Page 80 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

He caughtherscent before he saw her.

A low growl reverberated in Vladya’s throat as the sweetness wafted through the air, capturing his senses. There Aekeira stood, a slave master berating her. The warm feeling that had ignited in his cold heart that night in the woods resurfaced, spreading through him.

"Have you no sense, you foolish human?" the master barked, his voice sharp as a winter wind. "How dare you sit in a corner resting when there is still so much work to be done!?"

Aekeira bowed humbly, her voice respectful. "I have completed my morning duties, Master Tyke. I merely took a moment to—"

"To do what?" he sneered, his eyes raking over her with open contempt. " Have you grown weary? Are your delicate fingers sore? There is still so much to be done in the scullery. The flagons are streaked with grime, the platters still bear the remnants of yesterday's feast. Do you expectmeto attend to them?"

"But there are others assigned to—"

"Silence!" Tyke thundered. "Worthless human! I order you to enter and scrub those dishes until they gleam brighter than a knight's armor. Is that understood?"

"Aekeira," Vladya called.

She and the slave master jolted, whirling around in surprise.

Vladya crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze fixed on Aekeira.

She scanned his body thoroughly, drinking in the sight of him as if checking for injuries. Her eyes filled with unshed tears as they met his. Relief visibly washed over her face.

She had noticed your absence. She was concerned for your well-being. And now, she is relieved to see you unharmed.

Vladya's first instinct was to dismiss the notion.Impossible! A human concerned for me? Preposterous.But as he gazed into those wide, expressive eyes, he could not deny the sincerity etched on her face.

She cares.

Aekeirareallycares.

Why, he had no idea. But he found himself believing it.

Emeriel's body, sated and languid, craved sleep after another round of hurried lovemaking to stop the beginning of a heatwave.

Females love their heat, Lord Herod had said. Emeriel was beginning to comprehend the meaning behind those words. The pleasure King Daemonikai had given her... it surpassed anything she had ever imagined.

Being with the beast had been good, but it was driven by mindlessness and instincts, often accompanied by pain and discomfort. This experience with the male was like a dream come true.Neverhad Emeriel thought it possible to feel this way.

Everything she had seen and heard about him made Emeriel believe he could never be this way with her. Gentle. Kind.

He treated her not only as a person, but as someone he…cared for?

No wonder females love their heat,Emeriel mused, a soft, wistful smile gracing her lips.No wonder they look forward to it.

If this was how it always was, if Emeriel could have this male like this, then she welcomed the agony of heatwaves. If she could have this connection again and again, then she eagerly awaited more of her heat. For the first time, she was happy to be a Syren.

Despite all the challenges and impossibility of them being mated, Emeriel was happy that it was him. That he was her fated mate.

"Here, rise,” his deep voice rumbled, pulling her from her reverie.

The thing was, Emeriel’s limbs were unwilling to obey. She tried to move, but her bones felt as liquid as the sea.

"Allow me." Strong arms encircled her form, lifting her effortlessly until she rested against the curve of his legs. Sheburied her nose in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent.I could stay this way forever.

A cool cup pressed against her lips, and she instinctively parted them, the refreshing liquid sliding down her throat. The water, infused with a subtle sweetness, hinted at berries and honey. She drank gratefully, her eyes closed, savoring this stolen moment between them.

"That's it. Good girl," he praised, causing her stomach to flutter. Making her feel sogood. Emeriel wanted more of it.

A spoon pressed against her lips, and her eyes opened. The small silver spoon held a morsel of poached pear.He was going to hand-feed her...?

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