Chapter 339

“What?” Perhaps it was just the headache interfering with his hearing.

“Please, do it for me. For yourself. For our child.” She took his wrists, looking so tired.

“I have no intention of doing that, and I will not have you speak of it again.” His voice was steely, his spine taut. He pulled away. “This discussion is over. Go to your room.”

“Please, hear me,” she whispered.

“Emeriel,” he snapped, furious. “Go. To. Your. Room.”

She flinched. For a moment, he thought she might protest. But she stood, her cheeks damp, her hands shaking as she dried them. Daemonikai looked away. He disliked seeing her like this, yet could not bring himself to soften. Angry, yes, but underneath was despair.

Is this what our life has come to? His Soulbond felt so broken, she believed the only way forward was for him to take another female to bed—just to keep the madness at bay. Daemonikai might have laughed, if his chest didn’t feel so damn heavy.

She sank to her knees. “Please, just listen.”

“I won’t listen to any more of this nonsensical—” He stopped. Took a deep breath, forcing his lungs to expand fully before releasing it.

“These past months, I’ve allowed myself to be bound whenever an episode threatens,” he said, calmer now, though no less firm. “I’ve learned to read the signs beforehand. And I am perfectly willing to be chained—locked away in the Forbidden Chambers, if necessary.” His green eyes held hers. “But hear me clearly. I have no desire—none—to be with another female. I want no other. It’s you I want. Your body. Your soul. All of you. And I’m willing to wait as long as it takes you to find your way back to me regarding intimacy.”

“Daemon, please…?”

“I’m not doing it,” he snapped. “And, frankly, I’m really pissed you would make such a request. Go to your room.”

Her shoulders sagged. Then, she placed a protective hand on her belly. “I really apologize, Your Grace. The thought of harming this child frightens me greatly. And if you fall into that state again… the thought haunts me. Why choose a cure over prevention? Why wait for you to lose control when something can be done to stop it? Why risk losing you completely to feral when it could be managed? Until we find out who did this and how to undo it, we must do all we can to survive this.”

Daemonikai’s throat worked around a bitter answer, but it remained unspoken. He had never resented her sharp mind, until now. Because she spoke the truth. He had sworn to protect her, to safeguard their life together. Yet he was torn between reason and emotion—choosing irrationality and his feelings over the truth. He knew he needed to sate his basic instincts or risk endangering his fragile, new family. And he hated that truth and himself for the choice he faced.

“You don’t need to do it out of desire; do it out of duty.” She wiped her tears, sniffling. “Do it for us.”

Daemonikai closed his eyes. But her voice followed him into the darkness.

Chapter 339

“Start tonight. Do not delay it. Do not overthink it. Just do it… please.”

Mistress Sinai

While the rest of the Citadel slept, Mistress Sinai lay awake, staring at the darkness. Enjoying the luxury of her quarters was amazing, but she was very sad. Only yesterday had she been released from her wretched prison cell. She didn’t know if it was due to the endless petitions or the joy of the pregnancies, perhaps both. A handful of prisoners had also been freed. The real reason mattered little… she was back.

Back in her domain. Back in her silks and perfumes. Back where every servant knelt before her. Sinai hadn’t realized how much she’d miss these simple luxuries until they were gone. And so, in the hours since her return, she had basked in the sunlight, squandered coin on wines and spices, and indulged every pleasure she had taken for granted. But when night fell, the darkness returned.

Now she lay in her bed, staring into nothing. Her body was cradled by silk and feather down, yet she might as well have been shackled in that cold cell. Sleep evaded her, and she was incredibly sad.

Was it time to give up? Daemonikai would never be hers, would he? She never imagined asking herself such questions. Yet, recently, it was all she did. It was peak misery, and it hurt her pride to entertain such notions. To think she had been outdone by a wretched human. Centuries of waiting, scheming, devotion… all for nothing. Daemonikai had chosen another. And now, she carried his child. Emeriel carried in her belly the heir Sinai had longed to give him.

She fisted the sheets, stubbornly refusing to cry. This was no longer a contest she could win through seduction or cunning. No, Daemonikai was building a family that would stabilize him and bind him away from her. Perhaps it was time to give herself over, wholly and without reservation, to the Second Ruler. If she could not have Daemonikai, she could have something else she’d always wanted: the crown. The title of Grand Queen. Together, they might bring Daemonikai to his knees. For if Sinai could not have him, she would gladly see him die. No one else would have him.

A sharp knock rattled the door. “Mistress,” came a soldier’s voice. At this hour? She scowled at the ceiling. “What is it? Leave me be. It is far too late for this nonsense.”

A brief hesitation. “The Grand King summons you.”

She bolted upright. “The message is to come… prepared.”