33. A BOND AS OLD AS TIME.
Chapter thirty-three
A BOND AS OLD AS TIME.
“Are you alright?” Vladya’s voice carried a note of concern as they dismounted from their horses. The guards swiftly took the reins, leading the steeds away.
“I am,” Daemonikai lied.
The dizziness that had plagued him earlier was becoming worse, a throbbing ache behind his eyes.
During the hunt, his vision had blurred, the trees swimming together into a green haze, and at one point, he’d nearly lost his balance.
"You are recovering from a poison that eats away at people’s organs. I hope to hell you have been drinking blood." Vladya came to his side, sharp eyes scrutinizing him.
“I haven’t felt the thirst,” Daemonikai replied coolly, forcing himself to walk with a steady gait. "The hunt lasted longer than we expected."
“Why? Are you so eager to go back to your woman, Your Grace?” Ottai’s voice rang out teasingly as he joined them.
Daemonikai rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. He couldn't deny it.
“You just know he is, the smile says it all,” Zaiper added, approaching from behind. “Congratulations, Your Grace. Truly.”
“Thank you, Zaiper.” With a curt nod, Daemonikai led the small group through the fortress's pathways.
When they reached the intersection marking their separate routes, everyone parted ways.
Daemonikai tried to maintain an even pace, but Ottai was right. He was eager to see Emeriel again.
The royal hunt, usually an enjoyable activity, had felt like an eternity.
The sound of soft footsteps behind him made him pause.
He turned, raising an eyebrow. "Why am I not surprised you are following me?"
"I wish to talk with you." Vladya grunted, catching up to him.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Daemonikai asked, resuming his walk. "You and I both know you're in a hurry to get back to Aekeira."
Once inside Daemonikai's chambers, Vladya settled lazily into an armchair, the leather creaking faintly under his weight. “What are your plans for your bloodhost?”
Daemonikai shrugged out of his hunting cloak, folding it neatly before answering, his voice flat. “I have none yet.”
“Perhaps you should, Daemon. The sooner you do, the faster you will tackle your thirst.” Vladya took a deep breath. “I sincerely don’t know why you aren’t drinking from her. Even if you don’t wish to see her, there are many ways to get her blood.”
“I know that,” Daemonikai bit out, his headache getting worse.
He rubbed his temple before walking over to pour water from a decanter, the steady trickle of liquid briefly filling the room.
He ignored the glass once it was full. “I cannot drink from her. I will not.”
“Starving yourself is not the solution,” Vladya added quietly.
“She tried to kill Emeriel. My bloodhost—the one person whose existence is tied to keeping me alive—poisoned and almost killed my Soulbond, the one person in existence who is my life.” The words came out in a suppressed fury, vibrating through the room.
His hand gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. “I knew Sinai was hard—vicious, even—but this? This is vile . This makes me question what else she’s done. What other horrors she has hidden.”
“You need her,” Vladya said calmly, even as understanding gleamed in his silver-gray eyes. “Bloodhosts aren’t just anyone, Daemon. You don’t have another, nor does anyone else. They are exceedingly rare, you know this. For another to emerge, the current one must die, and even then, it could take years. Many of our kind do not survive the waiting period."
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”
“I wonder about that, you need a reminder, evidently," Vladya added. "Your control is legendary but you are hungry. Very soon, you will start throwing pheromones around."
"It will not get to that," Daemonikai snapped, his patience thinning.
“You cannot give Sinai the maximum punishment," Vladya said warily. "She must get away with the minimum. I know it, you know it, the court knows it. Why not get it over with?”
Daemonikai glanced at the abandoned glass of water, lips pressed to a thin line. He knew all that. That was precisely why he tried to avoid dwelling on Sinai and her crime.
“While staying away might be punishment for her, you’re also punishing yourself. You are still recovering from soul death, and on top of that, you’re healing from the poison ravaging your organs. You need to feed.”
Daemonikai sighed, sinking into the chair opposite his friend, leaning back, and closing his eyes.
He tried to block out the incessant pounding in his skull, the headache constant now. At this rate, he’d win a trophy for enduring the sheer number of headaches plaguing him.
Rarely did a moment pass where his mind was clear and pain-free, and he knew—deep down—he couldn’t keep this up much longer.
“I will feed from Emeriel when it becomes too much,” he muttered, the words heavy with reluctance.
Vladya nodded. “That’s good—great even. Her blood is special to you; it should curb the hunger, at least for a while.” He hesitated, his gaze steady on Daemonikai. “However, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, my friend, but you know you can't sustain yourself on it. It won’t satisfy you, nor will it restore your full strength. She may be your soulmate, Daemon, but she is not your bloodhost.”
“Have you forgotten? A thousand years ago, I survived without Sinai’s blood for five years.” Daemonikai grunted.
"Of course, I remember. She was banished from Urai.” Vladya’s expression turned dark. “You know what else I remember? The suffering you endured during that time. Evie nearly died because you were draining her dry and we nearly lost over five hundred people in this kingdom… twenty we actually did lose because you couldn’t stop."
Daemonikai grimaced. Those were dark times, one of intense suffering and loss he preferred not to revisit.
"Think it over, my friend," Vladya said, rising. "Resolve this situation, and quickly. Even if you intend to feed from Emeriel, you know you’d never forgive yourself if you put her life in danger.”
***
Emeriel sank deeper into the warm water, letting the soothing heat seep into her throbbing muscles. The ache she felt all day finally starting to melt away.
Leaning back, she closed her eyes, the faint ripple of water lapping against the tub. She smiled in enjoyment.
Emeriel didn’t regret staying. What she did regret was the time she had wasted being miserable. She had spent so long resisting, refusing to give her Beloved—herself a chance to be happy.
A soft knock broke through her thoughts.
Emeriel opened her mouth, ready to dismiss whoever it was.
“Em, are you in there?”
Aekeira. Her heart skipped.
Sooner or later, she knew she’d have to face her sister. If there was anyone she had missed as much as her grand king, it was Aekeira.
“I’m in here,” she called out in a soft voice.
The door opened, and Aekeira hurried in, her smile radiant and infectious. “Oh, Em, I heard everything that happened!” She was practically glowing with excitement. “I’m so happy, so so happy for you.”
In a rush, Aekeira crouched by the tub, throwing her arms around Emeriel’s neck in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you came back!”
Emeriel closed her eyes, leaning into the familiar warmth of her sister’s embrace. Heavens, how I have missed this.
“I’m glad I came back too,” Emeriel admitted in a murmur.
“So you were really going to leave?” Aekeira pulled back, her expression shifting to one of hurt. “Without telling anyone? Without telling me ? You were going to leave me here… all alone?”
“You are happy here,” Emeriel met her sister’s eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to jeopardize that—or worse, make you feel like you needed to leave with me. And I’m not sorry for protecting your happiness.”
“You are a horrible sister,” Aekeira's voice broke, as her lower lip quivered. “Terrible, absolutely horrible… and completely adorable sister."
Emeriel snorted.
“When rumors about what happened in court started flying, I could hardly believe them." Akeira let out a watery laugh. "But then Vlad—he told me everything, and…”
“Vlad?” Emeriel arched a brow. “As in Lord Vladya?”
A soft blush spread across her Aekeira’s cheeks.
“Huh. Interesting.” Emeriel bit back a smirk.
“What made you change your mind?” Aekeira asked quickly, steering the conversation back.
“I couldn’t bring myself to cross Boundary Lake,” Emeriel’s voice dipped low. “Every step felt like I was tearing my heart out.” She hesitated. “Last night, I… uhm…”
“You what?”
Emeriel’s eyes dropped, a small, wistful smile playing on her lips. “We were intimate. And it was perfect. Not just the act itself but everything. The way his arms felt around me… the things he said. Just looking into his eyes while we were…” She trailed off, heat flooding her face at the memory. “Let’s just say suppressing my feelings after that wasn’t exactly easy.”
Her sister’s eyes grew soft. “You don’t know how joyful hearing this makes me.”
As Emeriel climbed out of the tub, her sister bustled over to rummage through the drawers, pulling out a brush.
Emeriel slipped into her nightwear, her movements slowing as she caught sight of Aekeira. A wave of nostalgia washed over her.
It was their old routine, taking care of each other like this. It felt like a lifetime ago.
“How do you feel now?” Aekeira asked, sparing her a glance as she set the brush down. Her eyes held a trace of worry. “Really, on the inside?”
“Happy,” Emeriel breathed truthfully. “Incredibly, immeasurably happy.”
Beaming, Aekeira gestured toward the chair.
Emeriel took her seat, swallowing hard as her eyes met their reflection in the mirror.
For the first time, she noticed something different about her sister. A radiant glow seeming to shine from deep inside.
Aekeira had been smiling since she’d walked through the door, looking so contented.
Her sister was… happier. Truly and completely happy.
Emeriel cleared her throat. “Tell me about you and Lord Vladya. How is his… health?”
Aekeira brushed her hair, the bristles gliding in gentle strokes from root to tip. “It’s gotten much better. There are still days when things are hard—when his episodes are really bad. The voices in his head grow stronger, and his beast becomes ruthless. But we have learned to navigate those days together, better than before.”
Her strokes faltered, the brush pausing mid-air as the light in her eyes dimmed. “Even so, those days, though rare, remind me of the inevitable… that he won’t always be here.”
Emeriel balled her hands into fists in her lap.
She wanted to rise, to wrap her sister in the kind of hug that could chase away the pain in her voice. But hesitation rooted her in place.
I haven’t hugged her to comfort her in over two years. How do I start now?
Aekeira took a deep breath, her eyes clearing, the heavy misery leaving her. “But we won’t let days like that rule our lives—or his."
The sadness ebbed from her voice as she resumed brushing. "He asked me to bond with him, and I said yes.”
Emeriel’s head snapped up.
She turned sharply, her wide eyes locking onto her sister. “You mean Lord Vladya asked you to be his mate? To perform the bonding ritual and everything?”
Aekeira gave an enthusiastic nod, smiling widely.
Emeriel stared, the weight of the revelation settling over her like a storm breaking on the horizon. She didn’t know all the details of the bonding ritual, but Lord Vladya’s history with it was infamous.
The idea that he was willing to give this relationship with Aekeira a true chance, to the point of committing to the ritual—was breathtaking. Incomprehensible.
No wonder my sister is so happy.
Emeriel rose slowly and crossed the room. Standing before Aekeira, she took her sister’s hand in hers, squeezing gently.
“I am so, so happy for you, Aekeira. It brings me immense joy to see you like this. You deserve it, after everything you have been through.”
Reaching out, she tucked a stray strand of Aekeira’s hair behind her ear with a tenderness that felt both foreign and familiar. “This was my only dream for so long. That you would find happiness with a male who truly loves and cherishes you. A male who could put this kind of light in your eyes and smile on your face.” Her lips curved into a tiny smile. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think that male would be Grand Lord Vladya.”
Aekeira nodded too, staring at their intertwined hands.
“Not the day that terrifying lord stood in Navia’s court, holding your cheeks and examining you with such disgust. Certainly not in those first months after we arrived in Urai, when he looked at you with hatred so strong it was frightening. And definitely not the day he punished you in court—or later that night in his private chambers.”
Tears filled Aekeira’s eyes, her voice trembling as she spoke. “We have come a long way, have we not?”
Emeriel nodded, a bittersweet smile on her lips. “Truly, love is found in the most unexpected places. I’m so genuinely happy for you, Keira. If any male can take care of you and protect you, it’s him. This has made my night.”
“Do you know what made mine?” Aekeira looked up, her eyes glistening as a tear slipped down her cheek. “This. Us, together again. Me and you.” Her voice broke in a whisper. “You, Em. Seeing you like this again has made my entire night.”
Emeriel’s heart grew too heavy.
Aekeira, as always was never hesitant or stingy with her hugs and pulled Emeriel back into her arms. “Thank you for coming back to us. For coming back to me.” She leaned closer, her breath soft against Emeriel’s ear. “For so long, I was terrified I’d lost you forever.”
Emeriel’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry I pushed you away. It’s been so hard, staying all these years with that distance between us, but…” I needed to survive.
“What happened?” Aekeira pulled back just enough to look into her sister’s eyes. Her voice was small, her gaze searching, imploring. “Tell me what happened. You just woke up one day… changed. No more grieving, crying, or moping. I was relieved—at least one of us was brave enough to deal with it. But deep down, I have always felt there was something more. Something you are not telling me.”
Emeriel shook her head slowly. “No, Keira. Let’s not go there.”
“So there is something.” Aekeira suddenly looked determined. “No, I need to know.”
“There is nothing.” Emeriel took a step back, the warmth fleeing, a chill spreading through her veins.
Her fingers tightened on her garment, her knuckles white. “Nothing happened.”
“No more secrets, Em, please.” Aekeira sounded desperate and frustrated. “I have thought about it for years. Did the grand king send a rejection letter to you in Navia? Is that it?”
“I truly don’t want to talk about it,” Emeriel’s voice shook. Her body betrayed her as she trembled, the tremors impossible to hide. “Keira, please, let it go.”
“Look at yourself!” Aekeira’s voice rose, her worry spilling over into anger. “You are shaking—it’s still affecting you! What happened, Em?”
“No!” she screamed in anguish. “Let it go. It’s all in the past!”
“Tell me, I need to know!” Aekeira shouted right back.
“I lost my child!”
The confession exploded from Emeriel in an agonized scream ripped from the depths of her soul. “I was pregnant, and I lost my baby!”
Emeriel’s chest was too full, it hurt too much. And because there was no more room for the pain, it was bursting through her.
“I was cr-crying too much, h-hurting myself too much. I was too weak, and because of that, I lost my p-pregnancy!” The more she screamed, the worse it hurt.
Tears streamed down her face in unending rivers. Now that the dam had burst, the words refused to stop. “I stood there in that lavatory while my child left me in a p-pool of b-blood, and there was n-nothing I could do about it.” A bitter, choked laugh left her. “I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I was so weak I lost the most pre-precious thing in—”
Aekeira’s arms were fierce around her again, and this time, Emeriel collapsed into her body, violent sobs wracking her throat.
“You were pr-pregnant?” Aekeira’s stuttered, her own tears falling freely now. “Oh, by the gods, by the gods, by the gods…! How could something like this happen? How did you live with this!? Why didn’t you tell me!? You carried something th-this heavy within you?! Light-gods, Emeriel!”
Aekeira held her even tighter, as if her arms alone could shield Emeriel from the agony.
“This is why I n-never talk about it,” she sobbed. “After all these years… it shouldn’t hurt this much. But it does. I feel like I’m tearing apart inside.”
“It was not your fault, do you hear me!?” Aekeira whispered sternly, with conviction. “Stop blaming yourself! Stop—”
Her words froze mid-sentence. She pulled back, her tear-streaked face suddenly tense.
“What is it?” Emeriel asked, her voice shaky and weak.
She wiped at her cheeks, her gaze fixed sharply on something behind Emeriel.
Dread coiled in Emeriel’s stomach as she turned slowly.
There, standing in the doorway, pale as death itself, was Grand King Daemonikai.
Oh heavens… no.