30. HALF-BEAST, HALF-FERAL
Chapter thirty
HALF-BEAST, HALF-FERAL
All day, the air in Blackstone was thick with fear. Rumors darted through the corridors like arrows. Whispers of their ruler’s descent into madness stirred a collective dread.
Tales of his abrupt disappearances, unpredictable actions, and today’s isolation had the people terrified. Murmurs that had once been mere shadows of suspicion had solidified into a clear truth. Their ruler was going feral.
The fortress buzzed with melancholy all day.
Aekeira freshened up, staring at her reflection in the mirror, trying to shake the dread and anxiety that clung to her. How is he? Is he alright?
She sighed, running a quick comb through the tangled strands of her hair. Her mind wandered to Em.
Perhaps she could go check on her. Bring her back from Lord Herod's estate if the pain of heat recovery had eased. At least that , was within her control.
"Aekeira, are you in there?" a soldier's voice shattered the quiet.
She stilled. Was it Yaz? "Yes, soldier."
"The grand king summons you to Blackstone's royal residence."
Her heart lurched in her chest. The Grand King? Why? King Daemonikai had never summoned her before, and she much preferred it that way.
Was it about Em?
The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through her.
Following Yaz, Aekeira’s heart thudded wildly with every step. The closer they got, her nerves went into overdrive. At their destination, she barely registered Yaz's announcement or his departure.
Her eyes were fixed on the floor, but she noticed the heavy black robes signifying the presence of not one, but two grand rulers.
"Look at me, human."
The command wasn't harsh, but the deep voice held an undeniable authority that forced Aekeira's head up.
"Y-Your Grace." So close to him, Aekeira was struck by his sheer size and presence. He was more imposing than she’d thought. Tall, broad, and intimidating . How did Em do it?
"So, you are Aekeira." His emerald eyes scrutinized her, sharp and assessing.
Aekeira’s fingers dug into her knuckles. "Yes, your Grace."
"You look incredibly familiar." A frown creased his brow. "We have not met before, but you look like a girl I know."
Heavens, please, no. Aekeira’s stomach twisted in knots, fear shooting through her like thunderstorm. Don’t mention Em... don’t mention her...
"Her name is Galilea," King Daemonikai continued in a contemplative tone. "Betrothed to one of my high lords. A princess, just like you."
"I-I..." Aekeira was tongue-tied.
Lord Ottai tilted his head slightly. “I don’t know Lord Herod’s betrothed personally,” he said, observing her curiously. “But I’m surprised. She bears quite the resemblance to her brother, Emeriel.”
“Mmm, that too.” The grand king cocked his head, his gaze sharp. “Is the boy with no scent your brother?”
“Y-yes, your Grace.” Oh god, oh god, oh god.
"With no scent?" Lord Ottai scoffed, shaking his head. "Emeriel has a scent, alright. One your beast greatly favored, if I recall.”
Aekeira was shaking now. Her throat constricted, words trapped behind a wall of terror. She gripped her garment so tightly.
King Daemonikai blinked slowly. "What?"
"The boy's scent used to get to you in beast form. We had him serving you specifically because of that." Lord Ottai frowned, a puzzled crease forming between his brows. "Maybe he is on suppressants."
"Why would that be?" The Grand King's frown deepened as he turned toward Ottai. "How would a human slave get their hands on scent suppressants?"
"Maybe—" Lord Ottai began.
"Let the girl answer, Ottai." King Daemonikai's penetrating gaze shifted back to Aekeira. “Tell me, Aekeira, how did your brother get his hands on suppressants?"
Aekeira feared her ribs would crack at how hard her heart was hammering. Was this the way Em felt confronted by Lord Vladya? How had she survived such an encounter? Had her bladder threatened to betray her, just as mine is now?
"Speak.” King Daemonikai’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts like a blade. “Do not dare to deceive me, or you shall face the executioner’s blade.”
“You seem on the verge of collapse,” Lord Ottai said with gentleness. “Fear not. Simply speak the truth, and all shall be well.”
"Lord V-Vladya. He... uhm... he placed Em on s-suppressants." The words tumbled out of Aekeira’s mouth.
The grand king's eyebrows shot up. "Vladya? Why would he do—"
A wild growl cut through the air, and the slightly ajar door slammed open with a loud crash. Lord Vladya stormed out. Or rather, what would have been him?
Aekeira gasped, stumbling backward. Her neck straining as she tilted her head up, up, up , to meet his gaze. His face was contorted, his fangs bared into a fierce snarl.
Towering over seven feet tall, he was a blend of man and beast. She kept backing away, moving on reflex until her back collided with the wall. Aekeira had never seen a Urekai in half-shift but it was just as terrifying as their full beast form.
Lord Vladya was upon her in an instant, his massive frame crowding her against the wall, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. His face mere inches from hers, he looked fierce and wild. Angry.
But then again, when was he not?
The knot of anxiety in her stomach began to loosen. If only slightly. Ironically, Aekeira realized she was more afraid of the grand king and his interrogation, than of this male before her.
Those claws could rip her apart in seconds, those sharp fangs could shred her to pieces, and those arms—thick as tree trunks—could crush her effortlessly. And yet... the fear kept unfurling.
"Lord Vladya," she whispered.
Hesitantly, she raised her hand toward him, hovering just inches from his abdomen before finally resting her palm against his hardened stomach.
Touching him. Soothing him.
The skin beneath her fingers was hot, almost feverish. "It’s me... Aekeira..."
A deep growl began in his chest, vibrating against her palm. His head lowered toward her neck, nostrils flaring. Aekeira bared it further, offering him access.
Sniff, sniff, sniff.
Breath held, she closed her eyes as his nose skimmed along her skin.
He growled, the sound low this time. Less threatening. Almost... soothing.
"It’s okay." Aekeira’s hand gently trailed up his abdomen to the ridges of his broad back, the corded muscles beneath her fingers impossibly firm. He was terrifyingly powerful, and it was like petting a wild lion. Yet Aekeira couldn't stop touching him. “I am here.”
Another rumble. This one softer... almost a purr.
“I am here,” she repeated. Her hands, trembling, continuing to stroke his back gently.
He purred .
The sound was so odd, so unexpectedly warm and soothing, that for a moment Aekeira couldn't believe it came from this half-male-half-beast before her.
But then he did it again.
A long, rumbling purr that sent butterfly flutters through her belly, chasing away the last ruins of fear.
"Holy Ukrae," Lord Ottai's shocked words cut through the moment, jolting Aekeira.
She had been so focused on Lord VLadya, so caught up in his presence, she'd completely forgotten their audience. Glancing at the two grand rulers, both looked utterly stunned. They stared at her in open astonishment.
Lord Ottai's surprise was written all over his face, but the grand king's expression was more reserved. He looked thoughtful, analyzing... and a trace of something Aekeira couldn't quite decipher in his eyes.
Lord Vladya continued to nuzzle against her neck, his nose brushing against her skin. Another purr followed.
Then, with a shuddering sigh, he began to shift back to his human form.
His towering height diminished, claws and fangs retracted, fur receded. The wildness in his eyes softened, just a little.
"Aekeira," he rasped, taking a step back. He still looked a bit feral, yellow still lingering in his gray eyes. "I need..."
"What do you need?" She was drawn into those piercing eyes like a moth to a flame.
Lord Vladya swallowed. Wetting his lips, he asked in a rough tone. "Remember those dark thoughts I told you I had?"
Aekeira remembered.
Of course, she remembered.
They had haunted her ever since he'd spoken of them.
"Where you wish to tie me up… and h-hurt me?" she asked, just to confirm.
He gave a brief nod, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Now would be a good time to make that run for the hills.
I am fighting my instincts not to shove you against this wall, tear your clothes away, and fuck you so hard you won't know your left from your right. I am fighting not to..." His breath came in heavy, uneven bursts. "I am fighting, Aekeira. Now would be a good time to flee ."
"Wh-where could I possibly flee?" she asked, pulse quickened, face flushed. "The grand rulers will find me and bring me—"
"You will be left alone. I will order it."
"Uhm, hold on, not so fast," King Daemonikai's voice cut through. “Regrettably, V.D., that might be a promise you can’t keep. No matter where she hides, I will find her and ensure she’s returned here.”
Aekeira felt warmth spread through her cheeks, she burrowed closer into the warmth of the half-feral male she should be fleeing from. Curse their heightened hearing.
"Stay out of this, Daemon," Lord Vladya hissed, his stare never leaving Aekeira's face. "Just say the word, and I will make it so."
Say the word! Say the word, Aekeira!
"What will happen to you? You don't seem... alright."
"It is not for you to worry about," he replied gruffly.
"I wish to stay," as she said it, her resolve strengthened. "I'm not leaving."
Because even though she was terrified of his needs, she longed to ease his suffering. No matter the cost.
The whip, the pain, the scars. If they came from him, she would bear them willingly, if it meant he would find peace. "Take what you need from me."
Lord Vladya stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. "You are insane." Disbelief shone in his wild eyes. “You are truly, utterly insane.”
Then, he kissed her. Fiercely.
The kiss was not gentle. There was nothing tender about it. It felt possessive.
His tongue, his lips, devoured hers, taking and taking and taking until Aekeira was visibly shaking again, breathless with desire.
"Mine," he hissed against her lips.
Her eyes widened in shock. He was claiming her right here... in front of them?
Before she could fully process, her grand lord whirled around, shielding her behind his broad back. He snarled at the other two grand rulers. "Mine!"
Aekeira peeked around his shoulder, shock in her gut, butterflies in her stomach.
"Yours," Lord Ottai stated, raising his hands in surrender.
The grand king didn't say a word, his watchful eyes on her, expression guarded yet filled with undisguised curiosity, and something else...
Aekeira pressed closer to her feral, to hide from his piercing gaze.
"Mine!" Lord Vladya repeatedly in an angry roar, taking a threatening step forward.
King Daemonikai finally looked away from her, glancing at his friend. His expression softened. "Yours," he intoned, crossing his arms behind his back. "She is yours, V.D."
Lord Vladya gave a satisfied grunt, turned and lifted her into his arms. He stomped to his bedchamber, and slammed the door behind them, shutting the world out.