Page 92 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

With Vladya, it was even more difficult. That lord had no hobbies, no interests. Nothing.

And he was selective about his bed partners.

Males in Urai would do anything to be with Sinai. They love her. But not Vladya.

Sinai had tried for over two hundred years to seduce him, but all her efforts had been in vain.Why must he be the best friend?

Moments later, she emerged from her chambers fully dressed, with her two handmaidens trailing behind her. Frustration still hummed through her as she made her way out of the fortress and onto the market.

People bowed and made way for her as she passed.

"I need to purchase that trending silk today. I don't care if I must buy it with gold coins," she snapped at her handmaidens.

"Yes, my lady."

"Oh, if it isn't Mistress Sinai," a voice emanated from behind her. Familiar. Irritating.

Sinai pivoted to face her intruder. "Mistress Gaille." Both women inclined their heads in acknowledgment. "What brings you to this part of town this morning?"

The exasperatingly beautiful mistress offered a smile. "I was on my way to the market. My lord has bestowed upon me a generous number of coins this morning. Ukrae bless his heart, I don't know what to do with such extravagant gifts."

Mistress Gaille was one among many mistresses of Grand Lord Zaiper, but regrettably, she was his favorite.

Sinai abhorred the manner in which she always ‘smiled’ while boasting about it. "I am certain he bestowed similar gifts upon your fellow mistresses, Gaille."

The lady's grin broadened. "Never to the same extent as he does upon me, Sinai. Is that not true, ladies?" She turned her gaze towards her two personal handmaidens, who nodded with great enthusiasm, their expressions utterly blissful.

Sinai barely refrained from rolling her eyes.I have no time for this."Well, I bid you a pleasant morning, Mistress Gaille. May fortune favor you in the market." She raised her elaborate gown slightly and took a step away.

"Have you heard the latest rumors circulating within the confines of Ravenshadow?" Mistress Gaille interjected with her usual chirpy tone.

Sinai should have known there was something amiss in that smile this morning. She resisted the urge to turn around and face Mistress Gaille directly. "What rumor has caught your attention?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Ah, you are unaware. It seems the charming human prince has been tending to your beast. And here is the intriguing part... the beast has been eating."

Sinai blinked once. Confused, her mind struggled to understand.

"Yes, you heard me correctly.” Mistress Gaille laughed. “It is common knowledge that Grand Lord Vladya ensures King Daemonikai is fed, but everyone knows his beast doesn't have an appetite for food. As you know, ferals only crave blood. However, it appears this human prince, who was assigned to clean the fourth wing, has somehow managed to feed the beast."

Sinai went very still. Then, whirled around to face her.

“Not only has he remained unharmed, but the feral has been consuming the nourishment willingly. It raises questions, does it not?" Mistress Gaille paused, pretending to ponder. "Could the feral has developed a fondness for the boy? Is such a thing even possible?"

No, that could not be true.

Anger surged through Sinai's veins.That boy! How dare he get close to her Daemon?

Suddenly, she regretted not whipping him severely that day. Not whipping him to the point ofdeath.

"Furthermore," Mistress Gaille continued, "the beast does not even recognize you when you approach for a bloodfeeding. It is only because you are its bloodhost, and it instinctively detects your presence that you survive each encounter. If you were not its host, you would surely die when you go close. Yet, this human prince has repeatedly approached and fed the beast."

Mistress Gaille exhaled, shaking her head, with intrigue and disbelief. "I wonder what that means?" With that, she turned and walked away.

Left alone, Sinai seethed with blistering rage.That boy? To her own Daemon?

Sinai spun around and strode away, abandoning her plans for the market as she made her way back to the fortress. A different purpose in mind.

Emeriel awoke in Aekeira's chambers, his sister hovering over him.

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