Page 22 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

What have you done, Emeriel?

She spent some time in the garden, lost in thought, finding solace in the tranquil atmosphere. By the time she returned to the manor, Lord Herod was alone in his study, the grand king having departed.

"Are you alright?" Lord Herod looked concerned as he closed the distance between them, gently taking Emeriel's arm and leading her to a plush couch. "I didn't know what to think when I heard he asked you for a walk. He's not exactly known for his warmth towards humans."

"I am fine, he did not harm me." Quite the opposite. Her heart raced with the memory of his touch. She glanced down at her hands, remembering how her Beloved had held her. He had been all over her, as if he couldn’tbreathewithout her scent.

"I apologize for those lies... especially the part about you being my betrothed," Lord Herod said, sincerely. "It was the only wayI could think of to protect you in the face of his unexpected visit. The grand king may harbor animosity towards humans, but he is also a fair and just ruler who values those dear to his people, no matter their species."

"It's alright. I suppose it's better this way," Emeriel replied softly. It will make avoiding him at all cost easier.

"Is it? What if he recognizes you at the fortress?"

"He would not. I reside in the Western Wing, while his territory is the Southern Wing. And unlike before, when I was assigned various chores, I now work primarily in the garden. Our paths are unlikely to cross." Not to mention the scent suppressors.

"I saw the way he looked at you, several times," Lord Herod remarked, his gaze piercing into her own. "Whatever did you do to capture the attention of a male like King Daemonikai, young one?"

Emeriel looked down, unable to meet his eyes. The truth was too complicated.

"I was present in court that day, you know. When his beast carried you away, I remember being worried sick. Then you returned, unharmed. I knew then that you were special to the beast, for it to fight against its feral instincts and protect you."

Emeriel's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise.

"You are hisSoulbond, aren't you?" Lord Herod’s tone was thoughtful.

"My Lord, I... I... I don't understand what you mean," Emeriel stammered.

"I believe you do, Emeriel," Lord Herod countered, his eyes filled with kindness. "ASoulbondknows. It might not be immediate, but it eventually becomes clear. You are a Syren, are you not?"

He figured it out.She sighed, resignation washing over her as she nodded slowly in admission.

Lord Herod nodded back, appearing unsurprised. "No one else could connect the dots because they remain unaware of your true gender. I wonder why it never occurred to me.”

"Are you... displeased? That I kept this from you?"

"Displeased?" He shook his head. “No, little one. I understand your reasons. But this is no small secret you carry. You are brave."

Silence settled between them.

"ASoulbondis a precious gift, so rare... a true blessing,” he mused. “But..."

"But fate has played a cruel trick," Emeriel finished, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "Matching a human to the one male who would rather die than claim one as his mate. Yes, I am aware of the irony."

Lord Herod remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

Then, he straightened. "You've had your heats, have you not?" he asked, his gaze sharp. "How have you managed them?"

Emeriel's cheeks flushed crimson. "The beast. He came to me several times. And a few other times, I sought him out in my delirium."

"You took a Urekai in hisbeastform? A feral one, no less?" Lord Herod winced, his eyes filled with pity. "You were fortunate to be in heat throughout those. It could have been far worse, even for a Syren."

"Yes," she agreed. Emeriel recalled how her poor sister had barely survived her first and only night with the beast, her body bruised and battered. "I was lucky. I was always in heat during those times."

"Duringallof them? How many heats have you endured?"

"Four," Emeriel admitted, her ears turning red.

"You have already experienced your first full heat, and the grand lords did not notice?" Lord Herod asked incredulously. "How is that possible?"

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