An hour later, the pain had somewhat subsided, thanks to whatever Madam Livia had given him. he lay on the bed, topless, while Amie hovered nearby and as Madam Livia mixed some leaves in a bowl."You should do your best to avoid Mistress Sinai, Emeriel,” Madam Livia advised. “Do everything you can to avoid becoming her target."."I had no idea she had arrived, Madam, I swear. I greeted her as soon as I realized, but according to her, it was already too late." Emeriel recalled the searing pain of the whip slicing into his back As Madam Livia applied herbs to his wounds and wrapped them in cloth. "It may sound absurd, but It felt as though she specifically targeted me. I have not done anything to incur her grudge or wrath."Madam Livia remained silent, but her mind was clearly at work."Here, drink this," the woman eventually said, handing Emeriel a cup filled with a bitter concoction.His face scrunched up, and he promptly returned the empty wooden cup."Get some rest. I know you must
"Emeriel! Amie! To the cellar now!" Slave Master Boris's voice boomed in the air.Emeriel snatched his hands back, quickly standing up. He had never been so relieved to hear his voice before."We're having fun, Boris," Cypher growled."Not with my slaves, and not now. We're short-handed. They're needed in the cellar," Boris firmly reinstated. "Unless you gentlemen aren't ready to get your ales as you want them."Grumbling discontentedly, they released Emeriel and Amie, and the two hurried towards the cellar.Inside, Master Gaine sat mixing drinks, his brow furrowed. "You're late.""They weren't. The fellows wanted a piece of them," Master Boris said before they could talk."Stupid old fools.” Master Gaine grunted, continuing to mix ale with cider. ” Emeriel get in here and help with this. Amie, go out and serve more customers."They got to work without further delay.•••••••••"Just drop the food in and get out, Clay," The soldier ordered outside the metal gates of the forbidden chamb
EMERIEL.Master Gaine had gone out to oversee the other slaves working in the backyard, assigning Emeriel the task of unloading the new drinks that arrived that night. Thus, Emeriel found himself alone in the cellar, unpacking and arranging the beverages accordingly. The door creaked open, and Master Boris entered.Holy hell. Emeriel had avoided the slave master all evening. Unease filled Emeriel inwardly, as he greeted the slave master before resuming his duties."Well, well, well, look who I finally have all to myself. Come here, Emeriel."Emeriel reluctantly rose at the command and approached Master Borisas the slave master locked the door behind them, his face inscrutable. As Emeriel drew near, Master Boris grabbed him roughly and slammed him against the nearest wall, using his body to pin him there.Fear surged through Emeriel, and instinctively, he began to struggle. But the slave master tightened his grip on Emeriel's waist, his hold so firm Emeriel knew it would leave a ma
Aekeira turned her head sharply. "What is wrong? Has anyone... Have those masters been cruel to you?"Emeriel hesitated. But it was always hard lying to Aekiera. "Not both. One of them has…has taken an interest in me."His sister froze, dread pooling in her eyes, worry replacing tiredness. "Oh, dear lord...""You need not worry," Emeriel was quick to add. Saddened by those looks, he aimed to make her feel better. "He has not acted on his desires yet. I reminded him that I belong to a grand lord, and it made him cautious.""Nothing can make them cautious, Em. You do not have to lie to me. I understand that I cannot always protect you, but it breaks my heart to think that after everything you went through with the beast, not long ago, some useless master is onto you again." Aekeira's sorrowful eyes burned with anger. "Perhaps I should poison him."Emeriel was so startled that for a whole minute, he was unable to form words. "No! Do not do that. Have you forgotten the consequences of kil
GRAND LORD VLADYA"I was beginning to think you had fallen victim to some strange ailment that hinders your ability to attend to court matters," Lord Zaiper remarked casually withdrawing his dick from the girl lying on the table. Turning her body around, he thrust back inside."I have been occupied." Lord Vladya briefly glanced at Zaiper's actions, pursed his lips, shook his head, then proceeded toward his throne. "You are disgusting.""Don't take your foul mood out on me this fine morning," Zaiper smirked wolfishly. "I was craving something different.""Do you fuck dead bodies now?""She isn't dead. Just drugged into sleep. I've been craving them motionless for a while now. You know, to add a touch of excitement. And I never deny myself what I crave.""Where is Lord Ottai?"Zaiper pumped his hips repeatedly and smacked the girl's buttocks letting out a groan of pleasure. "I have no idea. He is running late. Probably getting some from Morina.""Don't you tire of sex, Zaiper? Unlike ot
EMERIELEmeriel was assigned the task of cleaning the floors of the annex.It was a monotonous job, but he was grateful, nonetheless. It was far preferable to spending his time at the tavern.After completing the first and second floors, Emeriel found himself on the third floor.Having not yet familiarized himself with all the corridors and their destinations he was taken aback when he discovered where the floor he was cleaning led to.He recognized the familiar paintings and the foreboding hallways.The fourth wing. The forbidden chambers lay within that second hallway. Goosebumps prickled his arms.Just clean that hallway as quickly as possible and be done with it. The sooner, the better.Emeriel tightly grasped his broom crafted from bundled twigs and resumed his work. The bristles swept across the cold stones, stirring up clouds of dust. As he progressed, he used pieces of clothing to dust and clean as he went along.Upon reaching the forbidden chambers, he halted noticing the ab
GRAND LORD VLADYAVladya stiffened, anger coursing through him at the remark. "Not the girl," he blurted out, regretting his words the instant they left his lips.Ottai and Zaiper looked surprised, but they were not half as shocked as Vladya himself."You are interested in the human girl? You?" Ottai exclaimed."I am not," Vladya stated calmly, relieved that his voice remained composed. He resumed his scribbling. "She belongs to the feral.""Nonsense. Matters like that do not concern you. I have had nearly every slave, every maiden you have been with, and you have never batted an eyelash." Zaiper's gaze grew more penetrating, suspicious. "Is this girl different? Do you want her?"Vladya would sooner sever his own arm.He signaled to the soldier, who stepped forward and took the scroll from him. Rising from his throne, he approached Zaiper and stopped in front of him. "If you ever speak of this again, you will not like the way I respond."The second ruler's face paled, and he cleared h
"Yaz," he finally managed to utter when he found his voice.His trusted soldier emerged from the corner. "Yes, Your Highness?""Did all the guards on duty leave when you gave the command for them to vacate the premises?""Yes, my lord. I was the last to leave."Vladya's gaze wandered, taking in other details. The surroundings appeared cleaner. The paintings seemed freshly acquired. The walls gleamed as if they were new, and even the sculpted lion head sparkled. "They assigned a slave to work here.""Seems like it,” Yaz confirmed. “This place looks astonishing. Almost like the old days..." He trailed off abruptly, no doubt realizing the inadvisability of his words. No one with wisdom would dare speak of the old days, especially not to Grand Lord Vladya. "I beg your forgiveness for my wayward tongue, my lord."Lord Vladya waved him off, his mind preoccupied. He had personally dismissed all the slaves who used to tend to the Abyss land, not because he enjoyed the accumulation of dust, bu
“Please stop saying these things to him,” Lord Vladya groaned. “He’s smiling like a thief who just got promoted to head guard. He might forget why we’re here.”Daemonikai smacked him upside the head. “Shut it.” But he was still grinning ear to ear.The healer hid her smile behind a cough. So, the rumors were true. The quickest way to find favor with the Grand King… was to speak kindly of his queen. Or better yet—earn her favor directly.It warmed her to see them this way. Whole. Strong. Hearty. Happy.“Now, let’s return to the original matter. What can you do for us, old healer?” King Daemonikai asked.“I’ll begin work immediately on the herbs. I’m certain something like it exists. Our people have simply never had reason to search for it. I’ll start gathering ingredients, reviewing ancestral scrolls, and see what I can develop. With luck, I’ll have good news for you soon.”“That’s excellent,” Daemonikai said, nodding with satisfaction.The healer turned to Lord Vladya. “And you, Secon
“Can I open my eyes now?” she asked softly.“Not yet.” Vladya raised his hands to cover hers, even though a blindfold already shielded her eyes—just to be sure.He was... nervous. His belly felt tight inside, his hands clammy. He wanted to impress her. Wanted Aekeira to love the surprise.Gently, he guided her forward. Step by step, deeper into the cave until they reached the center. Moving in front of her, he withdrew his hands, and untied the blindfold.He stepped back, waiting.She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the soft glow, then gasped.Vladya tried to see the space through her eyes. The rough cave walls had been transformed. Smooth panels of polished wood lined the interior, holding candle sconces bathing the space in a warm, golden light. A plush woolen rug stretched across the floor. In one corner, a large, canopied bed stood dressed in roses. Across from it a long table, elegantly set with a feast laid, and two chairs facing one another.Her mouth parted as she took it in. “
She gasped as he flicked her clit, over and over again, building tension. Soon she was wiggling, twitching, hips shifting restlessly, seeking more.Daemonikai was burning, yet his mouth never left her breast. Arousal pounded through him, but beneath it—deeper, hungrier—was peace. There was something sacred, yet utterly obscene about this, in how her breast felt against his tongue, the rich rush down his throat, and the soft sounds she made.“Mmm.” His eyes slitted shut as time dissolved. Her moans grew louder, hips grinding against his thigh, but he didn’t relent. Not until her back arched and she came with a cry, her pussy fluttering around nothing.He switched breasts, sealing his lips around the other nipple, drinking her in as his fingers resumed their torment—circling her clit just enough to tease, never enough to satisfy.She squirmed, sobbing, her slick painting his thighs. “Daemon… please. Please.”He ignored her. Not yet.Only when the flow dwindled to drops, then drained int
That night, Daemonikai slept, and saw them.Standing at the river’s edge were his sons—Myka and Alvin. But unlike in the past, they weren’t sad. Their eyes no longer carried the weight of guilt or sorrow.No, his sons were smiling, waving at him.Daemonikai ran from the opposite shore, water parting in soft ripples as he crossed, and when he reached them, he pulled them both into a tight embrace.“Father…” Alvin whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”“For what?” Daemonikai pulled back, his hands firm on Alvin’s face, forcing his boy to meet his eyes. “It was never your fault, and I’m sorry you left the world believing it was.”He turned to Myka. “I’m sorry I told you to protect everyone else. I should’ve told you to save yourself first. Maybe then, you’d still be—”“It’s alright, Father,” Myka interrupted with a smile. “I don’t regret protecting Mother. Or our people. I’m a protector, just like you, and I’m proud of that.”Behind them, a crowd began to form. His people were watching from a
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIZaiper's screams rolled down the dungeon corridor, bouncing off walls as Daemonikai sawed through his leg with a cutlass—whistling a slow, melodic tune. Blood sprayed, splashing onto Daemonikai’s robes, forming a growing puddle.“This blade’s gone dull,” he said conversationally, examining the edge. “Get me the dagger.”A guard handed it to him from the wall of instruments, so much polished steel behind them.Daemonikai discarded the cutlass with a soft clatter and resumed with the dagger, slicing deep into muscle and tendon, never missing a beat in his whistle.“Please! AHhhhhhh!” Zaiper howled. An animal sound, born of unbearable pain.Daemonikai sawed clean through until the leg detached entirely. He lifted it, holding it up like a prized relic.“I hope you don’t mind if I keep this,” he said casually, inspecting the severed limb. “It’s a clean slice. Unfortunately for you, it won’t regenerate—considering I’ve taken the entire limb. You’ll have to forgive me.
••••••Three Weeks Later PRINCESS EMERIEL“By the power vested in me as Grand King of this court, and in the presence of these witnesses, I hereby declare all Bonds of Human Enslavement broken. From this day forward, you are no longer the property of Urekai but allies. Free people under the protection and respect of this kingdom.”The court was overflowing. Humans filled every space, trailing from the dais down the carpeted aisle, pouring out the doors, spilling into the hallway beyond. Every human in Urai was present.At the front of it all, Emeriel stood tall beside her king, heart brimming with emotion. Her gaze drifted across the sea of faces, landing on her sister. Aekeira was smiling through tears. Just like so many others.Grand King Daemonikai continued, voice firm but warm. “I have already sent word to the twelve human kingdoms, informing their kings that the humans here are no longer captives, but allies of Urai. From this moment, no harm shall befall you—not by royal decre
GRAND KING DAEMONIKAIDaemonikai delayed just outside the dungeon corridor until he heard Zaiper’s first blood-curdling scream. Only then did he walk away from the dungeon hallway. He soon stopped hearing them. Almost a regret.He had instructed the guards to move Zaiper to the deepest, most fortified cell to keep his torture from disrupting the tranquility of the Citadel. But now, for the first time, he wondered about the wisdom of it.Reaching his bedchamber, the scene greeting him caused him to pause.There on the couch, Emeriel sat in sleep's soft embrace, holding their son, Daesovxscar, against her chest. His small mouth had slipped from her breast, milk dotting the taut, dark nipple still exposed to the cool air. Her arms held him close, even in sleep.Daemonikai’s mouth went dry.He was not a male to steal his youngling’s food—he had never done so before—but in the past few days, the thought had settled into his mind like an unsealed scroll. It was all he thought about.“Your H
“Yes,” the male continued coolly. “Vladya feels whole now. The male you always mocked for being cursed, then took away his bondmate. But she returned to him, not merely as a lover who may be compatible with him, but as his fated mate.” Daemonikai’s lips twitched. “Then there’s you. Hanging here like a carcass in my dungeon. With a dead lover, no heir, no legacy. No throne.”Zaiper’s scream tore from deep within his soul. “DON’T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HIM!”“Who? Oh you mean the dead lover?” Daemonikai smirked, adding with a drawl. “I never did tell you, did I? Just how good it felt to kill him.”Zapier struggled even harder. One leg jerked so hard, causing the chain to snap taut, nearly dislocating him, but Zaiper didn’t care, writhing and snarling like a feral.“His spine snapping in two as it struck my knees… that sound... it stayed with me for months. It had a better tone than even the harp.”“Fuck you, Daemonikai! I’ll fucking kill you!” Zaiper was out of control, spitting rage with
“You’ve no idea how fun it was. Playing you like a puppet, note by note, from the sidelines, with you none the wiser. It was... exquisite.” His grin was unrepentant. “But don’t blame me too much, Daemonikai. The real culprit was your pride. You believed yourself invincible. Too strong to be touched, too feared to be challenged. And because of that arrogance, you gave someone like me the perfect opening.”He let out a wheezing cough of amusement. “The Dragaxlovs have always sought the throne, but the Naelzharoth was too powerful. My grandfather shared with me that it was his lifelong dream to sit on the First Throne, yet every minor scheme he attempted to wrest it from your grandfather failed. He was a coward, you see, just like the rest of them.” Zaiper sighed. “Even at a hundred, I knew I was different from those spineless relics. I knew I would achieve great things, and I knew you would assist me. Your casual dismissal, that prideful superiority… always a Naelzharoth, viewing the re