36. WAITING IN FLOODGATES
Chapter thirty-six
WAITING: IN FLOODGATES
Emeriel walked in a daze, her legs heavy and her mind numb. The grand king led her through the corridors, stopping before a door in the southern wing.
"Stay here." He turned to leave.
"Your Grace..." Emeriel reached out for him, fingers hovered in the air, trembling.
King Daemonikai glanced at her outstretched hand as if it were a venomous serpent. Without a word, he walked out, the heavy door closing behind him.
Emeriel stumbled towards the bed, collapsing onto the cold mattress. Exhaling a shaky breath, she stared ahead blankly.
He had saved her. Her secret was out. Everyone knew.
It still felt… surreal. Like a nightmare she couldn't wake from.
He hates me now.
But he had protected her. She had almost died. Lord Zaiper had been so eager to see her dead. If not for... if not for the other grand rulers, she would be in a cold, hard cell. Or lying lifeless in the courtyard.
Looking at her unsteady hands, her eyes grew wet again. This was not how she had envisioned her return.
He hates me now.
"Em?"
Keira? She sat up to see Aekeira standing by the door. Emeriel had been so lost in her despair, she hadn't heard the door open.
"Keira..." her voice wobbled, and the tears she had fought so hard to hold back surged forward, spilling over.
Aekeira’s eyes shimmered with her own tears. Silently, she opened her arms wide.
Emeriel sprang up and ran into those waiting arms. And sobbed .
Aekeira held her tight. "I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you. I went to the gathering as soon as I heard, but the crowd and soldiers wouldn’t let me through. I heard everything, Em." Aekeira’s breath hitched. "They sa-saved you, all of them."
"I know," Emeriel cried into Aekeira's shoulder. "It feels unreal.
"Yes. I’m trying to process it. Everything we were so afraid of has c-come to pass, yet... you are still here with us. Safe. The worst did not happen." Aekeira shook her head, crying. "The worst did not happen."
Emeriel pulled back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I don't think it's over yet, Keira. I'm not sure the Urekai will let it go just like that." She sniffled. "They know I'm his Soulbond . I saw their disgust, their rejection. They won't let this go."
"Hey, look at me, Em. Look at me." Aekeira cupped her face, and Emeriel met her sister’s eyes, finding a surprising strength in their depths. "We always knew this would happen. Always. Don't cry about it. There's so much to cry about, but not this."
"True, but..." Emeriel looked at Aekeira with utter misery. "He ha-hates me now."
"Oh, Em..."
The dam broke again, tears flowing freely, her sobs shaking her small body. Emeriel's chest hurt too much. Too much . "He hates me now, Keira."
Aekeira hugged her tighter, and Emeriel clung to her, Kiera’s arms around her were the only thing keeping her from drowning. So, Emeriel held on and bawled her eyes out.
Aekeira guided her to the bed, sitting down and cradling Emeriel’s head against her shoulder.
"I should have told him sooner," Emeriel choked out between sobs. "I should have st-stopped being so terrified and told him sooner, so he wou-wouldn't have found out this way. The look he g-gave me in that cave, Aekeira..." her cries grew louder. "It hurts."
"Cave? What cave?"
Between sobs and broken sentences, Emeriel recounted what happened in the cave.
Aekeira’s arms shook, tears falling, staining Emeriel’s cheek. “I'm so glad he saved you. I shudder to think what would have happened if not for him."
"Yes, but—"
"There are no buts. Stop blaming yourself." Aekeira pulled back, looking in her red-rimmed eyes. "There was no way you could have told him sooner and still gotten away with it. In the worst-case scenario, you would be dead. In the best case, he would have rejected and avoided you. It's still a lose-lose situation."
Emeriel wiped a tear-stained cheek. "You're not helping."
"Sorry, I just wish you would stop hurting, Em." Aekeira gently wiped away another tear. "I'm so worried right now, thinking of what's going on out there."
"Now, can someone explain to me how the Armageddon is Emeriel is a girl ? And WE didn’t find out about it!?" Ottai’s voice reverberated through the hall as they moved from the grand high court to the court of duty.
Vladya took a heavy breath, casting a sidelong glance at the distraught fourth ruler.
Since Emeriel’s secrets had come to light, Ottai had gone into varying stages of shock, stumbling through his duties, even stammering during official court matters. Yet, as time passed, he seemed to absorb the information a little better.
Though, at times like this, Vladya doubted if Ottai had processed any of it at all.
"Ottai," Vladya sighed, rubbing his temples. "I have lost count of how many times you have asked this question."
"Do you think losing count is the problem here? I’m losing my mind !" Ottai glared at Vladya as if it were his fault. "You dragged me into this mess without a single thought of what it would do to my sanity! Which, by the way, is completely shattered."
They rounded a corner, the sound of their boots loud in the empty corridor.
"Are you seriously going to keep being such a youngling about this?" Vladya rolled his eyes. "Get a handle on it already."
"Oh, let me see if I have got this straight. A boy we purchased alongside a girl, suddenly sprouts breasts , lets down his hair, and turns from looking handsomely beautiful to breathtakingly, femininely beautiful.” Ottai’s voice rose in pitch. “And if that was not enough to melt my brain, the boy is a Syren. Oh, and just for kicks, he is also the grand king’s Soulbond . A SOULBOND !"
"I know, it’s mind-blowing, right?" Vladya deadpanned, his lips curling into a sarcastic smirk.
Ottai raised his hands. "It’s mind-obliterating !" he stopped mid-step, his hand reaching out to grip Vladya’s arm, and he leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Wait... Was she the 'business' he had to take care of for a few days? The female in heat who imprinted on him?"
"Uh-huh." Vladya's eyes shifted toward Daemonikai, who walked ahead, his face stony and unflappable. Ever since the gathering, Daemonikai had said little beyond what was necessary in court.
"Shit. How did that happen?” Ottai hissed, stealing glances at the grand king. “If he did not know she was a girl , how did they… how did they manage to spend her heat together?"
Because no one meddles with those crazy bitches called fate. Vladya did not know all the details, but it seemed Daemonikai had met Emeriel under a different identity, not realizing who—or what—she truly was.
"Even if Daemonikai’s side of the bond was dormant, it would be fully awake now," Ottai murmured, more to himself than to Vladya. "Not only did they nurture it through the heat, but now he knows the truth. Does this mean... he’s going to be mated again?"
Vladya’s stare flicked toward Daemonikai again. His old friend’s eyes darkened, but he gave no other reaction, remaining silent.
"That’s enough, Ottai," Vladya muttered under his breath. "You can keep processing all of this, but keep it in your head, alright?"
They had reached the entrance to the Court of Duty. The grand doors swung open, revealing a hall packed with lords. Vladya swore.
He had not seen this many lords gathered in one place in a long, long time. Had every lord in Urai—and beyond—made the journey to witness the proceedings?
As they stepped inside, all eyes turned toward them. The lords rose in greeting, the atmosphere tense and crackling. Zaiper was already seated, his face cold and calculating. Vladya and Ottai moved forward, taking their respective seats.
As Vladya scanned the room, he sighed inwardly.
This was going to be a very, very long night.
In the days that followed, Emeriel’s world became smaller and smaller. Her once spacious bedchamber now felt like a prison.
On the second day, soldiers had come to escort her back to her own room. She hadn’t been sure whether she was being protected or punished with house arrest like Mistress Sinai had been, but it didn’t take long to figure it out.
The locked door and the ever-watchful soldiers stationed outside her door confirmed her suspicions. It was punishment, plain and simple.
She hadn’t been thrown into The Hole or the dungeon, and that was supposed to offer her some comfort. But the absence of chains around her wrists did nothing to ease the worry pressing down on her chest.
She had asked herself too many questions.
Was she being kept here to shield her from the wrath of the council, or was she a caged person awaiting judgment to decide her fate?
The next day passed, much like the one before. She paced the length of her chamber until the soles of her feet ached, read from dusty books she barely understood, and watched as the hours stretched without end. Her anxiety grew, slowly swallowing her calm and logic.
By the fourth day, the isolation had worn her thin, and she felt sick to her core. If tear ducts could dry up, Emeriel's surely would have. If crying could kill, she was sure she would have be six feet under, her grave cold as the air in this accursed room.
She had resolved to stop crying, to hold it all in. But every time she gave in to overthinking, the floodgates burst anew.
The worst part was the silence.
Not a word from King Daemonikai. No visits, no decrees, not even a passing message.
Each night, she lay awake, staring at the door. Hoping he would come, praying for the sound of his footsteps. Emeriel didn’t care what his reaction would be anymore. He could scold her, scream at her, even hurt her physically. Anything was better than this suffocating quietness.
By the fifth day, Emeriel was stretched too thin, utterly exhausted and heartbroken. Even Aekeira hadn’t come. Which meant she was ordered not to.
The isolation was truly her punishment, and if it was one given to break her spirit, it was working. They might as well have thrown her into The Hole.
With only her spiraling thoughts and aggravating worries for company, Emeriel was slowly slipping further into insanity. She had no idea what was happening beyond the walls of her imprisonment, and the not knowing was its own kind of torture.
Was the council still calling for her head?
Was there another punishment waiting for her?
Was Aekeira safe, or was she suffering now because of Emeriel’s actions?
What of Lord Herod? Had he been implicated as well, punished because of her mistakes?
And how long would she be kept here? Another day? A week? A month? Two?
Just the thought made her world spin, making her lightheaded. It hurt.
Seated at the small table in the corner of the room, Emeriel stared blankly at the plate of food before her. The meal had been untouched since it arrived, as had the ones before it. Her appetite had long since abandoned her.
Even the humans who brought her food wouldn’t look at her, let alone speak.
The door creaked open.
She looked up, and there stood Grand Lord Vladya, staring at her. Her breath caught in her throat as she scrambled to her feet.
"Your Highness," her voice small. Drained.
The door clicked shut behind him, as he walked into quiet room. His eyes swept over her, his expression grim.
"You have lost weight," he stated flatly.
Emeriel blinked, unsure of how to respond. She fumbled for words. "I—I’m sorry."
Lord Vladya waved off her apology. "Sit down. Eat."
She hesitated, but seeing the hard look, made her sink back into her chair.
"I’m not hungry—"
"I didn’t ask if you were hungry." Lord Vladya’s tone was sharp as he took a seat across her. "I gave you an order. Now, eat ."
Emeriel couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. She stared at her hands as though they held all the answers to making the violent windstorm around her calm again. Picking up the spoon, she forced herself to take a small bite of food.
The moment the warm food hit her tongue, her stomach growled hungrily, reminding her just how long it had been since she last ate. So eat, she did. Slowly at first, but then hunger took over.
Emeriel devoured the meal as if it was her last. She barely noticed Lord Vladya watching her until the last crumb was gone. Then, reality came crashing back in.
"Are you here to punish me too?" she asked, defeated.
Lord Vladya’s look remained steady. "Why?"
She shrugged, her hands dropping to her lap as she looked away. "You gave me instructions to avoid him, to never be found out."
"I also told you that fate was a fucking bitch who knows how to mess with people just to get a good laugh. You were never going to win against that bond.” Lord Vladya tilted his head slightly. “Frankly, I’m surprised you managed to keep the secret for this long."
"It matters not, anymore." Emeriel glanced at her trembling hands, struggling to hold back tears. "Can I ask... is Aekeira alright? I have not seen her in days."
"She’s fine." Lord Vladya’s tone softened.
Silence settled between them, thick and heavy.
"Are you not going to ask how things are out there?" Lord Vladya said, his eyes narrowing. "Do you not have questions?"
"I do. I have a lot, but..." She cast a fleeting glance at him. "I wasn’t sure you would answer them."
Lord Vladya leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. "Ask."
"How is... everything out there?"
He remained quiet for so long, Emeriel began to wonder if he would answer at all.
"It could have been worse,” he said at last. “For someone so small, you caused quite the stir.”
Emeriel looked away.
"We have been doing damage control, but it has been a series of long, exhausting deliberations. The council is in uproar, but more concerning are the people. They are the most delicate problem we face."
Her heart sank. "The people?"
"They are demanding Daemonikai hand over your head on a silver platter," Lord Vladya's stated matter-of-factly.
The word sank in, and settled, like a dead body tied to a heavy rock and thrown into the river. The plate in front of her blurred .
"Some have threatened to go on a killing rampage if Daemonikai takes a human bondmate. The petitions are relentless. We are trying to manage the chaos as best we can, but it’s been... challenging."
"And... Lord Herod?" Emeriel’s voice was barely a whisper.
"You mean your betrothed?"
Now, the deafening silence was thick enough to feel. Emeriel had no energy left to defend herself, no strength to explain or plead her case. Exhaustion weighed down on her like a heavy cloak. She was beyond the point of caring about misunderstandings. In the past, she would have begged for reason, but now she was simply too tired to fight. So, so tired.
"What you did with him is none of my business," Lord Vladya finally said with a sigh. "However, I have a feeling Daemonikai would like to know. If you slept with him, don’t bring it up unless asked. But if you didn’t, tell him, even if he doesn’t ask."
Emeriel nodded absently. She hadn’t slept with Lord Herod. That much she could say without guilt. But the idea of facing King Daemonikai, of explaining anything to him, filled her with dread .
It went quiet again, awkward and uncomfortable. Emeriel could feel the grand lord’s powerful presence. She didn’t know how to act, what to say. She felt so small, so lost.
Finally, Lord Vladya rose from his seat.
"Eat well and sleep well. That too is a command."
Emeriel stood and bowed her head. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Why was it so hard to keep her composure? Why were her eyes swimming with unshed tears yet again?
It took everything in her not to break down in front of Lord Vladya. Stay strong, Emeriel, just a little longer.
As the grand lord walked halfway across the room, he paused. The turned fully to face her.
A light shone in his hard eyes. Kind and unexpected.
"Come here." His tone gentler than she had ever heard it. Then, his arms opened, awkwardly.
The last bit of her restraint shattered.
Emeriel didn’t walk. She ran.
In a heartbeat, the distance between them closed and she threw herself into Lord Vladya's arms so hard, she heard him grunt.
The floodgates burst open once again, and tears poured, soaking his robes as she buried her face against him.
And Grand Lord Vladya let her.
He did not push her away. He let her cry, standing there like a solid pillar.
Emeriel wailed into his chest, her emotions pouring out in waves—fear, sadness, exhaustion, worry, pain, relief. A part of her couldn’t believe this was happening, that Lord Vladya was letting her do this, but she didn’t care anymore. She needed this. Needed to feel something other than the crushing weight of loneliness.
"Daemonikai needs... time," Lord Vladya said in a low tone. "Lots and lots of time. Fate is cruel to you both—forcing a Soulbond on a grieving male and making you go through all of this."
"What w-will happen to me, Lord Vladya?"
A long pause. So long.
"That is not for me to decide," Lord Vladya said at last. "But we are trying to keep you alive. You may be lonely now, but it is for the best. It may seem like you are being punished—and maybe there's some truth to that—but mostly, you are being protected. Our people want a piece of you, at all costs. For now, you are safer within these walls than out there."
She gave a nod and sniffled. "Thank you, Lord Vladya."
His hand rested on her head then patted her hair softly. "Give him time, young Emeriel. He will be here soon. Daemonikai... he cannot resist for long."