Page 5 of THE SOULBOND AND HER BELOVED (Beasts Of Wrath And Madness #4)

Chapter five

SO UNFAIR

In the Grand High Court, Grand Lord Zaiper stood at the center with his immaculate robes, wearing a face of calm and authority. Every day he tried to reason with them, yet the results were always the same. Today, he came with a different approach.

“It has been over a week since our grand king has been mad—” He glared at Vladya. “—unwell.”

The court stirred with whispers.

“As you all know, over the past few years, His Grace has faced certain… challenges. They made it difficult for him to uphold his duties to this court and to the people. Perhaps it is time we revisit our sacred text, the Concord of Crowns .”

At this, the murmurs grew louder. Uneasy growing.

Lords exchanged uncertain glances.

Lord Henry rose, brows furrowed. “Are you suggesting we place a vote to impeach the current Grand King and allow the Second Ruler to assume the throne?”

“It would be the right thing to do,” Zaiper said, turning to him. “The Concord of Crowns , Chapter Twelve, states an ultimate ruler is always required, as he is the cornerstone of the kingdom.” He paused. “Our kingdom is defenseless against attacks. So much unrest brews at our borders, and yet here we are—leaderless. We need steady hands to guide our people, to rise and stand firm as we have always done. But we have abandoned our sacred laws. It is time to return to them.”

Scattered voices of agreement and dissent rose. Some nodded gravely. Others frowned harder.

“There will be no need for that, Grand Lord Zaiper.”

That voice of order cut through the court’s clamor like thunder.

Every head turned toward the grand entrance where Daemonikai stood.

Zaiper’s joy fizzled out.

He looked… well. Striking and magnetic.

Fully dressed in his ceremonial attire, the grand king's black robes held a special design that set him apart from all. The gold embroidery gleaming in the light. His soldiers fanned out as he walked further in, going to the podium.

Seats creaked as everyone rose and bowed their heads in unison. “Your Majesty.”

Daemonikai acknowledged them with a slight nod as he ascended his throne.

“Your Grace.” Zaiper inclined his head reluctantly, clenching his fists at his sides.

“Rise.”

The court straightened, resuming their seats. Tension still hung in the air, but there was a real undercurrent of relief.

Some were even smiling .

Zaiper was trying to control his anger, he really was. But this was just too much.

Could he never have his moment without it being ruined?

Daemonikai should still be wallowing in misery. After what he did to his woman, he should be too broken to think of showing his face to court. What is he doing here?

Sweat gathered beneath Zaiper’s robes.

Settling onto his throne, Daemonikai scanned the room before resting his eyes on Zapier and Zaiper couldn’t read him.

“I wish to apologize for my absence from court these past days,” Daemonikai spoke in a calm, regal voice. “I was unwell, as many of you know. My bloodhost currently resides in the dungeon for her crimes against my female. Because of this, I have not been drinking from her as is customary. That was irresponsible of me, and I take full responsibility for it.”

The court listened in silence, hanging on his every word.

“There have been rumors,” Daemonikai’s tone cooled further. “That my mind is fractured. That I am feral again.” His gaze swept over the assembled lords and high lords. “I wish to debunk such nonsense. I was merely hungry. I am well-fed now and feel reborn. I am ready to resume my duties, if the court finds that acceptable.”

Zaiper’s head swam. What the hell was he saying? What in the devil’s crown was going on here?

Glancing toward Vladya, the male looked entirely at ease now.

Ottai was openly beaming.

I will not take this.

“Your Grace," he spoke up, squaring his shoulders. "Pardon me, but… Many in Ravenshadow witnessed the incident two weeks ago. I for one was present.” Steel entered Zaiper’s tone. “You were…”

“I was what? Mad?” Daemonikai remained calm, almost nonchalant, his head angled slightly. “Do I look like a male devoid of reason? A male without a mind?”

“No, King Daemonikai, but—”

“But what, Lord Zaiper?”

Zaiper gritted his teeth.

Daemonikai nodded firmly and looked away, visibly dismissing him. “I thought so. Now as I was saying—”

“We heard the princess’s screams,” Zaiper stated bluntly, raising his voice. “All through the night, her wails of agony bounced through the walls of Ravenshadow. It was clear you were hurting her.” There, he said it.

The silence this time was deafening.

The lightness in Daemonikai’s expression dimmed. Tension gathered in his shoulders, a flash of pain crossing his eyes.

The grand king's hands curled tightly over the arms of his throne until his knuckles paled.

Yes, that’s more like it. The one accusation Daemonikai could not deny.

The tightness in Zaiper’s chest released. Oh, did it unwound like a coiled spring.

“If you are as mentally fit as you claim to be, Your Grace,” Zaiper kept his voice full of concern and sincere curiosity. “Why would you harm the very female you once stood in this court to defend? A female you implored us to give a chance—one you so desperately wanted to protect you were willing to relinquish your crown for?”

The court held its collective breath as Zaiper pressed on. “If you were in complete control, why would you inflict such suffering upon her? A pain so great her screams rang through the night until dawn?”

He let the words hang, watching as whispers broke out again as they looked to their ultimate ruler for an answer.

The grand king did not have any.

Zaiper almost smiled but held himself. Not yet, not here.

But he allowed himself the faintest satisfaction, seeing them anxious. Watching their reactions.

The best part was the stretch of the uncomfortable silence as they waited for answers… And got none.

“And how sure are you, Grand Lord Zaiper, that her screams were cries of pain?”

Zaiper turned.

Emeriel stood by the door.

She walked into court gracefully. Fully dressed in her formal princess attire, she looked radiant . There were no visible marks on her skin, no signs of bruises. Or pain.

Her eyes shone brightly, filled with life, and on her lips was a wide, unshaken smile.

Not a single person stirred as she paused to bow gracefully to the assembled court, before she crossed the floor and ascended the dais, coming to a stop beside the grand king.

Then… kissed him.

Not a peck nor even a heavy indecent display, the kiss was light. Yet screamed intimate .

Free of tongue or theatrics, but every bit as charged with passion as if they were alone.

It lingered just long enough to stun the court into an even deeper silence.

Pulling back, the human princess turned to Zaiper, looking thoughtful. “Do you have evidence to back up such ridiculous claims, my lord? Since when is it wrong for a woman to scream out her pleasure when her male is rocking her world?” She grinned. “What do you have against screams of ecstasy, Second Ruler?”

“That is untrue!” The words ripped from his throat. So angry his vision turned red. “HOW DARE YOU stand before this council and lie to us ?!”

"Oh," Emeriel gasped, covering her mouth in sheer exasperation. "How dare you make such ridiculous claims against your grand king?"

Zaiper could only stare for a few seconds. Too dumbfounded to form words.

“Pardon me, and I say this with the utmost respect, Grand Lord, but unless you were present in the room with us, you have no right to make such accusations,” Emeriel said.

Zaiper could not believe this.

“What are you doing here, Princess?” the Minister of Military Affairs spoke up, his brow furrowed in disapproval. “No disrespect to you or our king, but you should not be here.”

Emeriel turned to the minister, bowing low in apology. A full, deep bow.

“Forgive me for intruding upon the court, my lords.” She straightened gracefully. “I merely came to deliver a message to my king, one I forgot to give him before I overheard the topic of conversation. I could not stay silent and allow the Second Ruler to make such false and unfounded accusations.”

“Humans and their lies!” Zaiper sneered with venom. “Everyone in this kingdom heard it. Call in every maid in the castle—they will all say the same! Why should we believe anything from the mouth of a human? You are the same girl who fooled this court for an entire year, dressing as a boy while hiding your true identity!”

Emeriel’s expression didn’t falter.

But Daemonikai growled. “ Mind your tongue, Grand Lord Zaiper. Do not speak to my woman like that.”

Zaiper lifted his chin, defiant. “I am still the Second Ruler of this kingdom, and until she is officially mated to you, I retain my authority over her. I will speak in any manner I see fit.”

Vladya leaned forward from his throne. “The lady you claim is a victim is standing before this court, telling you herself that she is not. That she enjoyed her time with her male.” His voice was almost an amused drawl. “Unless you have compelling evidence or credible witnesses to back your claims, hurling insults at her will not make your accusations any less baseless.”

“And any further accusations against her are an insult to her, her mate, and this court,” Grand Lord Ottai added from his seat. “As Second Grand Ruler, you are well aware of this kingdom’s laws.”

Of course I am! It’s how I have gotten away with everything, you fools!

Still... This. Is. Not. Fair.

Zaiper tried to breathe through his rage. He knew better than to push this any further—the court was clearly not on his side. Not as long as the so-called victim refuses to admit to anything.

He glared at the king and his human woman, his teeth grinding so hard it was a wonder they didn’t crack.

He could escalate this further by getting witnesses who may have heard the screams, but he couldn’t trust any soldier or servant to speak against Daemonikai.

Where did I go wrong?

The plan was foolproof. It worked. Daemonikai’s mind had fractured again—he hurt her, nearly killed her!

So why is she standing here, smiling and protecting him instead of laying in one of those tombs in the southern graveyard!?

This should have been his moment of victory. Or at least the beginning of it.

Instead, it felt like he was right back where he started—square one.

“While we understand your concern for stability of the throne, Grand Lord Zaiper, there does not seem to be any need for it anymore,” High Lord Belzebob said rising from his seat. “Our Grand King is hale and hearty, and his female looks healthy and happy. If there is nothing else, we would like to proceed with the agenda for the day.”

Murmurs of agreement rippled across the chamber.

Turning to Emeriel, Belzebob addressed her politely. “Princess, have you delivered your message to His Majesty?”

“Not yet, my lord.” Emeriel offered him a gracious smile. “But I will do so now, if no one objects. Thank you.”

Turning to Daemonikai, she leaned into him and whispered something. Her lips forming words too soft for anyone else to hear.

But Zaiper caught the shape of her mouth, reading the words clearly. I love you.

Daemonikai relaxed. And smiled .

Zaiper’s stomach twisted violently.

He should be broken. Wallowing in despair. Not smiling .

Zaiper was so enraged he wanted to kill something. To sprint to the nearest cliff and scream into the endless void, about the sheer unfairness of it all.

Stepping back, Emeriel's face was glowing as she bowed to court again. “My lords.”

She sent Zaiper a smug grin as she gathered the edges of her gown, sweeping from the hall with the same dignified poise she had entered with.

Zaiper could not form words.

This is so unfair.

So. Unfair.