Captive slave 345
Posted on July 04, 2025 ยท 1 mins read
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Chapter 345

Lord Vladya and Lord Ottai exchanged glances, a silent message passing between them. โ€œI 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. โ€œWe are here.โ€

She glanced around. None of this made sense. โ€œHere? What isโ€”โ€ Then she heard it: a growl of agony, weak yet deeply, horrifyingly familiar.

โ€œNo, this canโ€™t beโ€ฆโ€ She took a step back. Vladya slid open a small, barred viewing window in the door. โ€œLook.โ€

Blood drained from her face. She remained motionless. More sounds of her Daemonโ€™s 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.

โ€œNo. Noโ€ฆโ€ She shook her head. โ€œIโ€”I donโ€™t understand. Why is heโ€”how is this happening?!โ€

โ€œUsually, the episodes break after a day,โ€ Lord Vladya said.

Her eyes watered. โ€œHe has been like this for three days?โ€

Lord Ottai nodded solemnly.

โ€œButโ€ฆ but heโ€ฆ he satisfies his instincts.โ€ She blinked furiously.

โ€œBloodlust, not sexlust,โ€ Lord Vladya answered evenly. โ€œDaemonikai does not sleep with Sinai, or any other female.โ€

โ€œNo, you donโ€™t understand,โ€ Emeriel insisted, frantic. โ€œWe had an arrangement. We agreed he would beโ€ฆโ€ She swallowed hard. โ€œHe would beโ€ฆ with her.โ€

โ€œYou didnโ€™t 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. โ€œSo you see, heโ€™s not supposed to be here. I donโ€™t understand.โ€ She stepped back; the walls seemed to close in. โ€œNone of this makes sense. Even some nights ago, heโ€ฆโ€

โ€œHe did not do it,โ€ Vladya said flatly, meeting her gaze. โ€œHe 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, reliefโ€”were dancing in her chest?

Her tears flowed freely as she slumped against the wall. โ€œIโ€™m a horrible mate. This is all my fault.โ€

โ€œHey.โ€ Lord Ottai moved in front of her, his usual levity gone. He looked every bit the Grand Lord he was. โ€œLook at me. Neverโ€”do you hear me? Never blame this on yourself.โ€

โ€œYou donโ€™t understand,โ€ she choked. โ€œSomething is wrong with me. Iโ€™m broken, somewhere inside like a ragged doll. Since that nightโ€ฆ I have wanted him. I want him so muchโ€ฆ and yet I cannotโ€”โ€ She could barely bring herself to say it. It hurt more than she thought it would. โ€œIโ€ฆ I canโ€™t bear it when he tries. Itโ€™s like I shatter, every time.โ€

Lord Ottai took her by the shoulders. โ€œVladya 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. โ€œIf I, who have lived through so many horrors in my long life, cannot forgetโ€ฆ how could you?โ€

Emeriel lowered her gaze, sniffling quietly.

โ€œYou are not broken. There is nothing wrong with you.โ€ He waited until her eyes met his again. โ€œYouโ€™re 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. โ€œYou, 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 themโ€ฆ yet she couldnโ€™t help herself. โ€œYou really do not thinkโ€ฆ something is wrong with me?โ€

โ€œI 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. โ€œAnd Daemonikai?โ€ He gave a faint huff. โ€œEveryone sees the way he looks at youโ€”as 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.

โ€œHe does refer to me as a star,โ€ she admitted, her cheeks coloring faintly.

The fourth ruler chuckled. โ€œIโ€™m sure he does.โ€

A smile tugged at her lips, and she swiped at the lingering tears. She feltโ€ฆ lighter.

Then her gaze slid to the iron door. She couldnโ€™t look through that small hole. Just hearing Daemonikaiโ€™s pain was enough of a splinter to her heart; seeing it might shatter her completely.

โ€œWhat do we do for him? It breaks my heart, seeing him suffer like this.โ€

Lord Vladya spoke. โ€œWhen do you plan to come out? Have you not eavesdropped enough?โ€

Emeriel startled. โ€œWho are you talking toโ€”?โ€

A figure stepped forward from behind the stone archway, looking sheepish. Mistress Sinai.

Emerielโ€™s jaw dropped.

โ€œWhat are you doing here, snooping around?โ€ Vladya growled, his tone icy. โ€œYou truly think we would not smell you?โ€


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