Page 153 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

With practiced hands, Aekeira worked quickly. Breasts bound, breeches pulled on, then, working together, they lifted Emeriel. Aekeira's strength strained under the weight, but fueled by desperation, she pressed on. With Madam Livia's steady guidance, they navigated the corridors and returned to the western wings.

In court, Lord Zaiper's voice rang out. "Fear gnaws at Urai. Chaos reigns, and tonight, we grieve a life brutally ripped from us." He paused, dramatically. "To save our people, the feral must die. Fortnight is too long – we act intwo nights."

A ripple of surprise washed over the court.

"I will commission the finest experts," Zaiper continued. "They will work day and night on our weapon. Every resource, and every ingredient will be ready. In two nights' time, the beast will be dead."

Chapter forty-nine

A CHANGE

Within the forbidden chamber, bathed in the crimson glow of its recent feast, the beast lay sated. The taste of blood still lingered in its mouth, savoring the flavor as it basked in the afterglow of its carnal desires fulfilled.

The beast's body shuddered. A ripple a strange metamorphosis surging from within.

Paws contorted, bones shifting with sickening snaps beneath fur.

Claws became blunt nails. Hindquarters elongated, warped, and reshaped.

The wild mane of black flowed and twisted, strands morphing, shimmering... and falling to frame a face not animal, but hauntingly male.

Yellow eyes burned. Then flickered, fading to the startling green eyes of a male.

For one breathless moment, the beast was gone. In its place, a naked male lay.

Large, powerfully built, and strikingly handsome.

Grand King Daemonikai.

Then, as abruptly as it began, the change reversed.

Power drained, energy seeping away like sand through fingers.

The male convulsed, and the familiar fur and fangs returned.

Exhausted, the beast fell asleep.

Chapter fifty

ALL OUT

Grand Lord Zaiper hummed a tune of triumph as he glided along the labyrinthine corridors. The cool stones beneath his feet echoed with each step, carrying the promise of a future hewn to his will.

All the hard work he had put in would finally pay off, and he would ascend to the grand throne of Urekai.

"My lord," a passing laborer gasped, bowing so low his sweat-slicked forehead nearly touched the floor.

"Good day to you as well," he replied, his grin stretching really wide.

Their flinches, the way their heads snapped back to their tasks like frightened sparrows, were a satisfying tribute.

On this blessed day, his heart was filled with sheer delight. Once he became the grand king, his next agenda would be to eliminate the law of the four rulers.

He would be the sole ruler of his people.

To achieve such a goal would undoubtedly take years—perhaps even centuries—as the people would resist him tooth and nail.

But Zaiper had all the time in the world. That was one of the perks of living a long, long life.

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