Page 157 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

He slammed the door shut with a frantic bang, instantly pivoting into a run. The crash of wood splintering echoed behind him, followed by the thundering footsteps of his pursuers.

He could barely force his exhausted legs to keep up the desperate pace.

The good news is, this group didn’t seem to have the poisonous arrows. But, the bad news?

They were closing in on him. Fast.

Emeriel had a single destination in mind.

Grand Lord Vladya's quarters would have been a shorter journey, but his instincts drove him in one direction. His beast.

Chapter fifty-one

BLOODFEEDING

Grand Lord Vladya slumped in his study chair, his gaze fixed blankly on the weathered stone wall. He had sent a soldier to summon Merrilyn.

The soldier's report resounded in his skull.Lady Merrilyn has been in labor for hours, and thus unable to make the journey.

The next thing to do was clear. He needed to hurry to his bloodhost before the poison reached his heart, while some strength remained, and get the much-needed blood himself.

Even if it meant a sip from a goblet, just to sustain him until the healer arrived. Any other male in his position would have done it.

Not him.

His eyes fell to the ravaged flesh on his shoulder. The wound throbbed, swollen, black veins pulsing outward, tracing a macabre path toward his heart.

While hunting in the woods with his soldiers, he had spotted an assassin. He'd sent Yaz and the others ahead, then gave chase. He wasn't surprised to learn they were targeting Emeriel.

He had known yesterday's events would put the boy in greater danger. He just hadn't expected it to happen so soon. Was it Zaiper? Or were there others?

The door creaked open, and Yaz entered, his scent thick with concern. "I shall hurry to Lady Merilyn's dwelling and inform them of your poisoning, my Lord. She would bleed herself dry to save you, even amidst labor's agony. She is unaware of the severity of your need.”

"There's no need. Send for the healer." Vladya dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Yaz remained rooted in place. "The poison will reach your heart before the healer arrives."

"Just do as I said, Yaz." Vladya leaned back, his eyelids fluttered close. He was so tired.

"But—" Yaz's protest hung heavy in the silence.

In the end, however, the scrape of wood on stone marked Yaz's reluctant departure.

Aekeira tended her garden with a watering can. Sunlight dappled her skin as she moved, pouring a stream of water to nourish the plants below. Tending to the vibrant array of flowers and vegetables. Sound of water meeting the soil always brought her a sense of comfort.

The sharp crack of a footstep approaching shattered her tranquility.

Startled, Aekeira whirled around.

Lord Vladya's head soldier stood rigid, his familiar face hard.

"Lord Vladya summons you," he stated in a clipped voice.

Aekeira's heart skipped a beat. "He does?" It had been two days since that disastrous night, and she hadn't seen him since.

The soldier clenched his jaw, flicking his gaze away. "Yes. Make haste."

His behavior was strange. "Is everything alright?" she asked tentatively.

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