Page 165 of The Princess and Her Grand King

"I only dropped by to tell you this," he continued with an easy smile. "I know you're intelligent beneath all that rage and anger, so use your brain wisely, Sinai. You are vulnerable here. There's no place to run. Don't give me a reason to kill you."

"This is completely unnecessary," she mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "W-why would I accuse you of something so absurd without any clear evidence? You could easily deny it and have me sentenced to death. I'm not stupid."

"See? Smart." Zaiper stepped back. "Now that we have established that, try to be patient. You may be suffering, but take comfort in the fact that no real punishment will come your way. After all, you are not justanybloodhost, you'rehisbloodhost."

He continued. "Daemonikai is strong, with more self-control than most, but no one can resist the blood of a bloodhost for long. Sooner or later, he will reach his limit. Although, with what I have in mind, he would regret not drinking from you sooner."

Her ears perked up with interest. "Please tell me this plan, I'm so curious."

"Let's just say, Emeriel will be dying in herSoulbond'shands really soon," Zaiper drawled, grinning. "This plan is foolproof. No one can interfere with it."

Sinai couldn't resist a jab. "Well, except for the Oracle."

Zaiper's face paled.

"Don't evenjokeabout something like that!" he sneered.

Sinai shivered at the implications of her own jest and lowered her head. "I apologize, My Lord."

As he turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder. "As for being in here, do what you always do, pretty Sinai. Beg, manipulate, grovel. In some ways, you know that male better than any of us. Appeal to his deepest senses, and you will be free in no time."

She glared after him, her anger boiling even after he'd disappeared.

"Beg, manipulate, grovel," she mocked under her breath, twisting her face in disgust. "You're not the one rotting away in here, occasionally vomiting buckets of blood just to feel normal." Turning away, she hissed. " Bastard.”

Chapter thirty-eight

HUNTING PREY

ThetensioninGrandKing Daemonikai’s body was nearly unbearable as he gave chase. No, as hehunted.

This wasn’t merely pursuit, he didn’t run at full speed to end the chase quickly. He stalked her, keeping close enough to track her every move but far enough to draw out the delicious hunt.

His mate was light on her feet, and he took immense pride in that. The way she moved, her agility and speed—it made the chaseexhilarating, feeding the predator roaring inside him.

The downside was, his dick was so hard he could probably split a log with it.

The longer he hunted her, the harder it became to control his instincts. That primal urge screaming at him to catch his prey, throw her down, and tear away her clothes. To bury himself in her body, torutinto her until every creature in the forest heard her screams.

Clenching his teeth, Daemonikai fought the drive. He couldn’t—wouldn’t touch her. Not yet.

It was torture. Absolute agony. But he was determined to be the mate she deserved, the kind who put her first, not his own carnal desires.

What he hadn’t anticipated was how difficult that would be.

For a male who prided himself on his iron control born of more than age, Emeriel pushed all his limits. He couldn’t stop thinking about her body. The sway of her hips, the perfect curve of her ass, the enticing swell of her breasts beneath her clothing… and the thought of that sweet, addictive paradise waiting between her thighs…

Fuck.Resisting her over the past few days had nearly driven him to the brink.

Suddenly, she changed direction, bringing him back to the present. He lost sight of her.

But only for a brief moment.

She was crouched behind a tree, her eyes scanning all directions, searching for him.

The soft evening light filtered through the trees, illuminating her as she tried to steady her breathing. He was close, yet she couldn’t see him.

The skills he’d mastered in battle served him well now, allowing him to blend seamlessly.

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