Page 146 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

"To the barn, my lady. Madam Livia said you should assist me in milking the cows. Did you service Lord Vladya, last night?" Amie asked as they walked. "I overheard two maids from Blackstone conversing by the well. Apparently, Lord Vladya dismissed a Urekai maid to go mount a human royal."

"Is that what they're saying?"

Amie nodded. "He has quite the reputation with the Urekai females in this fortress. They would give anything to capture his attention, no matter how little he was willing to grant them." She glanced at Emeriel. "So, was it you?"

"No, it was Aekeira."

Relief washed over Amie.

Emeriel was looking at her strangely. "Is something troubling you?"

"No, nothing." Amie's conscience was already killing her, knowing she would soon deliver Prince Emeriel to Master Boris. But the added guilt of doing so shortly after Lord Vladya had mounted her was simply too much for Amie to bear. It was a small comfort that it was not she who had been involved.

"We have arrived," Amie announced softly, gesturing towards a weathered building ahead.

The barn house, its roof thatched with golden straw, stood a short distance away.

Amie led Emeriel towards the doors, their hinges groaning in protest as they creaked open. As they stepped inside, a large hand, shot out from the shadows, clamping around Emeriel's arm.

Emeriel yelped as he was hoisted off the ground.

Master Boris loomed over him with a cruel sneer. "Finally. You've done well, Amie. Bringing him to me like a prized boar to the slaughter."

Amie flinched at the comparison, her eyes widening in terror. Tears welled up, blurring her vision as she stumbled back a step.

Emeriel stared at her in disbelief, stammering. "Wh-what is the meaning of this, Amie?"

"Amie has delivered you into my hands, that is what it means." Master Boris shoved Emeriel back onto his feet, keeping a tight grip on his arm. The man's gaze burned into Emeriel, a mix of raw lust and barely contained anger blazing within. "You stopped working at the inn. Amie is merely fulfilling her end of our agreement."

Amie whimpered, the weight of her betrayal crushing down on her. Shame burned in her throat, choking any attempt atexplanation. She stole another glance at Emeriel. He looked hurt and confused.

"I'm s-sorry," Shame spurred her back a step further, putting more distance between herself and Emeriel.

"Please, Amie, don't leave me here. Please, I’m begging you!" Emeriel tried to lunged towards Amie, but Master Boris dug his fingers into his skin.

Master Boris shot Amie a withering glance, "Get out."

Amie flinched, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. "Forgive me," she mumbled with a choked sob, before whirling around and fleeing the barn house.

Once Amie had departed, Boris fixed Emeriel with a predatory gaze, pushing him against the wall. "At last."

"Master Boris, please don't—"

Boris silenced him with a slap across the face. "Do not presume to tell me what I can or cannot do. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes."

"Good." Master Boris yanked Emeriel's tunic out of his breeches, hoisted it over his head, and discarded it on the ground.

His smile faded when he saw another layer of clothing. He pulled off that shirt, only to discover a third.

"How many shirts are you wearing!?" he hissed. "Stupid slave! When will you understand that modesty is not befitting of a slave? You must be easily accessible."

"Please, don’t..." Emeriel begged.

Boris shoved the remaining shirts up, and as his fingers finally encountered the bare, soft skin of Emeriel's belly, he pulled the two shirts over the boy’s shoulders and discarded them on the ground. His gaze shifted, surveying Emeriel’s exposed body.

Boris froze, his eyes hooking on the binding around Emeriel's chest. The outline of breasts. The graceful curve of his waistline.

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