Page 46 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Vladya didn't think he’d enjoy it, but he did. More than that—he looked forward to it every day.

"Is that not gardenia!?" Aekeira skipped over to the patch of white flowers. "So pretty! Em and I have tried growing them for years, but they always die on us. Notoriously difficult to grow."

Aekeira’s enthusiasm was infectious. She could talk endlessly when comfortable, and when the conversation turned to things she was passionate about, like plants or her life with Emeriel, she became even more animated.

And Vladya enjoyed listening to her.

It was almost unbelievable how much he enjoyed everything about Aekeira.

He used to think things wouldn’t feel the same, with his sexual urges dulled. After all, if there was one thing he had always been certain of, it was his great lust for her.

She had always sparked his desire. Always made himhungry.

Just the sight of her was enough to set him off, make him want to mount her. He thought with those senses muted, something vital would be lost.

But it wasn’t.

Different, yes, but somehow… better.

In the past week, Vladya had come to know Aekeira in ways he never had before.

He now knew that she loved to knit, even though she wasn’t particularly good at it. Unlike Emeriel, she wasn’t skilled in combat. She had a hearty appetite when excited, and sullen eating habits when moody.

He learned that when something made her truly happy, she laughed so hard she giggled. A sound that embarrassed her to no end.

"It’s so unladylike," she’d said once, her cheeks warm. "My governess would have been furious if she’d ever heard it."

But Vladyalovedthat laugh.

It was open, free, carrying with it a joy that lit up everything around her.

He had only heard her laugh like that once, when she’d recounted a story about the mischief she and Emeriel had gotten into as children. The sound of that unrestrained laughter, followed by a sweet giggle, had imprinted. Vladya hoped to hear more of it in the future.

He didn’t need the sexlust to feel drawn to her. In many ways, this bond they were building was more meaningful. He was learning who she was, piece by piece, and every new discovery made him feel…more.

"Are you alright?" Aekeira's voice broke through his reverie, concern bringing her close to his side. "Do we need to go?"

Her subtle way of asking:Is it the madness? Is your beast about to flare? Or worse?

"No, I am fine." And surprisingly, he was.

For a male who had more bad days than good over the years, he had only experienced one such day since Aekeira’s return.

The madness, the dark whispers urging him to hurt, to kill, to rampage, had quieted.

Even his beast, ever restless and ready to strike, had fallen silent.

A relieved smile appeared on Aekeira's lips. "When we get back, I'll give you the herbal drink I made. I heard it helps calm the mind."

'Heard.'Vladya’s lips twitched. Most likely, Faiwick had drilled it into her. "Alright."

"Come, let’s go up the hill." She took his hand—the paw one—her excitement infectious. "I want to see what’s beyond it."

A serene lake.

But he kept his silence, allowing her to lead him. He was beginning to realize how much he enjoyed living in Aekeira's world, experiencing the wonder and excitement anew.

This was the most alive he had felt in centuries.Shemade him feel alive.

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