Chapter 647: Not a hope he had dared not voice aloud.
"Congratulations, old friend," Daemonikai's deep voice was hoarse with emotion.
"I am so happy for you." "She is saying Aekeira is my..." Vladya's throat went dry as sand.
He forced his throat to keep going.
"The Oracle is saying Aekeira is my... Do you think it is the truth?" "The Oracle does not lie, V.D.," Daemonikai told him softly, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"And you may not have noticed, but I am currently coughing up a rather concerning amount of blood," the old lady rasped, struggling through another violent fit.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSomething warm traced down Vladya's cheek.
He wiped at it absently, then stared at his damp fingers. A tear.
I have a Soulbond.
Then, Daemonikai was grasping his face between firm hands, forcing Vladya to meet his gaze.
"Vladya, this is truly great news-look at me." His voice was steady, urgent.
"I know it is overwhelming, but you must listen to her right now. This is not the tfor shock, not the tto fall into a daze. She said they are in heat." Vladya nodded, numb.
"Do you understand what that means?" Daemonikai pressed.
"They are suffering without us. We are high in the mountains, thousands of miles away, and we need to be thinking about how to get to them. Our women are in heat, and we are not there to ease their pain, Vladya Theriozydovkar Skyvakto." And it finally struck with the force of an earthquake.
Ice flooded Vladya's veins.
"T-They need us. What in the ruins are we doing here...!?" He was already shifting, his muscles rippling. "Wait." The Oracle's command stopped him mid-transformation.
Half-shifted, he looked at her through gleaming yellow eyes.
She looked deathly pale, her already white skin taking on a near-translucent hue. Her frail hands trembled as they gripped her staff.
"You two... be careful," she said in a weak tone.
"I cannot see what lies ahead-not clearly. But I pray you make it in time. If not..." She shook her head.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNew content live at gVlnovs"Even if instinct takes hold, even if the rut consumes you-keep your wits about you. This cycle... they need you more than ever." Vladya and Daemonikai exchanged a grim look before nodding.
"May the gods be with you." Another nod. Then both shifted fully and took off, their beast forms vanishing from sight.
Night had fallen. Darkness settled over the Citadel.
Lord Ottai had moved Aekeira from her chambers to Vladya's quarters to better e protect her. Her scent had grown stronger. Far too strong.
Every Urekai male who caught a whiff of it wanted her.
Emeriel paced by the bedside, her eyes never leaving her sister. Aekeira had a Fallen into a fitful sleep hours ago, but she tossed and turned restlessly, crying out and gripping her stomach. Madam Livia, Amie, and Lord Ottai remained close, each doing their part to maintain order.
Outside the door, Lord Ottai stationed soldiers at every kexposition to Keep intruders away.