EMERIELEmeriel lay on the creaky wooden table, feeling a chill seep into her back and stomach, her intimate areas tingling uncomfortably from the invasive checks. Orin regarded her with an inscrutable expression."You may re-enter, My Lord," the healer called out, her voice echoing slightly in the quaint, though well-kept, room. Lord Herod entered, the door groaning on its hinges. His presence filled the small but homely space."She has erratic heats," Orin said, confirming Emeriel's deepest fears. "We cannot pinpoint the exact day it will come, but it is imminent. We are speaking a matter of days.""Days?" Emeriel's voice rose an octave, horrified.The healer nodded gravely. "Not only are your heats erratic, but they also display unusual patterns, indicating irregularity. The four mini-heats confirmed this. Typically, heats stabilize after successfully bonding with a male. However, until you are bonded, your body will keep lashing out, desperately seeking a union with your male in
"Send for the cleaners," Zaiper instructed Razarr, who lingered by the door with the dead girl draped over his arm. "These sheets need changing."Humans were disappointingly fragile. None has been able to handle a little knife play. A mere simple cut from her neck down to her belly, and she was already dead. Making the sex a bit boring and the feeding quite messy.Rising from the bed, Zaiper submerged himself in the warmth of the waiting tub, allowing the water to envelop him. How had he returned from a feral state?Urekai had roamed the earth for millions of years, they were too old for new miracles, especially ones so annoyingly inconvenient.Of all the countless males who had succumbed to the madness over the ages, why did this one, the very one he had longed to be rid of, have to claw his way back from the brink?"Fate, you bitch. I thought we were friends," he grunted, over the gentle lapping of water.A knock at the door announced Razarr's entrance. “Do you require anything furt
AEKERIAThe figure remained motionless, as if frozen in time. Nothing happened."Forget him. He's not bothering us, is he?" the leader snarled, turning his attention back to Aekeira. "Now, my fair one, where were we?""Leave me alone!" Aekeira's breath hitched, shaking with rage and fear. She had been so sure it was the grand lord, yet the figure's inaction filled her with doubt.Had she been mistaken?But her body only turned traitor for one male. And right now, it was pulsing with familiar warmth. It must be him.Hands groped at her, lifting her garment higher, as a calloused hand clamped onto her jaw. "Hope you remain this feisty by the time we are done with you.”"Friends," a voice laced with unease broke in. "I am not at ease with this. That is definitely an Urekai. The robes are a dead giveaway."The others faltered, bravado waning as their eyes shifted toward the shadowed figure."So what? They do not care what we do in our free time, and tonight, we're off-duty. Let it go, yo
Aekeira bit down on her lip, stifling her cry. She struggled to breathe, the discomfort too much as Lord Vladya moved in her with relentless, savage thrusts, devoid of gentleness.He took her like an animal, each thrust more forceful than the last. There was finesse, no tenderness—just raw, unbridled possession. Guttural sounds of pleasure escaped him with every stroke. Aekeira tried to hold back her sounds of distress, but with each brutal thrust, it became increasingly difficult. She yelped with every forceful movement, tears streaming from her eyes as she clawed at the ground, squeezing tightly attempting to endure the punishing rhythm he set."Sexy, little witch," he growled, his voice dark and possessive. "Come on—" he slammed in "—come on, take it."Then, impossibly, he picked up the pace even more, driving into her with greater force. Pounding so fiercely, uncontrollable screams tore from her throat.Aekeira was unaware of her own screams...that the piercing wail that rent th
Cruel fates and their cruel jokes."Why am I not surprised?" he growled, his gaze fixed on the stars scattered in the sky. "Even as my life's journey nears its end, you still find new ways to torment me."He rose to his feet, the garment clutched in his hand, its smell a lingering reminder of her. A memory flashed through his mind.Her gentle hands, smoothing the fabric over him, her expression a mixture of tenderness and concern. "I do not want you to go feral," she had whispered to him. "I hope you feel better when you wake."Then, she limped away, favoring one leg. As if each step was agony.Guilt twisted in Vladya's gut, a sharp pang digging in his chest. He had hurt her, again. Yet, she showed nothing but kindness to him.His thoughts snagged on a troubling detail, and he stilled. How had she known about his declining sanity?But then, considering how she had always borne the brunt of his increasingly animalistic behaviors, it would not have taken much for her to connect the dots
A thrill of excitement shot through her. With light and shy caresses, she touched her own breasts, something she had never done with such intent before. Always, they had to be wrapped up and hidden away.Now, under the weight of his gaze following her every move, she ran her hands across her breasts. Fueled by her deep-seated desire to please him, she cupped them, presenting her bosoms to him as if they were sacred offerings to the gods. Her movements were innocent and hesitant, her face painted with a deep blush that cascaded down to her neck.Here," she whispered, her eyes downcast. "For you, Your Grace."The king snarled, attacking them.His mouth worked ardently—licking, laving, and sucking—each motion a rite of devotion.Emeriel sobbed as he alternated his attentions between her breasts, lavishing them with a force that left her crying out breathlessly.As pleasure pulsed through her veins like a powerful current, tension spiraled within her. Her own breaths were thunderously lo
LORD HEROD Emeriel scoffed, shaking her head vehemently. "Please do not even joke about something like that, my Lord. I feel fine. I've had mini-heats before, and I can definitely tell you that I'm not in heat right now. I’m not feeling anything like that." She leaned forward, her eyes scanning the scroll before him, desperately seeking a distraction. "I need to look at these records carefully."Hours passed as Lord Herod observed with growing concern as Emeriel flitted about the study like a moth caught in a lantern’s glow.She paced, she perched on the cushions, and she paced once more, her brow furrowed in concentration, as she clutched a stack of parchments in her shaky hands."You could try rotating crops, My Lord," she suggested, her voice clipped and focused. "Planting legumes in one season and grains in the next could potentially replenish the soil.""Mmm," Herod murmured noncommittally."Furthermore, investing in new irrigation systems might prove beneficial," her words tumb
LORD HERODTime grew short as Lord Herod scrambled to prepare.He dispatched his male soldiers and urgently requested female guards from Lord Jakal. He ordered enough supplies to last three days and held an emergency meeting with his steward, bailiffs, and head farmers. He informed them of his impending absence, delegated responsibilities, and provided detailed instructions to ensure the smooth operation of work and his estate while he was unavailable. It had taken longer than usual, and by the time he returned to the cottage in the early afternoon, a sliver of worry crept into his mind. Would Emeriel still be there?Females in full heat tended to run away. So crazed with need, driven by instincts to flee, in search of a male to sate them.Relief flooded him as he entered the cottage and found her still pacing the room, a whirlwind of restless energy. But the moment he crossed the threshold, her scent hit him like a storm.Bloody hell, it has gotten even stronger. Choking. Intoxica
“Lord Jakal is correct,” Lord Belzebob added, rising to his feet, his chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. “We understand she is your destined mate, Your Grace, but this will truly be difficult for our people to accept. Humans are our sworn enemies. Their treachery has cost us dearly. Should we not be focused on eradicating their kind rather than elevating one to a position of power over us?” He bowed deeply, his head nearly touching the table before him. “Please reconsider, Your Grace.”“Please reconsider, Your Grace!” came the shouted chorus from others in the room, their collective voices tinged with desperation and unease as they bowed.An oppressive silence followed.“I have served as the Grand King of Urai for five millennia,” Daemonikai began, his voice resonating authority and sorrow. “I have always placed my people first—above myself, above all else. There are none here who can claim otherwise. I love my people dearly.”Heads nodded around the room. Some murmured i
PRINCESS EMERIELGasps rippled through the court, stunned silence following. Jaws dropped. The high lords and the grand lords.Only Grand Lord Vladya seemed unaffected, one brow arching to his hairline as he leaned back in his chair.Grand King Daemonikai extended his hands toward her, his emerald eyes softening as they locked onto hers. “Come to me, dearest.”Emeriel moved automatically, her feet carrying her forward before her mind could catch up. She felt dazed, her body acting on instinct as if pulled by an invisible tether.Reaching him, she placed her trembling hands atop his, her gaze never leaving his.“Her name is Emeriel Galilea Evenstone,” Daemonikai announced, his voice unwavering. “Ukrea has blessed me with the gift of her, and today, I officially show her to you so she will be accorded the respect and honor she deserves—as my woman, and as my Soulbond.” A pin could have dropped and been heard. Not a single breath, not a whisper.Or maybe it was just the ringing in Emer
"Come, let's go home," he said, his voice regaining its usual strength. "Hydra Lake has seen enough of us for one day."Raising his voice slightly, he added, "And Ottai has heard enough for today."Lord Ottai was listening? Emeriel pulled back, her eyes widening in surprise. She glanced around, searching for the grand lord.From behind a distant tree, the grand lord stepped out, a sheepish look on his face. He waved at them, awkwardly."How dare you listen in to my conversation, Ottai?" the king growled, his eyes still on Emeriel."I tried not to, Your Grace," he shouted from where he stood, his voice defensive. "But no matter how hard I turned my ears off, they managed to catch a word or two." He paused, looking even more guilty. "Or ten.""Ottai," Daemonikai drawled in warning."I apologize, Your Grace," Ottai said, his tone far too earnest for it to be genuine.The Grand King snorted, shaking his head before turning to Emeriel. “Let’s go home.”She nodded, taking a few steps forwar
"Two years ago, I didn't know how to move forward after losing everything,” he said, his voice low and husky, “I didn't want to move forward. I thought the pain and misery I felt could not get any worse, that I had hit the bottom of the abyss "His eyes, filled with a deep sadness, holding hers captive as he brushed away a stray tear from her cheek. "But then I lost you, and the worst truly came."Emeriel’s breath hitched, tears spilling down her cheeks faster."I tried to forget you, but it was impossible. I didn't realize that you were the thread holding me together all along. Keeping me from falling apart. And when that thread was cut… I had no anchor." His hand gently cupped her neck. "Do you know how many times I wanted to come to you? How many times I had to talk myself out of coming for you?""Really?" she breathed, her voice catching in her throat."I should have chosen you over the damn guilt," he confessed, his voice laced with regret. "And when I went to the great mountains
“But that wall has long since crumbled.” Lord Ottai took her trembling hand away from her face, holding it. “It’s gone, Emeriel. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Your feelings for him returned, no matter how hard you tried to fight them. And while you were with him again, those feelings only grew stronger. You’re hurting now because you’re trying to run from what you already know to be true.”“I haven’t even crossed the m-mountain yet, and I al-already miss him so much.” She turned, tracing the path they had walked. “It hasn’t even been a full day s-since I saw him, and all I want is to go to him. To b-be in his presence for the rest of the day.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “How do I live without him, Lord Ottai?”“No one can answer that question but you, dear child,” He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “I don’t want to live without him. I don’t want to go back to the hell of living without him again.” A choked, shaky laugh broke from her lips as she swiped at her eyes. “
The resolve in Vladya's eyes was the kind Daemonikai hadn’t seen in him in far too long.“I gave this a lot of thought, and do you know the conclusion I came to?” Vladya's lips twitched into a sad smile. “I still want to perform the ritual anyway.”Vladya was willing to try, to fight, to hope, even when the road ahead looked impossible.“You know what? Fuck it. Go for it.” Daemonikai smiled softly, pulling Vladya into a hug, gripping his back with both hands. “Congratulations, brat.”“Thanks, ancient one.” Vladya’s tone was light, but the fierceness with which he returned the hug betrayed his emotions.The soldiers in the middle of drills glanced their way, curiosity quickly masked behind respectful bows. “That girl is so good for you,” Daemonikai said as they pulled apart. “I only watched your interactions briefly, but it told me everything I needed to know. She’s changing you in all the right ways. I wish for you to be genuinely happy, Vladya.”“Right back at you.” Vladya cleared h
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAI“Someone is feeling quite cheerful this evening,” Vladya remarked as he approached.Grand King Daemonikai turned, a smile tugging at his lips, one he couldn’t suppress no matter how hard he tried. “I don’t know about you, Vladya, but I am having such a beautiful day.”Vladya arched a brow as he dipped his head in a polite bow. “Your Grace.”“Spare me the bullcrap.” Daemonikai waved a dismissive hand resuming his pace, hands clasped behind his back.“He whistles too,” Vladya noted, his voice carrying a teasing lilt.Daemonikai stopped, the faint melody in the air ceasing as well. He blinked, surprised. Was that me? He hadn’t even realized he’d been whistling.“You know, you’re fortunate Aekeira doesn’t have our hearing,” Vladya said, moving beside him. “She would have come storming in last night, hearing her sister scream like that all through the night.”“Why are you suddenly all over my business, brat?” Daemonikai smirked, giving Vladya a sidelong glance. “Come
PRINCESS EMERIELShe screamed when Grand King Daemonikai breached her body. Arching beneath him, Emeriel tried to escape the harsh pain tearing through her, but there was nowhere to run. Her fingers scratched his to let go, pushing, struggling. "It really hurts," came out broken and shaky.“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he said guiltily, kissing away the tears trailing down her cheek.He pull out, just held himself still above her, tensed with restraint. “I’m all in now. It will stop hurting soon.”It was the kind of pain that came from driving a burning knife into an open wound. But gradually, it began to fade. She felt his tension, the effort it took him not to move, to give her time to adjust.“Move. I’m okay now,” she croaked.He rolled his hips slowly, careful not to hurt her further. Subtle moves to test her readiness. Opening her eyes, Emeriel looked up at him, couldn’t stop watching him. The passion in his expression, the care he took with her. She was greedy for the sight of him
LADY ADISSAHe stepped out of the chamber, letting the door close behind him with a quiet thud, leaning his head against it.“How is he?” Lady Adissa asked as she approached. She tried to keep her panic at bay, but the tremor in her tone betrayed her. “Is he doing any better?”Razarr shook his head gravely. “He’s waiting for you inside.”Lady Adissa’s stomach churned. “But… has he eaten anything at all?”“Not since yesterday,” the head soldier replied, his tone grim.Her heart sank. Grand Lord Zaiper is in the blackest of his moods.Oh, heavens. She gripped her gown so tight her knuckles turned white under the strain.No one knew what had caused his dark mood, though speculation circled around the Grand King’s visit to Greyrock the night his Soulbond was attacked. Since that night, her master had fallen into one of those depressing, aggressive ways that rarely came, but when it did, was downright terrifying.And since then, Lady Adissa had known no peace.“Please go inside,” Razarr