7. FIRE IN HER BLOOD, AND MORE TERRIFYING KNOWLEDGE
Chapter seven
FIRE IN HER BLOOD, AND MORE TERRIFYING KNOWLEDGE
Emeriel was on fire. Every nerve ending alight with a burning desire.
Having him so close...
A breathy moan escaped her as he licked her neck, twice. His warm tongue sent ecstasy through her. His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer like he wanted to embed her into his skin.
She clung to him, her fingers digging into the strong muscles of his back, nearly shaking out of her skin to be this close to her Beloved.
"Your musk," King Daemonikai growled, a deep rumble she felt being so plastered against him. "Holy Ukrae."
He knew. He could smell her arousal. Shame washed over her, yet she couldn't control the unbridled passion coursing through her veins. She mewled, hiding her face in his chest.
Emeriel wanted to stop, to pull away, but her body refused to obey. Helpless, trembling with need, she pressed her aching core against his firm thigh, grinding against him desperately.
Her arms tightened around him, her entire being longing to merge with his. To disappear into him. His broad shoulders shielded her from reality, the outside world fading into insignificance. Nothing mattered but her overpowering desire to be consumed by this male.
"Touch me," she cried, her voice raw with unrestrained longing. "I need you so much, I—"
He abruptly pulled away, leaving her aching for his warmth.
Emeriel sobbed in protest, her hands reaching blindly for him.
But his hand caught hers, stopping her. "No, Galilea. This is not only ill-advised, also it is dangerous."
She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her, a tortured expression on his face. King Daemonikai's body was rigid with restraint, his eyes burning with… something that both thrilled and frightened her.
"Your Grace," a soldier's voice called from outside the shed, shattering whatever spell held them captive.
King Daemonikai's eyes became hard. "What is it?"
"Lord Herod requests your presence. He has finished the notes and requires your assistance with the compilation,” the soldier reported. "Should I inform him that you are occupied and need more time?"
"There is no need for that." His eyes remained locked on Emeriel, his voice was cold and composed.
"Thank you for walking with me, young princess. I must take my leave." Then, with a curt nod, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the shed.
Emeriel's legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor. Ravenous hunger coursed through her, a relentless hurricane demanding to be fed.
Had he felt it too? In the throes of their connection, she hadn't been able to discern if he shared the same burning need.
Their bond was even stronger than she had imagined, and it terrified her.
Emeriel had prided herself on the progress she had made in recent weeks. At first, it had seemed impossible, but she had finally managed to go at least an hour without thinking of him. A small victory, but a hard-won one.
But a few stolen moments in his arms with his nose buried in her neck, and all her efforts crumbled to dust.
“Pull yourself together, Emeriel," she muttered. Shakily, she rose to her feet, her heart racing.
She was supposed to be avoiding him at all costs. Not wishing for his arms around her and his tongue lashing at her neck. She should never have agreed to that walk.
Now, he not only knew her as Galilae, but had imprinted her scent to memory.
What have you done, Emeriel?
She spent some time in the garden, lost in thought, finding solace in the tranquil atmosphere. By the time she returned to the manor, Lord Herod was alone in his study, the grand king having departed.
"Are you alright?" Lord Herod looked concerned as he closed the distance between them, gently taking Emeriel's arm and leading her to a plush couch. "I didn't know what to think when I heard he asked you for a walk. He's not exactly known for his warmth towards humans."
"I am fine, he did not harm me." Quite the opposite. Her heart raced with the memory of his touch. She glanced down at her hands, remembering how her Beloved had held her. He had been all over her, as if he couldn’t breathe without her scent.
"I apologize for those lies... especially the part about you being my betrothed," Lord Herod said, sincerely. "It was the only way I could think of to protect you in the face of his unexpected visit. The grand king may harbor animosity towards humans, but he is also a fair and just ruler who values those dear to his people, no matter their species."
"It's alright. I suppose it's better this way," Emeriel replied softly. It will make avoiding him at all cost easier.
"Is it? What if he recognizes you at the fortress?"
"He would not. I reside in the Western Wing, while his territory is the Southern Wing. And unlike before, when I was assigned various chores, I now work primarily in the garden. Our paths are unlikely to cross." Not to mention the scent suppressors.
"I saw the way he looked at you, several times," Lord Herod remarked, his gaze piercing into her own. "Whatever did you do to capture the attention of a male like King Daemonikai, young one?"
Emeriel looked down, unable to meet his eyes. The truth was too complicated.
"I was present in court that day, you know. When his beast carried you away, I remember being worried sick. Then you returned, unharmed. I knew then that you were special to the beast, for it to fight against its feral instincts and protect you."
Emeriel's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise.
"You are his Soulbond , aren't you?" Lord Herod’s tone was thoughtful.
"My Lord, I... I... I don't understand what you mean," Emeriel stammered.
"I believe you do, Emeriel," Lord Herod countered, his eyes filled with kindness. "A Soulbond knows . It might not be immediate, but it eventually becomes clear. You are a Syren, are you not?"
He figured it out. She sighed, resignation washing over her as she nodded slowly in admission.
Lord Herod nodded back, appearing unsurprised. "No one else could connect the dots because they remain unaware of your true gender. I wonder why it never occurred to me.”
"Are you... displeased? That I kept this from you?"
"Displeased?" He shook his head. “No, little one. I understand your reasons. But this is no small secret you carry. You are brave."
Silence settled between them.
"A Soulbond is a precious gift, so rare... a true blessing,” he mused. “But..."
"But fate has played a cruel trick," Emeriel finished, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "Matching a human to the one male who would rather die than claim one as his mate. Yes, I am aware of the irony."
Lord Herod remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
Then, he straightened. "You've had your heats, have you not?" he asked, his gaze sharp. "How have you managed them?"
Emeriel's cheeks flushed crimson. "The beast. He came to me several times. And a few other times, I sought him out in my delirium."
"You took a Urekai in his beast form? A feral one, no less?" Lord Herod winced, his eyes filled with pity. "You were fortunate to be in heat throughout those. It could have been far worse, even for a Syren."
"Yes," she agreed. Emeriel recalled how her poor sister had barely survived her first and only night with the beast, her body bruised and battered. "I was lucky. I was always in heat during those times."
"During all of them? How many heats have you endured?"
"Four," Emeriel admitted, her ears turning red.
"You have already experienced your first full heat, and the grand lords did not notice?" Lord Herod asked incredulously. "How is that possible?"
"No, not a full heat," Emeriel clarified. "Mini-heats."
"Four mini-heats!? Four !?"
Emeriel shifted uncomfortably. "From your reaction, I gather that's not normal?"
"It's not abnormal, per se, but it's usually two, at most three, before a full one. Vera never experienced more than two before hers."
"This means your full heat is forthcoming, Emeriel. Trust me, you do not want to be at the fortress when it hits, especially with the grand rulers unaware of your true gender."
She sighed. "Madam Livia, the head maid, said the same thing."
"There's the Lantern Festival tomorrow. Come back the day after, and I'll have my healer examine you. She might be able to predict when your next heat will occur. She's very skilled in these matters. We can discuss how to proceed from there."
"There's no beast anymore, and King Daemonikai is... impossible.," Emeriel began hesitantly, her gaze downcast. "So, I was hoping you might... t-take my next heat. Whether it's a mini or a f-full one."
The high lord shook his head without hesitation. "No, Emeriel, that is not going to happen."
"You are the only lord I trust in this kingdom. I would rather you take it than anyone else. Or multiple others,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “I have heard that during a full heat, the female doesn't care how many males mount her, as long as she is kn-knotted repeatedly."
Her face burned with embarrassment, but she pressed on. "Better you than some random soldiers in the woods."
"I would never let it come to that, Emeriel, you have my word. Never," Lord Herod declared firmly. "After my healer examines you, we will make arrangements to ensure you are in a safe and secure location for your heat. Even if I do not take it, you will be protected and allowed to choose another male to be with you."
"I don't want anyone else. If I can't have the one my soul yearns for, then it must be you." The thought of being with anyone else made her skin crawl. "No one else. I'd rather endure it alone."
"But you do not even 'want' me, do you, little one?" Lord Herod asked gently, his gaze searching her face. "You do not desire me in that way."
Emeriel couldn't deny it. But he was kind, and he was her friend. The only Urekai male she felt any semblance of comfort with.
"Full heat is not something to be taken lightly, Emeriel. It's not something you can simply endure on your own. I'm going to be blunt, so brace yourself for some unrefined language, alright?"
Emeriel nodded, her pulse quickening.
"Think about your mini-heat and multiply the feeling tenfold; that is a full heat. You need to be mounted. Your body needs to be taken hard in every orifice you possess. Vaginal, anal, womb,” the high lord stated with uncharacteristic bluntness. "Your womb needs semen, and you need to take a knot multiple times to ease the worst of the heat. For three days straight. You cannot ride it out on your own; it would drive you mad if it did not kill you."
"Full heat has killed many females in the past. Your body tries to protect you from its fatality by making you so desperate for a male that you will feel like you will literally die if you do not get one. For some women, it makes them so aroused that even their rear is loose and dripping, prepared to take a male."
"What!?" Emeriel squeaked, her face as red as a ripe summer apple, her ears burning. The thought of something that large in her... anal region terrified her. Heavens, what had she gotten herself into?
The high lord gave a firm nod. "For some, not all. Do not worry; you will be so out of it you will be begging for it. Full heat prepares your body to take the level of marathon sex it will take to sate you. You might drift in and out of consciousness and, at some point, be so tired your bones feel like water, but you will be fine. You should be more concerned with the healing stage, not the heat itself."
She looked bewildered, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
"Unfortunately, that is the not-so-pleasant stage. It follows immediately after the heat. It is your body's way of mending whatever ‘damage’ was inflicted during the heat. The semen is ejected, your womb contracts and ascends, and your openings close up. By the end of it, your body feels new and fresh. It is an advantage, especially to some unfortunate females who are repeatedly violated and brutalized during their heats. It is not so pleasant because the healing brings pain."
All this was terrifying to Emeriel and a cold dread settled in her stomach, twisting her insides. She wished she could return to the naivety of being only a human, where such horrors did not exist.
Lord Herod's expression softened. "Heat sex is amazing, Emeriel. It might sound frightening now since it is your first, but you will thoroughly enjoy it. It is amazing for both genders. Half the females grow addicted to the sensation."
Yeah, no, Emeriel did not think so.
The idea of becoming addicted to something so invasive and intense was unfathomable. But she kept her opinion to herself. "Did Vera enjoy it?"
"Vera was addicted." Lord Herod gazed into the distance, a fond smile touching his lips. "She craved it. She quite literally looked forward to her heats."
"Perhaps because she had the male she loved, someone she trusted with her body. She had her bondmate who loved her deeply."
Lord Herod did not deny it. He gave her another pitying look. "You will be fine, Emeriel. Full heat is purely about carnal instincts; you do not necessarily have to love the person who will tend to your heat."
"Then, be that person, My Lord. If it will not be the Grand King, or you, I don’t want anyone else touching me in that way. Especially then, when I will be most vulnerable, a slave to my urges, unable to say no. Unable to make a choice."
Lord Herod took a deep breath, his expression conflicted. "Let us see the healer first. Then, we shall proceed from there, alright?"
"Okay," Emeriel whispered, her voice barely audible.
Every day, her impending full heat scared her even more than the previous day.
The terror grew, settling deeper into her bones, an all-consuming fear threatening to overwhelm her.
Aekeira, along with Amie and other slaves, were nestled deep within the woods. Seated around a weathered wooden table amidst the lush greenery of the forest, engrossed in the art of lantern-making.
Their laughter and chatter filled the air as they carefully crafted lanterns from thin, flexible bamboo, skillfully bent and tied into graceful spherical shapes.
The hours melted away as they worked, but their spirits remained lifted, enthusiastic. They shared stories and dreams, envisioning themselves exploring the festival grounds and perhaps even getting to dance.
Aekeira’s legs were growing numb from sitting for so long, she needed a break.
"I'll be back," she announced, rising.
Venturing deeper into the woods, she savored the refreshing air, the earthy smell of the forest, and the gentle caress of the breeze. What a beautiful day.
Lost in the tranquility, she wandered further than intended. And when she finally came to her senses, she realized she had strayed far from the others.
"Wonderful. Just wonderful, Aekeira," she muttered, shaking her head at her own absentmindedness. As she turned to retrace her steps, her eyes caught a glimpse of movement near the riverbank.
No, a figure.
And Aekeira would recognize that graceful poise anywhere. Grand Lord Vladya.
He hasn't seen me yet. I could turn back and leave. These were her first thoughts, and she was determined to follow through with them.
But her traitorous body simply came alive.
Her heart quickened its pace, a swarm of butterflies erupted in her stomach, as warmth spread through her most intimate areas.
As if her body's betrayal wasn't enough, her mind—which now happened to be her greatest enemy—flooded her with vivid memories of their last encounter. Memories she had fought tooth and nail to suppress.
The bloodfeeding.
A moan nearly escaped her lips, but Aekeira bit down hard to hold it back. Bloody heaven, but that bloodfeeding...
It was her first orgasm.
She had heard other girls whisper about carnal pleasure, but she had never believed such things. It sounded like a fanciful myth.
She would know, right? After all, she was no stranger to the act. Sex was all about pain, punishment, power, and dominance; it had nothing to do with pleasure or release. At best, it brought blissful numbness.
Aekeira never knew carnal pleasure and orgasm was real. Until she had bloodfed that Urekai male.
They hadn't shared sexual intimacy, yet Aekeira's head had spun with the onslaught of pleasure that had swarmed her.
Her treacherous body ached for more. It frightened her, this starving hunger she now harbored. And not just for any male, but specifically for that grand lord standing by the riverbank.
"Stop it," she whispered. "Time to go."
Determined to put as much distance between herself and the object of her forbidden desires as possible, she whirled around.
"Are you aware that I can smell you, Aekiera?"
She stopped dead in her tracks.
Although distant, his voice barely raised, she heard him clearly, so attuned to him. Devil's bones, this was becoming increasingly scary.
"Your Highness." She turned and greeted, dipping into a slight bow. "I apologize if I disturbed your solitude. I wandered too far."
He turned, walking towards her.