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.

onto the horse, positioning her close behind him. He gave a subtle command

back, the warmth of his body. Heavens, this was a terrible

king glanced over his shoulder. "How was your

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

said warmly. "The day is

crawled out of death's

under her

Daemonikai chuckled. "I

ears,"

added, his shoulders shaking with silent

more startled by his laughter than anything

have prepared something for us," he announced. "Brace yourself."

around his waist, holding tight

countryside, Emeriel

his hair tickling her face, the solidness of

but when she dismounted, she realized just how far they

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

rest of the entourage dispersed? Only Wegai remained, and even he turned

need his horse," Emeriel

nodded, and Wegai obediently left the horse behind before making

she noticed what lay ahead.

marked with a painted bullseye. Bows and quivers filled with arrows rested on a makeshift stand crafted

said, walking ahead with his hands clasped

maintained fields, the swaying tall grasses, and the majestic

a beautiful place,"

agreed, stopping at the makeshift table

way for me to center myself, to relax. Focusing on a single point, blocking out the world...

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

from the target, and with ease, loosed an arrow. It

come over here," he beckoned her

of arrows to her back, Emeriel joined him at the

is a moment to breathe, to release the burdens that weigh

caring for me must have been difficult. I figured this

can be surprisingly

on the target, her fingers

defense," he continued. "In the days of old,