Chapter 494:

Oh, she liked that. A lot.

“Keep looking at me… like that,” she murmured drowsily, lost in those eyes. “Sometimes, it’s like you see right into my very soul.”

She paused, her eyelids fluttering. “It’s unnerving, but… I like it. Don’t ever stop.”

“You’re drugged out of your senses,” he said in that deep, sexy voice that made Emeriel tingle inside.

“No, I’m quite clearheaded,” she informed him with utmost seriousness.

Blinking hard, she frowned, her brow wrinkling as her eyes tried to focus. “Though you seem to have… three eyes and two noses.”

He let out a deep chuckle. “Clearheaded, are we?”

“Absolutely,” Emeriel’s hand slipped to his neck, greedily tracing wherever her fingers could reach. “I wish you’d do that more often. Laugh. I want to hear it… to see it.”

“You make me want to,” he admitted, his tone raspy. “I never thought I would again, but you…”

He picked up the dreaded medicine cup once more. “You do need to drink this.”

“Do not.”

“Do, too.” The cup pressed against her mouth again. “Drink, Riel.”

Riel. The pet name made her insides twist pleasantly.

“Riel…” she savored the way it sounded. “I like it.”

“You do?”

Emeriel nodded enthusiastically. “Very much. Call me… Riel, Your Grace.”

“I will, darling,” he promised softly. “Now, drink.”

Let your mind wander with gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s﹒𝓬𝓸𝗺

Reluctantly, she opened her mouth and gulped down the bitter medicine, grimacing.

A smile touched his lips. “Good girl.”

Emeriel preened under his praise. “I have the most beautiful dreams…” she confided, groggily.

“Oh?” There was curiosity in his tone.

“Mmm.” She reached for him, clinging weakly. “Lie beside me, and I’ll tell you all about them.”

He sighed. “I’m needed in court, Riel.”

“Please… Beloved,” she whined, persuasive.

Another sigh, one of surrender. “Leave us, Livia.”

She barely heard the soft footsteps, the door opening and closing. He lay beside her, and Emeriel rested her head on his solid chest, sighing in contentment.

His arms were her favorite place. The safest place in the entire universe.

“I dreamed of us,” she fought the pull of sleep. “Of our life together… You were so happy.”

“Was I?” His voice was soft.

“Oh yes.” She glanced up at him, her eyes heavy. “I was heavy… with your child.”

In that instant, Emeriel was grateful she could see his face. She could see the raw hunger that sparked in his eyes. The longing…

Sick or not, it was a sight that would forever be imprinted on her heart. Her powerful mate looked… as though he might cry.

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