Chapter 191

She looked at her hands. “He attacked me twice during heat,” she said. Lord Herod’s smile faded, replaced by concern. “I used to think his beast really liked me, even if the male… well, didn’t. But now, I’m not so sure. His eyes glowed yellow both times. Even the night he confronted me.”

The high lord looked sad. “As much as it seems like our beasts are separate entities living within us, we are still one with them, Emeriel. You and the beast got along so well because he was mindless. Back then, it followed instincts alone, loving and protecting you as its mate. But now, awareness has returned, and some instincts overshadow others. Like the ingrained need to kill humans.”

Emeriel looked up from her hands to stare at him. “The grand king is one with his beast. Whatever he feels, his beast feels too. They both lost their family, young one. That pain… it runs deep. It’s not just him lashing out; it’s both of them.”

That made sense. “I guess I understand better now.”

“It will get better,” Lord Herod said with conviction, covering her hands with one of his. “Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your bond. Now, let us put all that aside. Tell me how you are faring.”

Mistress Sinai

Mistress Sinai stood in the courtyard, staring into the distance as the slaves toiled around her. They hurried past, murmuring greetings, eager to avoid her. She paid them no mind, still turning over what she’d overheard.

Emeriel is going to be set free. Emeriel is leaving Urai.

Sinai didn’t know how to feel. After Emeriel’s deceit came to light, she’d fallen ill for the first time in years. Bedridden. Sick as a dog.

Discovering Emeriel’s true identity wasn’t just a shock; it uprooted Sinai’s world. To think the boy she’d watched with suspicion wasn’t just a boy, but Daemonikai’s Soulbond… it struck her like a poisoned arrow.

For three agonizing days, she’d lain in bed, beating herself up. Blaming herself for not acting sooner, for not trusting her instincts. She had been too scared of the Hole to kill the boy when she’d had the chance. Emeriel would have been dead long before the revelation.

Soulbond. The word always slashed through her gut like a burning, spiked whip. Sinai’s body might have recovered, but her mind hadn’t. What a joke.

And Daemonikai?

He hadn’t even thought to check on her. He must have heard she was ill, but he was too preoccupied with his own problems to care. That hurt. So, she’d paid him a visit, only to overhear his conversation with Vladya.

Should she be happy Emeriel was leaving? Probably. But was she? No.

“Don’t think I don’t know Emeriel calms you down, soothes your soul, takes the pain and grief away,” Vladya said. “I watched you two for months when you were still feral. Don’t think I don’t know that girl is like a healing balm for you.”

Sinai clenched her jaw so hard it was a wonder she didn’t crack a tooth. Her fists ached from clenching them too hard. It wasn’t fair. Simply wasn’t fair. How had that rotten human come out of nowhere and stolen her male?

Sinai didn’t want Emeriel to leave Urai; she wanted her dead. Erased. Her chapter closed forever. She’d asked Nora to keep an eye on Emeriel after the arena events, to summon her as soon as she was seen. However, Nora reported the grand king had posted soldiers outside Emeriel’s door, preventing anyone from approaching. Since then, access to the girl had been nearly impossible.

But that was fine. Once Sinai pushed past the blinding rage and urge to beat Emeriel to a pulp, she began to carefully plot her next move. She’d purchased what she needed: poison. One that killed quickly and left no trace. People like Emeriel, who steal what doesn’t belong to them, didn’t deserve a quick and painless death, and it infuriated her that the girl would receive such mercy. But Sinai didn’t want the poison traced back to her. She would make do with what she had.

Whirling around, she began to walk back to her chambers. “Leaving Urai, Emeriel?” Sinai’s lips curled. “The only satisfying way you leave this kingdom is lifeless. And I will make sure of that.”

Mistress Sinai

“I’m sorry, Mistress, but I cannot let you in.”

Mistress Sinai gritted her teeth, barely holding back her irritation as she stood at the kitchen door, staring down the older human female who’d dared to block her path. She’d painstakingly planned this moment, deciding the best way to execute her plan was to handle it personally. Inspecting all the kitchens would give her access to the one she needed. There would be no mistakes, no loose ends.

What she hadn’t expected was the headmaid denying her access.

“I need to inspect this kitchen, just as I have with the others tonight.” Sinai glared, looking down her nose at the audacious human. “How dare you get in my way?”

“I’m really sorry, Mistress, but the grand king gave us strict instructions. No one is allowed in except authorized staff.” “What is your name, slave?”

“Livia, Mistress,” the woman said, bowing respectfully. “I am the headmaid.”

“And I am the grand king’s bloodhost, Livia. There is not a single place in this fortress I cannot enter.”

“I truly apologize, Mistress. But please understand, I am only following the grand king’s orders.”

The mistress’s jaw locked hard. Her carefully laid plans were failing before her eyes, all because of this obstacle. Anger simmered within her. Perhaps she should have used a human for this. Huh. Why hadn’t she thought of that sooner? A human could slip in and out unnoticed, making it much easier for Sinai to eliminate them or ensure they took the blame.

But no matter. Tomorrow would bring a brand-new day. Tomorrow, she would execute her plan properly. Perfectly.

Mistress Sinai turned on her heel, her cloak billowing as she stalked away.