Aekeira quickly reached into her garment and retrieved the book that Emeriel had read yesterday, but Aekeira had forgotten to return to the library. "Here." she handed it to him.Lord Vladya accepted it, brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply. "His scent is there, but it's faint. it will take more time to track him since his scent is barely detectable.""What about my hand?" Aekeira asked, desperate. "Em loves touching my hand. He does it all the time. That means his scent would be much stronger, right?"Lord Vladya stared at her outstretched hand. He didn't make a move to take it. "I don't need to scent you right now, Aekeira."Goosebumps spread through her body as her name rolled off his tongue. She would never admit it, but her name had never sounded better.That mistress might already be torturing Em. The thought jolted her, bringing her wandering mind back."Please, just do it. I beg of you," she implored.Finally, he stepped forward and enveloped her small hand in his larger
EMERIEL.Emeriel dressed, his fingers working the fabric of his tunic. Across the room, Aekeira paced anxiously, her restless steps loud in the room.Each spoke of her deep worry and unease. Emeriel glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the knot of tension in his own chest."Keira, I've told you not to dwell on it so much.” Emeriel tried to reassure her, smiling despite the knot of tension in his own chest. “Worrying won't make things better."She paused mid-step, turning to face him with troubled eyes. "But why would he want to see you, Em? What if he blames you for what happened in court? What if he accuses you of..." She hesitated, biting her lip. "What if he accuses you of witchcraft?"Emeriel gave her a delusional look. "Witchcraft? Seriously?"Aekeira fidgeted. "Look, Grand Lord Vladya is so strange, Em.” she resumed pacing, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “He’s unpredictable. That’s why I’m so worried. You never know what he’s thinking."Emeriel let
A Urekai maid came out and escorted him inside. Emeriel followed without question. His eyes were immediately drawn to the soaring ceiling, supported by ornate stone columns, giving the space an airy yet imposing ambiance. The floor was a seamless expanse of polished marble, veined with gold. In the center, a large Persian rug in rich colors caught his attention.An enormous fireplace dominated one wall, its mantel carved from a single block of marble, a fire crackling within. Nearby, floor-to-ceiling windows draped in heavy brocade curtains offered a view of the royal gardens. It was the grandest and most magnificent living room Emeriel had ever seen in a royal residence."Come." The maid led him through twists and turns of passageways until they stopped at a closed door. "Go inside. He is expecting you."After the maid left, Emeriel swallowed tightly then opened the door, entering the grand study. Behind the large wooden desk, Grand Lord Vladya sat, engrossed in writing on his scro
Even he, proud and dominant as he was, could admit he needed help when it came to the girl. He had tried to resist, had tried to pull himself back from his obsession, but he failed every time. Aekira lingered in his thoughts like a shadow he couldn’t escape, and Vladya was male enough to acknowledge that his willpower alone wasn’t enough.No, he needed something stronger. A push. A reason to stop. And what better way to create that reason than to give his word?His word was his bond, after all. Once given, it was unbreakable."You must choose one option," Vladya said, leaning forward slightly. "The sexual satisfaction of the beast is crucial in maintaining his composure. Without it, he breaks free and goes on a rampage. If I were to remove your sister from her role of servicing the beast sexually, you must understand that you would fully take on that responsibility." His words slow and measured, he continued. "So, the first option is quite challenging. But if you were to choose the o
EMERIELIn the following two days, Emeriel was relocated to Blackstone and Lord VLadya departed on his journey. He was assigned to work in the gardens—a prospect that filled him with unexpected relief.Emeriel had always envied the slaves who worked in the gardens, drawn to the earthy scents and the quiet rhythm of tending to life. It had been one of his indulgences back in Navia—a haven of peace amid a life of turmoil.Emeriel couldn't be certain whether it was due to what had happened in court or if the slaves in Blackstone were simply different, but he noticed a change in the way he was treated.The slave masters no longer bellowed at him, and his fellow slaves no longer sought reasons to harm him. Even the Urekai maids displayed a newfound respect. They observed him with curiosity as he moved about and generally stayed out of his way.Aekeira began visiting more frequently as well. Once she had finished her tasks, she would hasten to help Emeriel with his work.Of course, they had
Razarr pondered the question. "May I ask a question, Your Highness?" Zaiper gestured for him to proceed. "Could this human be the human prince?"Zaiper displayed no surprise at Razarr's knowledge. The male had an uncanny understanding of his thoughts, which Zaiper found appealing. "Indeed, it could be.""In that case," Razarr proposed, "permit me to eliminate him discreetly and bury him in Blackstone. No one would ever trace it back to you.""A commendable idea," Zaiper acknowledged. "However, I am intrigued to observe the boy more closely. I wish to uncover what makes him tick. Besides, that charming little backside of his..." Zaiper tilted his head to the side, his words trailing off. "Daemonikai's beast had the boy once, and for some reason, it’s fixating. I want to mount him, too. I need to understand what the fuss is all about, before I dispose of him."Razarr remained stoic, offering no visible reaction, but Zaiper knew the wheels were turning in his mind. Zaiper allowed him the
AEKEIRAThe unknown mistress led Aekeira through the courtyard of the southern Wings, then deep into the western wings. With every step, Aekeira's dread deepened.Slaves and soldiers alike bowed low as they passed, whispers rustling in their wake. This woman held power, a palpable force that thrummed in the air around her.Finally, they stopped by the river, its gentle murmur a stark contrast to the tension crackling between them. "I am Lady Merilyn," the woman declared, her voice clear and cool. "Bondmate to High Lord Henry, overseer of domestic affairs. And—" she paused, her lips curving in the barest hint of a smile "—bloodhost to the third ruler of Urai."Aekeira's eyes widened. "You are Grand Lord Vladya's bloodhost?” Now it all made sense, the deference – this woman was not only the closest to a grand lord but also the wife of a high lord of the court.The mistress nodded. "And you are the human princess, Aekeira, am I correct?""Yes, Mistress," Aekeira confirmed, her voice smal
Merilyn nodded, her eyes welling with tears. "No, it did not. We knew that bonds between a master and his bloodhost rarely formed, but we were so in love. So hopeful… As his bloodhost, our souls were already connected, so it shouldn't have been difficult, right?"At that moment, Aekeira felt pity for this woman and for Grand Lord Vladya. Especially for him. Aekeira had never imagined she would feel compassion for that male.Merilyn let out a shuddering breath, wiping her tears. "After that, Vladya withdrew from the world. Secluded himself. He became unreachable. Impenetrable. You can't imagine what it's like... to want something so deeply and have it forever out of reach. He longed for it so desperately, for over three thousand years, and yet, fate seemed determined to cast him aside. As if the stars themselves were mocking him."Aekeira couldn’t believe she was tearing up. Quickly, she dried her eyes with the back of her hand. "What happened afterward?""No one could help him. Not ev
PRINCESS EMERIELEmeriel drifted in and out of consciousness.Each time she surfaced, someone was pressing a bitter herb to her lips, cooling her forehead with damp cloths, or coaxing her to eat. It was exhausting, intrusive.Why couldn’t they just leave her to her dreams?Beautiful, sweet dreams of her and her Beloved. Here, in this world of warmth and light, there was no pain, no misery. Here, their bond was alive and flourishing.Here, she could feel his presence even when he was far from the fortress.Here, she felt everything in his heart, not just his pain but also his happiness. His love.In this world, her belly was full and rounded, carrying their child. A child who brought even more sunshine into their already radiant world.Her beloved glowed with joy, untouched by the sorrow of grief and loss.Emeriel did not want to wake from this idyllic dream. If crossing over to the other side brought dreams like these, perhaps she should have crossed long ago.It was beautiful. It
The mix of scents made Daemonikai’s investigation a maddening task. Incompetent fools.If he’d known they’d only muddle the scene, he wouldn’t have sent them to investigate in the first place.Their footprints and scents cluttered every corner, making it harder than ever to sift out what truly mattered. But this wouldn’t deter him.Three hours later, he was still at the crime scene, having retraced every step Emeriel had taken.He combed through the garden, over and over, with a thoroughness that bordered on obsession.Yet, still, he found nothing.Irritation gnawed at him as he prepared to repeat the search yet again.This time, he shifted partially into his beast form to heighten his senses, focusing his nose to distinguish Emeriel’s scent from the web of others clinging to the air. But still… nothing.Very soon, dawn would break. It was time to return.His instincts had been on edge all night from being away from Emeriel. She was safe, he knew, protected under Vladya’s watch. But
Dizziness washed over Daemonikai, a throbbing headache the size of a warship pounding through his skull.The poison could stay in his body far longer than in Emeriel’s, long enough to secure the antidote. Hopefully.“Are you truly well?” Worry touched Vladya’s voice.“My head feels as though it’s trying to split in two,” Daemonikai admitted. “But that's to be expected.""Who would do this?" Vladya wondered, his brow furrowed. "Do you have any suspicions?" “I’m going to confront Zaiper.” he repeated.Vladya's eyes sharpened. “You really believe he could be involved?”“I don’t know, but I will start from him." Daemonikai forced himself upright, a boiling rage building inside him. “Afterward, I’m returning to the site of the attack. If these inept fools can’t find a trace, I’ll track the one responsible myself.”“I’m coming with you.”“No.” Daemonikai put on his robes slowly, his insides rolling. “I need you here, with her. I’ll be back.”Vladya’s concern deepened. “You’re unwell, Daem
Also, Ottai was utterly lost. Flowing in the sea of confusion, kind of lost. "Uhmm, hello guys? I'm still here," he waved a hand to get their attention.They turned in unison, eyes snapping to him. They’d forgotten he was even there, hadn't they?"You two could at least clue me in on this 'solution' you're discussing," Ottai said dryly, curious.“No,” Daemonikai said at the exact moment Vladya added, “He plans to suck the poison out of her and take it into his own body.”“What!?” Ottai blanched, aghast. But now that he thought about it, it made sense. That explained Daemonikai's sudden shift of mood. He had gotten a solution, no matter how unconventional.Ottai couldn’t believe this. "Your woman and I did NOT go through the fires of hell and that damned cold sea to save you, just to watch you throw your life away like this!""Tell him, Ottai," Vladya encouraged, casting an approving glance.“It’s human and mage toxin, not Urekai. I can bear it until the antidote is found,” he said f
Ottai led them to Frostfall's royal residence. They entered the quiet chamber where Emeriel lay on the bed, face pale and eyes closed. Her breathing too faint.Grand King Daemonikai sat beside her, his hand clasped around hers. He didn't react when Ottai announced their arrival or when they entered the room.“Em?" Aekeira ran to her sister's side, taking her other hand. "Em, please, open your eyes,” she sobbed. “Please… it’s me, Aekeira.”“We’re waiting on Faiwick. He’s searching for the antidote,” Ottai’s voice was low as he explained. “The poison used is quite rare and difficult to obtain. So far, every healer we've checked don't have the kaizan root needed for the antidote."“Kaizan roots?” Vladya's brows drew together. “Those are almost impossible to come by.”Ottai nodded grimly. “It’s not a Urekai poison, it's mage poison.” His voice was tense, uneasy. “If someone sold it here, it’s likely they sold the antidote too. Faiwick is checking with the remaining herbalists and the blac
Daemonikai had tried not to push him into talking over the years, but seeing all this pain in Ottai’s eyes tugged at his heartstrings.“I have no idea what I would have done if I’d lost Morina too,” Ottai shook his head. “The thought alone tears me apart. I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve gone through, but I selfishly wish… I wish you wouldn’t leave us.” He took a shaky breath, steadying himself. “Don’t leave us, Daemon.”“I won’t,” Daemonikai vowed, surprising even himself.It was the first time he had said it aloud, and for once, he truly meant it.Pushing the shadows of grief aside, he spoke clearly, each word a promise. “Not anymore. I’m here to stay.”“Good, that’s good,” Ottai said, nodding in relief. Daemonikai expected to be released then, but instead, he was squeezed tighter. “Now, suffer through this one last hug.”Daemonikai let out a dramatic, insufferable sigh but didn’t resist. “You do realize you’re a full-grown male now? No longer that little slip of a lad wh
GRAND KIND DAEMONIKAI“You’re saying his wife was found dead in the dungeon?” King Daemonikai’s lips pressed into a frown as he strode through the corridors, Ottai and Wegai trailing behind him.“Yes, Your Grace,” Lord Ottai confirmed with a heavy sigh. “No obvious cause of death, either. They were slaves; it could easily be attributed to overexertion.”“Overexertion didn’t kill her before her husband’s attempt on my life, only after, hmm,” Daemonikai entered his private residence and settled into one of the high-backed chairs in the living room. “And what about the others?”Ottai took the seat beside him. "Sadly, nothing concrete."“Well, I’m recovered now.” Daemonikai shrugged off his outer robe, folding the heavy fabric beside him. “If someone else is responsible, I hope they’re reckless enough to try again soon. This time, they will not be so lucky.""It's time to put an end to the crimes happening here in Ravenshadow. In the past, no one would dare bring a crime close to this for
Touch, his beast urged.No, I will not.“Wake up, darling,” Daemonikai coaxed gently."I don’t want to.” she protested, a dreamy smile on her lips.Her hands drifted over her body, cupping her breasts, she flicked her nipples. She let out a soft whine.A bolt of desire shot straight to his dick, his arousal back with a vengeance.“Gods of the Grail,” he swore.“I really like this dream a lot,” she cried with bliss, pinching her engorged nipples.Daemonikai closed his eyes and counted to ten. Then, counted backward from ten.Nope, his hard-on has declared a coup, raging full mast in his pants.His beast, too, was one hundred percent on board…all too aware of her.Emeriel took his hand, parting her thigh, she guided it between her open legs.“Touch me, please,” she murmured, rolling her hips desperately. “I’ve been hungry… so starved for you.”“Darling, you don’t know—”“I need you.”Younglings crying for food, an elder falling from a horse, another bloody war with the vamps.The images
The quiet concern in his tone startled her, and when she looked at him, his eyes were studying her with the same attentiveness that had begun to undo her.She forced a smile, her worry fading like mist under the warmth of the sun. Because she knew, deep down, that it didn’t matter.No matter what side of him re-emerged when they returned to Blackstone, Aekaeira would still love him anyway. "I’m fine, Your Highness."His expression tightened slightly, and for a moment, she thought she had said something wrong. Then, his tone grew firm, resolute. "Vladya."“Huh?”"Call me by my name, Aekeira," he asserted. "Not Lord Vladya. Not my lord. Not Your Highness. Just my name."Her eyes reached her hairline. A blush crept up her cheeks. "B-but…it’s not proper."He leaned closer, his voice soft, but no less commanding. "We’re alone here. Go ahead.""Vladya…" she breathed, tasting the word. It felt strange on her tongue, foreign and intimate, but there was something right about it, too. Her voice