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

34. EMERIEL’S STRANGE SAFE PLACE.

Chapter thirty-four

EMERIEL’S STRANGE SAFE PLACE.

Aekeira was unable to sleep, no matter how hard she tried.

On one hand, she was relieved Em had managed to avoid Lord Zaiper's attention in court and hadn't been forced to undress. On the other hand, a part of Aekeira wished she had undressed if it meant the beast would have stayed away.

Was Em still alive? Was she suffering at this very moment? Aekeira lifted her head, wiping away her tears before resting back on the pillow.

The soft sound of her door handle turning caught her attention. She sat up and stared at the door.

Unfortunately, her chamber lacked a lock. When she'd requested it, she was told as a slave, she had no right to privacy and should be thankful she was not in the slaves's quarters.

Being in the southern wings of the fortress did provide some advantages at least. Unauthorized individuals rarely ventured to this side. So, who would come here at this time of night?"

The door opened and Grand Lord Vladya entered.

Aekeira's breathing quickened, her heart pounding in her chest. She bowed her head and greeted him, "My lord."

He remained silent, his handsome face set to its icy demeanor. This Urekai had two default expressions—indifference, or a frosty scowl.

"Your brother is fine. Wipe away your tears and stop staining the sheets," he said, his scarred cheek drawn down in a terrifying snarl.

A wave of relief washed over her. "Thank you so much. Thank you." She managed to offer a watery smile.

"Do not thank me. I did you no favors," he stated flatly.

"But—"

"I am not here because of your cries. I could not care less if you cried yourself to your maker," he calmly explained as he shrugged out of his white robe and hung it on the dressing chair. "But I wanted something else, so I am here to collect."

Oh. Her happiness vanished, replaced by a sinking feeling of dread. Not this again. Not tonight.

"Strip and give me your back."

A knot twisted in her stomach. It was her fault this time around; she shouldn't have offered, no matter how desperate she had been. She had made a promise, hadn't she? She had been willing to trade her body to anyone who could enter that forbidden chamber and confirm her sister's well-being.

Fresh tears welled up in Aekeira’s eyes as she rose from the bed and began untying her robe with shaky hands.

Her body went warm, betraying her again.

Aekeira panicked. If only there was a way she could command her body to stop. To stay cold for this man who despised her to the core.

Why did her body feel…almost excited? Eager to be mounted by this male?

Completely undressed, she set her clothes aside and stared up at him.

His eyes darkened with arousal as they roamed over her body. It looked like he was battling himself, fighting against something.

Then, he blinked and scowled. "Get on your hands and knees."

As Aekeira scrambled to get into position, he stood behind her, his hands gripping her hips, pulling her towards the edge of the bed.

He pressed his erection against her, his breath hissing, "The scent of your musk drives me insane."

She whimpered, burying her face in the sheet as she braced herself for the pain she knew would come.

And it did. With one forceful plunge, he entered her, releasing a low growl of pleasure.

Aekeira sobbed, attempting to move away from the burning sensation, but his grip on her waist tightened.

"You're so wet," he rumbled. "You smell like sin. Why do you become so wet for me?"

Amidst the searing pain, Aekeira groaned, ashamed. She didn't know why. But in that moment, she was grateful the moisture eased his entry, making the invasion somewhat bearable.

Again, he didn't allow her time to adjust to his size before thrusting. She felt so full. Uncomfortable.

While he emitted low groans of pleasure, she cried silently.

He took her hard, punishing her with each deep plunge, as if she was the sole cause of his sadness and anger to the world. Aekeira could only hold on for dear life.

When she was beginning to think she couldn’t take it anymore, he came, spurting deep inside her. His semen burned , like pinpoints of flames spreading within her.

"Hot. It burns, please," she cried, her body shaking.

"It would, you're not a Urekai female or a syren," he spoke against her neck, his voice sounding slightly different.

Aekeira turned her head and gasped. His fangs had descended, his gaze pinned on her neck.

"Your blood calls to me. Why?" Lord Vladya hissed, struggling for control.

"I-I don't know, Your Highness. Please don't..." It was no secret Urekai drank from humans to kill, draining them completely. "Please, don't kill me."

His body grew tense. His fangs grazed her neck.

For a moment, Aekeira feared he would actually end her life. His breathing quickened, and his grip on her shoulder tightened painfully. He seemed to be locked in a fierce internal struggle.

Time dragged on, Aekeira's fear intensifying with every passing second.

Then, with a grunt, he abruptly pulled away from her. He straightened his clothes, took his robe, and walked out.

Aekeira lay there, tentative, crying softly, unable to move her body for a long, long time.

It had been three days but Emeriel remained in the forbidden chambers, unable to leave. Whenever he attempted to, the beast would let out a warning growl.

Emeriel had no understanding of what the beast wanted. It didn't try to mount him or drink his blood. It simply watched him with its piercing yellow eyes.

To pass the time, Emeriel found himself talking aloud, even though he knew the beast couldn't understand him. It was a way to maintain his sanity, otherwise he might actually go mad in this dark, quiet room with only a mindless—somewhat mindless—creature for company.

His sister managed to visit a few times, although sometimes Aekeira was prevented by soldiers. Nonetheless, there were instances when she successfully bypassed them and stood before the metal gates.

As long as Emeriel didn't make any move to approach her, the beast remained quiet. But if Emeriel tried to rise, the beast would straighten and growl.

So Emeriel conversed with Aekeira from where he sat, often needing to convince his sister that he was fine. Aekeira was a worrywart, not that Emeriel could blame her.

During one of Aekeira's secret visits, she brought several books she had 'borrowed' from the library to help him fight the boredom.

Feasts, plentiful feasts, arrived as Grand Lord Vladya ordered the soldiers to bring meals to the forbidden chambers on a more regular basis. Once the soldiers dropped off the food by the metal gate, Emeriel would retrieve it and bring it inside. The beast would growl, its eyes tracking his movements. But when it realized Emeriel had no intention of leaving, it would calm down.

Emeriel would consume a small portion of the food before offering the rest to the beast, which it always accepted.

Ironically, Emeriel had eaten better in the past few days than he had in ages.

Had the beast truly heard that strange call?

The question bothered Emeriel, weighing on his mind more than he cared to admit. He had no idea what had compelled him to utter those words, but it was an urge that couldn’t be resisted.

What was even stranger was that Emeriel understood he was now practically the beast's captive. At its mercy. And yet, Emeriel felt... safe.

A mindless feral—the most formidable predator in Urai—had him confined and under constant watch, but all he felt was protected.

It was a bizarre feeling, bordering on madness really, but it was undeniably true.

For the first time in Urai, Emeriel felt genuinely safe. As if nothing could harm him within those walls.

True, he had no knowledge of what was happening outside those walls, but he had been left alone for the first time in as long as he could remember.

There were no grueling tasks, no soldiers giving him hateful looks, no slavemasters tormenting him with lustful gazes, and no mistresses attempting to whip him.

In this place, Emeriel found...peace.

Mistress Sinai hurried to the fields as soon as she heard the sound of approaching horses, arriving just in time to see them emerging from the woods.

Grand Lord Vladya, Zaiper, and several other lords had returned from their hunt. The soldiers accompanying them carried an abundance of game, causing the onlookers to cheer and applaud.

As the grand lords dismounted their horses, the soldiers took charge of them and hunting equipment. Sinai eagerly awaited Lord Vladya's approach, practically bouncing on her feet.

"I've noticed you have been spending a lot of time with Lord Vladya lately, beautiful Sinai," Lord Zaiper drawled, smirking and giving them a meaningful look. "Is there something going on between you two that we should know about?"

"Your Highness," she inclined her head slightly, "Lord Vladya and I are simply discussing important matters. Can I borrow him for a few moments?"

"Of course, of course. If he's open to being borrowed, that is," Zaiper replied with a chuckle.

Lord Vladya proceeded forward, and Sinai bid farewell to Zaiper before quickly matching her steps with him.

"You're doing nothing about that boy, Lord Vladya! It's been three days, and he's still there," she stated once they were out of earshot.

Hands behind his back, Lord Vladya maintained a steady pace. The wind gently tousled his long hair, lifting strands off his shoulders.

"I have no intention of taking any action, Sinai," he told her in a calm, composed tone.

Sinai couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But why? That filthy little human is intruding upon my Daemon's territory, and you're doing nothing about it? He is trespassing upon the king's privacy! He has no right to be there!"

"Except the king himself brought the boy there willingly. The boy did not ask for it," Vladya said in a measured tone.

Sinai's eyes widened incredulously. "Why are you defending him? I can't believe this! I thought you, of all people, would support me in this matter!"

"Calm yourself, Sinai." Vladya came to a stop and fixed his gaze upon her. "I understand your perspective, but I believe you are overreacting. I've thought about this extensively.” He sighed.

“That boy has proven to have a positive impact on Daemonikai since his arrival. The boy's presence seems to bring out a more rational side of Daemonikai rather than his mindless, animalistic side." He took a deep breath. "Although I cannot make out the exact reason, I have chosen not to dwell on it. If that boy being close to Daemon's beast contributes to the improvement of Daemonikai's state, then I hope to hell the boy remains close to him.”

For a moment, Sinai gaped at him, too stunned to speak.

"Are you even listening to yourself? Pardon me, but your words make no sense, Your Highness." Sinai's voice was filled with disbelief. "How could that worthless boy have any influence over Daemonikai? Do you even hear how absurd that sounds?"

"I don't know, Sinai," Lord Vladya appeared unfazed, as usual. "If I had all the answers, I wouldn’t waste time thinking so much about it. But what I do know is this—the boy isn’t causing harm to anyone. So, I see no reason to interfere."

Sinai’s lips parted, her rebuttal poised on the tip of her tongue, but his next words silenced her.

"In fact, I find myself... intrigued by whatever is happening with Daemonikai. And if the boy has any involvement—whether through sorcery or something else—I do not want it to stop."

Her breath caught. For a moment, she could only stare at him, her mind reeling. Intrigued? He was intrigued by this madness?

A pang of betrayal twisted in her chest. His refusal to act, his willingness to let this worthless boy linger around her Daemon, felt like a slap in the face.

"I cannot believe this. Forget it, I'll go in there and drag him out myself." She bowed to him, turned, and stormed off.

"Sinai, do not do that. Don't go in there."

She continued walking, ignoring his order.

"Sinai." This time, his voice grew sterner. Authoritative.

She paused, her posture rigid with anger. "My Lord?"

"Do not go to the forbidden chambers. Do not touch the boy. I have issued an order. Do not defy it," Vladya stated firmly, before he walked past her, and strode away.

“I have issued an order. Do not defy it, my ass." Sinai mocked as she rummaged through her closet. "As if I'm going to sit idly by while that boy remains there any longer."

Her maids stood nervously, waiting for her instructions, feeling helpless in the tense atmosphere.

Sinai finally found the garment she was looking for: a form-fitting gown that accentuated her curves, particularly the upper part of her backside. After putting it on, she turned to her maids. "The meccai leaves?"

"Here, my lady." One of them handed her a cup of hot tea.

Sinai took the wooden cup and downed its contents in one gulp. Meccai leaves heighten the scent of her blood, making it more tempting. Irresistible.

She settled into her dressing chair, and her maids took it as their cue to attend to her hair. As they styled her hair, Sinai seethed with anger, her hands clenching into fists.

To hell with Lord Vladya's command, he would come around eventually. It's not as if he would punish her because of a mere human, right? That idea was absurd.

As for Emeriel, Sinai had a plan.

She would feed Daemonikai until he was satisfied, enough to put him to sleep. Then, she would take that worthless boy away.

Once she had Emeriel safely removed, Sinai would inflict severe punishment upon him—painful and merciless. She would make him pay dearly.

"Nora?"

"Yes, mistress?"

"Ask one of the slavemasters to provide you with three spiked whips, and the crown of thorns. Afterward, proceed to the kitchen and instruct the cook to prepare boiling water mixed with long pepper and chili pepper. Have everything ready in the abandoned underground chamber."