That Prince Is A Girl The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate by Kiss Leilani

73

Chapter 74

EMERIEL

In the following two days, Emeriel was relocated to Blackstone and Lord VLadya departed on his journey. He was assigned to work in the gardens-a prospect that filled him with unexpected relief.

Emeriel had always envied the slaves who worked in the gardens drawn to the earthy scents and the quiet rhythm of tending to life. It had been one of his indulgences back in Navia a haven of peace amid a life of turmoil.

Emeriel couldn't be certain whether it was due to what had happened in court or if the slaves in Blackstone were simply different, but he noticed a change in the way he was treated.

The slave masters no longer bellowed at him, and his fellow slaves no longer sought reasons to harm him. Even the Urekai maids displayed a newfound respect. They observed him with curiosity as he moved about and generally stayed out of his way.

Aekeira began visiting more frequently as well Once she had finished her tasks, she would hasten to help Emeriel with his work.

Of course, they had to be discreet about it, as the slave masters frowned upon slaves aiding one

However, yesterday, while Aekeira balanced a brimming clay jug helping Emericl soak the thi master in charge of their duties caught them. Emeriel tensed, the watering can slipping from hu sprang upright, rigid as the dried stalks bordering the garden. another

flowerbeds, the slave

mb fingers, and they

mice, they awaited their punishment. Surprisingly, the slave

with Grand Lord

a lingering sniffle betraying her tears. Her wild smile held a flicker of uncertainty

tighter, his resolve hardening. "Better me than you, Keira. Serving him would bring you far worse harm than anything he could do to

she

It is not mere luck," Emeriel gently cupped her cheek, his gaze- searching hers. "Look into my eyes,

the tightness around her eyes But a flicker of reluctant acceptance softened her features. She ceased her arguments, her small sigh echoing in the space between

in Aekeira. She became

and the thought that he'd lifted that burden from her

Sat, Dec 28

Chapter 74

57%

could not help but refer to the beast as

him before stepping aside. The same guards who had once yelled at him to leave. hurled threats, and shoved, him now cleared his path. Emeriel would never openly acknowledge the

barricades, the next, it had Emeriel pinned to the wall. Its swift movement no longer frightened Emeriel as it would have before.

a deep inhale and, as always, emitted a long, satisfying purr that filled Emeriel with warmth and an odd sense of happiness. Twice it licked his throat, its rough tongue leaving trail of heat. For a heart-stopping moment, a jolt of fear prickled

that the beast had bloodfed days ago, so the fear

feast-slabs of raw meat and steaming bowls of offal-the beast devoured them with

shivers down Emeriel's spine. Made him feel like a rabbit trapped befor the wrong food, Emeriel was the one he wanted to eat. As if he wanted to bend Emeriel over and Emeriel was getting wet

if he was

was an illusion. Emeriel found himself thinking about