Page 52 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

It was precisely why he detested venturing to the outskirts of Urai. But an Elder had summoned him, giving him no choice but to answer.

Weary to his very core, he trudged along the path leading to his quarters. The sight of Sinai standing by his door caused him to halt.

By Ukrae, how had she known he was back?

Mistress Sinai greeted him with a smile. "You have returned?"

"How did you come to know of my imminent arrival?"

"I encountered your butler downstairs, my Lord," she walked toward him. "How was your journey?"

He took a deep breath. "Exhausting. I need to rest."

"I have heard about the boy. Emerald, is that his name?"

"Emeriel,” he corrected curtly. “Not that his name holds any significance to me. What is this about?"

A deep frown marred her otherwise lovely face as she stopped directly in front of him. "I heard rumors that Daemon's beast had taken a keen interest in him. News of him has spreadthroughout the fortress. Is it true? Did the beast truly seek him out?"

Lord Vladya pondered for a moment, opting for honesty. "Yes."

"But how is that even possible?" she hissed, her eyes darkening. "I have visited the beast for centuries, and never once has it shown any signs of recognition, let alone fixation. What in the world is happening?"

Lord Vladya contemplated reminding her that even prior to going feral, Daemonikai had never fixated on her—he had barely tolerated her. However, it would be unfair.

Despite Sinai's often insufferable nature, as the bloodhost to the grand king, she was one of the most powerful and respected females in Urai. In this case, her concerns were valid.

"I have no idea what is going on, Sinai. Perhaps it may be the boy's smell. Maybe he emits a scent that entices the beast. A scent that makes him seek it out. Our primal instincts can be unpredictable at times, as you well know."

"I do. Of course, I do. But this? It is simply too strange. I do not like the sound of it. Not one bit!"

"Why?" Lord Vladya relinquished his grip on the door handle and turned to face her, his brows knitted and nearly reaching his hairline. "You, above all others, should be elated if, by some miraculous occurrence, his beast has fixated. It could signify something positive. Perhaps his mind is not entirely lost? Or maybe his sanity is resurfacing. He might become the first Urekai to emerge from madness."

Sinai's mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "You, of all people, know it does not work that way. There is no return. Once the mind is gone, it is lost forever, and in its stead remains a mere husk. A shell. A ghost of who he once was."

"I did add 'miraculously,' did I not?” Grand Lord Vladya exhaled. “All the more reason for you to know it is implausiblefor the beast to desire the boy as an individual. It was likely a one-time incident." He massaged his throbbing temples. "Leave me be, Sinai. I have just returned from a long journey, and I am in dire need of rest."

"You are right, you are right. It was probably a one-off. Unrepeatable." The lines of anger faded from her face, and she formed a slippery smile. "I shall leave you to rest now."

Leaning in, she planted a kiss on his cheek, bowed, and gracefully walked away, her smile widening as her gown elegantly swept behind her.

"Are you certain?" Yaz asked gently, his eyes brimming with barely concealed concern.

"I am certain," Lord Vladya replied, and Yaz nodded. He exited through the sturdy metal gates, securing the locks behind him, leaving Lord Vladya alone in the forbidden chambers with the beast.

He sought solace in this place on days when exhaustion overwhelmed him. When he felt far too drained.

Today was one of those days.

Daemonikai's beast emerged from its favored spot, prowling closer to him. Vladya remained motionless as the beast circled him, growling and hissing.

Suppressing his own beast, he bowed his head and tilted it to the side.

At his willing submission, the feral’s growling ceased. It dug its claws into Vladya’s side, drawing blood and waiting for retaliation.

Yet, Vladya remained still, even as the beast pressed its claws deeper, pain coursing through his body.

Finally, the feral withdrew, turned around, and retreated behind the floor-to-ceiling barricade. Only then did Vladya allowhis own beast to rise to the surface, enveloping him like a second skin.

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