“Feverfew for the head,” Madam Livia murmured clipping the leafy plant, placing it into the basket Emeriel carried as the two of them walked through the woods. “Comfrey for wounds, valerian for sleep.”Emeriel whistled absently, her spirits lifted by the joy of her new gift. Her Daemon had decided to keep the revelation a secret for now, at least until the Oracle could provide more insight. In his own words, "To protect my pregnant female before the people start lining up in crowds outside the residence all day to see her.”“Are you listening to me?” Madam Livia asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.“Of course,” Emeriel replied with a quick smile.The woman wasn’t fooled. “No, you weren’t. I understand how difficult it must be not to think about the Grand King every waking moment, but if you truly want to learn herbal craft, you must focus, Princess.”Emeriel flushed, still smiling. She hadn’t been thinking about Daemonikai… not exactly.“Now, let’s gather some valerian for—” Her wo
••••••GRAND LORD VLADYAVladya’s primal instinct was all over the place as he stormed through the Blackstone grounds, hunting for Aekeira.Emeriel was already in the care of healers, and the specialists had arrived to treat the toxins used on Daemonikai. He had waited long enough, just until he knew the healers had arrived, but it'd taken everything in him to stay that long.Every part of him screamed: Find her. Reassure yourself she’s safe. It could have easily been her.The clanging of those thoughts sent his beast into a near-uncontrollable frenzy. His people scattered at the sight of him, parting quickly as he stormed through. Some tripped, others bowed and scrambled away. They saw his face and didn’t ask questions.He followed her scent to the library.He shoved the door open, the wood slamming into the wall with a force that rattled the hinges.People gasped as he barged in. A few scholars were seated at the long wooden tables, others browsing the tall shelves, flipping pages.
MISTRESS SINAIThis century will be remembered as one that witnessed her greatest fury. Could any day go by without her seething in rage?Mistress Sinai marched closer to the manor’s crumbling corridor, where Zaiper’s voice boomed like a roaring fire.They were hiding—again—in one of the many abandoned manors scattered across the outer territories. And today, he was boiling.“Fifty soldiers!” Zaiper roared. Glass shattered against the wall. “Fifty trained and capable soldiers!”Sinai halted just outside the door, pressing herself flat to the wall, listening.“I’ve invested centuries of gold, sweat, and planning into building you and your men, preparing you for war while the rest of the realm slept.” Another crash, another shattered object. “I trained you all in silence while the world turned a blind eye. My soldiers. My effort. And what did that leave me with? A heap of corpses! All for one mission—one mission—to kill a human female!”The fury in his voice climbed higher. Another expl
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIIt had been four days since the attack.Thankfully, Vladya, Ottai, and the others had been diligent, ensuring Emeriel was well cared for while Daemonikai himself recovered from the cocktail of toxins that had temporarily brought him down. He had been unconscious for twenty-four hours. And the moment he stirred awake, the first name he had barked was “Faiwick.”The healer had come quickly, grave as ever. “Her body is unbalanced, Your Grace. Her pulse is too strong, too fast. After this long, it should have steadied, but it hasn’t.”It was a bitter pill to swallow. “What can be done? What have you done? What more do you need?”“For now, she requires maximum rest,” Faiwick said calmly. “I’ve given the head maid a list of the herbs she needs and changes in her diet. We’re monitoring her closely and working to stabilize her heart rate and body rhythm.”Daemonikai had done everything in his power to ensure her comfort—soft bedding, uninterrupted rest, constant attendan
MISTRESS SINAISinai stirred.Her head throbbed dully as consciousness returned. Her limbs were leaden, her senses sluggish. Every inch of her body ached as though she’d been wrung out and left to dry.“You know,” came a dry, amused voice. “This would have been far easier if you had simply offered a sack of gold coins. No need for betrayal.”She bit back a groan as she sat up—or tried to. Her head nearly smacked against metal. She stopped just in time and blinked her heavy eyes open.A cage.She was locked in a cage. Low ceiling, cold bars, no strength in her limbs. She felt weaker than she had as a newborn.Toxins. She couldn’t smell them, but she could feel the sluggish burn in her bloodstream. Her body had woken several times before, but whatever drug had been used on her had dragged her back under.Now, she forced her eyes open again.“When one is fleeing for his life, mage,” Zaiper’s voice cut in, far too at ease. “The last thing on his mind is coin. I didn’t even have twenty gol
The Oracle looked back at Emeriel. “Your birth was set in motion a long time ago. It was written in the stars.” She made a dry, crackling sound that left her clutching at her ribs, clearly in pain.“You should rest,” Lord Vladya urged softly. “Don’t speak more than you must.”The Oracle looked at him. “The one who was not written… not fated in the stars… but had to happen…” Her gaze shifted—to Aekeira. “Come closer, child.”Aekeira stepped forward slowly, standing beside her sister.“You see her, do you not?” the Oracle asked.Emeriel’s brow creased in confusion. Who?To her surprise, Aekeira nodded. “Three times. In my dreams. I don’t know what it means…”Lord Vladya’s brows furrowed. “Who do you see?”“She sees herself,” the Oracle answered before Aekeira could speak. “A memory no soul should retain… but which now returns.”Vladya moved in front of Aekeira cupping her face with both hands, locking eyes with her. “Who do you see, Aekeira?”“Tiara.”The room went still.Breathless sil
ZAIPERThe bluish-red moon glowed neon above the horizon. That was the beauty of an eclipse moon. It was mesmerizing, celestial… lethal.Grand Lord Zaiper brought his mount to a halt atop the rise, staring boldly at the eerie sky as the moon cast its ominous light upon the towering gates of Ravenshadow.“Ready!?” he bellowed.A deafening chorus of hooves came to a halt behind him. Zaiper turned, eyes sweeping across the battalion amassed in the clearing. A grin stretched across his face.What a deal he had struck.Three hundred vampire warriors stood arrayed at his command. His reward for allying with the Vampire King of the South. Tonight, he would see his vengeance come to fruition.“Tonight marks the beginning of a new era,” he shouted, raising his blade high. “An allegiance forged in blood and purpose. Vampires and Urekai, fighting together.”A cheer rose before him.“By the end of this night, many Urekai will fall, for the greater good! And though I cannot stand at the front line
Zaiper smiled coldly. “Get in line. Maybe in two centuries—if you live that long.” He licked a smear of blood from his wrist, just to drive the knife deeper. “What’s it going to be, Second Commander?”Kelvin trembled, then spat on the ground. “Let’s go.” He turned on his heel and took off at a run.Zaiper followed, smirking.But the humor was fading. The streets were littered with bodies—many vampire bodies and a few werewolves, but not a single Urekai. How had my plan fallen apart so severely? Someone betrayed me.They turned a corner, ducking into a narrow corridor, half-collapsed from skirmish.“We’ll go through the North quarter,” Zaiper muttered. “There’s a tunnel entrance beyond the archives—”“No,” Kelvin snapped. “This way. It’s clear. I just passed through.”Zaiper narrowed his eyes. “And how exactly do you know it’s—”“Trust me, or find your own damn way,” Kelvin snarled.Zaiper bit down his response. I’m killing him the second I have my strength back.He followed. The corri
“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