That Prince Is A Girl The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate by Kiss Leilani

Chapter 226

That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate Chapter 226

She did not want to walk with him. Every part of her that had toiled, survived, and endured screamed against it.

Yet, she took a step forward, not away from him, but towards him. The people erupted in a chorus of approval, some clapping their hands.

In what alternate universe had she fallen into? The grand king calling her Beloved, and Urekai cheering them?

Emeriel had no idea what was real and what wasn't anymore.

"Thank you, beloved," King Daemonikai said, once again pressing a kiss to her hand.

"Please don't call me that," Emeriel snapped.

The endearment carried the sweetness of what could have been and the bitterness of what was lost. And it made her heart lurch.

His smile dimmed, and sadness flashed in his eyes. It was brief, gone as quickly as it came.

"Forgive me, beloved," he said smoothly. "I will take that into account."

She glared.

A broad grin lit up his face.

Emeriel almost swallowed her tongue at the sight. Never had she seen him smile that way.

Hell, she had never seen him genuinely smile. Period.

It tugged at her insides, and she stared dumbfounded as he led her to his waiting steed.

Finally, she caught herself. "There is no extra horse," she noted, her voice dry.

"You will ride with me," he climbed into the saddle, extending his hand towards her. "Worry not, beloved. I will not let you fall."

No, it wasn't that kind of fall she was afraid of.

Emeriel absolutely hated the way "beloved" sounded coming from his lips. She hated the thrill it sent through her, the way it awakened parts of her she had fought to bury.

She hated how much she wanted to hear more of it.

he effortlessly lifted her onto the horse, positioning her close behind him. He gave

body. Heavens, this was

king glanced over his

fresh, Your Grace," she grumbled. Hesitated, then

warmly. "The day is beautiful, is it

of death's mouth, he's certainly in high spirits this

under her

chuckled.

ears,"

that too," he added, his shoulders shaking with silent

mouth shut, more startled by his laughter than anything

us," he announced. "Brace yourself." He signaled the horse

arms wrapped around his waist, holding tight as the horse

through the countryside, Emeriel fought to feel

hair tickling her face, the solidness of

she

towering peaks of Asbar Mountain stood ahead, its snow-dusted cliffs plain against the clear

had the rest of the entourage dispersed? Only Wegai remained, and even he turned his horse around

his horse,"

obediently left the

she noticed what lay ahead. He had set up... an

a painted bullseye. Bows and quivers filled with arrows rested

unwind," King Daemonikai said, walking ahead with his

maintained fields, the swaying tall grasses, and the majestic peaks of the

a beautiful place,"

the makeshift table and

Emeriel. "Archery is a way for me to center myself,

the royal markings

archery stand, positioned a good distance from the target, and with ease, loosed an arrow. It flew straight, striking the bullseye dead center. "Nice shot," Emeriel

here," he beckoned her

her back, Emeriel joined him at the

burdens that weigh on you,"

caring for me must have been difficult. I figured this would

be

on the target, her fingers brushing

also a useful skill for safety and defense," he