AEKEIRAWith infinite care, Lord Vladya settled the swaddled infant into the mother's waiting arms, who then passed the bundle to the hovering nursemaid."I am ready to nourish you. Allow me but a moment to assume the posture for the Sacred Ways of Old," Lady Merrilyn said."There will be no need for that," Lord Vladya’s voice was hoarse, but he cleared his throat, steadying it. "When you’re in perfect health, we shall attempt it. Until then, the regular manner of feeding shall suffice."The sacred ways of old? Aekeira filed the question away in her mind for her next visit to the library."Are you certain? I do not mind in the least.” Lady Merrilyn smiled. “I worry about you, dear Vlad, a lot.""You had major complications during the birth, remember?” Lord Vladya eyed her. “It's why you're on bedrest. I worry for you too, Merry, and I would do nothing to jeopardize your health. Now, feed me.""As my master wishes." She extended her pale, slender hand, which Lord Vladya grasped, helpin
Mortified, she wished for the earth to swallow her whole.A moment of silence passed before Lord Vladya clicked his tongue, a small smile briefly crossing his features. "Using some uninterpretable choice words, Merilyn suggested I take you far from her abode."Aekeira could only nod. She agreed wholeheartedly.Pulling away, breaking their intimacy, his voice went up a notch. "Apologies, Merry. We depart now."But, upon their return to Blackstone, an urgent summons whisked Lord Vladya away to court, leaving Aekeira to retreat to the solitude of her chambers alone. Her body still tingled with unspent, unfulfilled desire.Hot, Aekeira shed her clothes, sliding under the coolness of the sheets. But sleep proved elusive.Tossing and turning, her mind replayed every moment of their encounter—his lips, the feel of his erection against her, the intimate promises whispered yet unfulfilled.Gods, I need him so much.Aekeira parted her legs, letting her hand wander down her body for the first ti
Feeling him there was weird, yet pleasant. Stuffed to the brim. Withdrawing, he plunged in again. "Yesssss," she panted, "More."In short, hard thrusts, King Daemonikai owned her in a way she’d never thought was possible. It was almost too much, every nerve-ending was alight with ecstatic bliss.Her core throbbed, flowing with so much liquid Emeriel was beginning to think she might be a nymph. Only a sea nymph would gush this much liquid, right?Apparently, even Syrens.The grand king began a rhythm that had her making incoherent, unintelligible noises and singing like a canary. Loud cries and prolonged moans reverberated through the air, mixing with the filthy slap of skin against skin.In a distant part of her mind, Emeriel knew she should have felt ashamed. She was a lady, yet here she was, moaning like a seasoned whore. Begging for more of his sweet member. Begging him to ravish her until she was lost in the heavens. This behavior defied every standard of etiquette. It was utterl
Sunlight stabbed through the window, striking Emeriel's eyes, the bedsheets were cold, the room silent. She woke to an empty bed. Trying to move, she realized that was the least of her problems.A sick feeling churned in her stomach, the nausea hitting her hard. Each attempt to move sent tremors of pain through her battered body. Bile surged up her throat, muscles protesting as she doubled over and wretched onto the rumpled bedding.She heaved until nothing remained, dry sobs wracking her frame. Tears mingled with saliva and bile on her cheeks, her nose running unchecked. The world swam in a nauseating blur.A gentle knock broke the silence. My beloved?The door creaked open, revealing Lord Herod's concerned face. "Oh, my poor little one." He stepped inside. "Your heat has ended."Indeed it had. The feverish arousal that had consumed her for days was gone, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion. Her mind was clear, but her body felt as if it had been trampled by a stampede of horses."
The door opened, and Aekeira entered to see Em on the bed, unclothed, a thick towel beneath her. Identical towels were stacked nearby—Aekeira counted ten—before her attention snapped back to Em.Her sister made pained sounds, curled in a fetal position with her back to Aekeira. She hadn't reacted to the sound of the door.Aekeira approached, heart aching. "Em..."Em jerked, slowly unfurling to face her. Eyes fluttered open. "Keira?""It's me." Emotion thickened Aekeira's throat, and she leaned in, embracing her sister. "Em, I've missed you so much."Em whimpered. "Don't touch me. Hurts.""Sorry, sorry." Aekeira pulled away but remained close, worry etched on her face. "How do you feel? You look ill.""Just very tired." Em’s face contorted in discomfort. She parted her legs slightly letting out a long, pained moan as a whitish fluid began to seep out from—Aekeira's cheeks flushed. Oh. Is that why Em's belly was swollen, like a woman newly with child?Finally, Em slumped forward, the
"No shit.” Galeb chuckled. “The little cunt deceived us all. Finally, a real reason to eliminate the boy. This crime will get him publicly executed. The Master is going to love this. A lot," Galeb added with relish."My thoughts exactly. We inform him upon his return," Mich agreed."We need to eliminate the girl. Fast," Razarr spoke up."Should we?” Galeb hesitated. “But. Lord Zaiper—""Lord Zaiper is in the mountains and won't return until tomorrow or the next, depending on how fast he concludes his dealings. That girl needs to be gone sooner than that. He always wanted that boy dead." Razarr rose and began to pace, his mind racing. "Her recovery should be over soon. This time, we kill her for good.""That boy—girl, Emeriel—is as fast as a cheetah, maybe even faster. Have you forgotten?" Galeb's lip thinned. "Knowing he's a girl makes it even more embarrassing how she outran our men last time.""Not this time," Razarr countered with the barest hint of a smile. "It's impossible to hav
MADAM LIVIAMadam Livia stood at the edge of the garden, her eyes scanning the slaves under the pale glow of the moon as they worked diligently around her. "Elsie, start watering over there.""Yes, madam." The young girl hefted her watering can to the designated area.Under the moonlight, a dozen figures moved like shadows, tending to the garden's needs. A woman, hunched over flowering vines, expertly pruning each branch with quiet, rhythmic snips. A young boy carefully nurtured a row of delicate herbs, his touch gentle to avoid damaging the tender stems. Further down the path, a group of figures worked together, harvesting ripe vegetables, their baskets gradually filling.Madam Livia oversaw them, her gaze vigilant for any sign of soldiers. They were not supposed to be out here this late, but Livia had to ensure nothing drew attention to Emeriel's absence.That girl would be the death of her yet. It had been six days, and although Livia knew it wasn't her fault, six days was a long
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIGrand King Daemonikai bolted upright, his chest heaving as he fought for breath.The remnants of watching his son taking his last breath clung to him as he staggered to the window. He gasped for air watching the first rays of dawn paint the sky.His chest ached, and his heart burned.But the suffocating discomfort that woke him was something else. Someone else’s pain. So vivid and real as if it were his own.A long draught of water did little to soothe his parched throat. He returned to the window, his gaze sweeping over the fields below, painted in hues of gold and amber.The misery that pulled Daemonikai from the dark hands of his nightmare, dragging him back to his fractured reality, was beginning to fade, leaving him with questions. Questions he could no longer ignore.His family was gone.There was no one else with such a profound, personal connection to him. So, whose pain had he just felt?Dressing in his robe, Daemonikai strode out of his chambers.Time
“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
PRINCESS EMERIEL“…I’m sorry for the wounds that ran too deep, the ones that scarred over.” He dropped his weight, grinding his thick, hard erection against her.She gasped, awareness reigniting in her body, desire coiling tight in her belly despite the mind-shattering release she’d experienced just moments ago.“My pretty Riel.”Unable to bear hearing any more of his heartbreaking, heart-healing words, Emeriel surged up, capturing his lips in a frantic kiss.She poured all her pain, her longing, her love into the kiss, tasting his lips, his essence. Her eyes slid closed, surrendering to their passion.For endless minutes, their lips battled together, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth.His kisses made Emeriel feel like she’d had ten gallons of ale. Her mind sluggish, her limbs heavy.My Beloved. Mine.How will I live without you?When the kiss came to an end, his big body was taut with desire, hunger burning in his gaze.She parted her legs in a silent invite. “Inside, plea
PRINCESS AEKERIAShe froze, her breath ceasing in her chest. Had she heard him right? Aekeira stared ahead, unable to move. “Wh-what?” “Let’s give it a try, the bonding ritual,” Lord Vladya said again, coolly.The world tilted beneath her feet. He wanted to bond with her…? To truly go ahead with it, against all odds?“Breathe, young princess,” he gave the gentle command.Aekeira’s breath shuddered out of her. Happiness, hope, fear, and disbelief rose inside her all at once.Slowly, she turned to face him, wide, tear-filled eyes meeting his.Even as she moved, he didn’t let her go. Pulling back just enough to allow her movement, his strong arms still holding her protectively against his broad body. “But the odds…" Her heart hammered wildly as she searched his face. "…the odds aren’t in ou-our favor. What if—”“Damn them all. The odds won’t favor us tomorrow, nor in the future," he stated in a steady tone. "I’m still going mad, you’re still an unaltered human, and I have no soul."Sh
For a moment, he debated whether to stop. He was not ready for her to finish yet, not when he was enjoying this twelve-course meal before him. Maybe he could spend the rest of the night this way, edging her, eating her until the rise of dawn—“Don’t ssstop.” The pleas came in a hushed, almost ashamed whisper. Like the sweetest, forbidden surrender.“Please, don’t s-stop, Daemon," she cried.I thought you would never ask, Beloved.And so, he gave it to her. His tongue plunging in and out, faster, deeper, as his thumb circled her clit, rubbing her into a frenzy. “Ohhh—” she froze for a single, breathless second. Then shattered with a scream.Daemonikai groaned as sweet flavor flooded his tongue, his reward for a job well executed. Fuck, she was hot. His dick was so hard he humped the sheets to alleviate the ache as she splintered into a million pieces in his arms, her thighs tightly hugging his neck. “Please, puuleease…!” she whined, heaving for air.Finally, he eased the pressure,
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIAs she presented to him, he couldn’t stop the rumble beginning deep in his chest, growing into a low, drawn-out growl that filled the room.His eyes roamed her offered body, from her trembling thighs to the slick pearl of wetness dripping from the small mouth of her pussy, to her swollen clit beckoning to him. All mine.Shit, he hadn’t even touched her properly, yet his control felt like a cannon ready to explode. He wanted to feast on her so bad.“Riel?” His voice came out rough.“Your Grace?” she whispered breathlessly.“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” A low moan answered him, another bead of wetness gleaming at her entrance.His woman was so aroused, so ready for him, and it was driving him insane.“Fuck it.” Daemonikai stepped forward to crowd her, sliding his hand possessively to her waist, pulling her to the desk’s edge.This time, there was no guilt, no hesitation. She wasn’t Herodis’ woman—she never had been. She was his. “You are my woman.