Page 123 of The Princess and Her Grand King

She squeezed her eyes shut as he pressed further, the pleasure ebbing while the ache between her legs grew sharper. She bit her lip hard, trying to muffle her sounds of pain.

But his fingers touched her lips, separating them. “Don’t hurt yourself, dearling.”

As he gave a firmer push, a bit more of him slid inside, making her wince. Her face contorted, and the corners of her eyes watered.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice full of guilt, his hand soothing her trembling form.

“Do it once,” she breathed. “All at once. No stopping halfway.”

“No, it will be really painful…”

“It’s better than suffering the slow, gradual pain. Best to rip off the wound bindings."

He hesitated, his expression torn. Then he gave a curt nod, his jaw tightening.

Taking both her hands in his, he lifted them above her head, intertwining their fingers.

Emeriel glanced up at him, dread and anticipation swirling in her chest as she braced herself as best she could.

"I'm sorry. And don't worry, after this part, I'm going to give you so much pleasure, you will properly lose consciousness a few times," he whispered. "Tonight, Riel, I'm going to reach the deepest part of you, where courting and talking never did."

Then, Daemonikai bore down hard, breaking through her body's barrier, burying himself to the hilt.

Chapter twenty-eight

THE CRAZY ONE.

Aekeirafroze,herbreathceasing in her chest.Had she heard him right?

Aekeira stared ahead, unable to move. “Wh-what?”

“Let’s give it a try, the bonding ritual,” Lord Vladya said again, coolly.

The world tilted beneath her feet.He wanted to bond with her…? To truly go ahead with it, against all odds?

“Breathe, young princess,” he gave the gentle command.

Aekeira’s breath shuddered out of her. Happiness, hope, fear, and disbelief rose inside her all at once.

Slowly, she turned to face him, wide, tear-filled eyes meeting his.

Even as she moved, he didn’t let her go. Pulling back just enough to allow her movement, his strong arms still holding her protectively against his broad body.

“But the odds…" Her heart hammered wildly as she searched his face. "…the odds aren’t in ou-our favor. What if—”

“Damn them all. The odds won’t favor us tomorrow, nor in the future," he stated in a steady tone. "I’m still going mad, you’re still an unaltered human, and I have no soul."

She lowered her eyes.

"But,” he added, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “let’s do it anyway.”

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring as she stared up to his handsome face.Was this real? Was she dreaming…?

“You r-really want to?” she stammered out hoarsely.

He gave a single, firm nod, confidence radiating from him.

Suddenly, uncertainty flashed across his features. “Unless you don’t want to—”

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