Page 140 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

"I refuse." Vladya's voice was a guttural snarl. "I'll kill them all. Bathe in their blood." He flicked his tongue across a fang.Oh, he could taste it.

"Stop this madness!" Ottai grabbed Vladya by the shoulders, shaking him. "You will lose what's left of your sanity, you idiot!"

"Tell me, what are you going to do about it?" Vladya taunted with a smirk, a feral glint in his eyes. "You and I both know you are no match for me, Ottai. Even Zaiper would not dare challenge me directly. I will tear him apart and leave his bones for the vultures."

"You may be right," Ottai said. "But don't think we would not band together and fight you, Vladya. Don't you dare think we will stand idly by and let your inner beast have its way." His gaze met Vladya's, unflinching.

"Then let's dance, Ottai." Vladya shrugged off the fourth ruler's grip, a predatory smile curling his lips. "Why are you trying to stop me?" He turned back towards the court.

"No!" Ottai lunged, and slammed Vladya back against the wall. "For the love of all that's holy, Vladya. Get ahold of yourself!"

In a blur of motion, Vladya's claws flashed, leaving a deep gash in Ottai's arm. Crimson blood welled up, staining the pristine white of his robes.

Fury washed over Vladya's face, his eyes now glowing bright yellow. "Leave. Me. Alone. Try to stop me again, and it will be the last thing you ever do."

Ottai's grip tightened, refusing to yield. "You'll lose yourself to the beast, Vlad! I will NOT let that happen! I refuse to lose another friend!" His eyes filled with angry unshed tears. "You will have to kill me first, but I will NOT let you go feral!"

Outside the backroom, Zaiper's voice rang out with a decree. "The decision is made and now set in stone. In the forthright,we shall eliminate the feral beast." His proclamation echoed, followed by the decisive strike of the royal gavel.

Vladya saw red.

The beast within him roared, demanding release.

Vladya gave in.

His bones started to shift, his muscles contorting...

Chapter forty-four

THE GLOOMY NIGHT

The news of the royal decrees spread through the fortress with the speed of light, likely reaching every nook of Urai as well.

For the first time in ages, the fortress lacked its usual bustling activities. Desolate, as if drained of life. The air was shrouded in a heavy blanket of mourning.

The slavemasters, always wielding their whips with merciless authority, were nowhere to be seen. The maids, constantly scurrying about their duties, had vanished. The traders, known for their incessant haggling and bartering, were absent. Even the soldiers, usually barking orders and shoving their way through the crowds, had retreated into the shadows. Consequently, the slaves found themselves alone, restricted to their quarters.

Although the king had not been killed, everyone was already in a state of bereavement. The sense of hopelessness weighed heavily upon all. inevitability. That night, Ravenshadow Citadel was as silent as a tomb.

Emeriel sat alone in his room, struggling to hold back tears.

His heart burned, his soul ached. Emeriel was in severe pain that no physical wound could match.

A soft knock at the door startled him. It creaked open, and Aekeira's head peeked in. "Em?"

Emeriel hastily dried his tears. "I'm here. Is something the matter?" He avoided looking at his sister, hoping she wouldn't come any closer.

But Aekeira noticed his discomfort. "Are you crying?" She entered the room, rounding the bed to stand before Emeriel. "You are."

"I am fine, truly. It is just..." Emeriel sniffled, evading her probing eyes.

"It's the beast, is it not." It was more of a statement than a question. Aekeira sank onto the bed beside Emeriel. "Oh, Em..."

"It's just... I've tried not to feel like this, you know? But I can't help it." Emeriel gripped his chest, squeezing it to alleviate the unbearable pressure within. "I don't want him to die. My heart is breaking apart just thinking about it, Keira."

Aekeira regarded Emeriel as if he had lost his mind.

Emeriel shook his head. "I knew you wouldn’t understand."

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