Chapter 345
Lord Vladya and Lord Ottai exchanged glances, a silent message passing between them. โI would rather show you,โ Vladya said at last, his face stoic. He led her from his study, through the royal residence, and onward. Deeper and deeper into the heart of Blackstone, past familiar halls, and into deserted corridors few dared enter.
Emeriel was utterly confused. Her dread intensified. Why were they here? What did this have to do with her beloved?
They reached a massive iron door, stretching from floor to ceiling. Vladya withdrew a heavy key, fitting it into the enormous lock. The tumblers clanked into place with a grinding groan, and the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hall lined with thick, iron-reinforced doors. They walked to the very end, where Lord Vladya stopped. โWe are here.โ
She glanced around. None of this made sense. โHere? What isโโ Then she heard it: a growl of agony, weak yet deeply, horrifyingly familiar.
โNo, this canโt beโฆโ She took a step back. Vladya slid open a small, barred viewing window in the door. โLook.โ
Blood drained from her face. She remained motionless. More sounds of her Daemonโs pain reached her, inflicting further agony. Emeriel whimpered; it felt as if someone had reached into her chest, grasped her heart, and ripped it out.
โNo. Noโฆโ She shook her head. โIโI donโt understand. Why is heโhow is this happening?!โ
โUsually, the episodes break after a day,โ Lord Vladya said.
Her eyes watered. โHe has been like this for three days?โ
Lord Ottai nodded solemnly.
โButโฆ but heโฆ he satisfies his instincts.โ She blinked furiously.
โBloodlust, not sexlust,โ Lord Vladya answered evenly. โDaemonikai does not sleep with Sinai, or any other female.โ
โNo, you donโt understand,โ Emeriel insisted, frantic. โWe had an arrangement. We agreed he would beโฆโ She swallowed hard. โHe would beโฆ with her.โ
โYou didnโt wish for him to risk an episode, or worse, lose himself to madness, so you agreed he should satisfy both needs with his bloodhost. Is that correct?โ Lord Vladya asked.
Emeriel nodded, pushing aside her shame and despair. โSo you see, heโs not supposed to be here. I donโt understand.โ She stepped back; the walls seemed to close in. โNone of this makes sense. Even some nights ago, heโฆโ
โHe did not do it,โ Vladya said flatly, meeting her gaze. โHe tried, but he could not bring himself to it, Emeriel. Your male has not lain with a female in months.โ
Once again, she gasped for air. For a split second, she thought she was having another attack, but then it passed in a shuddering breath.
What did it say about her that, instead of feeling horror for what he had endured, hiding such suffering from her for over four months, the first thing she felt was relief? What kind of terrible person was she that hope, happiness, reliefโwere dancing in her chest?
Her tears flowed freely as she slumped against the wall. โIโm a horrible mate. This is all my fault.โ
โHey.โ Lord Ottai moved in front of her, his usual levity gone. He looked every bit the Grand Lord he was. โLook at me. Neverโdo you hear me? Never blame this on yourself.โ
โYou donโt understand,โ she choked. โSomething is wrong with me. Iโm broken, somewhere inside like a ragged doll. Since that nightโฆ I have wanted him. I want him so muchโฆ and yet I cannotโโ She could barely bring herself to say it. It hurt more than she thought it would. โIโฆ I canโt bear it when he tries. Itโs like I shatter, every time.โ
Lord Ottai took her by the shoulders. โVladya and I were there that night, remember? We lived through every moment of what happened, and sometimes, I still hear your screams.โ His thumb brushed a tear from her cheek. โIf I, who have lived through so many horrors in my long life, cannot forgetโฆ how could you?โ
Emeriel lowered her gaze, sniffling quietly.
โYou are not broken. There is nothing wrong with you.โ He waited until her eyes met his again. โYouโre one of the strongest beings I have ever met. Stronger than many of our females combined. You have done what others have crumbled attempting to do, walked paths others died to walk.โ His hands squeezed her shoulders. โYou, Emeriel Galilea Evenstone, have made impossibilities possible. How could you look upon yourself and see anything less?โ
Her lips trembled. She hated how much she needed to hear those words, hated that she clung to themโฆ yet she couldnโt help herself. โYou really do not thinkโฆ something is wrong with me?โ
โI do not. And neither does Vladya.โ
They glanced at the Grand Lord, who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He gave a single, decisive nod.
Lord Ottai turned back to her. โAnd Daemonikai?โ He gave a faint huff. โEveryone sees the way he looks at youโas if you are the most precious thing Ukrae ever carved. That male sees you as the brightest star in a sky full of them.โ
Something inside her unwound.
โHe does refer to me as a star,โ she admitted, her cheeks coloring faintly.
The fourth ruler chuckled. โIโm sure he does.โ
A smile tugged at her lips, and she swiped at the lingering tears. She feltโฆ lighter.
Then her gaze slid to the iron door. She couldnโt look through that small hole. Just hearing Daemonikaiโs pain was enough of a splinter to her heart; seeing it might shatter her completely.
โWhat do we do for him? It breaks my heart, seeing him suffer like this.โ
Lord Vladya spoke. โWhen do you plan to come out? Have you not eavesdropped enough?โ
Emeriel startled. โWho are you talking toโ?โ
A figure stepped forward from behind the stone archway, looking sheepish. Mistress Sinai.
Emerielโs jaw dropped.
โWhat are you doing here, snooping around?โ Vladya growled, his tone icy. โYou truly think we would not smell you?โ