The Princess In A ‘Prince’ Disguise (Beasts of Wrath and Madness #1)

16. HIS DOOM. HIS SANCTUARY.

Chapter sixteen

HIS DOOM. HIS SANCTUARY.

Aekeira heart skipped several beats, and panic flashed in Emeriel’s eyes. Adjusting himself on the bed, Emeriel's fingers trembled as he reached for the hem of his tunic.

"Not you." Lord Zaiper’s gaze shifted from Emeriel to rest upon Aekiera. "You. Rise and undress for me."

Relief rushed through Aekeira. Thank the gods, it was not Em.

She rose, undressing tensely. Completely naked before Lord Zapier, he closed the distance between them, his eyes scrutinizing her body intently.

His eyes stayed on her plump breasts, then lowered to her flat belly before settling on her most intimate area. "Mmh. Beautiful," Lord Zaiper remarked. His hand moved to her womanhood, palming her.

Aekeira squeezed her eyes shut, but remained still as Lord Zaiper explored her body. His eyes held a daring challenge, silently warning her against any negative reactions.

Emeriel’s fist was clenched.

Do not react, Em. Aekeira pleaded inwardly. Reacting would only get you in trouble.

"Such a pretty pussy," Lord Zaiper's hand encircled Aekeira's narrow waist, the other slipping between her legs, forcing them apart. Without finesse, he inserted two fingers inside her.

Aekeira cried out, her eyes watering.

"Tight," he murmured approvingly, his head tilting to the side. "Your body recovered quickly after taking our beast form. Impressive." He continued thrusting his fingers in and out, exploring and probing. "Hades, your channel is too narrow. You are going to feel so good on my dick. We will have so much fun."

Aekeira felt sharp, acute pain gnawing at her. Tears flowed freely, and her knees trembled with the effort to remain upright.

"All hail His Majesty the Third! The third sovereign ruler of Urai. Sole leader of the western wings. All hail Grand Lord Vladya!"

The door swung open, and Grand Lord Vladya entered with his characteristic lethal grace.

"Our presence is requested. We must gather at the Court of Duty to address the council," Lord Vladya announced, his gaze fixed on Lord Zaiper.

Lord Zaiper withdrew his fingers and, like a male who had all the time in the world, brought them to his nose and inhaled deeply.

"An earthly scent." A low growl emanated from his throat, his eyes shutting momentarily as he savored the scent, before licking his fingers clean. "Truly exquisite."

Only then did he step away from Aekeira, his attention shifting to Lord Vladya standing behind him.

"I did not want to be interrupted. Damn it, I had plans for tonight," he grumbled, his eyes suggestive as they landed on Aekeira.

"This would not have happened if you had not foolishly decided to spread fear among our people," Lord Vladya growled.

Lord Zaiper's eyes blazed with fury. "Foolishly? Are you calling me foolish!?"

"You heard me right, Grand Lord Zaiper. Or does your stupidity impair your hearing?"

Lord Zaiper got to his face. "You dare insult me? In the presence of these peasants?"

But Lord Vladya simply turned toward the door. "Do not keep the council waiting, Grand Lord Zaiper. If you aspire to be the grand king, at least show respect for the voice of the people. Do not just pretend. And ensure you are punctual for council meetings."

At the mention of ‘grand king,’ Lord Zaiper's anger died, and a gleam entered his eyes. "I do not pretend," he said indignantly, but Lord Vladya had already departed.

Lord Zaiper glared at the three witnesses in the bedchamber, who kept their heads low, carefully avoiding his gaze.

Addressing Aekeira, he said, "We will continue this later." Then looked at Emeriel. "You are quite a pretty boy. Make sure you heal well."

With his robe swirling, Lord Zaiper spun around and left the room.

By the end of the week, Emeriel's condition had significantly improved. For some reason, an order had been issued granting him a temporary release from his duties while he healed.

This meant no work, no responsibilities, so Amie diligently brought him books to keep himself busy between his meals.

When Emeriel inquired about the unexpected change, Madam Livia remained tight-lipped. "Do you not appreciate it? Would you prefer to work while you heal?"

Naturally, Emeriel was grateful for the reprieve and expressed his thanks to the elderly woman, but she waved it off dismissively.

The reason behind Madam Livia's continuous assistance remained a mystery to him, but Emeriel saw no reason to question her kindness.

Unfortunately, Emeriel did not get to see Aekeira as frequently as he would have liked.

She had been assigned to the well area for the week, tirelessly drawing water and filling countless basins and gallons throughout the fortress.

The silver lining was, the large wells were located far from the northern wings. There was little chance Aekeira would cross paths with Grand Lord Zaiper.

After the awful experience Emeriel would be glad if his sister never encountered him again. Forever.

Aekeira had informed him of Lord Vladya's summons. Emeriel had journeyed to Blackstone, only to discover that Grand Lord Vladya was away on a trip. Since then, there had been no sign or word from the Lord.

However, that was the least of his worries. The beast never left his mind.

Something within him had changed that night. He was not in heat, nor had he experienced it again, but an unfamiliar craving awoke within him.

The mere thought of that night or the beast, made him feel warm inside. Made him wet.

It seemed as though an inexplicable connection had been forged between them while the feral ruthlessly plundered his body, and Emeriel wanted for more.

The very notion was absurd. Horrifying. Utterly dreadful.

He hated being taken by the beast, the excruciating pain still fresh in his memory. The fear and panic of a repeat encounter sent him into cold sweats.

No, he had no desire for the beast's strange attention to be focused on him. No, he did not want to be mounted by the beast again.

And yet, his body craved more.

His nights were plagued by erotic dreams of the beast ravishing him repeatedly, causing Emeriel to wake up flushed, feverish, and teetering on the brink of climax.

Goodness, what was happening to me?

After two full days on the road, Grand Lord Vladya desired nothing more than to recline upon his comfortable bed and doze for the remainder of the day.

It was precisely why he detested venturing to the outskirts of Urai. But an Elder had summoned him, giving him no choice but to answer.

Weary to his very core, he trudged along the path leading to his quarters. The sight of Sinai standing by his door caused him to halt.

By Ukrae, how had she known he was back?

Mistress Sinai greeted him with a smile. "You have returned?"

"How did you come to know of my imminent arrival?"

"I encountered your butler downstairs, my Lord," she walked toward him. "How was your journey?"

He took a deep breath. "Exhausting. I need to rest."

"I have heard about the boy. Emerald, is that his name?"

"Emeriel,” he corrected curtly. “Not that his name holds any significance to me. What is this about?"

A deep frown marred her otherwise lovely face as she stopped directly in front of him. "I heard rumors that Daemon's beast had taken a keen interest in him. News of him has spread throughout the fortress. Is it true? Did the beast truly seek him out?"

Lord Vladya pondered for a moment, opting for honesty. "Yes."

"But how is that even possible?" she hissed, her eyes darkening. "I have visited the beast for centuries, and never once has it shown any signs of recognition, let alone fixation. What in the world is happening?"

Lord Vladya contemplated reminding her that even prior to going feral, Daemonikai had never fixated on her—he had barely tolerated her. However, it would be unfair.

Despite Sinai's often insufferable nature, as the bloodhost to the grand king, she was one of the most powerful and respected females in Urai. In this case, her concerns were valid.

"I have no idea what is going on, Sinai. Perhaps it may be the boy's smell. Maybe he emits a scent that entices the beast. A scent that makes him seek it out. Our primal instincts can be unpredictable at times, as you well know."

"I do. Of course, I do. But this? It is simply too strange. I do not like the sound of it. Not one bit!"

"Why?" Lord Vladya relinquished his grip on the door handle and turned to face her, his brows knitted and nearly reaching his hairline. "You, above all others, should be elated if, by some miraculous occurrence, his beast has fixated. It could signify something positive. Perhaps his mind is not entirely lost? Or maybe his sanity is resurfacing. He might become the first Urekai to emerge from madness."

Sinai's mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "You, of all people, know it does not work that way. There is no return. Once the mind is gone, it is lost forever, and in its stead remains a mere husk. A shell. A ghost of who he once was."

"I did add 'miraculously,' did I not?” Grand Lord Vladya exhaled. “All the more reason for you to know it is implausible for the beast to desire the boy as an individual. It was likely a one-time incident." He massaged his throbbing temples. "Leave me be, Sinai. I have just returned from a long journey, and I am in dire need of rest."

"You are right, you are right. It was probably a one-off. Unrepeatable." The lines of anger faded from her face, and she formed a slippery smile. "I shall leave you to rest now."

Leaning in, she planted a kiss on his cheek, bowed, and gracefully walked away, her smile widening as her gown elegantly swept behind her.

"Are you certain?" Yaz asked gently, his eyes brimming with barely concealed concern.

"I am certain," Lord Vladya replied, and Yaz nodded. He exited through the sturdy metal gates, securing the locks behind him, leaving Lord Vladya alone in the forbidden chambers with the beast.

He sought solace in this place on days when exhaustion overwhelmed him. When he felt far too drained.

Today was one of those days.

Daemonikai's beast emerged from its favored spot, prowling closer to him. Vladya remained motionless as the beast circled him, growling and hissing.

Suppressing his own beast, he bowed his head and tilted it to the side.

At his willing submission, the feral’s growling ceased. It dug its claws into Vladya’s side, drawing blood and waiting for retaliation.

Yet, Vladya remained still, even as the beast pressed its claws deeper, pain coursing through his body.

Finally, the feral withdrew, turned around, and retreated behind the floor-to-ceiling barricade. Only then did Vladya allow his own beast to rise to the surface, enveloping him like a second skin.

In the blink of an eye, his clothes tore apart, revealing a magnificent beast. Nearly identical to the beast behind the barricade, it stood tall, flexing its tail.

Taking position before the barricade, it settled down, mirroring the feral's posture.

Like every Urekai, Vladya found solace and ease in his beast form. In the past, when he assumed this form, he and Daemonikai would venture into the woods, running, hunting, and battling together.

But now, the beast behind those bars stared at him without any trace of recognition.

His chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe.

Vladya lost track of time as he kept his best friend company. This place inflicted immense pain upon him, yet it also provided some measure of peace. Scarred him, yet offered healing. It was his doom and his sanctuary.

Time dissolved into nothing. He could have spent minutes, or hours here–simply existing in beast form. Shutting the world out.

When he finally reverted to his human form, he felt better than he had in days. Even as his heart ached.

Vladya gazed at Daemonikai, tears welling in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He would not shed tears. He has not done so for centuries.

"How do you fare, my friend?" he spoke, his gaze fixed on empty space. "Sometimes, I envy you. There is no pain for you. No memories. No recollections. Just blissful nothingness. No dreams to haunt you. Keep you awake at night, tearing your heart out of your chest.” He sighed. “Just simple, blissful silence, even if it manifests as madness."

Vladya recounted everything that had transpired since his last visit to the feral, speaking into the void, aware the wild one could neither hear nor comprehend, yet it was a ritual he performed nonetheless.

"Nothing remains the same, you see. Our land is no longer what it once was. That night scarred us all irreparably. Without you here to anchor the people, they have all become lost.” Vladya’s eyes were tired, gazing through the bars. “And the truth is, I do not know how to help them.”

He palmed his throbbing head. “Centuries have passed, and I have yet to find myself again. I do not believe I ever will, nor do I wish to. That is how lost we all are, Daemonikai.