Page 145 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

"You’re just old, ancient one."Vladya smiled broadly, revealing all his teeth. "Humor goes right over your head, my friend."

Daemonikai only shook his head as Vladya turned and whistled a cheerful tune leaving the room.

Only once outside did Vladya allow himself to deflate.

His smile vanished, and the cold crept in.

It’s for the best.

Chapter thirty-nine

GONE OR GONE FOREVER

"Itisnotenoughthe girl is going scot-free after deceiving the entire council; now she gets to be released from captivity?" Zaiper slammed the goblet down after gulping the ale. The burn down his throat soothed him, if only slightly.

Four of them were seated at a round table in the dimly lit tavern, three high lords and Zaiper himself. His flagon was nearly empty again. His third one of the night, yet, to his annoyance, it didn’t seem like he would be getting intoxicated any time soon.

Belzebob sighed, his hand lazily swirling the drink in his own goblet before taking a long sip. "Well, I understand the grand king. All of this must not have been easy for him."

"Losing his family, losing his mind, then waking up to realize there’s a humanSoulbondwaiting to replace everything you lost." Gaff poured more ale into his goblet. "He’s a good male. I will kill her myself and be done with it."

"You can’t do it, she’s aSoulbond,” Jakal chimed in. “It’s like killing the one person in the entire universe who was createdfor you and you alone," he sighed wistfully. "I wonder what that feels like."

"No thanks. I already have my Monah," Gaff said, shaking his head. "I cannot imagine her dead, let alone being replaced by someone else. I would kill the person myself, human or Urekai."

"Well, let’s not forget who saved your beloved Monah’s life on the eclipse moon night," Belzebob grunted, casting Gaff a pointed look.

Gaff deflated like a festival balloon. "Every morning, I pray to Urai to bless King Daemonikai. I'm sure millions of us offer the same prayers.” He downed his drink. “I just wish he could be happy again."

"Their bond must have a very strong pull for him to spend her heat with her," Jakal added thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Left to me, I’d say the girl should stay. Maybe she’s exactly what he needs to heal. If I found a compatible soul, I don’t care if she were human or witch, I wouldn’t let her go."

Belzebob chuckled, casting a sidelong glance at Jakal. "Hard to believe you have grown tired of bachelorhood, Jakal. A hundred years ago, you were as determined to stay unattached as our esteemed second ruler here." He cast a fleeting glance at Zaiper. "Who would have thought you would talk about bonding with such wishfulness?"

Jakal smiled, raising his goblet in acknowledgment.

Belzebob turned his attention back to Zaiper. "And what about you, Your Highness? Should we expect you to bond anytime soon?"

Zaiper glanced up, suppressing his anger as he looked at their expectant faces. It sickened him how much they adored Daemonikai. Absolutely disgusting. To them, the male could do no wrong.

With the topic of discussion in court, he had expected allies when he invited them for a drink, Instead, he was surrounded by sycophants.

Plastering on a smile, Zaiper shook his head. "Not from me, no worries. Variety is the spice of life."

"Oh, Your Highness, you don’t know what you’re missing," Gaff drawled, swirling his nearly empty goblet. "Having a bondmate is everything. Your life feels... complete. I used to say the same as you, but after I got my Monah? It’s been, what... three hundred years? And not a single female has ever made my eyes stray. None of them compare to her."

"Same with my Haigel. Eight hundred years together, and she’s still my world." Belzebob beamed, his drunken eyes brightening. "I would die if I lost her. Just damn the world and kill myself."

"Sounds like brainwashing and bondage to me," Zaiper deadpanned, raising his goblet to his lips. "I love my freedom, gentlemen. Ienjoyit."

Jakal sighed, a long and wistful sound. "I wish I had what you two have. Do you know what my greatest fear is?"

"Get me another flagon!" Gaff shouted, glaring at his empty goblet before glancing at Jakal. "Dying before you get a chance to meet your woman?"

"No, that’s not it." Jakal hiccupped. "Becoming like Grand Lord Vladya." He grimaced. "No offense, Highness Zaiper."

For the first time that night, Zaiper’s face broke into real amusement. "None taken. No one wants to be Vladya. That’s the greatest curse a witch could ever put on anyone."

"You mean his string of failed bondings, right?" Belzebob shook his head, sympathy seeping into his tone. "I not only reject that fate for you, Jakal, but it’s impossible to surpass his record. The average failed bonding is what, five? The third ruler has tripled that."

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