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.

placed her hand in his strong, calloused one, and he effortlessly lifted her onto the horse, positioning her close behind him. He gave

solidness of his back, the warmth of his body. Heavens, this was

king glanced over his shoulder. "How

fresh, Your Grace," she grumbled. Hesitated, then added, "I received the flowers. Thank

are most welcome," he said warmly. "The day

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

muttered under

chuckled. "I

ears," she

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

mouth shut, more startled

he announced. "Brace yourself." He signaled the horse to increase its

around his waist,

galloped through the countryside, Emeriel

tickling her face, the

when she dismounted, she realized just how far they had

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

and even he turned his horse around to

his horse," Emeriel

Wegai obediently left the horse behind before making himself

narrowing as she noticed what lay ahead. He

marked with a painted bullseye. Bows and quivers filled with

come here occasionally to unwind," King Daemonikai said, walking ahead with his hands clasped

the scenery. The well maintained fields, the swaying tall

beautiful place," she

the makeshift

is a way for me to center myself, to relax. Focusing on a single point,

elegant bow, noticing the royal markings etched along its length. She ran her fingers

stand, positioned a good distance from the target, and with ease, loosed an arrow. It flew straight, striking

here," he beckoned her

of arrows to her back, Emeriel

shot is a moment to breathe, to release the burdens that weigh on you," Daemonikai said in a soft tone, setting up

have been difficult. I figured this would be a good way

can be surprisingly

the target, her fingers

a useful skill for safety and defense," he continued. "In the days of old, archers believed