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

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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 master ignored them, leaving Emeriel

shared the news of her meeting with Grand Lord Vladya.

betraying her tears. Her wild smile held a flicker of

hardening. "Better me than you, Keira. Serving him would bring you far worse harm than

how can you be so sure?" she asked, her voice small,

is not mere luck," Emeriel gently cupped her cheek, his gaze- searching hers. "Look into my eyes, Aekeira. You will see the truth. I want to do this, not just to save you, but because...something within me

arguments, her small sigh echoing in the space between them. Her embrace, when it came, was tight, almost desperate. "Very

Aekeira. She became happier, radiating

beast had scared Aekeira more than his sister ever acknowledged, and the thought that he'd lifted that

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And yes, sometimes, Emeriel could not help but refer to the beast as 'mine, especially in his

once yelled at him to leave. hurled threats, and shoved, him now cleared his path. Emeriel would never openly acknowledge the trickle of

Its swift movement no longer frightened Emeriel as it would have before. Instead, he willingly

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 Emeriel's spine. Would it bite? Would the

had bloodfed days ago, so the fear eased,

raw meat and steaming bowls of offal-the beast devoured them with guttural grunts. Its yellow

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

if he

him was an illusion. Emeriel found himself thinking about the creature more times than he