Emeriel braced himself.
“Five hundred years ago, and even before that, my people and humans coexisted peacefully. Grand King Daemonikai made sure of that.”
Grand King Daemonikai.
The mere mention of the name sent goosebumps spreading across Emeriel’s skin, his knees quaking in barely concealed fear.
One of the oldest Urekai to have ever existed, his reputation was known throughout the world, even to a child born in present times.
He wasn’t just one of the four rulers; he was the very first. The ultimate ruler.
His power and strength were legendary. Some even suggested he couldn’t be killed.
That name, Daemonikai, was one that struck terror into the hearts of every species existing in this world.
“His son, Alvin, made friends with a human prince,” Lord Vladya continued. “During a conversation over a glass of champagne, Alvin, in a drunken state, told the prince the secrets of our people. The Eclipse Moon night.”
“A night when the Urekai were naturally stripped of their power and strength by the moon, right?” Emeriel asked, wondering if the rumors were true. “It comes every five hundred years, rendering your lot incredibly weak. Weaker than a newborn baby. Vulnerable to attack.”
The scarred Urekai stopped and eyed Emeriel, nodding before walking again.
“What Alvin didn’t know was the prince’s father used his son to gather information about us. King Memphis had his eyes set on our land. To make a long story short, the humans breached our defenses and attacked us on the Eclipse Moon night, inflicting significant damage upon our kingdom.”
A shadow crossed Lord Vladya’s eyes.
“Many of our people were killed. The survival of the Urekai was largely due to the efforts of the four rulers, particularly Daemonikai.” He looked distant, as if he could see that night playing out before him. “Daemonikai exerted every ounce of his strength to save his people. He sacrificed everything he had… knowing the consequences it would bring.”
Consequences?
Emeriel suddenly felt a pang of guilt. The humans regarded that night as a victory. They talked about it as a great achievement. But hearing it now, it was nothing short of barbaric.
“After that night, everything changed,” Lord Vladya said. “Many Urekai lost their bondmates and children. Those who remained were hardened by the loss. Even our revenge did nothing to ease the pain in our hearts.”
“Your kind almost decimated the human population, forcing many into hiding,” Emeriel couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his tone. “The Urekai took numerous slaves and nearly depleted the human lands of their females.
And it did nothing?”
As those chilling eyes once again stared at him, Emeriel snapped his mouth shut.
“Then, Grand King Daemonikai gave in to his beast and went mad. His mind was completely lost and has remained so for the past five hundred years. The very people he sacrificed everything to protect are now in danger from him.” Lord Vladya turned a corner. “The beast breaks free periodically, going on ruthless, brutal killing sprees. To prevent further loss, the beast is confined here in Ravenshadow.”
Okay… that sounded like a good idea. What was the problem?
“But, confinement alone is not enough. Our inner beasts require two basic substances to survive: blood and sex,” Lord Vladya surveyed Emeriel with a piercing gaze. “And that is where your sister comes in.”
Emeriel grew uneasy. He did not like where this was going.
“Princess Aekeira will fulfill the beast’s sexual needs. That is why she was acquired. As for you, since I have no use for you, both of you belong to the beast,” Lord Vladya asserted firmly.
“What?” The disbelieving whisper tore from Emeriel.
“Surely, y-you can’t mean that.”
“Tell Princess Aekeira to present herself to the beast. If she presents well, who knows? She might survive another day. I care little for the outcome.”
Emeriel collapsed to his knees, tears blurring his vision. “Please, Lord Vladya, don’t subject her to this. To be a sexual slave? To a beast… the king’s beast? My sister will die!!” He screamed, his words tainted with anger.
Lord Vladya did not bat an eyelash. “Good luck trying to run away from Ravenshadow. For every attempt, you will be met with fifty lashes of the whip.” With that, he turned on his heel, striding away.
Anger surpassed terror, and Emeriel surged after him, but the Urekai soldiers blocked his path.
“Who do you think you are!?” Emeriel screamed. “Do you consider yourself so all-powerful that you can dictate the fate of living beings!? You are nothing more than beasts! You’re a monster, Lord Vladya!”
Lord Vladya halted at the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. “That is a compliment, human prince. And to you, it is Grand Lord Vladya.”
Emeriel froze.
Grand Lord?
As in, one of the four rulers of the Urekai, that GRAND Lord!?
Holy light-gods, we’re doomed.
PRINCE EMERIEL
The night had descended upon them.
Aekeira’s face turned pale upon hearing everything from Emeriel. She had not uttered a single word in hours. Instead, tears streamed down her face.
Emeriel could hardly recognize Aekeira after the “treatment” Livia had given her.
Aekeira was incredibly beautiful, well-groomed, and all dressed up in that scanty piece of nothing.
He despised the purpose behind her transformation and dreaded the impending arrival of the Urekai guards, who would soon take her away.
“Let us escape,” Emeriel suggested urgently. “This place is vast, and-“
Aekeira shook her head. “I cannot risk your life, Em. Grand Lord Vladya warned you about the severe consequences of attempting to escape. Moreover, if we’re caught, they will undoubtedly discover your secret when they strip you down to whip you. It is simply not an option.”
Emeriel approached his sister and shook her firmly. “Pull yourself together, Aekeira! You will be forced to serve a Urekai in its BEAST FORM! One that has lost its sanity and has remained feral for over five hundred years! You cannot subject yourself to such a fate! You will die if you do this!” he screamed.
“We have no other choice!” Aekeira screamed right back. “I will not put you in danger, Emeriel. Can’t you understand? You are my younger brother. Our parents risked everything to protect you, and I will do everything in my power to do the same. Not because you are a burden, but because I am your elder sister, and I love you dearly!”
Emeriel bit his lip, struggling to hold back tears. “And who will protect you, Aekeira? Who will ensure your safety?”
Aekeira’s desperate arms grasped Emeriel, and she gazed into his eyes. “They must never discover you are a girl, Emeriel. Never! Neither the humans nor the Urekai must find out.”
The door swung open, announcing Livia’s return, accompanied by the young girl, Amie, and another group of Urekai soldiers.
“It is time. Let us proceed,” Livia declared, her eyes widening. “It is inadvisable for you to touch her now. You do not want to leave your scent on her. Release her immediately.”
“What do you mean? What will happen if I touch my sister?” Emeriel asked, quickly pulling away.
“The beast must not detect any other scent on her. If it smells a scent it hates, it may become even more brutal-it might even tear her apart. That is why you must not touch her, Emeriel.”
Livia nodded for the men to escort Aekeira out of the room, and Emeriel followed.
The journey was long and silent, involving many twists and turns.
They passed by human slaves and Urekai maids within the vast fortress, but as they approached their destination, the faces grew scarce, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. Fear and goosebumps crept over Emeriel as they entered a haunting corridor.
A strange sensation fell over Emeriel, and the silence became almost deafening. It felt as though they were walking through a graveyard.
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