love you with all my heart. And I will love you until the day I die."

"Those are big promises," he murmured, slowly rising to his full height, towering over her. Tipping her chin up with his fingers to meet his gaze. "But they are best made, because now, you are fully mine."

"Yours."

"Look at me, Aekeira, and remember how serious these eyes are when I say this.Do not ever leave me. I will chase you to the ends of the world to bring you back. I will lock you in my bedchamber if that's what it takes to keep you by my side forever."

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