Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 117

Adelaide

The evening light filtered through the tall windows of my spacious chambers. I stood before the ornate wardrobe, my fingers lightly tracing the pure white lace gown hanging there, its intricate silver thread embroidery shimmering like starlight in the light.

The soft sound of my chamber door opening drew my attention. I turned to see Lycanthar entering, his tall frame filling the doorway as his golden eyes immediately found the ceremonial gown.

"It's beautiful," he said softly, his voice carrying that familiar warmth. "But I'm far more eager to see you wearing it, my Moon Bride."

I turned to face him fully, feeling my heart skip at the love and anticipation shining in his eyes. "I've been waiting for that moment longer than you might imagine," I replied, stepping closer and placing my palm against his cheek.

Lycanthar leaned down to kiss me, but suddenly his entire body went rigid. I felt his muscles tense beneath my touch, and his breathing became shallow and rapid. When he pulled back, his eyes had taken on an unnatural red gleam, and his lips were pressed into a tight line of obvious discomfort.

"Lycanthar?" I asked, concern immediately flooding through me. "What's wrong?"

He tried to step back, but I kept my hand firmly on his arm. "Nothing," he said, though his voice was strained with barely controlled pain. "Just... the hunger. I can manage it."

I understood immediately. Without hesitation, I pulled at the neckline of my dress, exposing the pale column of my throat. "Take what you need from me," I said firmly.

Lycanthar shook his head, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as he fought against the urge. "No, I can't. You're my mate, not my blood thrall. It's not right."

"But I am your Moon Bride," I insisted, stepping even closer until there was barely an inch between us. "Your needs are my needs. Come, I'm willing."

The struggle in his eyes was painful to watch—hunger warring with love, need battling against his protective instincts. Finally, the hunger won. He moved with careful precision, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. There was a moment of hesitation before I felt the gentle pierce of his fangs.

The sensation was sharp at first, then mellowed into something strangely intimate. Lycanthar took only what he needed, forcing himself to stop after just a few moments. He stepped back, licking the traces of blood from his lips, his eyes already beginning to clear.

"Better?" I asked, adjusting my dress to cover the small puncture marks.

"Some," he admitted, though the red glow hadn't completely faded from his eyes. "But not enough. You haven't signed a blood bond—you can't provide the constant sustenance I require. Taking too much from you would be harmful."

"Since Liliana was punished, you haven't secured another blood thrall, have you?" I asked, studying his reaction. "You've been taking small amounts from different pack members, but it's nowhere near sufficient for your needs."

Lycanthar avoided my gaze. "Having you beside me is enough. I don't want another woman."

"But this is hurting you," I said, taking his hands in mine. "You need adequate blood to maintain your strength. I understand, truly. It's just a physiological need, like eating." I paused, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "I wouldn't mind if you took a blood thrall, as long as..."

"As long as what?" His golden eyes met mine.

"As long as it's only for blood," I said quietly, unable to completely hide the uncertainty in my voice.

Lycanthar gazed at me for a long moment, his expression softening. "You're always so understanding, my love." He turned toward the door and called to the guard stationed outside. "Find Darius. Have him select a suitable candidate from those who haven't signed bonds and bring her here."

The guard responded and then departed. The chamber fell into momentary silence as Lycanthar approached me, cupping my face gently in his hands. "You know you're irreplaceable to me, don't you?"

I smiled and nodded, though I couldn't quite suppress the knot of unease forming in my stomach.

Soon, a soft knock came at the door. Darius entered with a young werewolf woman at his side. She had light brown hair and quiet, intelligent eyes, carrying herself with a mixture of nervousness and dignity that was quite different from Liliana's bold sensuality.

"Your Majesty, this is Cressida," Darius announced respectfully. "She's one of our finest candidates."

Cressida bowed deeply, first to Lycanthar, then to me. "Your Majesty, future Queen, it's an honor to serve."

I forced myself to smile, though jealousy clawed at my insides. There was something about Cressida's quiet, gentle demeanor that unsettled me more than Liliana's overt seductiveness ever had. Perhaps it was the very absence of threat that made her feel dangerous.

"I believe I should leave you to this," I said, keeping my voice carefully level. "I still have ceremony preparations to attend to."

Lycanthar caught my hand, his eyes full of apology. "It won't take long."

I nodded and hurried from the room, but found myself stopping just outside the door. I knew I shouldn't listen, knew it would only cause me pain, but I couldn't resist the compulsion.

Through the heavy wood, I heard Lycanthar's deep voice explaining the terms of the blood bond, followed by a moment of silence, then Cressida's soft intake of breath and the distinctive sound of feeding that followed.

I closed my eyes, feeling my heart constrict. Intellectually, I understood this was necessary—werewolves needed blood to survive, a consequence of the vampire curse. But emotionally, I couldn't fully accept another woman sharing such an intimate moment with Lycanthar.

About half an hour later, the door opened and Cressida emerged, her cheeks flushed and her neck bearing the fresh marks of a blood bond. She seemed surprised to see me waiting but quickly curtsied. "Future Queen," she said softly, "His Majesty is waiting for you."

I nodded my thanks, forcing myself not to stare at the fresh bite marks that proclaimed her new status as Lycanthar's blood thrall.

Entering the chamber, I immediately noticed the change in Lycanthar. His eyes had returned to their brilliant gold, his complexion was healthy, and he radiated vitality in a way he hadn't for weeks.

"You look much better," I commented, trying to keep the acid from my voice.

Lycanthar crossed to me, pulling me into his arms. "Thank you for understanding, my love." He kissed my forehead gently. "This is purely for survival—it doesn't change how I feel about you. You know that, don't you?"

I leaned against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, now mixed with the faint trace of another woman. "I know," I whispered. "I just need time to adjust to all of this."

Hours later, I lay in our bed with Lycanthar's arm wrapped protectively around me as he slept peacefully. But sleep eluded me completely. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cressida's flushed face and fresh bite marks. I understood the necessity, but understanding and accepting were different things entirely.

The moonlight streaming through our windows seemed to mock my sleeplessness as I stared at the ceiling, counting the hours until dawn would finally come.