Page 108 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

Zaiper reddened and advanced a step. “You asshole.”

“You two, not now.” Ottai stepped between them. “We need to get our people to safety, remember?”

Vladya clicked his tongue and merely stepped away.

Zaiper glared at Vladya for a full minute, before he forced his focus elsewhere. Somewhere much more important.

Zaiper's brows furrowed. "Why that boy? How does a feral beast enter a crowd, spare lives, and depart with a boy cradled protectively in its arms?"

"I have no answers, Zaiper. We are all as bewildered as you are," Lord Ottai replied, running his hand through his perfectly slicked-back black hair.

Ottai turned to VLadya. “Do you think it intends to take the boy to a quiet place and kill him, or something? The last time hesought him out, it was driven by sexual hunger. What could be the motive this time?"

Vladya’s thoughts seemed scattered, going everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He simply shook his head, just as confused as the rest of them.

“Maybe it has developed a taste for his blood, or something,” Vladya muttered, still trying to wrap his head around what just happened.

"But now is not the time for speculation,” Ottai said. “We must ensure the beast hasn't gone to the arena and evacuate the people."

With that, they scattered to guide their people to safety.

As the court emptied, Mistress Sinai remained seated, rigid and motionless. Her expression one of pure fury. What had just happened? How could this have happened?

One of the ladies approached her, wide-eyed. "Who is that boy, Sinai? Being his bloodhost, surely you have some information."

Sinai glared at her, spun around, and stormed out of the court before she succumbed to the urge to do something very unladylike. Like scream at the top of her lungs or throw things.

Hours later, after checking out the arenas and the wings, clearing the banquet hall and surrounding areas, Grand Lord Vladya made his way to the forbidden chambers. He had a hunch the beast returned to its confinement, but he needed to confirm it. And there was the matter of the boy—he was curious about the boy's fate.

As he reached the fourth wing, he heard feminine cries growing louder. Turning the corner, he found Aekeira seated on the floor, sobbing inconsolably.

The girl rose upon seeing him and hurried toward him.

She dropped to her knees, "They won't let me get close. The soldiers are bl-blocking my path. I can't see my b-brother, please help me."

Vladya had purposefully ignored the girl all day as a means of self-preservation. But as he glanced at her now, that part of him that felt strangely drawn to her began to surface.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he met her with an indifferent gaze. "Return to your chambers, Aekeira. You should not be here."

"No, no, no," she shook her head vigorously, her eyes red and swollen. "Em has been missing for hours! I need to know if he is safe. I need to ensure that beast has not d-devoured my brother. Please, help me." Desperate hands clung to his garment. "I would do anything."

He didn't need to hear this now. "Aekeira—"

"Anything!" the girl persisted stubbornly, her eyes blazing with determination. The princess within her shone through her unyielding will. "I give you my body. Isn't that what you desire? You can have it. I'll spread my legs for you, and even present—"

"Don't you dare," Vladya snapped, anger flaring within him. Alongside that was a surge of arousal, pulsating through him. His manhood hardened, hungry, and demanding. "How dare you attempt to barter your filthy body with me?"

He took a menacing step forward, causing the girl to shrink back in fear. Drawing closer, he bent down and gripped her delicate neck with his fingers.

"You are my slave, Aekeira. I have ownership over this body," he said in a low voice, his gaze wandering down her figure. "I will take it whenever and however I please. If I choose not to, it is because I have no desire for it. You are in no position to negotiate with me."

The girl tightly shut her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I-I just... Please, I'm desperate. I need to know if my brother is safe."

"And you believe barging into the forbidden chambers and provoking the beast was the right course of action? Putting yourself and your brother's life at risk, as well as endangering the lives ofmypeople?" he continued in a deceptively calm tone. "You fool. I should have you whipped."

Releasing her neck, he stepped back, "Get out of here, Aekeira. Return to your room. That is an order."

A cry of despair escaped her throat as she looked at him helplessly, before she rose and obeyed his command. Vladya watched her depart.

---