Emeriel pushed himself harder. The woods, so familiar from a life spent hunting and scavenging to feed himself and Aekeira, were now his sanctuary and his weapon.The snap of branches and the dry rustle of leaves beneath his feet marked his passage. Every step was a frantic blur, leaving behind only the echo of his rapid heartbeat as he vanished into the depths of the woods."Bloody hell! Where is he!?" The fading cry marked his progress – for now. But the ceaseless chase was taking its toll.Unlike the tireless Urekai, Emeriel was only human. He knew, with a chilling certainty, that he wouldn't outrun them all the way back to the fortress.Emeriel's ragged breaths echoed in the sudden quiet as his heart pounded a staccato rhythm against his ribs. Desperate eyes scanned the underbrush, seeking refuge.There – a fallen log covered in thick ferns, a sliver of darkness promising concealment. He scrambled towards it, wedging himself into the tight space.This was it. He could hide, at lea
GRAND LORD VLADYAGrand Lord Vladya slumped in his study chair, his gaze fixed blankly on the weathered stone wall. He had sent a soldier to summon Merrilyn.The soldier's report resounded in his skull. Lady Merrilyn has been in labor for hours, and thus unable to make the journey.The next thing to do was clear. He needed to hurry to his bloodhost before the poison reached his heart, while some strength remained, and get the much-needed blood himself.Even if it meant a sip from a goblet, just to sustain him until the healer arrived. Any other male in his position would have done it.Not him.His eyes fell to the ravaged flesh on his shoulder. The wound throbbed, swollen, black veins pulsing outward, tracing a macabre path toward his heart.While hunting in the woods with his soldiers, he had spotted an assassin. He'd sent Yaz and the others ahead, then gave chase. He wasn't surprised to learn they were targeting Emeriel. He had known yesterday's events would put the boy in greater
Vladya's eyes flew open. Silence fell like a shroud. "I did not say that," he stated, at last."But that's what happened, isn't it?" Aekeira murmured, "It would explain the wounds, the poison."Vladya was too exhausted for this confrontation. Were all human royals this stubborn, or was it a trait shared solely by this female and her brother?"Fine," he conceded, the word heavy with resignation. "I saved the boy's life. Are you satisfied? Now, go tend to him and leave me in peace, Aekeira." A flicker of vulnerability crossed his voice as he added, "Please."She only stepped closer. Her movements infused with a strange, hesitant grace. "You saved his life. You saved Em’s life," she repeated, wonder warring her features.Vladya sighed.Her eyes locked with his, a torrent of emotions swirling within them—concern, a fierce protectiveness, and a strange glint of... fascination? "I can't leave you like this."“Of course, you can.”"Let me help you,” she whispered.He laughed. A harsh, empty
EMERIELEmeriel's body screamed with exhaustion.Every rasping breath seared his lungs, every step sent tremors through his leaden limbs. Yet he ran, propelled by the blind instinct to survive."Damn, wish we had kept the arrow!" an assassin's voice grated behind him, followed by the ominous whisper of steel sliding free. Emeriel reacted without thought, a desperate lurch to the side, barely evading the unseen blade.So close, almost there...He never saw the hands that seized him. One moment he was running, the next a vise-like grip yanked him off his feet.His scream choked off as he dangled, kicking uselessly against the tremendous strength. A chilling laugh echoed in his ear."Got you at last, pretty prince," his captor hissed, a venomous glee in the words."Let me go!" Emeriel shrieked, his voice cracking. "The beast… he'll tear you apart if you touch me! Don't—”"Silence, wretch! Do you really think you're special to our feral king?" the soldier barked into Emeriel's ear. "I wi
SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER FOR PART 1."Ukrae," Yaz's voice broke the silence once more, filled with astonishment. "Your Highness, if the grand king continues, he will drain the boy."It was true. Finally, Vladya managed to overcome his shock, forcing his stiff limbs to move. Yet his steps faltered after a single stride.He watched, transfixed, as Daemonikai's beast withdrew its fang from the boy's neck, all on its own, sealing the wound with a gentle swipe of its tongue."They will kill you," the boy's voice was a fragile whisper against the beast's fur, barely audible even to Vladya's heightened senses. "I don't want you to die."But Vladya had heard it. Every word, every tremor of despair.He had heard Emeriel's plea for help, the beast's answering roar, the raw exchange of trust and need, and now, this."I wish for you to get better,” Emeriel's words were starting to slur now, “Oh... I feel drowsy."The boy was high as the heavens. Blood-drunk, just like his sister.The lingering scen
LAST CHAPTER FOR PART 1.GRAND LORD VLADYAVladya's fists clenched. Then, slowly, unfurled as the soldiers secured the cage in the center of the arena.Zaiper's voice droned on like a litany that was meaningless, reciting rituals and traditions Vladya did not want to hear.He had spent the night going over ancient texts. All the complex lines of the Xaa'l Tbeh Zeek spell are running through his mind. Even now, he traced the sigils with his thoughts, rehearsing what was to come.Thick with the scent of sorrow and also anguish, the night's air threatened to suffocate him. The wails of the women was loud, like a mourning chorus that made Vladya's gut clench.Zaiper remained indifferent as he continued with the rituals. After the readings came the moment of execution, where Daemonikai would be killed forever.But not on Vladya's watch.Not if he had anything to say about it.He could feel the power of Xaa'l Tbeh Zeek thrumming beneath his skin. The forbidden spell ready to unleash.Vlady
PART 2.GRAND LORD VLADYAFour hours later. The news spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom of Urai. Sounds of jubilant revelry ricocheted through the streets as citizens celebrated in their beast forms, engaging in playful duels and hunts commemorating the return of their beloved ruler.Within the fortress, however, the atmosphere was more subdued. The initial excitement had given way to a quiet vigil as the crowds in the grand king's bedchamber thinned. Lord Vladya had dismissed the swarm of well-wishers, leaving only himself and the royal healer to attend to Daemonikai.Although Daemonikai's body had fought off the worst of the poison, they had taken no chances. He had been administered healing herbs and potions and nourished with Sinai's blood."A few hours of rest should dispel the remaining toxins, Your Highness," the healer assured Vladya. "He will make a full recovery.""Thank you, Faiwick. You are dismissed."Left alone, Vladya gazed upon the sleeping Daemonikai, sti
GRAND LORD VLADYAThe door creaked open, and Grand Lord Vladya entered the chamber. Daemonikai did not turn, his back still to the room, but Vladya didn't need him to.He crossed the space with silent steps, taking his place beside his oldest friend at the window.Waves of sorrow and despair radiated from Daemonikai, grief hanging in the air.How does one comfort a male who has awakened to the loss of everything he held dear?Vladya had no answers, so he simply stood in silence."You shouldn't have brought me back," Daemonikai's voice was a low rasp. "Why did you?""You had no right to leave," Vladya stated casually, his gaze fixed on the moonlit field below.Daemonikai whipped around, his eyes blazing. "What the hell, Vladya?""You had no right to leave like that!" Vladya's voice rose, the words torn from him in a torrent of pent-up emotion. "No right to run away. To hide. What happened to 'we are in this together?' You always told me so. What happened to 'I will always be here?'"Rag
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