Page 40 of The Princess and Her Grand King

The Emeriel Sinai faced this morning was a far cry from the timid male slave she had encountered two years ago. The change… everything was different. Sinai hated to admit how much it unnerved her.

Now Zaiper was saying this nonsense? "Do something to send them away! They do not belong here!" Sinai raged.

"I said there is not much I can do!" Zaiper roared, his voice so forceful Sinai’s legs froze.

"Ottai is not budging an inch on this. First, he released my prisoners awaiting execution for stealing grain, and now this! If I’d known he planned to bring those girls back, I would have put a stop to itbeforethey were brought here.But now, even the people are aware."

Sinai forced herself to tamp down her anger. Zaiper was already on edge, and she needed him calm.

"Since when do the people care about Emeriel, anyway?" she hissed. "Last I checked, they were placing bets on who got to kill her first."

“Since they want their grand king back,” Zaiper spat. “Those minions are so devoted to him, it’ssickening." He stopped in front of Sinai, his face flushed red. "What does he have that I don’t?"

Plenty.

Sinai could count on both hands and still need extra fingers.

Not that she was foolish enough to say that out loud.

"I could lead them! I could be the grand king! Why are they so hung up on a male who doesn’t even want to be here anymore?" His eyes burned the colors of his beast.

"First feral, then a dying soul? If war came to us now, he cannot help. What do they see in a male who would rather join his dead family than rule?" Zapier resumed pacing again. "They haveme. I could do so much better."

Sinai bit the inside of her lip, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.

When it came to leadership, Zaiper was worse than a failure. Ten strong Zaipers were no match for one half-dead Daemonikai.

"The people don’t know what they have, passing up on you." Sinai forced a smile. "You are a much better male than Daemonikai ever was."

Zaiper paused again, his eyes narrowing. "You’re just saying that to placate me. Everyone knows how you feel about your master."

"And how has he treated me all this time? I grow weary of loving a male who barely sees me." The lie tasted bitter in her mouth.

Her Daemon sees her. He can't live without her blood, so yes he was hers. But Sinai needed to be on the winning side for now.

Zaiper turned away, walked to the window, and stared out into the distance. "The people cling to Daemonikai because he still has life in him. If he were fully dead, they would be forced to see reason, wouldn’t they?"

He turned, his voice contemplative. "Hmm… perhaps it’s time I go for Daemonikai’s life. With the right planning, the right method, I can get him now when he can't defend himself." A calculative smile spread. "Poetic, don’t you think? I will be the male who wiped out the entire Naelzharoth lineage.”

Chapter ten

IF ONLY YOU WERE MINE.

GrandLordVladyakissedher again.

All her resistance melted away like wax under a flame, pooling at her feet. Pressing her body against his, Aekeira met his tongue with hers, kissing him back hungrily even as her tears ran free.

Light-gods, she has missed him so much.

Just like the first time, their kiss went on forever. Aekeira forgot to breathe entirely, losing track of everything yet again.

By the time he broke the kiss, she was gasping for air. No longer pinned against the wall, she found herself lying on a thick, blanket-like covering, Lord Vladya half atop her.

Through a hole in the cave’s roof, the afternoon sunlight streamed in, casting golden rays across them. Where had the morning gone?

Eyes heavy-lidded, body humming with desire, Aekeira could barely think straight.

“I want you,” she confessed in a whisper, greedily drinking in the sight of him.

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