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

Chapter 236

The quiet concern in his tone startled her, and when she looked at him, his eyes were studying her with the same attentiveness that had begun to undo her.

She forced a smile, her worry fading like mist under the warmth of the sun. Because she knew, deep down, that it didn't matter.

No matter what side of him re-emerged when they returned to Blackstone, Aekaeira would still love him anyway. "I'm fine, Your Highness."

His expression tightened slightly, and for a moment, she thought she had said something wrong. Then, his tone grew firm, resolute. "Vladya." "Huh?"

"Call me by my name, Aekeira," he asserted. "Not Lord Vladya. Not my lord. Not Your Highness. Just my name."

Her eyes reached her hairline. A blush crept up her cheeks. "B-but...it's not proper."

He leaned closer, his voice soft, but no less commanding. "We're alone here. Go ahead."

"Vladya..." she breathed, tasting the word. It felt strange on her tongue, foreign and intimate, but there was something right about it, too. Her voice softened further. "Vlad."

Lust and possessiveness flared in his eyes. "My name sounds beautiful coming from your mouth," he murmured, his voice husky. "When we are alone, I want you to address me that way, Aekeira. I want to hear more of it." "Alright... Vlad," she agreed, her heart fluttering.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Did you know my symptoms have gone down since your return?"

Aekeira's eyes widened in shock. "They have?"

"Mmm," he confirmed with a small nod. "I have lived with this affliction for over three years, and I can assure you they have. It surprises even me."

He leaned back slightly, thoughtful. "Is it the joy of your return? These... new feelings I'm experiencing? Or simply your presence? I don't know the reason," he admitted, his voice dropping to a rare softness. "But I can feel it, Aekeira. The madness is still there... but it's not progressing. I feel better than I have in years." A pause. "I haven't heard the voices in weeks."

Her breath hitched, and her eyes stung. Oh, Aekeira, you're such a crybaby, aren't you?

But what else could she do? Every time he shared a piece of himself with her, every raw, vulnerable word, it undid her.

How she had lived without this, without him, for two long years, she would never know.

"So, yes, Aekeira," her grand lord added with resolve. "Let's go back home."

GRAND KING DAEMONIKAI

of day had faded, and the cool cloak of

the desk, arms tucked beneath

over him. When had she drifted off? He had been so

coworker, asking insightful questions when needed, yet comfortable with

she'd been

a clear and organized manner that would make even the

chest swelling with pride. Good with arrows, tending gardens, caring for the sick, hunting, and taking records.

the desk and crouched beside her. His

mocking laughter at my expense," he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Because why do I look at you now and all I

him, her breathing was deep and

"Who would have thought I'd feel my own heart race again? That I could ever look at you

stilled. But she

suppose it took

It took journeying to the spirit world to find myself." He leaned closer, brushing a ghost kiss on her nose. "I'm sorry

soft knock sounded

his expression apologetic. "Your

a finger to

snapped

Let's not

voice no more than a

Daemonikai waved him off.

room? I won't wake her." "No need." Daemonikai

her out of his study, he didn't turn left toward her chambers but right toward his. He crossed

shifting, nestling deeper into his covers. Like she belonged

surged

•

he

his nightclothes,

took his

at the

quietly resuming