Chapter 209 PRINCESS AEKEIRA He recognized me .
G Relief crashed into Aekeira .
Tears burned her eyes .
Who e else would it be ? she choked out .
She felt the brush of his nose against her neck , and tilted her head to the side , giving him better access .
A long , slow inhale .
This feels like a dream , he growled .
Its not .
Im here , in Urai .
Unable to hold back any longer , she spun around , and threw her arms around his neck , pulling him close .
Im here .
He stilled .
Then , he was hugging her back .
His arms encircling her waist , crushing her to him .
One was a hand , the other a large , furred paw with sharp , elongated claws .
Aekeira didnt flinch .
She didnt care .
All that mattered was that he was here … and he remembered her .
Aekeira … He breathed .
She had never heard so many emotions wrapped into a single word .
My Aekeira .
That sob tore from her throat .
She clung to him tighter , burying her face in his neck .
His scent , clean and familiar , filled her senses .
And for the first time in years , she felt relaxed .
Grounded .
Finally , after what felt like eternity , she pulled back , sniffling .
How did you recognize me ? Grand Lord Vladya gently wiped the tears from Aekeiras face with his good hand , drinking her in .
Greedily devouring the sight of her .
Every emotion , both familiar , long buried , and unfamiliar , swamped him .
He had been dead these past few years .
Or at least , he felt that way .
When Aekeira left Urai , she had taken every atom of life in his body .
If losing his soul had made him feel empty before , it was nothing compared to the void her absence had left .
Vladya had thought he could endure it .
He had been so sure .
12:24 Mon , Jan 27 G Chapter 209 377 % 0 But he hadnt counted on the suffering .
The constant , grueling in that came with glancing argund and never seeing her .
He hadnt expected the endless searching .
Always looking for her in a room she no longer occupied .
As the days bled into weeks and months , it felt as if his own hear had been ripped out and handed back to him .
Broken , mangled , and bleeding .
Coupled with the madness creeping in , Vladya was so lost .
He had not counted on missing her as much as he did .
He hadnt counted on so many things .
His gaze continued to rake over her .
This wasnt the slave he had known .
This was the princess he hadnt .
Now , she looked every bit the part .
From her elegantly styled hair and simple yet exquisite jewelry , to the fine fabric of her gown .
+5 She was breathtakingly beautiful .

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And , she was real .
Vladya hated that part of him whispering that this might be just another one of his numerous illusions and dreams .
Those torturous ones hed had wishing for her return .
Lord Vladya ? Yes , this is real .
She sounded far better than she had in any of his countless , countless illusions .
Do you wish … he cleared his throat , the sound rusty from disuse , Do you wish to go further , to my dwelling ? Her eyes , still wet with unshed tears , searched his face .
Vladya wondered what she saw .
Did she see a half mad male ? A washed up grand lord hiding away in a cave ? Or the one who broke her heart ? Probably all three .
Okay , she whispered .
He led her deeper into the cave , to the heart of his self imposed exile .
Here , time had no meaning .
The outside world was distant , exactly as Vladya had intended .
Sit here , he gestured to a small cushion .
Do you want tea ? Aekeira looked around the space , clearly surprised as she scanned the room .
This is not what I expected .
12:24 Mon , Jan 3 Chapter 209 I know , A small smile touched his lips .
She expected to see an empty place , perhaps littered with skulls and dried blood of his victims , not this warm, cozy , home .
As one waits for the inevitable , lets just say , one has a lot of time on their hands .
I go scavenging sometimes .
Something to do while … waiting .
To go mad , she finished for him , quietly .
Vladya turned towards the rickety table and busied himself with brewing the tea .
Madness is not something to fear .
It can be fought , the symptoms slowed down , but in the end , it cannot be avoided .
His gaze drifted to his hand .
The one that had been a paw for months now , unchanged .
In human terms , its more like managing an incurable disease for as long as possible before it claims you .
He handed Aekeira the steaming cup of tea .
Aekeira brought it to her lips for a sip .
As usual , Vladyas eyes followed her every move .
Vladya couldnt tear his gaze away .
It was as though the years had never passed .
She looked the same as she had the day she left .
He clenched his hands together , fighting the urge to reach for her .
The desire to touch her , to feel her skin against his , was almost unbearable .
How have you been , Aekeira ? Both hands wrapped around the warm cup .
Ive been … fine , He noticed the slight tremble in them as she took another sip .
Her eyes lifted to meet his .
How are you so … aware ? Vladya shrugged .
I have my good days and bad days , he settled into the seat opposite her .
Good days are like this .
When Im aware of the world and all it entails .
But the bad days … All that is left is the destruction .
Thats why you left the fortress .
she set the cup on the nearby table .
I became a real danger to them .
I had to leave .
Aekeiras eyes darted anywhere but on him .
Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve .
She was avoiding him .
Putting distance between them .
Seated right in front of him , yet far away .
Aekeira , his voice dropped an octave .
Mmm ? Look at me .
A shaky breath .
I am .
You are a terrible liar , my little bird .
12:24 Mon , Jan 27 G Chapter 209 Her eyes snapped up to meet his .
Dont call me that .
Tears brined in her eyes once more .
But unlike before , when they had been tears of joy , this time , they were filled with stark pain .
And anger .
She abruptly sprang up from her seat , I c cant do this .
I need to leave .