Chapter 376:
“How can you say something like that?” Shaking her head miserably, Emeriel slumped onto the bed. “There is nothing fair about losing your title.”
He waved a dismissive hand, sitting beside her. “I lost the title, not my wealth. It’s fine, I need the rest anyway.”
He was downplaying it. Emeriel knew it hurt him more than he let on. He’d once told her that his work had kept him from going off the deep end after Vera’s death. Lord Herod loved his work, his passion for it evident in every conversation they’d shared. Now, he had lost it because of her.
“I will plead with the grand king. I will—”
“You will do no such thing. Please, stop worrying about this. Look at me, Emeriel.” The high lord turned serious. “I’m a full-grown male, not a youngling. I knew what I was getting into. I knew there was a possibility that something like this might happen, but I still did it anyway. And I don’t regret protecting you the best way I knew how. If it happened again tomorrow, I would do it all over again without a second thought. And you will not make an appeal to your beloved on my behalf. Do you understand?”
Emeriel looked away in guilt.
“I’m being honest with you. Are you listening?” She nodded.
“We are all beasts. Without order and a strict hand, there would be chaos. If our people ever perceive weakness in the enforcement of our laws, there would be a revolution. Some of these rules, set in stone, are essential. And when one breaks them, one must be punished,” he said. “The rulers do not jest with rules and punishment. Being the Soulbond of the grand king is what stood between you and punishment, Emeriel. The bond might be difficult for Daemonikai to accept, but it does not change the fact that he’s standing before you like a protective cloak. And for that, no punishment will cross your path.”
Emeriel took in his words. She had never thought of it that way. The events in the arena that day suddenly made more sense. King Daemonikai had stood before her like a protective shield; he’d sheltered her from the wrath of the crowd.
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“It must drive Lord Zaiper crazy,” she blurted out.
The seriousness dissolved from Lord Herod’s face, and he snorted. “Of course. The second ruler is still fuming, even back in court. But Ottai and Vladya are standing firm with the grand king, and so are most of the high lords. So, do not bring this up with him, not for my sake.”
Emeriel’s face fell. “I feel really bad, my lord. I really wish I could do something to help.”
He smiled. “You might still be of help. Just wait until your male is wrapped around your fingers, then you can put in a request for me, alright?”
She tried to picture the grand king, Daemonikai, being wrapped around her fingers. Too far-fetched. “It’s not possible.”
“Oh, it’s very possible, dear Em,” Herod said with a chuckle. “Every bondmate eventually has their male wrapped around their fingers. It might take time, yes, but it will happen. He will be yours. Live for you, protect you, and heal for you. All he needs is time.”
“Do you really think time is enough? His scars… they run so deep.” Emeriel swallowed hard, her gaze drifting away. “I have seen the threads of it, shards of glass embedded in his shattered heart. It’s like an endless abyss, and even I can’t see the bottom.”
She looked at her hands. “He attacked me twice during heat.”
Lord Herod’s smile faded, replaced by concern.
“I used to think his beast really liked me, even if the male… well, didn’t. But now, I’m not so sure. His eyes glowed yellow both times. Even the night he confronted me.”
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