"He should come out and face us first. We need to see his face," Jakal added coldly. "Human, leave our king's back and go stand at the center."Emeriel made a soft, helpless sound, but finally, relinquished her grip on Daemonikai and stepped into the open, her body quivering like a leaf in the wind.Daemonikai remained motionless, merely watching."Those truly are breasts," Zaiper said, awed and incredulous. "I should have seen this before... it was all right there. The missing piece of the puzzle."Once that one piece falls into place, the other connections become glaringly obvious. Vladya saw Zaiper’s mind turn, like the inner workings of a clock. Saw the exact moment the cogs clicked into place.Zaiper went pale. His jaw slackened, eyes as round as a full moon.He knows Emeriel is Daemonikai’s Soulbond. "You... you..." Zaiper took a step back, his breath out of control, composure crumbled to dust."Is everything alright, your Majesty, Zaiper?" Concern was etched on Gaff's face."A
"I find that hard to believe." Zaiper sputtered, his voice thick with indignation."She went into heat her first night in Ravenshadow, Zaiper." An arrogant smirk played at the corners of Vladya’s lips, because he simply couldn't help himself. He was enjoying messing with Zaiper too much. "It's really impossible to hide one's identity when heat is involved, don't you think?"A noisy inhale swept through the crowd. Then, stunned silence."That's right," Daemonikai added. "She is also Syren."The high lords looked utterly dumbfounded. For some, their anger melted away, replaced by a glimmer of hope. A could-she-be-mine kind of hope.Even Ottai had his jaw on the ground before Vladya nudged him subtly.The fourth ruler quickly recovered, adopting the expression of someone who had always been in the know.Poor, cute Ottai. Vladya hid his amusement."That was why we had to conceal her identity," Vladya continued smoothly. "If she remained female and Syren, all of you would have been on her
EMERIELEmeriel walked in a daze, her legs heavy and her mind numb. The grand king led her through the corridors, stopping before a door in the southern wing."Stay here." He turned to leave."Your Grace..." Emeriel reached out for him, fingers hovered in the air, trembling.King Daemonikai glanced at her outstretched hand as if it were a venomous serpent. Without a word, he walked out, the heavy door closing behind him.Emeriel stumbled towards the bed, collapsing onto the cold mattress. Exhaling a shaky breath, she stared ahead blankly.He had saved her. Her secret was out. Everyone knew.It still felt… surreal. Like a nightmare she couldn't wake from.He hates me now.But he had protected her. She had almost died. Lord Zaiper had been so eager to see her dead. If not for... if not for the other grand rulers, she would be in a cold, hard cell. Or lying lifeless in the courtyard.Looking at her unsteady hands, her eyes grew wet again. This was not how she had envisioned her return.
Ottai stopped mid-step, his hand reaching out to grip Vladya’s arm, and he leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Wait... Was she the 'business' he had to take care of for a few days? The female in heat who imprinted on him?""Uh-huh." Vladya's eyes shifted toward Daemonikai, who walked ahead, his face stony and unflappable. Ever since the gathering, Daemonikai had said little beyond what was necessary in court."Shit. How did that happen?” Ottai hissed, stealing glances at the grand king. “If he did not know she was a girl, how did they… how did they manage to spend her heat together?"Because no one meddles with those crazy bitches called fate. Vladya did not know all the details, but it seemed Daemonikai had met Emeriel under a different identity, not realizing who—or what—she truly was."Even if Daemonikai’s side of the bond was dormant, it would be fully awake now," Ottai murmured, more to himself than to Vladya. "Not only did they nurture it through the heat, but no
Emeriel couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. She stared at her hands as though they held all the answers to making the violent windstorm around her calm again. Picking up the spoon, she forced herself to take a small bite of food.The moment the warm food hit her tongue, her stomach growled hungrily, reminding her just how long it had been since she last ate. So eat, she did. Slowly at first, but then hunger took over.Emeriel devoured the meal as if it was her last. She barely noticed Lord Vladya watching her until the last crumb was gone. Then, reality came crashing back in."Are you here to punish me too?" she asked, defeated.Lord Vladya’s look remained steady. "Why?"She shrugged, her hands dropping to her lap as she looked away. "You gave me instructions to avoid him, to never be found out.""I also told you that fate was a fucking bitch who knows how to mess with people just to get a good laugh. You were never going to win against that bond.” Lord Vladya tilted his head sli
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAI Her body moved with his, every sway and arch designed to seduce, to lure him deeper. Sweet, breathless moans filled the air, wrapping around him, intoxicating him. Daemonikai thrust into the warmth of her, unable to get enough. He had to get deeper. "Yess," Galilea moaned. Her fingers brushed against his arms, featherlight, as her bright blue eyes locked onto his. Looking at him as if the very sun and moon, rose and set around him. He liked that. "Mine." Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her neck, breathing in her scent. Such sweet, sweet scent. "Yours," she gasped, her voice trembling with need. "Always yours." Daemonikai could feel the familiar, dizzying rush of his orgasm building. But he didn’t want this to end, not yet. He needed more. More of her, more of the moment. He— Suddenly, the world around him shifted. The warm intimacy shattered like porcelain. Blood. Blood everywhere. Screams tore around him, piercing and chaotic. The sweet moans wer
Daemonikai's eyes snapped up, locking onto hers. Eyes that had been asleep mere seconds ago were now blearily open. She rubbed them to shake off the remnants of sleep.He had to leave before the pull of this bond dragged him into a storm he was not ready to face.“Go back to sleep.” Daemonikai said crisply, turning toward the door. “Wait, please.” He heard a shuffle and his jaw locked tight. He couldn’t do this. Not now. Not like this.“Stay over there,” Daemonikai snapped. “Do not come close to me.” A sharp intake of breath came behind him, and though he did not want to—gods, he did NOT want to—Daemonikai turned to look at her. Hurt flashed in her eyes, before she quickly masked it, swallowing tightly.“As you wish, I would not…” her voice wavered, her hands fluttered helplessly before falling to her sides again. “I will not come closer. But please, do not leave.”“Why?” “Just…” She looked so small, even smaller than he remembered. So fragile, lost, and achingly vulnerable tha
The floodgate of tears spilled over, bathing her red cheeks.“It grew stronger, and stronger, what were you thinking!?” His fists clenched at his sides as he paced the room. “If I had known who you were, we would have never gotten together. I would have avoided this by all means. I would damn well never have touched you during your heat.”Emeriel recoiled as if he had slapped her.But all Daemonikai saw was the reality of their situation. It crashed into him like an avalanche.He would have to mate again. The wide hole in his heart where his family used to be still gaped open, growing wider with every passing day. And now, he would have to do it all over again?Despair turned his stomach. "I cannot do this." The very idea of risking his heart once again sickened him. "I will not do this.” EMERIELOne would think that after hurting so much, for so long, over the same reason, Emeriel would have developed some kind of immunity to this pain in particular. But one would be wrong.Nothing
“Please stop saying these things to him,” Lord Vladya groaned. “He’s smiling like a thief who just got promoted to head guard. He might forget why we’re here.”Daemonikai smacked him upside the head. “Shut it.” But he was still grinning ear to ear.The healer hid her smile behind a cough. So, the rumors were true. The quickest way to find favor with the Grand King… was to speak kindly of his queen. Or better yet—earn her favor directly.It warmed her to see them this way. Whole. Strong. Hearty. Happy.“Now, let’s return to the original matter. What can you do for us, old healer?” King Daemonikai asked.“I’ll begin work immediately on the herbs. I’m certain something like it exists. Our people have simply never had reason to search for it. I’ll start gathering ingredients, reviewing ancestral scrolls, and see what I can develop. With luck, I’ll have good news for you soon.”“That’s excellent,” Daemonikai said, nodding with satisfaction.The healer turned to Lord Vladya. “And you, Secon
“Can I open my eyes now?” she asked softly.“Not yet.” Vladya raised his hands to cover hers, even though a blindfold already shielded her eyes—just to be sure.He was... nervous. His belly felt tight inside, his hands clammy. He wanted to impress her. Wanted Aekeira to love the surprise.Gently, he guided her forward. Step by step, deeper into the cave until they reached the center. Moving in front of her, he withdrew his hands, and untied the blindfold.He stepped back, waiting.She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the soft glow, then gasped.Vladya tried to see the space through her eyes. The rough cave walls had been transformed. Smooth panels of polished wood lined the interior, holding candle sconces bathing the space in a warm, golden light. A plush woolen rug stretched across the floor. In one corner, a large, canopied bed stood dressed in roses. Across from it a long table, elegantly set with a feast laid, and two chairs facing one another.Her mouth parted as she took it in. “
She gasped as he flicked her clit, over and over again, building tension. Soon she was wiggling, twitching, hips shifting restlessly, seeking more.Daemonikai was burning, yet his mouth never left her breast. Arousal pounded through him, but beneath it—deeper, hungrier—was peace. There was something sacred, yet utterly obscene about this, in how her breast felt against his tongue, the rich rush down his throat, and the soft sounds she made.“Mmm.” His eyes slitted shut as time dissolved. Her moans grew louder, hips grinding against his thigh, but he didn’t relent. Not until her back arched and she came with a cry, her pussy fluttering around nothing.He switched breasts, sealing his lips around the other nipple, drinking her in as his fingers resumed their torment—circling her clit just enough to tease, never enough to satisfy.She squirmed, sobbing, her slick painting his thighs. “Daemon… please. Please.”He ignored her. Not yet.Only when the flow dwindled to drops, then drained int
That night, Daemonikai slept, and saw them.Standing at the river’s edge were his sons—Myka and Alvin. But unlike in the past, they weren’t sad. Their eyes no longer carried the weight of guilt or sorrow.No, his sons were smiling, waving at him.Daemonikai ran from the opposite shore, water parting in soft ripples as he crossed, and when he reached them, he pulled them both into a tight embrace.“Father…” Alvin whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”“For what?” Daemonikai pulled back, his hands firm on Alvin’s face, forcing his boy to meet his eyes. “It was never your fault, and I’m sorry you left the world believing it was.”He turned to Myka. “I’m sorry I told you to protect everyone else. I should’ve told you to save yourself first. Maybe then, you’d still be—”“It’s alright, Father,” Myka interrupted with a smile. “I don’t regret protecting Mother. Or our people. I’m a protector, just like you, and I’m proud of that.”Behind them, a crowd began to form. His people were watching from a
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIZaiper's screams rolled down the dungeon corridor, bouncing off walls as Daemonikai sawed through his leg with a cutlass—whistling a slow, melodic tune. Blood sprayed, splashing onto Daemonikai’s robes, forming a growing puddle.“This blade’s gone dull,” he said conversationally, examining the edge. “Get me the dagger.”A guard handed it to him from the wall of instruments, so much polished steel behind them.Daemonikai discarded the cutlass with a soft clatter and resumed with the dagger, slicing deep into muscle and tendon, never missing a beat in his whistle.“Please! AHhhhhhh!” Zaiper howled. An animal sound, born of unbearable pain.Daemonikai sawed clean through until the leg detached entirely. He lifted it, holding it up like a prized relic.“I hope you don’t mind if I keep this,” he said casually, inspecting the severed limb. “It’s a clean slice. Unfortunately for you, it won’t regenerate—considering I’ve taken the entire limb. You’ll have to forgive me.
••••••Three Weeks Later PRINCESS EMERIEL“By the power vested in me as Grand King of this court, and in the presence of these witnesses, I hereby declare all Bonds of Human Enslavement broken. From this day forward, you are no longer the property of Urekai but allies. Free people under the protection and respect of this kingdom.”The court was overflowing. Humans filled every space, trailing from the dais down the carpeted aisle, pouring out the doors, spilling into the hallway beyond. Every human in Urai was present.At the front of it all, Emeriel stood tall beside her king, heart brimming with emotion. Her gaze drifted across the sea of faces, landing on her sister. Aekeira was smiling through tears. Just like so many others.Grand King Daemonikai continued, voice firm but warm. “I have already sent word to the twelve human kingdoms, informing their kings that the humans here are no longer captives, but allies of Urai. From this moment, no harm shall befall you—not by royal decre
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIDaemonikai delayed just outside the dungeon corridor until he heard Zaiper’s first blood-curdling scream. Only then did he walk away from the dungeon hallway. He soon stopped hearing them. Almost a regret.He had instructed the guards to move Zaiper to the deepest, most fortified cell to keep his torture from disrupting the tranquility of the Citadel. But now, for the first time, he wondered about the wisdom of it.Reaching his bedchamber, the scene greeting him caused him to pause.There on the couch, Emeriel sat in sleep's soft embrace, holding their son, Daesovxscar, against her chest. His small mouth had slipped from her breast, milk dotting the taut, dark nipple still exposed to the cool air. Her arms held him close, even in sleep.Daemonikai’s mouth went dry.He was not a male to steal his youngling’s food—he had never done so before—but in the past few days, the thought had settled into his mind like an unsealed scroll. It was all he thought about.“Your H
“Yes,” the male continued coolly. “Vladya feels whole now. The male you always mocked for being cursed, then took away his bondmate. But she returned to him, not merely as a lover who may be compatible with him, but as his fated mate.” Daemonikai’s lips twitched. “Then there’s you. Hanging here like a carcass in my dungeon. With a dead lover, no heir, no legacy. No throne.”Zaiper’s scream tore from deep within his soul. “DON’T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HIM!”“Who? Oh you mean the dead lover?” Daemonikai smirked, adding with a drawl. “I never did tell you, did I? Just how good it felt to kill him.”Zapier struggled even harder. One leg jerked so hard, causing the chain to snap taut, nearly dislocating him, but Zaiper didn’t care, writhing and snarling like a feral.“His spine snapping in two as it struck my knees… that sound... it stayed with me for months. It had a better tone than even the harp.”“Fuck you, Daemonikai! I’ll fucking kill you!” Zaiper was out of control, spitting rage with
“You’ve no idea how fun it was. Playing you like a puppet, note by note, from the sidelines, with you none the wiser. It was... exquisite.” His grin was unrepentant. “But don’t blame me too much, Daemonikai. The real culprit was your pride. You believed yourself invincible. Too strong to be touched, too feared to be challenged. And because of that arrogance, you gave someone like me the perfect opening.”He let out a wheezing cough of amusement. “The Dragaxlovs have always sought the throne, but the Naelzharoth was too powerful. My grandfather shared with me that it was his lifelong dream to sit on the First Throne, yet every minor scheme he attempted to wrest it from your grandfather failed. He was a coward, you see, just like the rest of them.” Zaiper sighed. “Even at a hundred, I knew I was different from those spineless relics. I knew I would achieve great things, and I knew you would assist me. Your casual dismissal, that prideful superiority… always a Naelzharoth, viewing the re