Page 9 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Beneath that veneer of composure lay a storm of rage. Unlike others who expressed their anger with shouts and roars, Daemonikai's voice became low, cold, and collected when he was truly enraged. Countless individuals had met their death by underestimating the chilling calm.

"I... can't... breathe...! Please!!" Sinai nodded frantically, her eyes wide with terror.

Abruptly, he released her, and she crumpled to the floor like a discarded doll.

"Get out."

Abandoning all pretense of decorum, all the lessons of grace and elegance she had been taught, Sinai all but ran.

Ran like a creature possessed, like the very devil was behind her.

Emeriel had finished bathing in the river and returned to his chamber to dress, Aekeira's warning in his mind. His sister was right, of course. This reckless path fate had thrust upon him was filled with disaster.

He was still a human slave, while King Daemonikai remained the powerful ruler of a species that hated his kind. Still disguised as a boy and a Syren in hiding, carrying the secret of his true identity. And there was still the looming threat of his full heat, and even the challenge of navigating the mini-heats now that the beast was gone.

A sharp rap on the door jolted him from his thoughts. "Are you in there, Slave?"

"Yes, soldier," he replied.

"You have been summoned to Grand Lord Vladya's personal residence," the soldier announced through the closed door. "Do not keep him waiting."

Emeriel's heart skipped a beat, then began to race.

He quickly finished dressing, his fingers fumbling with the fastenings of his tunic in his haste. With a final deep breath, he stepped out of his quarters and followed the soldier towards the imposing structure that housed Lord Vladya.

Upon arrival, he was ushered to the door of the grand lord's private study. The Urekai maid who had escorted him withdrew, leaving Emeriel alone in front of the ornately carved wooden door. Raising his hand to knock, a knot of anxiety formed in his stomach. After a moment's hesitation, he rapped his knuckles against it.

"Enter," Lord Vladya's deep voice rumbled from within.

Emeriel stepped into the familiar study, the heavy door clicking shut behind him with a soft thud. The air hung heavy with the scent of old parchment and beeswax candles.

Lord Vladya leaned casually against his desk, arms folded across his chest. His piercing gray eyes bore into Emeriel, their intensity sending a shiver down his spine.

"My Lord, I came by the other morning as you summoned, but I was informed you had already left for court." Emeriel began, wetting his lips nervously.

"You are Daemonikai'sSoulbond," Lord Vladya stated without preamble.

Emeriel's body jolted in surprise, Lord Vladya's words hit him with the force of a physical blow..

His eyes widened, the pupils dilating into dark pools of shock, mirroring the raw panic seizing his heart.

How did he know?

"My Lord, I d-do not think I understand what—"

"You are hisSoulbond," Lord Vladya repeated, his voice unwavering. He paused, as if to allow the weight of his words to sink in before adding calmly. "Choose your next words carefully, Emeriel. I behead those that lie to my face.”

Unable to meet the intensity of the grand lord's gaze, Emeriel averted his eyes. his breath caught in his throat as if he'd been plunged into icy water.

"You know," Vladya continued, his voice low and measured, "I have asked myself repeatedly why I did not see it sooner. It was right there, staring me in the face. The way a feral beast—a creature devoid of reason and thought—fixated on you. The inexplicable events that unfolded around you. The beast storming into court to save you. The primal rage that erupted from him at the scent of another male on you, which led to a violent escape and a brutal killing. Its desires to specifically mount you. And then, there's your blood."

Lord Vladya straightened, his voice gaining strength with each word. "I should have pieced it all together long ago. But do you know why the idea simply did not take root, no matter how many times it crossed my mind?"

Emeriel's heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst.

He fought to control his breathing, his lungs desperately gulping in air as panic surged through him.

"I will answer that. It is because I never imagined a female could live within Ravenshadow Citadel, right under our noses, undermyown roof here in Blackstone, disguised as a male. Living as a male. Deceiving us all into believing she were a male when she was simply... not."

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