By dusk, Daemonikai slumped against the doorframe, frustration simmering beneath his skin, his energy drained.Spending the entire day in Vladya's residence, he had observed a lot. Feral was like a slow-acting disease, typically taking ten to fifteen years to fully manifest after the first symptoms appeared. But Vladya's case was different, because he wasn't fighting his.It had been less than two years since the signs began, and already the affliction had progressed at a pace faster than a person in his eighth year of battling the madness.The vacant stares, the uncontrollable shift from male to beast, the insatiable hunger, and so on. Vladya’s madness was closing in... with terrifying speed.Though they remained indoors all day, they'd tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Working together in Vladya's study, playing cards, they even shared meals.Wegai kept the grand king informed, bringing him constant updates, but to Daemonikai, the world outside this residence was irrelevant
Daemonikai’s head snapped up. "What do you know?""She works here in Blackstone. I know where to find her," the stoic soldier said quietly."A maid?"Yaz shook his head, hesitating. "A slave. Human."The air between them stilled. They were standing out in the open, but the silence was so thick that a pin drop would have echoed through the halls. "Say what now?"“Yes, Your Grace. She’s a newly acquired slave," Yaz explained. "Barely a year ago. Lord Vladya and Lord Ottai traveled to the human kingdom to acquire her and her brother to serve your beast."That wasn’t news to him, Ottai had told him of this journey. What was completely unexpected was the surrounding implications.The idea that Vladya, emotionally detached, always-in-control Vladya, was drawn to a human girl, enough for his severed beast to fixate on her, was... staggering.He glanced at Yaz. "Bring this girl to me."Yaz bowed and turned on his heel. Just as he vanished down the corridor, Ottai rounded the corner."Your Gra
The grand king's eyebrows shot up. "Vladya? Why would he do—"A wild growl cut through the air, and the slightly ajar door slammed open with a loud crash. Lord Vladya stormed out. Or rather, what would have been him?Aekeira gasped, stumbling backward. Her neck straining as she tilted her head up, up, up, to meet his gaze. His face was contorted, his fangs bared into a fierce snarl.Towering over seven feet tall, he was a blend of man and beast. She kept backing away, moving on reflex until her back collided with the wall. Aekeira had never seen a Urekai in half-shift but it was just as terrifying as their full beast form.Lord Vladya was upon her in an instant, his massive frame crowding her against the wall, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. His face mere inches from hers, he looked fierce and wild. Angry.But then again, when was he not? The knot of anxiety in her stomach began to loosen. If only slightly. Ironically, Aekeira realized she was more
The grand king didn't say a word, his watchful eyes on her, expression guarded yet filled with undisguised curiosity, and something else...Aekeira pressed closer to her feral, to hide from his piercing gaze."Mine!" Lord Vladya repeatedly in an angry roar, taking a threatening step forward.King Daemonikai finally looked away from her, glancing at his friend. His expression softened. "Yours," he intoned, crossing his arms behind his back. "She is yours, V.D."Lord Vladya gave a satisfied grunt, turned and lifted her into his arms. He stomped to his bedchamber, and slammed the door behind them, shutting the world out.GRAND LORD VLADYAVladya surveyed the sight before him, satisfied. Aekeira lay bound to his bed, naked, tied securely by the ropes that held her wrists to the headboard, her legs spread wide for him.Her skin glowed in the dim light. She was breathtaking.The voices in his head roared, but he forced them into the background. Lust clouded his mind, his dick so hard it ac
AEKERIAAekeira felt like she was on fire. Her jaws ached, and her throat felt well-used. But she was so aroused, even the soft breeze seemed too much on her sensitive skin. Aekeira was ready for anything he wanted.Until his hand reached for the whip again.Her eyes fixed on the sturdy whip Lord Vladya held, and a wave of apprehension rolled through her. She tried her best to stay calm, forcing herself to breathe evenly. When he raised the whip, her heart skipped a beat, and she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the strike.Where would it land, her thighs, her stomach, or where she was even more vulnerable…A helpless cry escaped her lips. She tried to squeeze her legs together, but the bounds stopped her. Aekeira waited, tense, expecting the blow.But it never came.Slowly, she opened her eyes. Vladya was watching her, his brows furrowed in deep thought. The whip had lowered, hanging limply in his hand as if his will to strike had vanished."I'm... confused," Vladya muttered, alm
MISTRESS SINAI Mistress Sinai strolled through the garden just beyond the fortress gates, enjoying the soft caress of the evening air. The sweet scent of blooming flowers drifted around her, calming her nerves."Ha-have you heard the rumors, mistress?" Nora asked hesitantly from behind. Sinai glanced over her shoulder, an eyebrow raised. "Whatever makes you think I am interested in rumors, Nora? It is beneath a lady to involve herself in gossip.""Of course, mistress. I apologize." Nora's eyes dropped to the cobblestones.But Sinai's curiosity was piqued. She cleared her throat. "What's the rumor about?""They say Emeriel has been away from the fortress for days." Nora's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper."Really?" Sinai's heart quickened its pace.Just the boy's name was enough to stir several emotions in her. She took a deep, calming breath, feigning nonchalance. "Did he escape? Run away?" A thrill of excitement shot through her at the thought. Good riddance."Oh no, mis
EMERIELEmeriel slipped into the last of her clothes, catching sight of her reflection in the tall, elegant wooden frame mirror.A sad, almost bittersweet smile tugged at her lips as she stared at the girl looking back at her. It wasn’t Princess Galilea in the reflection, but Emeriel."Thank you," she murmured, sincerely.The household slaves bowed deeply before filing silently out of the bedchamber. Emeriel sighed.The servants had drawn her a bath, helped her dress, and assisted with her ablutions. No matter how she hinted or outrightly stated her ability to take care of herself, Lord Herod either ignored her or deflected easily. They even tied her chest bindings. Emeriel glanced at her chest. The binds were looser than normal, her breasts still tender and swollen from her recent heat. For that, she wore three layers of shirts.Taking a breath, Emeriel let the moment sink in. Finally. It’s all over. "Are you ready to go, little one?" Lord Herod’s voice broke the quietness. He st
Oh, my Vladya. Aekeira’s heart tightened in her chest. His words might have been detached, clinical even, but she was learning to read the subtle nuances of this male.He was hurting. More than he was willing to admit."What sort of person can't feel true happiness for their friend without these ugly feelings tainting it?” He exhaled, the warm air caressing her thigh. “I've changed, so much. Sometimes I look in the mirror, and I don't recognize the male staring back at me.”"You should cut yourself some slack." She patted his hair in a soothing manner, offering comfort. "You're suffering through the slow hands of a looming madness." It pained her to say the words, but she forced herself to continue. "I was reading about it the other day at the library. It helped me understand what you're going through. People lose everything they are, bit by bit. All the kindness, love, and memories are slowly stripped away, replaced by hate, cruelty, the need to hurt and destroy. The abyss of nothing
“Lord Jakal is correct,” Lord Belzebob added, rising to his feet, his chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. “We understand she is your destined mate, Your Grace, but this will truly be difficult for our people to accept. Humans are our sworn enemies. Their treachery has cost us dearly. Should we not be focused on eradicating their kind rather than elevating one to a position of power over us?” He bowed deeply, his head nearly touching the table before him. “Please reconsider, Your Grace.”“Please reconsider, Your Grace!” came the shouted chorus from others in the room, their collective voices tinged with desperation and unease as they bowed.An oppressive silence followed.“I have served as the Grand King of Urai for five millennia,” Daemonikai began, his voice resonating authority and sorrow. “I have always placed my people first—above myself, above all else. There are none here who can claim otherwise. I love my people dearly.”Heads nodded around the room. Some murmured i
PRINCESS EMERIELGasps rippled through the court, stunned silence following. Jaws dropped. The high lords and the grand lords.Only Grand Lord Vladya seemed unaffected, one brow arching to his hairline as he leaned back in his chair.Grand King Daemonikai extended his hands toward her, his emerald eyes softening as they locked onto hers. “Come to me, dearest.”Emeriel moved automatically, her feet carrying her forward before her mind could catch up. She felt dazed, her body acting on instinct as if pulled by an invisible tether.Reaching him, she placed her trembling hands atop his, her gaze never leaving his.“Her name is Emeriel Galilea Evenstone,” Daemonikai announced, his voice unwavering. “Ukrea has blessed me with the gift of her, and today, I officially show her to you so she will be accorded the respect and honor she deserves—as my woman, and as my Soulbond.” A pin could have dropped and been heard. Not a single breath, not a whisper.Or maybe it was just the ringing in Emer
"Come, let's go home," he said, his voice regaining its usual strength. "Hydra Lake has seen enough of us for one day."Raising his voice slightly, he added, "And Ottai has heard enough for today."Lord Ottai was listening? Emeriel pulled back, her eyes widening in surprise. She glanced around, searching for the grand lord.From behind a distant tree, the grand lord stepped out, a sheepish look on his face. He waved at them, awkwardly."How dare you listen in to my conversation, Ottai?" the king growled, his eyes still on Emeriel."I tried not to, Your Grace," he shouted from where he stood, his voice defensive. "But no matter how hard I turned my ears off, they managed to catch a word or two." He paused, looking even more guilty. "Or ten.""Ottai," Daemonikai drawled in warning."I apologize, Your Grace," Ottai said, his tone far too earnest for it to be genuine.The Grand King snorted, shaking his head before turning to Emeriel. “Let’s go home.”She nodded, taking a few steps forwar
"Two years ago, I didn't know how to move forward after losing everything,” he said, his voice low and husky, “I didn't want to move forward. I thought the pain and misery I felt could not get any worse, that I had hit the bottom of the abyss "His eyes, filled with a deep sadness, holding hers captive as he brushed away a stray tear from her cheek. "But then I lost you, and the worst truly came."Emeriel’s breath hitched, tears spilling down her cheeks faster."I tried to forget you, but it was impossible. I didn't realize that you were the thread holding me together all along. Keeping me from falling apart. And when that thread was cut… I had no anchor." His hand gently cupped her neck. "Do you know how many times I wanted to come to you? How many times I had to talk myself out of coming for you?""Really?" she breathed, her voice catching in her throat."I should have chosen you over the damn guilt," he confessed, his voice laced with regret. "And when I went to the great mountains
“But that wall has long since crumbled.” Lord Ottai took her trembling hand away from her face, holding it. “It’s gone, Emeriel. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Your feelings for him returned, no matter how hard you tried to fight them. And while you were with him again, those feelings only grew stronger. You’re hurting now because you’re trying to run from what you already know to be true.”“I haven’t even crossed the m-mountain yet, and I al-already miss him so much.” She turned, tracing the path they had walked. “It hasn’t even been a full day s-since I saw him, and all I want is to go to him. To b-be in his presence for the rest of the day.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “How do I live without him, Lord Ottai?”“No one can answer that question but you, dear child,” He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “I don’t want to live without him. I don’t want to go back to the hell of living without him again.” A choked, shaky laugh broke from her lips as she swiped at her eyes. “
The resolve in Vladya's eyes was the kind Daemonikai hadn’t seen in him in far too long.“I gave this a lot of thought, and do you know the conclusion I came to?” Vladya's lips twitched into a sad smile. “I still want to perform the ritual anyway.”Vladya was willing to try, to fight, to hope, even when the road ahead looked impossible.“You know what? Fuck it. Go for it.” Daemonikai smiled softly, pulling Vladya into a hug, gripping his back with both hands. “Congratulations, brat.”“Thanks, ancient one.” Vladya’s tone was light, but the fierceness with which he returned the hug betrayed his emotions.The soldiers in the middle of drills glanced their way, curiosity quickly masked behind respectful bows. “That girl is so good for you,” Daemonikai said as they pulled apart. “I only watched your interactions briefly, but it told me everything I needed to know. She’s changing you in all the right ways. I wish for you to be genuinely happy, Vladya.”“Right back at you.” Vladya cleared h
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAI“Someone is feeling quite cheerful this evening,” Vladya remarked as he approached.Grand King Daemonikai turned, a smile tugging at his lips, one he couldn’t suppress no matter how hard he tried. “I don’t know about you, Vladya, but I am having such a beautiful day.”Vladya arched a brow as he dipped his head in a polite bow. “Your Grace.”“Spare me the bullcrap.” Daemonikai waved a dismissive hand resuming his pace, hands clasped behind his back.“He whistles too,” Vladya noted, his voice carrying a teasing lilt.Daemonikai stopped, the faint melody in the air ceasing as well. He blinked, surprised. Was that me? He hadn’t even realized he’d been whistling.“You know, you’re fortunate Aekeira doesn’t have our hearing,” Vladya said, moving beside him. “She would have come storming in last night, hearing her sister scream like that all through the night.”“Why are you suddenly all over my business, brat?” Daemonikai smirked, giving Vladya a sidelong glance. “Come
PRINCESS EMERIELShe screamed when Grand King Daemonikai breached her body. Arching beneath him, Emeriel tried to escape the harsh pain tearing through her, but there was nowhere to run. Her fingers scratched his to let go, pushing, struggling. "It really hurts," came out broken and shaky.“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he said guiltily, kissing away the tears trailing down her cheek.He pull out, just held himself still above her, tensed with restraint. “I’m all in now. It will stop hurting soon.”It was the kind of pain that came from driving a burning knife into an open wound. But gradually, it began to fade. She felt his tension, the effort it took him not to move, to give her time to adjust.“Move. I’m okay now,” she croaked.He rolled his hips slowly, careful not to hurt her further. Subtle moves to test her readiness. Opening her eyes, Emeriel looked up at him, couldn’t stop watching him. The passion in his expression, the care he took with her. She was greedy for the sight of him
LADY ADISSAHe stepped out of the chamber, letting the door close behind him with a quiet thud, leaning his head against it.“How is he?” Lady Adissa asked as she approached. She tried to keep her panic at bay, but the tremor in her tone betrayed her. “Is he doing any better?”Razarr shook his head gravely. “He’s waiting for you inside.”Lady Adissa’s stomach churned. “But… has he eaten anything at all?”“Not since yesterday,” the head soldier replied, his tone grim.Her heart sank. Grand Lord Zaiper is in the blackest of his moods.Oh, heavens. She gripped her gown so tight her knuckles turned white under the strain.No one knew what had caused his dark mood, though speculation circled around the Grand King’s visit to Greyrock the night his Soulbond was attacked. Since that night, her master had fallen into one of those depressing, aggressive ways that rarely came, but when it did, was downright terrifying.And since then, Lady Adissa had known no peace.“Please go inside,” Razarr