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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

slave master ignored them, leaving Emeriel

Grand Lord Vladya.

neighboring chamber?" she queried, a lingering sniffle betraying her tears. Her wild smile held a flicker of uncertainty

Her smile waned. "Em, I am not pleased with that. I do not want the beast mounting you." Emeriel held her tighter, his resolve hardening. "Better me than you, Keira. Serving him would bring you far worse harm than

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

every chance to kill me, yet he has not. It 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

softened her features. She ceased her arguments, her small sigh echoing in

noticed a change in Aekeira. She became happier, radiating with joy.

than his sister ever acknowledged, and the thought that he'd lifted that burden from her shoulders filled him with quiet

Dec

Chapter 74

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To feed his beast. And yes, sometimes, Emeriel could not help but refer to

shoved, him now cleared his path. Emeriel would never openly acknowledge the

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

happiness. Twice it licked his throat, its rough tongue leaving trail of

then, he remembered that the beast had bloodfed days ago, so the fear eased, and he

bowls of offal-the beast devoured them with guttural grunts. Its yellow eyes never left him,

wrong food, Emeriel was the one he wanted to eat. As if he wanted to bend Emeriel over and Emeriel was getting wet thinking about it too, and quickly

As if he was eating

beast, not thinking about him was an illusion. Emeriel found himself thinking about the creature more times than he cared

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