15. GRAND LORD ZAIPER OF THE NORTHERN WINGS
Chapter fifteen
GRAND LORD ZAIPER OF THE NORTHERN WINGS
"Where is he?" Lord Vladya asked, quickening his pace as he descended the stairs.
"He is at the sixth square, Your Highness," replied Yaz, his head soldier, keeping stride. "The people have gathered there. It is quite a crowd."
Lord Vladya clenched his teeth, striding forward with purpose. Servants and maids scrambled out of his way as soon as they saw him.
Turning a corner, his sharp eyes caught sight of Lord Ottai approaching from the opposite direction with his own group of soldiers. The grim expression on Ottai’s face mirrored Vladya’s.
Zaiper has gathered the people at the square," Ottai announced as they drew closer, his tone edged with frustration. "He is informing them about the beast's escape last night."
"So I have heard," Vladya stated, his voice clipped. "This must be stopped."
"What is wrong with Zaiper? This is a matter for the court, not the public.” Ottai’s brow furrowed. “Why would he do such a thing?"
"It is clear he is trying to gain more support."
The two walked together toward the square. Lord Vladya shook his head. "Lately, he has grown desperate for the throne."
When they reached the sixth square, a large crowd had already formed. Their heightened senses allowed them to hear Zaiper's voice as they approached.
"We cannot keep living in fear. The beast will continue to break free, and more innocent people will be harmed," Zaiper’s voice boomed, holding the crowd’s attention. "We all loved the grand king. For thousands of years, he was our greatest ruler—the finest the Urekai have ever had."
"Yes! Long live the grand king!" someone in the crowd shouted.
A chorus of voices echoed, "Long live the grand king!" three times
Zaiper’s jaw tensed, his eyes darkening with anger, but he masked it well, flashing his practiced smile.
"Indeed," he said smoothly. "We all cared for our grand king, without question. That is why this tragedy is so painful. None of us would wish the fate of going feral on anyone, even our enemies. The grand king's mind has been lost for five centuries, replaced by the instincts of a predator. One of the strongest."
"And the rest of us rulers work tirelessly to protect you from the beast. But we cannot always succeed, for the beast is stronger than most of our defenses," Zaiper continued, his voice carrying through the square. "As you all know, lives are lost every time the beast escapes. Can we allow this to go on?"
The crowd murmured softly, their fear clear but their affection for the grand king even clearer.
For centuries, the people loved and revered their grand king, who ruled with kindness and brought peace to their lands. The same Urekai who despised and hunted all ferals preferred their grand king remain alive despite his feral state rather than be completely killed.
And for centuries, they stood united in this belief.
But one day, they would have to face the truth.
The truth that their grand king was gone—and the beast that remained had to be destroyed. Zaiper wanted that day to come sooner.
"We cannot force the people into such decisions, Grand Lord Zaiper," Lord Ottai interjected, drawing all eyes as he stepped onto the podium. "The people have the right to decide for themselves how they wish to handle the beast. The fact that it was once their grand king cannot be ignored."
Many nodded in agreement, murmurs rippling through the crowd.
Zaiper turned his pretentious, sorrowful eyes toward Ottai. "You are correct, Grand Lord Ottai. But how can they decide when they are kept in the dark? Most of them do not know that just last night during the festival, the beast escaped again."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Zaiper continued. "We managed to contain the beast, of course. But imagine what might have happened if we had been too late—or made a mistake—and the beast had escaped the fortress?"
Eyes widened in horror, and the murmurs turned to frightened chatter. Amidst the clamor, a few words emerged.
"May Ukrae protect us."
"By the gods...!"
"I was at the festival. I could have been killed..."
"Silence, everyone," Lord Ottai commanded softly, and the square fell as quiet as a tomb. "This is a matter for the court. As Lord Zaiper mentioned, the beast was contained, and no harm came to anyone." He directed a pointed gaze at Zaiper. "Lord Zaiper should not stir fear among the people when the threat has been dealt with."
"The people have a right to know when their lives are at risk," Zaiper countered, his eyes shining with satisfaction.
"The grand king turned feral because of us," a woman suddenly spoke from the crowd. Her voice drew attention. "We would have all died that night if not for him. We are alive because of his sacrifice. So what if he is now mindless? What if his beast cannot recognize anyone, unable to distinguish between friend and foe? He saved us!”
“Yes!” the crowd shouted.
“He protected us!” the woman added fiercely.
“Yes!” they chorused.
“We are not ready to lose him!"
The crowd broke into uproarious cheers of agreement, clapping their hands.
Amidst all of it, Lord Vladya said nothing. Did nothing.
Arms crossed, he simply watched Zaiper spinning his web of influence among the people, who held firmly to their beliefs.
They weren’t ready yet.
Just as Vladya.
Throughout the day, Emeriel awoke twice to briefly eat before returning to slumber.
On both occasions, she cried out in pain, prompting Aekeira to be grateful that her sister's awakenings were short-lived. Aekeira pleaded with Madam Livia to administer a stronger pain reliever to Emeriel, but the woman insisted the additional doses would only harm her further.
In the afternoon, Lord Vladya visited while Emeriel was still asleep, leaving only Aekeira in attendance.
"He is not awake yet, my Lord." Aekeira bowed.
Lord Vladya tilted his head to the side. "When he awakes and is well enough, tell him to come to Blackstone. I would like to see him."
"Yes, my Lord," Aekeira avoided his gaze, keeping her head lowered. Something in this grand lord’s eyes made her feel apprehensive and nervous.
Something strange happened the previous night, but Aekeira abruptly shut the door on it, refusing to dwell upon it.
Emeriel finally woke during the night. After Aekeira fed her, Madam Livia had Amie prepare a basin for her to bathe in the room. Following the bath, Emeriel appeared better than she had been all day.
"How do you feel now?" Aekeira asked once they had settled Emeriel back onto the bed.
"Better," Emeriel replied with a soft, sad smile. "For a moment there, I was beginning to think I would not make it."
Guilt filled Aekeira's eyes. "I am so sorry about—"
"Do not blame yourself, sister,” Emeriel said, grasping her sister’s hands. “It was not your fault. Do not punish yourself for something beyond your control."
Madam Livia entered once again, her expression softening as she looked at Emeriel. "You're awake."
"Yes, madam. Thank you so much for taking care of me. I do not know what I would have done without you," Emeriel smiled.
Madam Livia waved her off. "Do not fret over it. How do you feel now?"
"I feel better, madam. Thank you."
"I do not understand why that beast is so interested in you, Em," Aekeira pondered. When all eyes turned to her, she averted her gaze. "I had my suspicions the first night I was sent to him. You touched my arm before I went in, and the beast was particularly fixated there."
"Those vicious scratches,” Madam Livia interjected. “I wondered what caused them."
"I have no idea, Keira.” Emeriel exhaled shakily. “None of it makes sense to me. Not the heat, not the beast's actions, and not the syren thing. Nothing at all.”
Aekeira was confused. "What are you talking about?"
Emeriel gave Aekeira detailed explanations of her ordeal, beginning on the first night they entered the fortress. By the time Emeriel finished recounting everything, Aekeira's ears were ringing, and her hands felt cold and sweaty.
"You go into heats? Is that true?" Aekeira looked ill.
Emeriel nodded slowly, her expression wary. "Twice now."
Aekeira's face drained of color as she stared intently at Emeriel. "What if you’re his Soulbond ? That would explain his fixation, wouldn't it?"
Emeriel vehemently shook her head, looking just as pale as her sister. Considerably more terrified. "That is impossible, right, Madam Livia?" she asked in a tiny voice.
Madam Livia remained silent, lost in thought.
Emeriel felt a surge of panic as Madam Livia's silence continued, amplifying his fears. Aekeira's ridiculous explanation could not possibly be true, right? He desperately hoped not.
"Please, say something, Madam Livia," Emeriel pleaded, his voice tinged with anxiety. The mere thought of becoming someone's bondmate, especially the beast's, sent shivers down his spine. The prospect was enough to induce a heart attack.
Finally, Madam Livia let out a sigh, leaning against the wall. "I believe you all may be jumping to conclusions here," she spoke softly. "Perhaps the beast is simply fixated on your scent. It could be you smell so good it wanted more from where that scent came from."
But Emeriel could see her eyes held concerns. "You don't truly believe that, do you?"
"I cannot say for certain, Emeriel," Madam Livia replied, but seeing the panic in Emeriel's widened eyes, she quickly added, "What I do know is, a feral beast does not differentiate between friend, foe, bondmate, or offspring. To them, everyone is either a threat, prey, or an enemy. A feral lacks the ability to recognize a Soulbond ."
Her words provided some measure of relief.
"You were fortunate to be in heat during your first time. Otherwise, the beast would have caused significant harm when it entered you.” Madam Livia explained. “Heat sex is different from regular intercourse. With your syren gland and the changes it has brought to your body, your channel is now quite different from ours. It can stretch with enough elasticity to accommodate your Urekai male partner in any form, yet shrink back to its original size shortly afterward. Nature was thorough and remarkable in that way–"
A loud shout pierced the air. "All hail His Majesty the Second! The second sovereign ruler of Urai and the sole leader of the northern wings. All hail Grand Lord Zaiper!"
Madam Livia's eyes widened comically as she whispered sharply, "Bow your heads, both of you." Immediately, her own head was almost touching the floor in a deep upper-body bow.
Without hesitation, Emeriel and Aekeira followed her lead, their bodies bending into a deep bow. Despite the discomfort it caused, Emeriel ignored the soreness in his muscles.
"Rise," a deep voice commanded.
As Emeriel straightened up, he finally gazed upon the infamous Lord Zaiper. He...didn't look like the monster they claimed he was. But then again, monsters rarely do.
He appeared just as young and handsome as Lord Ottai and Lord Vladya, radiating masculinity and intimidation.
Lord Zaiper casually stopped at the center of the chambers and crossed his arms, his scrutinizing gaze locking onto Emeriel and his sister. "So, you two are the human slaves Vladya acquired?"
"Yes, Your Highness. My name is Aekeira, and this is my brother, Emeriel," Aekeira responded meekly.
"Such beautiful creatures. Are all royals as lovely, or are you two the exceptions?" Lord Zaiper remarked, catching them off guard. They exchanged glances and swallowed tightly, remaining silent.
"I expect to hear words," Lord Zaiper pressed, eyes darkening as he focused on Aekeira.
"We do not know, Your Highness," Emeriel quickly interjected, redirecting Lord Zaiper's attention to himself.
"Interesting. Perhaps I should acquire all the human royals to judge their beauty for myself." He tilted his head, seeming to genuinely consider the idea before refocusing his gaze on Emeriel. "You are the one the beast mounted last night."
Emeriel noticed the barely concealed resentment with which Lord Zaiper spat out ‘the beast.’ "Yes, my Lord."
"How in Tartarus are you still alive?" Lord Zaiper furrowed his brows, sparing a glance at Aekeira. "You were mounted before him; how are both of you still alive?"
You would wish us to die, would you not? "We do not know, my Lord," Emeriel said.
An uncomfortable silence, filled with tension, ensued.
Then, Lord Zaiper locked eyes with Emeriel. "Undress."