Chapter 276

Mistress Sinai

“You have a visitor,” a soldier’s voice called out, echoing down the corridor.

She shot up from the ground, her heart racing. Sinai moved so fast she nearly stumbled hurrying toward the barricade. “Who is it? Who—”

Grand Lord Zaiper came into view, walking with his usual air of superiority as he approached her cell.

The excitement of seeing him was so great Sinai found herself bouncing on her feet. “Yes! Yes! I knew you would come for me!” she exclaimed, her voice high with relief. “What took you so long? I’ve been rotting in here!”

“Is that how you greet your ruler, Mistress?” Zaiper drawled, an arrogant smile curling his lips as he stopped before her cell. His eyes swept over her, taking in her disheveled state. “Well, well, well. I must say, this place does not suit you.”

“Stop with the pleasantries, My Lord, and get me out of here,” she grumbled, her tone laced with frustration. “I miss my bed, a proper bath. This place stinks. Please, get me out of here.”

Zaiper tilted his head. “Surely you cannot be that naïve, Sinai. You and I both know I can’t release you. Daemonikai is the one punishing you. I might have intervened if it were Ottai or Vladya, but not the Grand King.”

Sinai gritted her teeth, her hands curling into fists. She knew that already, but the reminder stung. “Oh yes, I forgot. You don’t have that much power. Daemonikai will always be the ultimate leader.”

The smile vanished from Zaiper’s face, replaced by icy fury. “How dare you.”

Damn it. She needed to tread carefully. This male was her only chance at freedom. “I apologize, My Lord. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“I am half-tempted to order the guards to give you thirty lashes.”

“No, please!” Sinai clasped her hands together. “Forgive me, I beg you. I’ve been here for weeks—my sanity is dwindling. Please, the greatest second ruler, you must do something to get me out of here.”

Zaiper exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a sneer. “I will excuse you this once, because of your situation. But the next time you speak to me like this—” His hand shot out, grabbing her neck and slamming her against the cold metal bars. “I will kill you with my bare hands.”

Pain shot through her skull, her vision swimming. She forced a strained, nervous reply. “Thank you, My Lord. Your benevolence is astounding.”

“Idiot.” He released her with a flick of his wrist, dusting his hands off dramatically.

“Please, what is going on out there? Has anything been said about me in court?” Sinai sucked in a shallow breath, gingerly touching her neck. “Where is Daemonikai, and why hasn’t he come here?”

“Ah, ‘your Daemon’ is currently away from Ravenshadow on some lover’s bliss relaxation,” Zaiper said, his smirk returning. “It’s been three days now, but who’s counting?”

“WHAT!?” Hot jealousy surged through her. “First of all, she is NOT his woman!”

“I’m afraid she is,” Zaiper replied smoothly, his amusement barely concealed. “Oh, I forgot to mention—it’s official now. He announced their courting and publicly claimed her. She is now recognized all over Urai not only as his woman but as his destined mate.”

Grand King Daemonikai

The tension in Grand King Daemonikai’s body was nearly unbearable as he gave chase. No, as he hunted. This wasn’t mere pursuit; he didn’t run at full speed. He stalked her, close enough to track her every move, but far enough to prolong the delicious hunt.

His mate was light on her feet, and he took immense pride in that. Her agility and speed made the chase exhilarating, feeding the predator within him.

The downside was, his erection was so pronounced he could probably split a log with it. The longer he hunted her, the harder it became to control his instincts—that primal urge to catch his prey, throw her down, and tear away her clothes; to bury himself in her, to rut until every creature in the forest heard her screams.

Clenching his teeth, Daemonikai fought the urge. He couldn’t—wouldn’t touch her. Not yet. It was torture. Absolute agony. But he was determined to be the mate she deserved, the kind who prioritized her, not his own carnal desires.

What he hadn’t anticipated was how difficult that would be. For a male who prided himself on his iron control, Emeriel felt his limits pushed. He couldn’t stop thinking about her body: the sway of her hips, the curve of her ass, the swell of her breasts…and the paradise between her thighs…

Fuck. Resisting her over the past few days had nearly driven him to the brink.

Suddenly, she changed direction, bringing him back to the present. He lost sight of her, but only for a brief moment. She was crouched behind a tree, her eyes scanning, searching for him.

The soft evening light filtered through the trees, illuminating her as she tried to steady her breathing. He was close, yet unseen. The skills he’d mastered in battle served him well, allowing him to blend seamlessly into the shadows.

She must have sensed him, because she shot to her feet and ran again. A growl of pure lust rose in his chest as he surged forward at a blur, his hand seizing her waist, lifting her and throwing her to the ground.

She yelped and struggled, but he was already on top of her, pinning her down. “Caught,” His voice was a guttural growl, dripping with lust.

Hell’s balls, he was more out of control than he’d realized. His next command confirmed it. “Submit.”

Her eyes widened. “Your eyes…”

“What do you see?”

“Yellow. Pure beast.”

“It’s the hunt,” he rasped. “I’m fighting for control. Stay still, Riel.” His chest rose and fell rapidly, every muscle tight. “Don’t move. At this point, I can’t control what I do next.”

He expected fear. Not… desire.