Chapter 170

Mistress Sinai strolled through the garden beyond the fortress gates, enjoying the evening air. The sweet scent of blooming flowers calmed her nerves.

“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 whispered conspiratorially.

“Really?” Sinai’s heart quickened. Just the boy’s name stirred several emotions. She took a deep breath, feigning nonchalance.

“Did he escape? Run away?” A thrill of excitement shot through her. Good riddance.

“Oh no, mistress. The rumors say he is… having intimate relations with a high lord. He’s been spending a great deal of time at the high lord’s estate.”

Sinai’s steps faltered. Intimate relations? Not what she expected. What was it about that boy that attracted such powerful men? He was handsome, even pretty, but so were many others. Well, if it kept him away from her Daemon, she was all for it. Sinai smiled wryly.

Emerging from the garden, Sinai spotted a group of Greyrock soldiers. Grand Lord Zaiper stood at their center. She approached him, a demure smile on her face.

“Ah, our lovely mistress, Sinai,” Zaiper greeted, his smile slow and deliberate. “A pleasure to see you.”

She curtseyed gracefully. “Welcome back, My Lord. How was your trip?”

“It went well enough. Refreshing, even. But I’m glad to be home. I have missed the fortress.”

She fell into step beside him. “The fortress has missed you as well, My Lord.”

“What have I missed in my absence?” Zaiper chuckled. “Though why do I ask? It’s not as if you know much about court matters.”

Sinai snorted. “No, they do not interest me much, Your Highness.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Although, I did hear that your immediate is… battling the feral madness.”

Zaiper waved a dismissive hand. “That rumor has been circulating for months. It’s nothing more than idle talk.”

“Not this time,” Sinai said. “These past few days, he’s locked himself away. No one has seen him. And there are whispers that, before this isolation, he was roaming the woods… even disappearing into caves.”

Zaiper stopped, interest lighting his eyes.

“I think it’s more than just rumors this time, My Lord. It seems your immediate truly is going feral.”

Slave Master Tyke bristled. “But, my Lord… it’s not something I can control, it—”

Lord Vladya’s brows ascended. He shook his head. “Command is my duty, My Lord.”

Lord Vladya straightened. “Get out.”

The slavemaster scrambled to his feet and scurried out, leaving them alone.

As Lord Vladya turned to face her, some of the wildness in his eyes dimmed. He must have read something in her expression, because his face went blank. Without a word, he moved around the bed, untying the knots binding her wrists and ankles. Aekeira barely noticed the relief; her attention was focused on him. Once he freed her, he turned away, commanding, “Go.”

She sat up, watching him disappear into an adjoining room. Part of her was relieved. On one hand, Aekeira wanted to run after witnessing the violence in his gray eyes. He had warned her, she knew this would happen, but knowing and knowing are different. On the other hand, she wanted to hold him, to hug him close.

Aekeira didn’t believe he punished Slave Master Tyke simply for violence. There were countless prisoners he could have chosen, yet he singled out the one who had hurt her. He had done it for her, to protect her.

Heavens, I love this male.

Fear, deeper than any Aekeira had known, overwhelmed her. Her vision blurred, her world spinning. She sat back on her heels, shaken. It had been easier when she hadn’t named the emotion. She had felt something for him for so long, but stubbornly tried not to identify it. It was simpler to ignore, easier to fight, when it was just a feeling.

“You should save your tears, Aekeira,” Lord Vladya stated, standing at the foot of the bed. “I am a monster, and there are more paths like this one to walk in the future. I do not need to deal with… this. Leave and have your breakdown elsewhere. I do not have the patience for petty little humans who—”

Aekeira moved to her knees, closing the distance, and threw her arms around his waist.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. She blinked hard, tears flowing freely, her vision clearing. “I am grateful, Your Majesty.”

Lord Vladya stood rigid. Aekeira only tightened her hold, allowing the tears to flow. She loved him. She. Loved. Him.

She had feelings for this male who had hurt her countless times, who teetered on the edge of madness. Who scowled at the world and had no smiles to share, who had known so much pain and found comfort in his darkness. And yet, she loved him with a fierceness that frightened her.

He was no fairytale prince. No shining knight. He was far from perfect. He was scarred, wounded, and dangerous. But he was hers. This love was not gentle or kind. It was raw and painful, like a fresh wound that would never heal.

Was love supposed to hurt this much? Aekeira wondered. Because hers did. She buried her face against his chest, letting the tears fall unchecked. The warmth of his tensed body, the strength of his presence, was both a comfort and a reminder of the danger he was. But Aekeira didn’t care. She loved him—flaws, darkness, and all.