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

Chapter 496: "Five days."

Emeriel let out a slow breath. "Five days… That long, huh."

"I'm so relieved to see you alright." Aekeira's smile was strained. "You really scared me."

Emeriel noticed her sister's hands twitching, her knuckles flexing. Aekeira wanted to reach out, to hold her, to reassure herself that she was real, but it was clear she was holding back. These past few years hadn't been easy on them. Emeriel, in her own pain, had distanced herself from everyone-even the one person whose touch had always brought her the greatest comfort.

So, she reached out first, placing a hand on Aekeira's arm. "I'm sorry I scared you, Keira."

Aekeira was on her in an instant, wrapping her in a tight hug.

Home. The feeling hit Emeriel so hard it stole her breath. Longing surged through her, raw and powerful. So much so that she bit her lip to keep from breaking down, clenched her fists by her sides to keep from returning the hug, and took shallow breaths to rein in the avalanche of emotion, willing it to stay buried.

"Don't ever do that again," Aekeira scolded, her body trembling. "How could you let yourself be hit by an arrow? You're usually so quick to deflect them! How could you let this one strike you?"

"Oh, yes, I saw it coming and thought I'd stand there with my arms wide open, rejoicing as it tore through my belly," Emeriel responded in a dry tone.

Her sister huffed. Pulling back, she gave Emeriel a reproachful look. "So you still have a sense of humor. That's good to know." Emeriel grunted in response.

"How did I survive that?" she wondered aloud. "I smelled that poison. It was one of those rare, deadly ones. I think it was shezie. Smelled like it." She looked down at their intertwined hands, her brow furrowed. "For a moment, I was sure I saw the white lights and the train to the otherworld."

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"Not even remotely amusing." Aekeira settled back into her seat, taking Emeriel's hand once more. "Your man saved you."

Emeriel had suspected as much. But… how? No one has a shezie antidote readily at hand, not unless they're a mage.

"He sucked the poison out of you, pulled it into his own body. Lord Vladya said he recited spells that made it possible," Aekeira revealed softly.

Emeriel went still. What?

Pulling her hand free from Aekeira's, she lifted her garment and looked down at the spot where the wound had been. Nearly healed, there was no swelling, no darkened veins, no lingering trace of the poison.

Emeriel glanced at her sister, mouth opening and closing, but no words came out. But why… why would he do this?

"Every single moment, he was here, watching over you, caring for you," Aekeira's voice was touched with wonder. "Even while he suffered, while the poison ate through his organs…"

Emeriel's hands spasmed, gripping her garments tighter. He took my poison…?

"He's only away now because of a critical meeting regarding the new project to draw water for the crops. He missed countless duties because he refused to leave your side, Em."

"But why…?" Emeriel's voice was barely a whisper. "Our bond is gone. There's nothing forcing him to do this."

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