Page 98 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

It was beyond comprehension.

Daemonikai had helped females through their heat before, but he'd never felt the urge to hold them close and never let go. Was it because he was unbonded? This was, after all, his first heat without Evie's bond.

Perhaps.

But unlikely.

This wasn't abondissue, it was aherissue.

All his intense feelings centered around her… Galilea. Daemonikai couldn't explain it. Didn't want to think too much about it.

He didn't like the connections his mind was drawing, the implications they suggested. So he shut them down.

It was better not to dwell on things he didn't want answers to. He'd learned that long ago. Some things were better left unknown.

As he entered his quarters, his servants stood waiting, a bath already drawn. His bedchamber was scented with magnolia and borage, instead of the lavender he'd favored for centuries, the scent bringing Evie to mind.

"That will be all," Daemonikai dismissed the servants as he entered the tub, letting the warm, scented water envelop him, soothing his weary muscles.

His new choice of scented candles was beginning to seem like a bad idea too. Because now, Galilea came to mind. Again.

Images of Galilea in his arms flashed through his mind, causing a low growl to rumble in his chest. She had been so responsive, so utterly captivating every time she unraveled on his dick.

He hadn't thought it possible to find a female who craved his touch, who responded to it more than his bonded mate. But the experience with Galilea had been both exhilarating and humbling.

She reacted to his simplest touch, her body melting trustingly into his. Even with his hand wrapped around her neck in a death grip, her eyes held less fear and more... trust. He could bring her to climax with a mere caress, and somehow, he knew this was not solely due to her heat.

What was it about this girl that made him want to lock her away in his chambers and ravage her for weeks on end?

And why was he here in his bath, indulging in forbidden fantasies about someone else's betrothed? His dick swollen, strained between his legs, hungry for more of her.

Her heat is over. Let it go.

Remember, you should not be thinking too much about it, if you do not want the answer.

Daemonikai sighed. "Is Zaiper back from his trip?"

"No, your Grace," Wegai answered from behind the curtains, his shadow dancing on the fabric. "He's still in the mountains."

"Mmm." The water soothed Daemonikai’s aching muscles.

"Should I summon your bloodhost? Surely you must be hungry after the... events of the past few days."

He was, but the hunger wasn't urgent. Sleep beckoned more strongly than feeding. And being in the company of Sinai tonight, no matter how brief, didn't appeal to him that much, either.

"Not tonight."

Leaning back against the tub, eyes closed, he thought of Vladya.

Concern for his friend cut like a fresh wound throbbing relentlessly. It had been over a week since Daemonikai last saw him, he needed to check on his friend.

Vladya had disappeared for months at a time in the past, especially after a failed bonding, he shouldn’t be so worried. Yet, he was.

This time felt different. A bad feeling brewed in his gut.

Tomorrow morning.He would check on Vladya first thing in the morning.

Sinking deeper into the tub, Daemonikai let the water ease the tension coiling in his biceps. Could it be another failed bonding ritual?

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