Page 28 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

He observed this female who had once again become blood-drunk from his feeding. Her cheeks were rosy, her lips slightly parted, a look of bliss etched across her features.

"Always scowling like a bulldog guarding its bone. Do you ever smile? Huh?" She hiccuped, her eyes glazed with inebriation.

Vladya could not figure this female out, and it baffled him. What sort of woman was Aekeira?

He kept thinking he had her pinned, yet she continually surprised him. How could she care enough to feed him when she should be praying for his insanity or death to draw even closer?

He'd thought she surely liked Zaiper; to strip for him and entice him that way. But, that was not the case. Vladya wouldn't have believed it if not for Emeriel.

And now it kind of made sense; the way she always got wet, aroused for him. The girl was sexually attracted to him, not Zaiper.

Although he'd never been kind to her body, it responded to him anyway, opening and easing for him. He was the first male Aekeira had ever wanted in a sexual way.

Vladya did not know what to make of that, but deep inside, in a part of his deteriorating mind he would never let come to light, it pleased him. Immensely.

"Try smiling." Her voice was punctuated by another hiccup. "If you keep frowning like that, you will look ancient in no time.

Vladya could not resist. "We do not age. I cannot look any older than this."

She glared at him, her eyes sparkling. " Try it. Like this." Her lips stretched into a wide, beautiful smile that lit up her face.

He was utterly captivated, unable to look away. Her beauty was mesmerizing and unsettling.

Dangerous territory. Retreat.

"You are as high as a giant's toenail," Vladya murmured, scooping her up into his arms. Her body felt pliant and warm against him. "You need to sleep this off."

Holding her in his arms, felt incredibly right.This was not good. Not good at all.

With steady strides, Lord Vladya carried her out of the woods. The cool night air mingled with the warmth radiating from her, creating a peculiar sense of calmness within him.

His bloodlust was not sated, but he was surprised how just drinking from her had been enough to quell the harshest of his hunger. Usually, it took at least five to achieve such an effect. Who exactly was this brave princess in his arms?

He glanced down, her eyes heavy-lidded and fixed on him. Her lashes fluttered like raven wings, a rosy flush still coloring her cheeks. Who was this female who had so effortlessly invaded his life and taken up residence in his thoughts?

"You are very handsome," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleepiness. "The handsomest in this kingdom."

"If the bloodfeeding has impaired your vision, it is further proof you need to sleep this off."

"My vision is perfectly fine," she protested, slurring every word. "Why are you always so cross with me? I was not even born five hundred years ago."

A muscle twitched in his jaw. He continued moving without saying a word, refusing to acknowledge the statement. Because in the end, the girl was right. She was not alive at that time.

Soon, he reached the clearing where Yaz and the rest of his men stood waiting, their forms shadowy against the moonlit backdrop. Yaz ran forward. "I will take her, Your Highness."

"I will do it." Vladya kept walking, cradling Akeira closer.

She had offered herself for him to feed from. Freely, willingly. Twice. It was only courteous on his part to take her to her bed.

It had nothing to do with her feeling so good in his arms or his reluctance to let go. And it certainly was not because her scent so close like this was... comforting.

The girl was sound asleep by the time they reached the gates of Ravenshadow. Her breathing was slow and even, her body completely relaxed in his hold.

He did not want to give the people something new to gossip about, nor did he want to give Zaiper more ideas. So he forced himself to reluctantly give her to Yaz.

In the girl's chambers, he stood at the foot of her bed, watching her sleep, his men standing guard outside the door. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was hypnotic.

She looked even younger. Peaceful. So disgustingly beautiful.

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