Page 46 of THE SOULBOND AND HER BELOVED (Beasts Of Wrath And Madness #4)

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 distance. Some familiar, some not, but he knew in his heart they were all his.

Daemonikai raised his voice, addressing them all. “I brought your killer to justice, and I made sure he suffered . I know most of you have no memory of how you died, but perhaps some of you stayed behind because you felt something was wrong. Something unfinished.” Emotion clouded his throat. He cleared it. “Today I tell you, the male who betrayed our people, who caused your deaths, is no more. So I ask you now, go . Rest. Be at peace. When you reincarnate, may you be Urekai once more, and even if you are not—I pray you find love, joy, and purpose. You will not go unjust again.”

The spirits lowered their heads in unison.

“ Your Grace, ” they murmured as one.

Daemonikai bowed back, blinking furiously against the tears burning behind his eyes.

When he looked up, many of them were smiling, some brushing away tears of their own. And then they turned and began to walk. Into the woods, toward the other shore.

He turned back to his sons. “And you two…” he said, voice thick. “Remember all I taught you. Just because you’re here doesn’t mean you become idle figureheads.”

The tension dissolved into laughter.

“Yep, that’s the way it’s done.” Daemonikai grabbed them both by the backs of their heads, pulling them close one last time, resting their foreheads to his shoulders.

His face contorted, trying to hold the grief in.

But when he stepped back, he was smiling again. “Until we meet again, my boys.”

“Goodbye, Father.” They waved at him.

“Take care of your family,” Alvin said. “Myka, Mother, and I are happy now, so please… be happy too.”

“I am now,” Daemonikai whispered. “I love you both, more than you’ll ever know. And you’ll always be in my heart. Go now. Rest.”

They smiled, vanishing.

His eyes snapped open.

Darkness. His chamber. His bed. Alone.

The tears came. Hot and silent, trailing down the sides of his face, soaking into the pillow. He let them fall.

He had finally seen his sons, finally got to say goodbye. They were at peace.

The bed dipped beside him.

Warm arms wrapped around his body, pulling him upright, and he turned instinctively, folding into the embrace of his mate. holding her tight, silent.

“Bad dreams?” her voice was soft.

Daemonikai shook his head. “No, they were good dreams. The best of them. I finally got to say goodbye.”

Emeriel pulled back, searching his face, then gently cradled the back of his head, pressing him against the warm cushions of her breast. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

He stayed there for a moment, basking in her scent, in the calm beat of her heart.

“Thank you,” he murmured. “For making my life full. For coming into it when you did. You breathed life back into me.”

Her hand stroked his hair. “Always . ”

“How are the little ones?” he asked after a moment.

“Sleeping.” Emeriel smiled. “I just fed them. Madam Livia is with them now.”

“Yeah?” he mused, already picturing their peaceful faces.

“Yes.”

He shifted, nuzzling her breast again, voice dropping lower. “There’s one mouth left to feed.”

She chuckled softly. “Bloodfeed? But… your bloodhost came yesterday.”

“She did.”

Her name was Yevia—a three-hundred-year-old bonded female, mated to the love of her life and mother to a strong youngling. She wasn’t noble-born, but she was respectful, well-mannered, and carried herself with dignity. Their feeding sessions were calm, impersonal, exactly what they were meant to be.

Unlike Sinai, Yevia had never attempted to manipulate the bond, she respected him, and most importantly, she honored his female. Feeding with her was peaceful. That was all Daemonikai ever wanted.

“But no,” he said, fingers digging into his woman’s soft ass. “I didn’t mean bloodfeeding. A different kind of feeding.”

“Oh…” Her breath caught—that soft tremor of desire slipping into her voice.

“Mmm.” He growled low in his throat, lips brushing the curve of her breast. “Do you want me, my star?”

“So much,” she whispered.

He leaned back against the headboard, settling comfortably, eyes dark with want as he tugged her forward.

She climbed into his lap, straddling him, her breasts swaying before his face.

Body relaxed, gaze intense, he coaxed her forward until she straddled him, her breasts directly in front of his face.

Daemonikai released one from the confines of her garment, baring it to the moonlit room. “Hold it out to me.”

“Daemon,” her voice held a shy mortification. “You know my milk flows…”

“Of course I do.” He had avoided doing this, denying himself the taste of her like this, even when they made love, but six months was enough. “I’ve wanted this. Fuck, I’ve ached for it.” His fingers flexed against her hip. “Feed us.”

Her lips parted, breath shaky. “As my Beloved commands,” Her palm cradled the swell, guiding it to his lips—

And he latched on.

Fuck. His taste buds exploded.

Decadent, warm, rich, sweet. Did everything about her have to ruin him so completely? It was as if every inch of her was made to bring him to his knees.

His mouth worked fast and greedy, her soft hitches loud in the silence.

As he sucked, one hand slid down to cup her backside, fingers kneading, teasing. A spank made her jolt, her flesh jiggling under his palm before he soothed the sting with a caress. Tracing his hand along her spine, over her hip, then back up again, trailing the curve of her neglected breast, pinching the nipple until it pebbled.

Lower. Over the quiver of her soft belly, down to her drenched core.

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, not 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 into nothing, did he finally release her. Her nipples were red and well-abused.

Emeriel looked down at him, a vision of wrecked lust—lips parted, eyes hooded, her chest heaving. “ Please, ” she breathed again.

"What do you want, pretty princess?" His lips dragged over her nipple, tender yet demanding. "Tell me."

She rotated her hips, using her body to speak.

"Words, my radiant star." His palm pressed firmly against her core, claiming. "This belongs to me."

A breathless gasp. "Yes, it does."

"Mine."

"Yours."

His growl vibrated against her skin. "I love you, Emeriel." He took her mouth in a kiss that was more teeth than tongue—a savage brand of ownership. When he pulled back, his voice was a rough whisper against her lip. "I love you so damn much."

Softness in her eyes, fingers tangling in his hair. "I love you too."

"Now tell me to fuck you, Riel." His cock twitched against her thigh, heavy with need. "My dick is yours. Anytime. Anywhere. I want you to look me in the eyes and ask for what belongs to you."

Her face flamed. "Daemon..."

"Ask for it like you fucking own it." His thumb circled her clit, just once—a taunt. "Like it’s yours . Because it doesn’t belong to any other female. Just you. "

"Fuck me,” she blurted out.

"Hell yes," he praised, nipping her jaw. "That’s how it’s done."

"Fuck my body, Daemon.”

“Your pussy, beautiful Riel.” He growled. “Tell me.”

“Fuck my p-pussy.” Emboldened, she arched against him, her voice shaking but fierce. “Give me the dick that belongs to me.”

“Gods, yes! Want me to pound you so fucking hard you scream the whole chamber down?”

More of her wetness pooled on his thigh. “Yes, fuck me so good, please. I really want your dick inside me.”

Damn. She was everything—shy and bold, trembling yet demanding. And his.

"As my Grand Queen commands." In one fluid motion, he lifted her, lined himself up, and lowered her onto his cock.

She sheathed him perfectly, her tight heat dragging a groan from his chest. "Gods..." His forehead dropped to her shoulder, his voice breaking. "Fucking gods."

He moved slowly at first, savoring the glide, the way her breath hitched with every inch. Her hips met his thrusts, their rhythm syncopated, perfect.

"That’s my girl," he murmured, kissing her throat. "Now drop your shields. I want to feel you through our bond."

Daemonikai growled loudly. "Fuck." He’d braced himself—but as usual, the force of her feelings swept the balance from his feet.

He kept his up, not wanting her to go into bombardment just yet. Stopping, he rose to his feet, lifting her with him. Pinning her against the nearest wall, he slammed into her hard. Hammering into her, each thrust driving her higher, her cries fracturing into breathless "oohs" and "aahs" as he bounced her on his cock.

"Don’t bite your lip, sweet Riel," he rasped in her ear. "Our chambers are fortified. Scream for me."

"I’m g-going to—"

"Come."

She fractured to pieces, screaming his name as her climax ripped through them both. Her pleasure choked the hell out of his cock, her walls pulsating, and when her second wave hit—triggered by his own release—he carried her through it as she hissed and wailed, thrashing. His arms stayed locked around her, even in the end, when her bones turned to water.

***

Sated and tangled in their bed, he traced the curve of her spine as she slept. Daemonikai was drowsy himself, but there was still one thing he needed to do.

Sleep comes easier these days.

Ever since he brought Zaiper to justice, the nights had softened. The nightmares were fewer, and the pain of the past, while still present, no longer ruled him.

He sat up quietly, tucking the covers over Emeriel’s bare shoulders. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, then slipped out of the room. The halls of the royal residence were quiet.

He entered the nursery in silence, moving soundlessly. Livia dozed in the rocking chair near the window, arms folded, chin to her chest.

Daemonikai moved past her and stood before the cribs. His arms crossed slowly over his chest as he stared down at his children. It had become his ritual, one he cherished every single night.

Now, with his mind fully healed, he could stand before his offspring without fear of hurting them.

The dark mage was gone, the reversal spells performed, and just as he’d promised, he had nailed the motherfucker to the cross. Put on display for all to witness exactly what happens when someone dares to fiddle with his mind.

Daemonikai sighed, content and happy. It had been five months since the voices had vanished, taking the madness with them.

His beast was finally at peace. Some nights, he even curled up with Emeriel in his beast form, and she welcomed him with open arms.

This, right here, brought him great joy. Just watching the new lives he had been blessed with, breathe and sleep.

“I will protect you both and your mother with my life,” he spoke in a quiet vow. “I will never fail you as I failed in the past. The three of you come before my kingdom, before anything. Not a single harm will touch you as long as I draw breath. This is my vow to you, my precious ones.”

His son stirred, tiny fists curling by his face before stilling.

Daemonikai couldn’t stop his soft, proud smile. His heir, Daesovxscar. The Mighty One .

Beside him, came soft breaths from Heraxiolia, his daughter. Luminous Star . Already, he could see Emeriel in her. The same shape of her mouth, the delicate curve of her brows. Heavens help him, he already knew he would spoil her senseless.

Not a strand of her hair would be touched by anyone, he would ensure it. Always .

Standing there, watching his legacy sleep in warmth and safety, Daemonikai’s heart felt impossibly full and overflowing.

He was whole.