Page 12 of THE SOULBOND AND HER BELOVED (Beasts Of Wrath And Madness #4)

Chapter twelve

EMERIEL AND HER KEIRA

Half-shifted, Daemonikai and Vladya tore through the woods, breathing loud, breathing deep. The night air howled past them, a blur of dark trees and shifting shadows.

They were no strangers to long runs. Over the years, they had pushed their endurance to its limits, testing themselves against time and terrain. But this was different.

This time, their women were in danger.

They had been running without pause for hours, not even slowing to drink. Their bodies screamed for rest. Visions swam, limbs burned. Yet they could not stop.

"Let us cut through the Dark Woods—it's shorter," Daemonikai said, veering left.

"Yes, but more dangerous.” Vladya followed. “Wild animals and ferals lurk there."

"We take what we must."

Plunging into the forest, the call of wolves rose in the night. By the time they reached the heart of the woods, Daemonikai smelled them and tensed. Ferals.

Beside him, Vladya tensed too. Slowing their pace, they readied themselves for battle.

A low growl slithered through the trees.

Flickers of movement.

Within seconds, ferals surrounded them. Their hungry, glowing yellow eyes peering from the undergrowth.

Beasts lunged.

Daemonikai and Vladya moved as one, their backs pressed together.

Going for the throat, the heart, the spine... weak points to save them a lot of time. Claws and fangs met flesh. Fast. Brutal.

More ferals poured from the tree line, their numbers endless.

They were being hunted like a feast in a famine.

Daemonikai hesitated.

Seven centuries ago, he would have slaughtered them without a second thought, but that was before he became one himself. Since his return, he had not ordered a hunt for ferals as was customary.

Tonight, however, the stakes were too high. The last thing they needed was to lead a pack of bloodthirsty mad beasts back to the fortress.

So they killed.

Heads fell. Blood splattered against the ground. Bones snapped beneath their hands.

The fight stretched long, the road still endless before them.

Daemonikai forced himself to focus on the battle even as impatience coursed through him.

Emeriel was alone.

Going through heat without him.

He had promised her— sworn to her —he would be there when it happened.

That broken promise burned worse than his deprived lungs, the battle wounds. She would be in so much pain.

A claw raked his back, pain snapping him back to the present. Snarling, Daemonikai whirled and ripped the feral’s spine in two.

Fists dripping with blood, he lunged for another feral.

I am on my way, Little Star. Hold on for me.

I beg of you.

***

Madam Livia was overwhelmed.

Aekeira writhed on the bed, sweat-drenched body arching, sobbing and clawing at her own skin, begging for any kind of relief.

Across the room, Emeriel rolled on the ground, holding her lower belly in a vice grip, crying brokenly in raw agony.

Outside, chaos raged, the kind only the scents of females in heat could summon.

Thankfully, Lord Ottai stood as the ultimate barrier against the Urekai males falling into their base instincts, circling like vultures on a battlefield. Their snarls and growls echoed beyond the chamber door.

Occasionally, Livia watched through the window to keep track of events, and today, she had witnessed a new side of Lord Ottai.

He fought to hold them back, wielding his authority like a relic, keeping the vultures from tearing through the door. Using his Alpha Will on those who dared to push forward, sending some stumbling back, and others dropping to their knees.

Beside her, Amie was shaking, wringing her hands together, on the edge of panic. "Madame, what do we do?"

"You promised! You promised!" Emeriel’s wail cut through the room as she twisted on the floor, her tear-streaked face turning upward. "Daemonikai, you promised you would be here. You swore... I would not suffer!"

Forcing herself to stay calm, Livia moved to her, while instructing Amie. "Here, help me. We need to determine if hers is a full heat or a mini."

"Princess Emeriel is in so much pain." Amie knelt beside her. "Surely, it must be full heat."

"She has also been on suppressants for longer than anyone should ever. This could be a mini coming on too strong."

Livia crouched beside Emeriel. "Hey, Princess…"

Emeriel’s head snapped toward Livia, glazed eyes begging. “Make it stop..." Trembling, breathing loud. "Please, Beloved... make it stop. I’m on fire ."

“He will be here soon,” Livia said, though she had no way of knowing if it was true. Signaling Amie to move behind Emeriel and hold her arms, she added. "Stay still for me, alright?"

She nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face. “Will you make it stop?”

"Yes, I will."

"Okay, okay…" Her body trembled as she forced herself to stay still.

Livia parted Emeriel’s legs and worked two fingers inside the tight, slippery space. A choked gasp replaced the small, pained sounds, back arching violently as Emeriel orgasmed, mouth falling open in a silent cry.

Livia felt for swellings—any sign that Emeriel’s womb would descend, but the sudden orgasm told her all she needed to know. This was a mini-heat.

Releasing a slow breath of relief, she withdrew her fingers.

"More…" Emeriel’s wrecked voice pleaded. "Oh, please—more."

Livia hesitated. In the past, Livia had never thought twice about relieving the princess’s pain whenever the heat waves came. But things were different now. She belonged to the Grand King.

As much as she wanted to help Emeriel, the last thing she needed was King Daemonikai storming into this chamber half-mad with need, scenting her on his woman, and tearing her head from her shoulders.

A wrenching sob snapped Livia from her thoughts.

"Oh… it’s coming, it’s—" Emeriel’s words dissolved into a heart-destroying scream. Her body raised, every muscle locked tight, toes curling against the floor. Hell, there was no way she was not suffering cramps as well.

"Please, help her, Madame!" Amie shouted frantic, her thin arms straining to keep the thrashing princess in place.

A heavy thud sounded as someone fell. Livia’s head whipped toward the bed.

Aekeira had rolled off the other side, more pained cries filling the room.

With a resigned sigh, Livia reached between Emeriel’s legs again. "Shh, little one, it will be alright." Inserting her fingers again, this time seeking the Syren gland, she pressed firmly.

Choked moans spilled as the tension in Emeriel’s muscles started to dissolve. Her limbs loosening, her toes unfurling.

"Yes… yes, thank you," she spewed the whimpers of relief, moving her hips, seeking Livia’s fingers.

Pressing harder against the swollen gland, Livia released the pent-up liquid, the pressure. Emeriel shuddered, thrashing so hard her arm caught Amie in the eye.

The girl cried out, instinctively letting go to clutch her face, which only made things worse. Now free, Emeriel’s arms flailed wildly, striking Livia on the cheek and Amie on the shoulder.

"Amie!" Livia snapped.

"Sorry, Madame!" Wincing, she quickly grabbed hold of Emeriel again, restraining her.

Resuming her work, Livia ruthlessly massaged that demanding, hungry gland until Emeriel’s body convulsed with another release. Her eyelids fluttered wildly before she finally went limp, collapsing into Amie's arms.

"We did it," Amie panted, releasing her grip and wiping sweat from her brow.

Livia exhaled, steadying herself. Rising, she patted Amie’s shoulder. "You did well."

The girl beamed at the praise.

Crossing the room to where Aekeira lay crumpled on the floor, they looked at her.

The cries coming from her were small and pitiful, body shaking uncontrollably. Near her, a dark stain marred the floor where she had retched. The girl had gone into a heatstroke.

"Oh... poor Princess Aekeira," Amie said with sorrow. "I wish we could help her too."

"We cannot." The regret in Livia’s voice was heavy. "She is in full heat, her body will reject any touch but Lord Vladya’s."

She crouched beside the trembling princess, voice gentle. "Little one, can you hear me?"

Aekeira barely stirred.

Livia reached out, brushing the lightest touch against her leg.

Aekeira flinched violently, letting out a sharp whine of pain as she recoiled from the contact.

Livia shook her head. "We can do nothing for her."

The door swung open and Lord Ottai stepped in, looking tense.

"How are things in here?" His gaze fell to Emeriel’s motionless form on the floor. "I stopped hearing her voice. Is she alright?"

Livia nodded. "For now, she is stable. Lost consciousness after a strong release.” Livia lifted her chin to the door. “And out there?"

"Not pretty." Lord Ottai rubbed a hand over his face. "Everyone except the bonded males have been affected by their scent—including my own head guard, who was supposed to help me hold the others back. Now, I rely on my bonded soldiers, but they are few."

"Do you think Lord Vladya and the King are near? Aekeira has gone into heatstroke. Emeriel’s mini-heat is far worse than her previous ones. I am concerned."

Ottai’s jaw tautened, saying nothing.

At last, he released a quiet, weary sigh. "What I do know is, wherever they are... they must be doing everything within their power to get here. That's what I count on."

***

Voices drifted through the haze of Emeriel’s mind as she stirred.

Daemon?

Her heart leapt, but as she listened more closely, she realized it was Lord Ottai and Madam Livia speaking in hushed tones nearby.

Bracing herself for the pain, she slowly pushed upright. But thankfully the agony had receded to a dull, throbbing ache.

"The princess is awake, Madame!" Amie’s voice rang out as Emeriel blinked hard, clearing her vision.

Madam Livia was suddenly before her, cupping her face to check her temperature. “How do you feel?”

“Aekeira...” Croaking through her parched throat, Emeriel struggled to her feet, swaying as the room spun.

Madam Livia was there to steady her.

“How is Aekeira...?" Emeriel asked. "I need to know she’s alright.”

The head maid looked at her with regret. "She is not doing well. Just got out of yet another heatstroke."

A sharp stab of pain shot through Emeriel’s lower belly as she tried to straighten to her full height. Giving up, she stooped over, gritting her teeth, as she moved with determination to reach her sister.

Aekeira lay trembling on the floor, wracked with silent sobs. Slick with sweat, her taut nipples red and raw from her own desperate attempts to find relief.

Hell, even this position hurts.

Sinking to her knees, Emeriel crawled the rest of the way. "Keira..."

"Her body is rejecting all contact, Emeriel, be careful." Madam Livia said.

Paying her no heed, Emeriel brushed her fingers over her sister’s arm. “Keira, honey… I’m here. I’m right here.”

With a strangled moan, Aekeira turned her head, leaning into Emeriel like a touch-starved kitten.

"Em?" Her voice was the faintest whisper.

Tears spilled freely down Emeriel’s cheeks as she pulled Aekeira into the crook of her arm. "Yes, it is me."

Spreading her legs, Emeriel made space for Aekeira’s trembling body to rest comfortably as she cradled her.

Clutching tightly to Emeriel’s arm, her sister cried. "I don't know h-how you survived this, Em." Wincing in between heavy breaths. "I hurt everywhere. There is this fire... in my privates... that will not go out. And the more I touch it... the worse it burns."

Emeriel swallowed against the lump in her throat. "That’s the way it is, my dearest sister. But you will get through this, I promise."

Out of the corner of her eye, Emeriel saw Lord Ottai, Madam Livia, and Amie watching them with worry.

She should probably be concerned about modesty, being naked in a room with a male, yet Emeriel could not care less. Bending, she pressed a gentle kiss to Aekeira’s damp forehead. "You will get through this."

Aekeira shook her head. "I don't know how much longer... I can bear this. I don't think I can..."

"Think about the positives, Keira," Emeriel soothed, her own tears falling onto her sister’s hair. "Now, you can bond with the love of your life. You always told me nothing good comes easily, right? See this agony as the new, shining light it is. We will get through this together."

Aekeira’s body went stiff, panic creeping into her voice. "Em... oh my gods, Em..."

Another wave was coming.

More tears fell from Emeriel’s eyes. "They will be here soon," she whispered firmly, not just to convince her sister but herself too. "We have to stay strong."

A wretched cry of sheer anguish tore from Aekeira as another contraction ripped her a new one.

"Oh, gods—Em!" she screamed so loud, tangling her fingers into her own hair, pulling fiercely.

Emeriel seized her hands to stop her from hurting herself, holding her tight while crying helplessly. Watching her sister break apart in her arms, yet there was nothing she could do to ease her suffering. To end this pain devouring her whole.

And then, like a raging tempest, the flames rose in Emeriel’s own body.

Oh, the lights...!

Her vision blurred as heat flowed through her in a consuming fire, dragging her under. Emeriel’s own screams joined Aekeira’s in a chorus of pure, unfiltered misery.

Somewhere, in the distant haze of her suffering, she heard shouting. "Lord Ottai! Hurry! We are losing control of the situation!"

Then the sound of hurried footsteps as Lord Ottai rushed out.

And the world disappeared into the fire .

***

Livia was not the kind to long for things.

Born into slavery, shaped by battle and survival, fought her way from the lowest to the position she held now, she had never allowed herself to yearn.

Not for love. Not for warmth. Certainly not for something as unreal as a family.

Yet as she stood there, watching Emeriel clutch Aekeira tightly, whispering soft reassurances even as heat waves ripped them both apart from the inside, something unfamiliar stirred inside her.

What would it be like to experience such deeply passionate, devoted love as the two share? To have someone to hold onto in the worst moments of suffering—someone who would never let go?

They were in excruciating pain, almost impossible for a human body to bear, yet still clinging to each other. Finding strength in each other. Their bond was unbreakable, utterly beautiful... yet painful to watch.

Aekeira gripped her sister’s arm, while Emeriel curled around her protectively, as though her own agony did not matter as long as her sister was in her arms. Both wailing in pain.

A new sound shattered Livia’s thoughts.

A commotion outside. Loud. Growing wilder.

"Get out of the way!" Grand King Daemonikai’s voice was a roar of thunder. "Out! All of you!"

The scuffling of males scrambled to obey.

Another roar. "In the next ten seconds, I will be tearing heads from shoulders! DISAPPEAR, RIGHT NOW!"

The pounding of footsteps running shook the ground.

"Where is she!?” Grand Lord Vladya's commanding tone came. “Where is Aekeira!?"

A heartbeat later, the door burst open, and they stormed in. Two towering figures filling the doorway, their very presence sucking the air from the room.

Clothes torn, bodies smeared with blood, eyes wild and savage, they looked like they walked through the depths of hell to get here.

But they were here.

Finally.