Page 30 of THE SOULBOND AND HER BELOVED (Beasts Of Wrath And Madness #4)

Chapter thirty

CARING AND LOVING HIM.

“This one.” Emeriel lifted a small vial to her nose, the golden oil inside glowing in the sunlight. “Sandalwood and amber—perfect for easing tension.”

“Too heavy,” Lady Morina said, selecting another vial infused with sage. “You need something that soothes but does not cling so thickly to the skin.”

“What about this?” Aekeira reached for a slender vial marked Night’s Calm .

“Lavender,” Lady Morina noted with a faint smile. “I like it.”

Emeriel was grateful the lady had agreed to make this journey with them. She remembered the puffy redness around Morina’s eyes when they had sought her out that morning. Eyes that had wept for hours. Perhaps longer.

Emeriel could not imagine the depth of that grief, knowing the male who had killed her only son had not been a human invader but Grand Lord Zaiper. How could any Urekai comprehend such a betrayal?

It had been three days since the court had heard the Oracle’s reveals.

Three days of gloom and mourning.

The markets were shuttered. The courts stood empty. Fields, once alive with labor and song, lay untended.

All of Urai mourned .

King Daemonikai had not left his bedchamber. He remained behind closed doors, beating himself up for not seeing Zaiper’s treachery sooner.

Emeriel had wanted to comfort him. She had wanted to go to him the moment he disappeared behind those doors. But she had given him the space he needed.

Except one day passed.

Then another.

Then the third.

Worry had settled in her so much she confided in her sister. But Aekeira was struggling with the same. Lord Vladya had withdrawn into silence, locking himself away in his own rooms as well.

The sisters had spent long hours together, thinking of something— anything —they could do, but no answers had come. So, in desperation, they had sought Lady Morina’s counsel.

“Relaxation and comfort,” Morina had told them. “What they need most now is to know you are there. That you are not leaving them to bear this alone—even while you give them a little space.”

So Aekeira suggested they try massage.

And that was why they found themselves in the market, picking out oils and salves on this mournful morning.

“Ah. A fine choice,” the merchant said as Aekeira handed her the vial. “Blended with rose oil, valerian root, and a touch of cinnamon. Warms the muscles… and stirs the senses.”

Aekeira arched a brow. “Stirs the senses?”

The merchant’s smile deepened. “A touch of heat beneath the relaxation. If your men are warriors, then their bodies know strain. But a gentle burn… that can make them feel alive again.”

The three women exchanged glances.

“We’ll take it,” Lady Morina said, setting a handful of silver coins onto the wooden counter.

***

That night, after Emeriel bathed, she dressed in a simple, loose nightdress. The soft clothing hung over her swollen belly, its drape flattering, making her bump seem smaller.

She gathered the basket she had prepared—vials of oil, a small clay jar, linen cloths, and a shallow bowl. Leaving her bedchamber, she made her way quietly through the hall toward his. But the soldier standing guard outside told her he'd gone to the study after his evening bath, so she went in search of him there.

The study was dark when she entered, but she knew her way around well enough. Crossing quietly to the nearest table, she reached for the candlestick.

“Leave it off,” came a deep voice. Low. Rough.

She paused, her hand hovering over the candle. Then she set it back down.

Following his voice, she moved carefully to the desk. As her eyes adjusted to the dim, she could make out the shadow of his form.

He sat behind the desk, his elbows propped upon its surface, face buried in his hands.

Emeriel approached him, the basket in her hand making no sound as she placed it on the desk. “I have given you the space you needed for days, but I’m worried about you. I can barely sleep.” She stopped herself from reaching for him. “I’m so sorry for everything you are going through.”

Silence and darkness. Zero movement.

“I wish our bond was active again so I could share even a little of your pain. But I cannot and it kills me.” She tried to keep the wobble from her voice. “Please, let me help you in whatever small way I can.”

“Emeriel…” he groaned.

“Please,” she whispered. “Let me help you.”

He lowered his hands, straightening in his chair. Emeriel reached for his hand, drawing him to his feet. He rose without resistance.

She removed the heavy robe from his shoulders, then his loose undershirt before he sat again, slow and weary.

Reaching for the bowl, she mixed the oils as Lady Morina had shown her—warming them with her hands. Moving behind him, she placed her palms on his shoulders, the muscles hard as stone. She began to knead them.

Emeriel had never done a massage before, and truly, she had no idea if she was doing it well, but she felt better doing something .

He groaned after a few moments, his head rolling to one side as her thumbs worked into the knots at the base of his neck.

“I cannot believe all of this happened under my nose,” his bitter voice came at last. “I had no idea...”

She did not interrupt. Smoothing the warmed oil into his skin, listening.

“Yes, I knew Zaiper hated me,” Daemonikai continued. “I knew his family’s obsession with the throne. When you have ruled for millennia, you become accustomed to it. I knew he was ambitious, but I didn't know he was this corrupt.”

Her hands paused briefly. But she bit her lip and let him speak, working in silence as he emptied his thoughts.

“Beware the vampire of Greyrock.” He laughed without mirth. “When the Oracle gave me that warning, I thought her foolish. Why risk pain to tell me something I already knew?” he paused, then scoffed. “What did I know? I was dining with the male who killed my entire family. Oblivious and fucking stupid.”

Emeriel dipped her fingers into the clay bowl again, coating them with the warmed oil, and began smoothing them over his shoulders once more.

“At least that answers the question of why he was not broken like the rest of us. I always cut him some slack because he lost his beloved brother. I never would have thought him involved.” Daemonikai shook his head. “I watched those two grow. They were brothers every step of the way—loved and cared for each other. I cannot believe Zaiper killed Kristoff.”

“As if that were not enough, he wove dark magic into my mind. Had the Oracle not dragged the truth into light… how much longer would he have gone on without being caught?”

Emeriel had her own regrets.

She had suspected him. In the past, Emeriel had repeatedly pondered how humans had executed such complex plans without aid. The plan had been too successful. But then her personal problems had gotten in the way and overtaken her focus.

I should have told you . Even without evidence or knowing the magnitude of the accusation, I should have told you anyway. Would it have made a difference?

“I want answers,” Daemonikai stated in a hard voice. “No matter what I do to him, the answers must come first. I deserve them. Our people deserve them.”

The massage wasn’t working; he was too rigid. Body tight as iron gates.

His chair abruptly turned sideways. “Come here," he said, hands reaching for her, guiding her to stand between his spread legs.

Unexpectedly, he began to work the small buttons of her nightdress. One by one they came undone, and he eased the loose clothing down her shoulders until it slipped to the floor, leaving her naked before him.

Emeriel’s heart raced. Her skin warmed, suddenly overcome with nerves.

But he simply… looked. Really, really looked. He didn't take his eyes off her swollen belly as if staring past the skin.

Then he reached out, resting his palm upon the curve of their child.

“The only reason I’m trying so hard to keep it together,” he said roughly. “Our young one. The unbelievable life we created together.”

Emeriel shivered.

“I am struggling, Emeriel,” he admitted at last, his green eyes lifting to meet hers. “The darkness calls to me again. For the first time since I returned from the realm of the dead, the urge to succumb is… strong.” He exhaled deeply. “But then I see your face in my mind, I see our young one, and that's how I have kept my head above the fire that cooks me.”

He lowered his gaze back to her belly. “Little one, how do I hold it together long enough to face my greatest enemy? The voices are strong, and they’re winning.” His thumb brushed slowly over her skin. “How do I find that bastard and make him pay? How do I rid the world of him, so you won’t be born into a world where he still walks? You, my little sunshine, deserve better. Better than to breathe the same air that despicable Urekai defiles.”

He pressed a kiss to her navel. “I will cleanse this world of him, and to do so, I must find the strength to hold myself together during these trying times, even if I have to bare your mother every single day to look at you this closely for strength.”

The waterworks came, muddling her vision. She cupped his face with both hands, lifting it to look at her. “What can I do?” she whispered. “Please, tell me.”

He closed his eyes briefly at her touch, then opened them again, searching hers. “I feel… really numb inside. Our little treasure helps, but…I really need you, Emeriel.”

Her belly knotted inside. “Do you want to mount me?”

“I always want to make love to you, yes,” he murmured. “But no… not even to dispel the cold will I take what you’re not ready to give again. No way.” He kissed the palms of her hands, lingering there. “I can wait as long as it takes—months, centuries, millennia . You are worth waiting for, my radiant star. And I love you.”

The world stood still.

Emeriel wiped at her eyes to be sure she had heard him right. Needing to see him. Be sure it was real. "You just said..."

“I love you, I have for a long time,” he said softly, pressing kiss after kiss along her arm. “I know I’m not very good with words, Emeriel. I only wish to show you what you mean to me." A shadow crossed his eyes. “I haven’t done the best job of that, but what I feel for you... I hope there will come a time when I show you so much you live and breathe it."

“Oh, Daemon.” She sniffled, her lips quivering.

“I love you, please, don’t ever leave me,” he repeated, baring himself to her. “I know I’m not the easiest male to love, but I’m begging you. I’ll wait until the sun forgets to rise and the great mountains crumble, and I’ll love you longer still. Just… stay with me.”

Her tears fell and he caught them, brushing them away with a tenderness that made her chest ache. Emeriel trembled where she stood.

“I love you too, and I'm not going anywhere." She hugged his head to her belly, threading her fingers through the locks she had grown so used to. He was terrified to lose them too.

A lower tone, hopeful. "Promise?"

"I promise."

With a shaky breath, he pulled her down onto his lap before wrapping her in his arms again. His head found its place against her chest.

As she held him close, she stared ahead at the shelves. A small smile formed as she took in the endless stacks of books and scrolls. Her chest felt light, and her stomach fluttered with butterflies.

Hearing those words from him had set right something deep inside her. It had steadied the slight slope in their world. She felt whole.

I still wish there was something I could do for him.

A thought came to her.

She shifted, and he raised his head, allowing her the space to move. Sliding from his lap awkwardly, down between his open legs, Emeriel straightened to her knees.

“What are you doing?” he asked, a little uncertain. “Are you comfortable?”

“Yes.” She reached into his loose pants, pulling him free.

Understanding dawned in his eyes, and they narrowed.

Her mouth watered. “Will you let me?”

This had been on her mind since her last heat. She had enjoyed it then—perhaps a little too much. Whether that had been driven by instinct or her own desire, she still wasn’t sure. But she hadn’t gathered the courage to ask him for this again. Until now.

His eyes assessed hers. “Are you sure?”

Let me help dispel the cold. “Yes, please.” It was the first time Emeriel had ever seen him truly flaccid. And even now, in this state, he did not appear small.

He guided her head forward and Emeriel took him in.

The feel of him, the stretch of her jaw—it was all familiar. She drew back a little, lips gliding along his length, pressing a tentative kiss to his head. A timid flick became several bolder strokes as she grew more confident.

Soon, she took him back into her mouth, deeper this time, braver, until he nudged the back of her throat.

Gagging once, Emeriel withdrew only a little to steady herself. She swallowed, prepared herself, and dived down again, calmer, more determined.

He hardened quickly as she worked him, swelling in her mouth, filling her. Each pulse beneath her tongue gladdened her heart, giving her more confidence. She closed her eyes, pouring all her focus into making him feel good. Lips tightened. Tongue pressed firmer.

With every groan, she moved with more passion. Every shiver in his breath in the silent, darkened study, made her tingle.

When he tried to pull her away, Emeriel held firm, ready. His release came with a deep grunt, and she swallowed as he spilled into her throat.

She didn't let go, drawing out every last shudder, every pulse, until there was nothing left. Cleaning him thoroughly, moaning greedily, she eased him through the sensitivity until he hissed.

Only then did she pull back, feeling flushed and warm, gazing up at him with seeking eyes.

His expression had softened; some of the tension drained from him. He cupped her cheek. “Good girl.”

For you, Beloved. Always. Emeriel mewled, content. Resting her head on his thigh, staring at his half-hard length.

And because she couldn’t help herself, she leaned forward and mouthed him again.

“Fuck,” he breathed in an uneven tone. “You really do love sucking me off, don’t you, Riel?”

She hummed softly, lips around him, eyes drooped... content. She nodded, refusing to let go, even to answer.

Daemonikai hissed again from the overstimulation but made no move to stop her. His hand returned to her hair, tangled in, and rested there. “One of the most alluring aspects of you is how you transform from my straitlaced princess into my naughty little vixen."

Her eyes fluttered open, a blush flourishing high on her cheeks. Yet she smiled, lips curving around him even as she continued her slow, languid motions. Sucking, tugging, rolling him on her tongue until his hisses quieted and he relaxed once more.

With a moan of sheer eagerness, she swallowed him down again, going straight for seconds. Taking him even deeper.

Time dissolved around them.

By the time he was emptying down her throat again, and she was greedily draining him again, her knees ached from kneeling, and her jaw throbbed from the effort. At last, reluctantly , she let him go.

He reached for her at once, pulling her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her waist. He guided her onto his lap again with careful hands, looking at her with satisfaction, pride, and… wonder .

“You are so full of surprises.”

Emeriel hid her face against his neck, mumbling. “You do not think me… wanton?”

“Oh, I think you very wanton,” he drawled, flicking one of her aching, sensitive nipples with a teasing touch that made her shiver. “But your wantonness destroys me in the best of ways. I enjoy your debauchery, my slutty sexy princess.”

She relaxed against him, letting herself sink into the safety of his embrace. One large hand stroked down her back.

“Thank you for being here in Urai, in my home and in my life.” He tipped her face up and kissed her forehead. “You make everything… bearable.”

“I’m deeply saddened by what happened. I’m sorry about your late bondmate, Alvin, and Myka,” she said. “You had a wonderful family, and I’m so sorry someone as evil as Lord Zaiper took them from you in such a brutal way."

“Thank you,” he said. “Never in my life did I think a day would come when I could think of them like this, and it wouldn't feel like knives and fire. That it would feel… almost bearable.”

She understood.

Two years ago, if this truth had come to light, it would have destroyed him to the extent of driving him fully feral again. Look how far we’ve come, my Grand King.

"I can’t believe Lord Zaiper almost got away with this, walking free for centuries, untouched. No one the wiser,” Emeriel said, with anger.

“Riel,” Daemonikai said after a moment.

“My king…”

“Can I tell you about my boys?”

The tears slipped free again, leaving warm trails down her cheeks. She nodded, her voice thick. “Please do. I would be honored to listen.”

And so, he did.

***

Hours later, they lay together in his bed.

Daemonikai cuddled her from behind, his body a solid wall of warmth. Emeriel stared ahead, stubbornly awake despite the heaviness pulling at her lids.

She had listened to him for hours as his memories spilled free, and he spoke of his deceased family, laying them— himself —open before her.

Now, she felt raw, split apart by his pain and all he had shared.

“Your boys sound like wonderful young males,” she whispered at last, truthfully, each word scraped painfully from her throat. “Thank you for telling me.”

He had found in her a safe place to set them free. Trusted her with his sorrow and their good memories, not bearing them alone. For that, Emeriel was grateful.

Even if it left her aching, she was glad. Because he was healing.

“Lord Zaiper must never get away with what he did,” she said with conviction.

“I will die first,” Daemonikai stated. “I will hunt him down, and when I have him, I'll show him no mercy. I'll not grant him an easy death—that’s why I let him walk free in court. He doesn't deserve the easy way out.” His breath stirred her hair as he spoke. “I owe it to Evie, my sons, Vladya, Ottai, the Oracle... to my people. I owe it to myself, to you, and the new life we'll bring into this world.”

Emeriel nodded, her fingers finding his. She laced their hands together, brought it up, and kissed his knuckles.

“I was searching for evidence, however minor, to hold him responsible for messing with my mind, unaware it was just the tip of the iceberg. I will capture Zaiper Thoryk Dragaxlov, Emeriel.”