Page 58 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Outside, the cool air washed over Emeriel's heated skin, providing instant relief. She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the refreshing breeze. "I feel a little better."

"I am glad." Lord Herod's eyes softened. "I shall dismiss the soldiers, save for the sentries."

Embarrassment tinged Emeriel's cheeks. "I apologize for the trouble," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"No trouble at all." Lord Herod's voice was warm. "Remember, I had a bondmate in the past. This is merely routine. One I have missed, if I am to be honest."

Emeriel lifted her head, trying to focus on the breathtaking view of the estate, but the burning flames in her body returned, overshadowing the cool breeze.

"Where shall the soldiers be sent?" she asked, desperate to distract herself from the escalating discomfort. "Once they are released from duty, that is?"

Lord Herod's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, that is when the female soldiers come in."

Emeriel's head snapped to him. "Urekai have female soldiers?" She couldn't recall seeing any female soldiers since she had arrived in Urai.

"Indeed," Lord Herod chuckled. "Mostly, it's just the males, but we have female soldiers trained to protect and guard in situations like this." A hint of pride tinged his voice. "The Lord of Military Affairs has it taken care of. We hire their services, and in exchange, they come to work here for the duration they are needed while our male soldiers take care of whatever assignments the female soldiers were working on before their services were required. It's more like an exchange of sorts."

"Really?" Emeriel's eyes lit up with fascination. "That is remarkable. I often wondered how households safeguard themselves when a female is in heat, if they have to let go of the male workers and soldiers."

"As Urekai, we leave nothing to chance.” Lord Herod declared. "We do not trifle with security. King Daemonikai ensured that. That is the foundation of our dominance among the species. We are eternally vigilant, perpetually prepared. There is always a solution." A fleeting shadow darkened his eyes. “Except during the Eclipse Moon. Then, we are all at its mercy."

The tense silence lingered until it was disrupted by the hurried approach of a maid. Gasping for breath, she bowed before Lord Herod. "My Lord, the cottage is prepared."

Lord Herod turned to Emeriel and urged gently. "Come, let us inspect it."

Moments later, Emeriel stood in a quaint room, its walls adorned with soothing patterns and soft fabrics. Dominated by a vast, inviting bed draped in cool linens.

Yet, Emeriel could barely focus on her surroundings. Her breaths came in short, desperate gasps. The fine fabric of her chest-bind felt like molten lava against her skin, every fiber a source of unbearable irritation.

"Ukrae," Lord Herod's nostrils flared. “Your scent... This is going to be far more difficult than I expected. Give me a moment, I must see to the soldiers.”

Abruptly, he left.

Time grew short as Lord Herod scrambled to prepare.

He dispatched his male soldiers and urgently requested female guards from Lord Jakal. He ordered enough supplies to last three days and held an emergency meeting with his steward, bailiffs, and head farmers.

He informed them of his impending absence, delegated responsibilities, and provided detailed instructions to ensure the smooth operation of work and his estate while he was unavailable.

It had taken longer than usual, and by the time he returned to the cottage in the early afternoon, a sliver of worry crept into his mind. Would Emeriel still be there?

Females in full heat tended to run away. So crazed with need, driven by instincts to flee, in search of a male to sate them.

Relief flooded him as he entered the cottage and found her still pacing the room, a whirlwind of restless energy. But the moment he crossed the threshold, her scent hit him like a storm.

Bloody hell, it has gotten even stronger.Choking. Intoxicating.

Females in full heat smelled amazing, and Emeriel was no different. Herod had never seen her as anything more than his young friend, which is why he had struggled with the idea of helping her through her heat.

But the potent scent pouring from her stirred a hunger in him. A deep, raw lust.

He swallowed hard, pushing down the rising tide of desire.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice sounding strained even to his own ears.

"Can't ex-explain it," Emeriel stammered, her words punctuated by ragged breaths. She resumed her frantic pacing, her fingers raking at her arms, leaving angry red marks in their wake.

"These clothes burn." With a cry of frustration, she tore at her tunic and trousers. Her fingers, fumbling, frantic, and uncoordinated, struggled against the fabric.

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