The girl’s gaze wandered, and she caught him staring.
She paled. Her smile vanished, replaced by fear.
Vladya disliked being caught off guard, but he refused to act childishly about it. He maintained his gaze, and she quickly averted her eyes, nudging her brother, who also looked up and spotted Vladya.
The boy appeared more angry than scared, but he dutifully lowered his eyes. They both bowed.
“Return to your tasks,” he said to them.
They obeyed, their actions now carrying tension, devoid of their previous ease.
Both stood out among humans, not only for the regal air that always surrounded them but also because of their exceptional beauty.
The boy possessed an unusual level of beauty that no boy should rightfully have, and his long, jet-black hair only added to it.
An attractiveness that was uncommon-almost ethereal. Yet, it was the girl who consistently captured Vladya’s attention. Even now, his gaze remained fixed on her.
It was simply unfair for a human female to be so breathtakingly beautiful.
“My lord?” Yaz’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“What is it, Yaz?”
“You were growling,” Yaz pointed out.
Was he? Vladya noticed the rumbling in his throat and promptly ceased.
Curse the gods, the girl had the uncanny ability to get under his skin like no other human ever had. The desire to mount her surged within him once more.
The thoughts he entertained regarding the young princess were… disturbing.
He wanted to put his hands on her. To make her feel pain. To make her scream. To consume her.
He wanted to unleash on her and see how she would handle him at his most animalistic. Above all, her blood called out to him.
He craved to sink his fangs into her pale neck and drink from her until she was writhing in his arms.
“My lord?” Yaz’s voice broke through his thoughts once more.
“What is it now, Yaz?” he asked, slightly irritated.
“Your fangs, my lord. They are out.”
Blast it all! Vladya retracted them, spun around, and began walking away. That damned human.
“Summon Lady Merilyn. Instruct her to meet me in my chambers,” Vladya commanded as he strode off.
For some reason, that girl awakened his dark side. A reason, among many, why he despised her. He would be damned before he succumbed to his desires for her again.
He would not.
He would NOT!
Emeriel
Emeriel hesitated before rapping at the door. Moments later, it swung open, and a maid emerged. “How may I be of service?”
“I am Emeriel. Could you kindly inform your lord that Emeriel is here to pay him a visit?” Emeriel requested.
“Of course. Please wait here for a moment.” The maid disappeared inside. After a few minutes, she returned and guided him inside, announcing that Lord Herod was ready to receive him.
Emeriel felt a rush of nerves and desperation, leaving him unable to do anything more than nod.
The maid left him in the corridor, where he waited patiently. He knew it was impolite to visit a lord at such a late hour, but his desperation had overridden his concern. Finally, the door creaked open, and Lord Herod emerged, dressed in a nightshirt and robe.
“Emeriel?” His voice was groggy, as if he had been awoken from slumber.
Emeriel hastened toward him, grasping the Urekai lord’s hand with pleading eyes. “I apologize for intruding at this late hour, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. There will be another introduction of slaves tomorrow night at the Harvest Ceremony, and I know for certain that I will be introduced. I don’t know what will happen if-“
“Easy now,” Lord Herod gently placed a hand on Emeriel’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what to do,” Emeriel’s gaze met Lord Herod’s. “You purchased your wife from her former owner, and I wondered if you might consider buying me and my sister as well.”
As the Lord’s eyes widened in surprise, Emeriel hurriedly continued, “Please. I am willing to do whatever you need. Anything at all you desire.”
Emeriel’s trembling fingers fumbled with his tunic, undoing the knot and loosening the rope securing it. “You can have me. My maidenhood is intact. Sort of. I believe virgins hold value in the market-“
“What? Stop, Emeriel,” Lord Herod intervened, placing his hand over Emeriel’s, halting his movements.
Emeriel panted as if he had run for miles, tears welling in his eyes. He had not slept well at all. Panic surged through him whenever he thought of the impending ceremony.
Lord Herod exhaled. “Come with me.”
He guided Emeriel out of the corridor and into the sitting room, urging him to take a seat.
“I am sorry, I apologize.” A tear slipped from Emeriel’s eye as he slumped forward, nervously tapping his feet on the floor. “It’s just…”
“I understand,” Lord Herod responded kindly. “I have no desire to touch you in such a manner. I won’t take advantage of you. I understand the situation you are in. Honestly, I’ve repeatedly thought about how I can help you. But the truth is, I don’t see a way. It would have been easier if it was just any lord who purchased you, but it was a grand lord. You were bought by two grand lords, and now, you belong to the grand king. It is impossible, Emeriel.”
Emeriel suspected as much. He really had. But he had clung to a sliver of hope…
He gazed downward helplessly, fresh tears blurring his vision.
Lord Herod positioned himself beside Emeriel. “The only solution I can think of is to lay a claim on you. Once the introductions begin, I can choose you, and you can stay with me. When I select you, no other lord will have the opportunity to take you.”
Emeriel’s head snapped up, hope brightening his eyes. “Do you truly believe that?”
Lord Herod nodded once. “Unless I choose to share, which I do not. The only obstacle that may arise is if a grand lord takes an interest in you. Only they possess the authority to claim you, even when a lord has already laid a claim. And based on the previous introduction, I am aware that Grand Lord Zaiper showed interest in you.”
Emeriel couldn’t deny it. For some inexplicable reason, that grand lord had taken a real interest in Emeriel and Aekeira. He bit his lip, his leg tapping faster with growing anxiety.
Lord Herod stilled Emeriel’s restless motion. “Do not worry excessively, Emeriel. Hopefully, Grand Lord Zaiper will become interested in someone else, and you will be forgotten. He is almost what humans would call a ‘womanizer.’ And you are ‘male,’ so let’s hope someone else catches his eye. Without his interference, I can protect you.”
Emeriel nodded gratefully, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. “I am deeply grateful for your help.”
“You have to leave before the slave masters of the fortress notice your absence. The punishment for that would be severe, right?” Lord Herod asked, prompting Emeriel to give a jerky nod before rising from his seat. He really did have to return before his absence was discovered.
Merilyn
Merilyn raised her hand to knock but noticed the door was slightly ajar. With caution, she entered the room.
“I apologize for taking so long, Dear Vlad. I have been experiencing cramps these past few days. I believe the baby is due any day now…” Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of her master.
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