Chapter 393

“Please stop saying these things to him,” Lord Vladya groaned. “He’s smiling like a thief who just got promoted to head guard. He might forget why we’re here.”

Daemonikai smacked him upside the head. “Shut it.” But he was still grinning ear to ear.

The healer hid her smile behind a cough. So, the rumors were true. The quickest way to find favor with the Grand King… was to speak kindly of his queen. Or better yet–earn her favor directly.

It warmed her to see them this way. Whole. Strong. Hearty. Happy.

“Now, let’s return to the original matter. What can you do for us, old healer?” King Daemonikai asked.

“I’ll begin work immediately on the herbs. I’m certain something like it exists. Our people have simply never had reason to search for it. I’ll start gathering ingredients, reviewing ancestral scrolls, and see what I can develop. With luck, I’ll have good news for you soon.”

“That’s excellent,” Daemonikai said, nodding with satisfaction.

The healer turned to Lord Vladya. “And you, Second Ruler–I hear tales of the House of Stitches through every quarter of the kingdom. The Grand Lady’s designs are inspiring awe. No one has forgotten the costume festival with the werewolves. It’s still talked about in every species.”

Now Lord Vladya was the one beaming, his chest swelling with pride. He scratched his head, bashful.

The grand king rolled his eyes. “Look at that face. Now, who’s forgetting why we are here?”

They all laughed.

After dinner, as the servants cleared away the dishes, the energy in the grand dining hall shifted–as it always did. The large, lively family rose, and as usual, scattered like autumn leaves in the wind.

“I’m off to the training grounds. Alek is waiting,” Scar declared, already halfway to the door.

“Mal and I will be in the library, if you need us, Father,” said Viozzidray. Both brothers leaned in to kiss their mother’s cheek before offering Daemonikai a respectful bow and vanishing through the corridor.

“Faval and I are going to see Grand Lord Herodis,” Hasydan, his fifth, added.

“Wait.” Daemonikai narrowed his eyes. “You two are still pestering him, aren’t you?” He folded his arms. “I understand your interest in agriculture, but you’re a handful. The male just had a newborn with his mate; don’t overwhelm him.”

“No, he asked us to come. We didn’t push it,” Hasydan said quickly, raising his hand in surrender. “Did we, Faval?”

His sixth son echoed the motion. “We did not.”

“Are you sure?” Emeriel asked, her tone sweet, her stare anything but.

“Honest, Mother,” they chorused.

“I don’t believe them,” said a dry voice from across the table–Heraxiola smiled. “Lord Herodis is too kind to them. They practically follow him around like ducklings.”

“Hey! Mind your own business, Princess Hera!” Faval stuck out his tongue.

“I’m beating your butt once I get up from here,” she deadpanned.

“Language, Heraxiola,” Emeriel warned, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin. The barest smile stayed on her face.

“Sorry, Mother.”

“You’ll have to catch me first,” Faval tossed over his shoulder as his brother dragged him away.

Heraxiola shook her head in exasperation. “Lord Herodis really needs to put up boundaries with those two. And his mate’s no better–Lady Amie enables them.”

“She adores them,” Siesca chimed in, smiling as she spoke. “You should see how they act around her. Such perfect gentlemen. You wouldn’t believe they’re the same brats.”

“They’re your elder brothers, Siesca,” Daemonikai said, though he was clearly holding back laughter.

“They’re not here,” she replied primly. “Besides, if they try anything, I’ll report them to Scar.”

Daemonikai grinned. Yes, his firstborn was notoriously protective of his sisters, and they all knew it.

“Alright, that’s enough chaos for one night,” he declared. “I’m retiring early.”

“But Papa!” Gaelziezora piped up. His youngest, at only twenty, gave him those big green eyes that could soften stone. “What about what we discussed? You promised to help me with it yesterday!”

“I promised you tomorrow,” he said with a teasing wag of his finger. “And tomorrow it is.”

“Okay, Papa. Love you.”

Daemonikai’s heart melted. “I love you too, dearest.”

“Let me guess,” Heraxiola gave him a narrowed stare. “You’re retiring with Mother, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am,” Daemonikai said without shame. He moved toward Emeriel as she rose, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist. “See you all in the morning.”

“Wait,” Emeriel said, cheeks faintly colored but her smile radiant. She slipped from his grasp and walked around the table, kissing each of their children left on the cheek, one by one. It had become a nightly ritual—and Daemonikai loved watching her do it.

And what he loved even more?

That no matter how bratty, chaotic, or rebellious their children could be on any given day, they never joked with her feelings, disrespected her, or failed to return her affection. All of them loved her deeply, fiercely.

And for Daemonikai, that was everything.

….

Later that night, after their slow, unhurried lovemaking, Daemonikai lay with Emeriel tucked into the crook of his arm, fingers brushing along her back, nose buried in her hair, breathing in her calming scent.

“Did you ever look into the… um, the conceive control herbs?” she asked, voice drowsy but curious.

“Of course I did,” he palmed her breast lazily, content just to feel her softness. “Told you I would. The old healer’s working on it.”

Emeriel turned her head to face him, her smile sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind. I mean, I never want to force—”

“Shhh. It’s okay, my radiant star. It’s time.” He chuckled softly. “The old healer was right; we’ll end up creating an army if we don’t start looking for control methods.”

She blushed. “I thought so too.”

“The natural way, abstinence, is not an option. I can hardly keep my hands to myself when you’re near,” he added with a growl, voice dipping low. “Every moment I’m close to you, I want to reach for you. It’s safer this way–to pace how many little stars we bring into the world.”

Her laughter was soft and golden.

She kissed him. “I love you so much.”

He pulled her tighter into his arms. “And I love you more. Thank you for coming into my life as a brave boy... and remaining in it as the strongest female I’ve ever met.” His voice thickened. “I will love you for all eternity.”

THE END

You endured. You felt. You stayed. You read.

You are a survivor of this story’s avalanche.

Thank you for walking through this fire with me.

With all my love,

Kiss Leilani