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.

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

scent, the solidness of his back, the warmth of his body.

his shoulder. "How was your

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

he said warmly. "The day is beautiful, is it

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

muttered under her

chuckled.

ears," she

heard that too," he added, his shoulders shaking

mouth shut, more startled by his laughter

he announced. "Brace yourself."

arms wrapped around his waist, holding tight as the horse surged

through the countryside, Emeriel fought

tickling her face, the solidness of his back against her chest. No, she noticed none of

ended sooner than expected, but when she dismounted,

of Asbar Mountain stood ahead, its snow-dusted

and even he turned

need his horse,"

Daemonikai nodded, and Wegai obediently left the

what lay ahead.

straw, each one marked with a painted bullseye. Bows and quivers filled with arrows rested on a makeshift stand

King Daemonikai said, walking

well maintained fields, the swaying tall grasses,

a beautiful

at the

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

royal markings etched along its

stand, positioned a good distance from the target, and

here," he

her back, Emeriel

release the burdens that weigh on you," Daemonikai said

me must have been difficult. I figured this would

be surprisingly

on the target,

for safety and defense," he continued. "In the