Chapter 177

Emeriel swallowed, and let the truth out. “My name is Emeriel.”

King Daemonikai released the lifeless body, letting it fall. Dark fury filled his eyes, terrifying Emeriel; her heart pounded with dread.

“You deceived me?” He sounded both calm and enraged.

Emeriel shuddered. “I’m s-sorry.”

Sorry. So pathetic, so inadequate. One doesn't weave webs of lies and then offer only “sorry” as recompense. But Emeriel’s mind was blank.

She struggled to think, to explain, but the overwhelming dread silenced all coherent thought.

The grand king spoke, but Emeriel couldn’t hear him. Her vision narrowed; all she saw was his murderous face approaching.

Get up! Run! Her mind screamed, but her body remained rooted, paralyzed.

He was going to kill her, she knew it.

The world shrank to a pinprick of light as darkness closed in. I think I’m going to faint.

Relief washed over her. This, she could face.

I wish I never wake.

Emeriel woke slowly, her senses returning. She was draped across the powerful back of the beast, again in her slave garment, but her hair unbound, cascading over her shoulders.

The absence of the usual tight bindings on her breasts was hard to ignore.

Paralyzing fear returned, but she suppressed it. This was her beast. She’d spent countless nights in its arms, handfed and bloodfed it, even been mounted by it. This beast was her protector. It wouldn’t hurt her.

But that beast was still King Daemonikai. A King Daemonikai who had just discovered her deceit.

She anxiously scanned her surroundings. They’d just passed through the fortress gates; a small crowd murmured and pointed at the beast. But the grand lords at the front, watching and waiting, terrified her most. All of them were present.

Lord Ottai looked perplexed, worry etched on his face. Lord Vladya’s expression was a mask, but his eyes, penetrating and uncomfortable as always, were fixed on her. Emeriel quickly looked away. Lord Zaiper’s face was a study in calculating confusion.

The beast’s massive paw steadied her as he rose, shifting back into his human form. King Daemonikai stood tall, sliding her down his back until she stood, trembling, behind him.

“What is going on, Your Grace?” a high lord’s voice cut through the silence. “The way you left court…”

“We were worried,” another added quickly.

“I’ve never been so scared!”

“Wait. Is that not Emeriel?” High Lord Gaff’s sharp eyes had found her. Every head turned.

“Emeriel is a girl?” another high lord added, confused.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Murmurs rose, those at the back straining to see, their voices growing louder until soldiers formed a protective barrier.

Grand Lord Zaiper stepped forward, his expression grave. “What is going on here, Your Grace? Emeriel is female?”

Not that grand lord. Emeriel felt her life flashing before her eyes. Her breath hitched, tears welling as she pressed herself against King Daemonikai’s back.

“Step away from the grand king and face the council, you foolish human,” Lord Zaiper barked, his voice sharp. “You have to answer to us. Hope to your gods that we have misunderstood a chest, perhaps swollen from bruises, for feminine breasts. For if they are truly what they seem, this gathering will be your last!”

Emeriel whimpered, clinging to the grand king’s back. He remained silent.

The murmurs swelled into angry roars. The high lords, faces contorted with shock, anger, and disgust, muttered amongst themselves, shaking their heads.

“But how could you deceive an entire elite council of Urekai?” a voice demanded.

“Say something, Your Grace,” another high lord demanded.

Why can’t I ever catch a break? All Emeriel wanted was respite after a brutal heat and recovery. She planned to sneak back unnoticed, blend in, and sleep before her next duties. Was that so wrong? Too much to ask?

Why, of all days, did it have to happen today? When she could barely speak, let alone plead, apologize, or explain.

All her energy was drained; she felt like a hollow shell. Overwhelmed, she buried her face against the grand king’s back, soaking his robes with tears. She waited for the inevitable. Waited for him to pull away, to hand her over to the vultures.

GRAND LORD VLADYA

An unexpected pity filled Vladya as he watched the girl’s fingers tighten around Daemonikai’s robes. Was she aware of how desperately she clung to him, as if he were her only lifeline? Did she realize she was hiding behind a tornado?

The very person she should fear most was the one she clung to for protection.

Daemonikai hadn’t spoken. To others, his face was impassive. But Vladya, who had known him for centuries, saw the simmering fury beneath the surface. Daemonikai was furious with Emeriel.

“Do you not have a mouth, you deceitful human? Start talking!” Zaiper’s voice boomed, his anger barely contained.