flicker of desire ignited in those cold eyes. And Vladya had never failed to deliver, all because of her. “You’re the first human he has ever touched, you know,” Zaiper mused, savoring the tremor that wracked Aekeira’s body. “I guess if any human is capable of tempting that male to the dark side, it would be you.” Aekeira whimpered, her gaze fixed on the damp stone floor.
A dark thrill coursed through Zaiper. Perhaps a slight detour from the plan wouldn’t hurt. Perhaps he would kill the young prince and still mount the beautiful princess.
“Your Highness.” Razarr approached, his voice a low whisper. “The boy is in Greyrock.”
Zaiper’s grin widened. “Excellent. Fetch him. Bring him to my chambers… and the princess as well.” He was already imagining the cries he would wring from her. “Your Majesty, the plan…”
“I have changed my mind, Razarr. The plan remains intact, but I’ve come to the realization that I no longer care if the girl witnesses her brother’s death.” His voice, cold and sharp as a blade, sliced through the heavy silence. “Her life dangles from my fingertips. One whisper of defiance, and I will gut her… but not before I subject her to agonies she cannot begin to fathom.” His eyes pierced her, savoring the way her skin paled to a sickly gray. A smirk twisted his lips. “She won’t dare cross me.”
With a dismissive flick of his wrist, he strode away.
“Bring them both to me.”
EMERIEL
Outside the dungeon, Emeriel’s stride quickened through Greyrock’s maze-like corridors. He was surprised to see how the sentries merely glanced at him, making way for him to pass.
As he neared the passage leading to Grand Lord Zaiper’s chambers, a squad of soldiers materialized, blocking his path.
“The grand lord commands your presence,” they declared, their voices devoid of warmth. Their hands gripped his arms, firm and unyielding, as they marched him away.
The soldiers led him through a discreet side door, into the heart of Lord Zaiper’s abode. The grand bedchamber oozed wealth and power, every surface gleaming.
Lord Zaiper lounged on a throne-like chair, his reptilian gaze tracking Emeriel’s every move as he was forced to his knees. Emeriel bowed his head, the thick silence pressing down on him.
The soldiers left, leaving him alone with the devil himself.
“Emeriel, is it not?” Lord Zaiper’s voice slithered through the room, smooth and dangerous.
“Yes, your highness.”
“Tell me, what brings you to Greyrock? Surely you know slaves are not permitted to wander territories without express invitation. Why break such a simple rule?”
“I apologize, your highness. I was… I was searching for my sister,” Emeriel’s reply was barely above a whisper.
The door creaked open, and Aekeira was shoved inside. Emeriel’s heart leaped. Aekeira was alive. A flicker of hope ignited in his chest.
Aekeira knelt beside him, her eyes wide with a silent question – are you alright?
He gave the slightest nod.
“Save your tender reunion for later.” Lord Zaiper’s tone was dismissive. A soldier stepped forward, hauling Emeriel to his feet, dragging him closer to Lord Zaiper. The ruler leaned forward, a predatory gleam in his eye, forcing Emeriel to jerk his head back.
“There’s something about you, boy.”
Zaiper pressed his nose to Emeriel’s neck, inhaling deeply. “You have a pleasant enough smell, but nothing particularly remarkable. So, what could it be?”
“I-I don’t understand, my lord,” Emeriel stammered, fear tightening his throat.
“Was your mother a witch? Do you dabble in black magic?” Lord Zaiper’s voice dropped to a near hiss.
“What are you not telling us, boy?”
“Nothing, your majesty.”
“Tonight, you’ve broken rules, and according to the laws of the land, I must punish you severely. But first…” Lord Zaiper’s hands closed on Emeriel, slamming him against the wall. The impact jarred Emeriel’s bones, forcing a gasp from his lips. Lord Zaiper’s body pressed against his, hot and suffocating. A heavy hand dug into Emeriel’s waist, fingers kneading his flesh.
“Soft,” Lord Zaiper hissed, the word scraping against Emeriel’s ear. “No wonder Daemonikai’s beast mistook you for a female. A bitch.”
He paused, the smile fading from his lips. “Or wait…” His voice took on a calculating, suspicious edge. “Are you?” Then, his hands began to wander.
MIXED POV.
“Please, my lord!” Aekeira cried out, drawing his attention. Her hands clasped together in a desperate plea. “Show mercy to my brother!”
“Mercy? Why? Are you going to offer yourself again, as you did in court?” Zaiper’s voice was mocking, the words dripping with disdain.
“Yes,” Aekeira answered quickly, her voice unwavering. “Please, I’m willing to.”
Zaiper barked out a laugh, the sound devoid of warmth. “Such devotion, such dedication. Sadly, you are not the one I wish to bury myself inside tonight.”
He turned his attention back to Emeriel, his hand raised and flexed. His claws glinted, ready to shred his clothes.
“All hail His Majesty the Third! The third sovereign ruler of Urai and the sole leader of the western wings. All hail Grand Lord Vladya!” The booming announcement shattered the charged atmosphere.
Zaiper froze, his grip loosening. “Vladya’s returned?”
The door swung open, and Grand Lord Vladya entered. His measured stride carried an air of cool detachment, yet hinted at a barely restrained power.
“Vladya, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” Zaiper’s voice was laced with a veneer of politeness that barely concealed his displeasure. He stepped away from Emeriel.
“The question is, what were you doing, Lord Zaiper?” Vladya countered, his measured strides bringing him closer to the heart of the lavish chamber.
“Punishment,” Zaiper said smoothly. “The boy trespassed into Greyrock uninvited.”
“And what prompted this trespass?” Vladya’s tone was sharp, challenging. “Let me guess. You had his sister detained. But what, might I ask, was her crime?”
Zaiper faltered. A plausible excuse eluded him. Anger simmered beneath the surface, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “She’s a human, Vladya. We don’t require justification for disciplining their kind.”
“Perhaps with any other slave, but not them,” Vladya’s voice was firm, unwavering. “Ottai and I embarked on a specific mission to acquire them, and if they are to face punishment, there should at least be a valid cause. Do you not agree?”
“Since when do you concern yourself with such trivial matters?” Zaiper spat, his patience wearing thin. He closed the distance between them. “Since when do you advocate for humans?”
“I do not,” Vladya said coolly. “But these two serve an important purpose-to fulfill the beast’s sexual desires. Have you forgotten what happens when his desires go unmet? Do you want our people slaughtered?” Zaiper seethed, but he held his tongue.
Vladya turned to face Aekeira and Emeriel. “Come with me, both of you.” His voice, though commanding, held gentleness. They scrambled to their feet and moved toward him.
“Do you truly believe you can just waltz in here and take them?” Zaiper’s voice dripped with venom. “You overestimate yourself, Vladya.”
Vladya paused, his gaze piercing. “What is the real issue here, Zaiper? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this is not about the girl at all, but the boy. You lured him here by abducting his sister, but why? Why all this elaborate theater?” His voice lowered, every word a weighted accusation. “If I were less informed, I might suspect you simply want the boy dead.”
“That is preposterous!” Lord Zaiper blustered, his hand forming a fist.
“I am not accusing you of anything,” Vladya continued calmly. “I am merely speculating what conclusions I might draw if I didn’t know better. If I have misunderstood, then you would have no reason to object to me taking them, do you?”
A tense silence filled the room, each man holding the other’s gaze. Emeriel and Aekeira stood side by side, their shoulders brushing, fingers interlaced behind their backs, forming a united front.
“The beast requires its sustenance, Zaiper. Right now. He is already irritable. You and I both know what follows-an escape from its confines,” Lord Vladya’s voice remained steady, his composure unruffled. “One of them will proceed directly from here to the forbidden chambers to fulfill their duties. The sooner you release them, the sooner we can prevent disaster.”
“Very well.” Zaiper’s concession was a grudging growl. “Take the boy. The girl stays. That’s my final offer.” His gaze, cold and calculating, dared Vladya to refuse.
Vladya stiffened, his eyes flickering between the siblings. Emeriel’s face was etched with dread, while Aekeira’s eyes brimmed with terror.
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