Page 181 of The Princess and Her Grand King

“It does. if it were dark magic, a huge sacrifice or exchange must be involved for a ritual of this magnitude to go through. Death would be involved.” Vladya looked away. “So far we have not heard anything.”

“I pray she remains out for long.” Ottai shook his head, staring at the closed door behind him. “Vladya, she is not even in heat. Emeriel does not have the hormonal boost to help with her sexual appetite, stamina, or bodily fluids!"

Emeriel's pained cry came again.

“She’s awake again,” Ottai winced. "Ukrae, that poor girl is awake again..."

Emeriel's screams began anew. Cutting through the night’s quietness like thunder.

Loud. Broken. Raw.

Vladya pressed his palm against his throbbing head.It was going to be a long, dark night.

One, he had no idea how it would end.

Chapter forty-two

THE AROMA OF VICTORY

InGreyrock,GrandLordZaiper stood by his window, a huge smile on his swollen face as Emeriel’s tortured screams pierced the night.

He savored every pained cry.

Now this is more like it. This is how it should be.

They truly believed they could have happiness? Zaiper snorted in derision.

“I have ruined everything,” he said with glee. “Daemonikai will never forgive himself for tonight. Even if she survives, I have shattered this nonsense between them once and for all.”

His laugh was one of triumph.

“He is the mad king,” Zaiper muttered menacingly. “He will always be the mad king.”

Another chilling laugh came from him.

“Maybe this will finally open our people’s eyes. If he cannot control himself—if he can hurt the woman he claimed to care for so much, the one he dared to introduce to court—then perhaps they will finally see he is a lost cause.”

The idea delighted him.

Yes, let them see their glorious king for what he is. A broken, dangerous beast.

“I will have the grand throne after all. Why did I not think of this plan sooner?”

His hand brushed against his throbbing cheek, and he winced at a sharp pain from the swelling.

Fuck, his entire face hurt. It almost dulled his joy.

Almost.

How could it, when Daemonikai's woman's screams rang this high in the air. Like music to the ears.

The drumrolls of victory.

"The girl does make the most delightful sounds,” Grand Lord Zaiper mused wistfully. “Pity I didn't get to taste her back when she was just a slave. She would have felt divine beneath me, taking my cock.”

The thought excited him. Perhaps, one day, he may still get his chance.

Then, his smile dimmed a little.I have bedded countless women in search of an heir and got nothing. Yet, one heat with her, and Daemonikai almost becomes a father again.

---