Page 133 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

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.

Chapter forty-one

THE CRUEL, KIND LORD

"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 a mocking purr.

"Yes," Aekeira's answer came fast. Unwavering. “Yes, 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. Claws, glinting, 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 hinting 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 wereyoudoing, Lord Zaiper?" Vladya countered, striding 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 washercrime?"

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 stated. "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."

They scrambled to their feet, and moved toward him.

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