Page 178 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Then he turned, his gaze locking onto Emeriel. “Don’t do this, Emeriel. Don’t.”

Emeriel peered around Daemonikai's wide arm. “I’m the one he wants, right? There’s no need for everyone else to get hurt.”

Her Beloved's grip tightened possessively on her butt, digging his claws into her skin in a way that was both painfully sexual and raw.

She bit her lip hard against the sting.

“Don’t make him do this, Emeriel,” Lord Vladya implored, shaking his head. “He will never forgive himself for it.”

She blinked back tears, managing a faint, pained smile. “Just like he would never forgive himself for hurting you… or you…” Her eyes flicked between Vladya and Lord Ottai. Even toward Lord Zaiper, whose face was already swollen. “You once told me no one who values their life gets between a Urekai predator and his prey.”

“Yes, but then I was unwilling to risk anything. I barely cared about anything.” Vladya’s voice was strained, filled with urgency. “Now I’m willing to risk it all. Just say the word, and I will come in there and get you, no matter the cost.”

The sound of her garment tearing was loud in the chamber. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Emeriel, please," Lord Ottai added. "He will really hurt you."

“I can’t let him suffer. I don’t want him imprisoned again." Emeriel glanced at unfocused eyes as another tear escaped. "He is mine, and I'm not forsaking him in a time like this. Never again. Nowclose the door!”

“You don’t understand—he may kill you, Emeriel!” Vladya shouted.

Behind him, Aekeira was sobbing. “Please, listen to them, Em!”

“I took him before when he was like this—”

“It’snot the same!” Lord Ottai interjected sharply. “You were in heat then. His beast stillrecognizedyou. This isn’t recognition, it’s pure instinct. Fuck, feed, and kill!”

“Please, Em, listen to them!” Aekeira cried desperately. “You remember how it was in the beginning? It’s not going to be pleasant—you may not survive!"

***

Frustrated and desperate, Vladya's heart ached, his mind reeling.

What was happening to his friend was beyond comprehension. It was insane, inexplicable.

But worse still was his female's choice to satisfy his basic instincts in this state.

The girl was visibly terrified. Her body trembled like a leaf and her wide blue eyesbrimmedwith fear. Yet, she clung to Daemonikai, refusing to let him go.

Vladya could smell the blood already.

Daemonikai was hurting her, and he hadn’t even mounted her yet.

Her clothes were torn, leaving her naked, though his huge frame shielded most of her from view.

Ottai was still arguing, trying to reason with her. “This is madness! You have to—”

But Vladya could see the truth in her eyes.

Alongside the fear was anunshakabledetermination.

She wasn’t going to leave Daemonikai in this state, wasn't going to risk true madness... no matter what it cost her. Even if it meant going through unimaginable pain at his hands.

“I have never met a woman as stubborn as you!” Ottai roared, throwing his hands up. Then, his face crumpled, revealing the misery underneath. “Please, Emeriel, don’t do this. Let us take you out of there!”

Fresh tears streamed down the princess's cheeks, but she smiled through them, shaking her head. “I’m not leaving him.”

“Pick a safe word,” Vladya spoke up at last in a resigned tone, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

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