That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King’s Slave Mate Novel

Chapter 268: "When the time comes, your body won't want my touch, little one. I am not the one you desire."

"B-but you said it didn't matter," she spluttered, her voice thick with tears. "You said-"

"It doesn't, not when the heat fully takes hold. But I cannot, in good conscience, take you that way, knowing your heart and soul belong to another. Watching you jerk away from my touch while begging for his, hearing you cry out his name as I take your body…" He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his touch feather-light. "My alpha beast would not tolerate that rejection, Emeriel, and might hurt you. I care for you too much. I cannot bear to hurt you like that."

Emeriel swallowed. Her eyes, now a vibrant crimson, reflected the growing intensity of her heat. "I don't know what to do. If it's already like this… I can't even begin to imagine what it will feel like when it fully hits." Her voice trembled. "I am scared, Lord Herod. Terrified I won't be able to handle it."

Herod's heart ached for her, and he reached out, his calloused hand hovering just above her arm, hesitant to touch her overheated skin.

"I won't let you get hurt. Trust me on that," he vowed, his gaze hardening with determination. "I'll send for the grand king if I have to."

Emeriel's eyes widened in alarm. "No!" she cried, her voice rising in pitch. "He cannot find out! I would rather ride the waves alone!"

"I'm not saying it's my first choice, little one," Herod assured her, his expression softening. "But I will not let you suffer. Because of your scent, I won't be here when your heat begins, but I will always be near."

He reached out again, this time gently cupping her chin, ignoring her flinch yet again. "I'll make sure you're safe, no matter what it takes."

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GRAND KING DAEMONIKAI

In the crowded court, Grand King Daemonikai recounted the ancient war against vampires to his rapt young audience, ranging from age thirty to two hundred.

Alvin had eagerly joined these gatherings.

Daemonikai's throat tightened. His eight-hundred-year-old son had delighted in these storytelling sessions despite the age restriction. Alvin had insisted on attending, much to the delight of the younger children who adored his company.

"As twilight fell," Daemonikai forced himself to continue, "the young grand king breached the vampire king's barrier, leading his soldiers into their hidden den. With swords raised high, they battled the vampires. Finally, Amphias the Conqueror faced the young Urekai king, Daemonikai the Cruel. Amphias, confident in his power, sought to conquer Urai. Their brutal, bloody battle shook the earth."

Daemonikai paused, letting his words sink in. "In the final moment, Amphias sank his fangs into the Urekai king's neck, but Daemonikai unleashed his beast form. And with a decisive strike, he pierced Amphias's heart, ripped it out, and devoured it."

Gasps and cheers erupted. A barrage of questions followed, and he answered them, unable to hide his smile at their wide-eyed admiration.

"How did you survive eating the heart of an ancient vampire, Your Grace?" young Erasis asked in awe.

Daemonikai chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I am far too old, dear Erasis. Some poisons simply have no effect on me anymore."

In addition to age, his body had developed a resistance to many things that would fell a lesser Urekai. Smiling, he answered all their questions.

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