Page 40 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

The grand king began to pace. Restlessly.

Tension radiated from his rigid shoulders, his expression darker than a storm with each stride.

For the first time in a very,verylong time, a cold tendril of fear snaked down Alviara's spine. This was nowhere near the reaction she had expected.

What was going on here?

He's not yours.

He is not yours.

You have no claims to him.

You'd better not cry.

Emeriel's hands clenched her garments so tightly her knuckles turned white. She slammed her door shut and collapsed onto the bed, curling into a fetal position as tears came. Unbidden. Uncontrollable.

Her heart ached with a sharp, persistent throb.So what if there's another woman in his bed? He does not know about you, and he is not yours. Get a hold of yourself.

But the words were empty platitudes. A sob tore from her throat, hot tears spilling onto the pillow. Her hands trembled as she wiped them away.

She had been content just by being near him. Even sitting silently under those intense, watchful eyes, she had felt so complete.

His mere presence filled a void inside her so well it was frightening. Then, that Urekai maid had to go into heat. Now, King Daemonikai was forced to sate his body.

On her way back to her room, Emeriel had witnessed guards coupling like animals with whoever they could find. Urekai maids were pinned against walls, human slaves taken without finesse.

The Southern Wing had turned into a chaotic breeding ground.

She wiped away another traitorous tear, trying to banish the image of the grand king entwined with that beautiful, elegant Urekai visitor.

The thought of him bending the female over, taking her body with his—

Another sob escaped her lips.

The door creaked open, revealing a stoic soldier. Then, in a tone that brooked no argument, he said, “The grand king summons you to his residence, Slave. Do not keep him waiting."

Chapter twelve

THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE

Whoweretheywaitingfor?

The grand king paced the room. Moving so tense and agitated he was practically stomping from one end of the room to the other, sweating profusely.

Alviara could bet a headache was pounding his skull. She was utterly confused, but the fierce scowl on King Daemonikai's face forced her to keep her mouth shut.

The door opened, and the boy was ushered back into the room.

The grand king's pacing ceased abruptly, tension visibly draining from his body.

"You s-sent for me, Your Grace?" the boy's voice trembled. His eyes red-rimmed and puffy as if he had been crying, widened as he took in the sight of stark-naked King Daemonikai and equally naked Alviara.

A flush spread across his pale skin, creeping up from his neck to his cheeks, and he quickly averted his gaze.

King Daemonikai was suddenly all over the boy's personal space. He pressed the boy against the wall, His large framedwarfing the boy's as he dipped his head, nuzzling the delicate skin of his neck like a contented feline. A deep purr rumbled in his chest.

The grand king pumped out pheromones like crazy. So heady, thick, and compelling that even Alviara whimpered. Her mind growing hazy, throat bared instinctively in complete submission.

---