Page 6 of THE SOULBOND AND HER BELOVED (Beasts Of Wrath And Madness #4)

Chapter six

RAGE AND A TASTE OF FREEDOM

“Argh!”

Grand Lord Zaiper grabbed his most prized flower vase, hurling it across the banqueting chamber, shattering into a thousand glittering shards.

He reached for his finest ale gallon next and hurled it, the heavy vessel smashing against the far wall, amber liquid flowing down.

The chamber was already a mess. Broken goblets, upturned chairs, and fragments of once-beautiful decorations littered the floor.

And yet the chaos did nothing to sate his master’s anger.

“That conniving little whore!” Lord Zaiper roared, sweeping his arm across the banquet table.

Goblets, chalices, and plates clattered to the floor, the noise loud echoing through the hall.

Razarr swallowed a wince, remaining motionless in the corner. He hadn’t seen his master this destructively angry in a while. Lord Zaiper would regret all of this come morning when his fury finally subsided.

“How dare she?” Zaiper spat, turning his burning gray and yellow eyes on Razarr, who straightened immediately. “Is she mad? Deranged ?”

Zapier raked a hand through his hair. “She was not supposed to be in court. I saw the guilt in Daemonikai’s eyes—I could have gotten him to admit it if I had pressed harder. Declared him unfit to rule. But no! She had to come along and ruin everything!”

Seizing a decorative jara from the table, Zaiper smashed it against the floor.

It was time to intervene.

“Another opportunity will present itself, my lord,” Razarr said cautiously. “Your spell is still active. His mind is still in ruins. Sooner or later, everyone will see it.”

Zaiper rounded on him. “This was the perfect opportunity!” he shouted, gesturing wildly. “The signs were unknown to him! His instincts ruled him! Now, he will recognize the symptoms. He’ll know what to look for. And Daemonikai will never let it spiral out of control again. Knowing him, he will do everything in his power to make sure he never hurts that girl—or anyone else—again!”

Zaiper stomped to the other side of the room, his boots crunching against shattered glass.

“Sinai was right. I underestimated that little human too much.” Clenching his fists so tightly, his breathing coming in sharp, shallow bursts. “As young and insignificant as she seems, she has managed to defy me at every turn. That girl has done a lot of damage to my plans.”

The grand lord glared at the wreckage of the table. “I should have forgotten my hunger for power, and used dark magic to kill that insufferable little human when I had the chance...! She’s the same one who brought Daemonikai back from feral two years ago. Who healed his mind , and then, his soul . Maybe I should stop trying to get to him first and focus all my energy on her. ”

“I do not believe that would be wise, my lord,” Razarr reminded him in a careful tone. “Any direct attack on the girl could draw suspicion. Let Mistress Sinai take the credit—and the blame—for dealing with her. You should stay focused on His Grace.”

Zaiper spun on his heel. “And how exactly am I supposed to get to 'His Grace' when that tiny little ant thwarts me at every single turn?” Punching the wall beside him, the impact cracking the stone… and his bone. Blood spilled from his fist. "And I have used up all my favors with that dark mage too!"

Razarr had no idea what to do.

Lord Zaiper glared at the wall, flexing his bleeding hand. Then, his fierce gaze found Razarr once more. “Come here.”

Razarr did, until he was within arm’s reach. His master grabbed him by the neck and crashed their lips together.

Not a kiss of affection, one of fury. Brutal. Punishing.

When Lord Zaiper finally pulled away, Razarr licked his lips, tasting blood. The lord cupped his cheeks.

“Go, wait for me in my bedchambers,” he growled with anger. "I want you naked and ready for me.”

Razarr nodded wordlessly, moving to obey. This night was not one he looked forward to.

***

Mistress Sinai sat in her dark cell, glaring at the distant wall. Hurting beyond words after hearing the events of the court.

She had been one hundred percent certain this was it.

“Why couldn’t she just die and let everything return to its rightful place?” she muttered bitterly.

The sound of boots reached her ears. Rising, she faced the bars expectantly. The soldiers appeared moments later, their stoic faces illuminated by the dim torchlight.

“His Majesty the First requests your presence.”

Yes! Sinai’s heart leaped in her chest.

Another turned the key in the lock, and the gate swung open. Two soldiers stepped inside, taking her firmly by the arms.

Excitement surged. After what felt like forever in this wretched hole, she was finally going to see him.

Finally, the chance to regain her freedom, reclaim her position. Her dignity. Her power.

She didn’t resist as they led her out. Chin held high as she was taken to one of the chambers in Frostfall.

The moment Sinai stepped inside, she inhaled deeply, her senses delighting in the scent of luxurious bathing oils. Her gaze landed on the steaming bath, its water infused with fragrant leaves, waiting for her in the corner.

For the first time in ages, she breathed in air that didn’t stink. Her lips stretched into the widest smile she had worn in months.

“Your bath is ready, Mistress,” one of the Urekai maids said, bowing low. “We have been instructed to help you bathe and dress. May we assist you in removing your clothes?”

“If you need to ask, then perhaps you are unfit for your position,” Sinai snapped. “Do you not see how filthy I am? Get on with it, you fool.”

The maid’s eyes widened. “Al-alright, Mistress. I apologize.”

The others rushed forward, and the work began. They peeled away the grime-encrusted rags she’d been wearing.

The bath itself was divine. Warm water enveloped her body, the maids scrubbing away every trace of dirt and shame clinging to her during her time in the dungeon.

Fruits were brought in on polished trays—juicy grapes, ripe figs, slices of sweet melon—and Sinai munched on them with unabashed pleasure.

When it was over, she stood before the tall mirror, her reflection finally resembling the female she used to be. Her gown was a masterpiece, woven from the finest silks and subtle jewels that caught the light. Her hair styled to perfection, cascade down her back in sophisticated waves.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. I have missed this.

After today, not only would she be free again, but she would take back what was hers.

The soldiers returned.

“The Grand King is still in the hunting grounds with the noble lords of court. You are instructed to wait here for his return. You are not to leave this chamber.”

Sinai didn’t mind. Reclining on the plush cushions of the bed, she made herself comfortable as she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Sunset turned to dusk. The golden light streaming through the windows faded, replaced by shadows and the flicker of candlelight. Sinai’s eyelids grew heavy, eventually, she succumbed to sleep.

“Hail to His Majesty the First! The mighty and supreme sovereign ruler of Urai, His Grace, Grand King Daemonikai.”

Sinai jolted awake.

A second later, the door burst open, and he walked in.

Scrambling out of bed, Sinai straightened herself hastily, smoothing her gown before dipping into a deep curtsy. “Your Grace.”

She didn’t know what she had expected after everything she’d heard—the rumors of his failing mind, of sickness and instability—but what stood before her now was not a broken Daemonikai.

He was as he’d always been. Tall, regal, and imposing. Dressed in a finely tailored black robe, he exuded that power and dominance she had always adored and feared.

“You look tired, Your Grace,” Sinai said softly, carefully.

“It has been a long day,” his response was clipped.

Walking to the window, he rested against the ledge, arms crossed, staring out into the darkened night.

Sinai shifted uncomfortably. She had waited months to see him, yet now, standing before him, she felt wrongfooted.

His voice was sharp and direct. “I am here to feed."

“I have missed you so much.” Moving close, her voice wobbled. “I was rotting in that hellhole—forgotten. Neither a check-in, nor single visit from you…”

“You would not be in that hellhole if you had kept your hands clean.” His voice was ice. “How could you even think to attempt the murder of my Soulbond ?”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt you, Your Grace. It’s just… she’s human . Their kind—”

“She is Emeriel, ” he snapped. Turning his head slightly, those eyes like molten steel met her. “Her identity is Emeriel Galilea Evenstone. A Syren. My destined mate. Attacking her for any reason whatsoever cannot be justified.”

He was truly angry.

Were her tears not working? There was no pity in those eyes.

“But I have paid for my sins!” she sobbed, her voice desperate. “I’m not fed properly, I don’t get baths, and I do not sleep well in that freezing, rotten cell. You took away my freedom! My blood overloads me because my master won’t drink from me! Don’t you think I’ve suffered enough?”

“Have you?” he asked flatly. “Do you feel sorry? Do you feel remorseful ?”

She nodded frantically. “Yes, I—”

“That is not why I’m here,” he spoke again, indifferent. “Today, I feed. And after that, you return to your cell.”

Sinai’s blood ran cold.

Her lips parted in disbelief as she stared at him. “S-surely you don’t mean that.”

Hard eyes met hers, unblinking.

Panic seeped into her soul. “You c-can’t do that to me again, I’m your bloodhost!”

“Which is why you haven’t faced the maximum sentence for your crime.” He stated bluntly. “Fifty lashes with a hot spiked whip. Three days without food or water. Public humiliation and degradation. Ten years in the dungeon.”

Sinai’s hand flew to her mouth, staggering back a step. “You were going to make me face that... ? Because of her... ?”

Grand King Daemonikai laughed . Cold and humorless.

Sinai’s tears dropped faster. How could he be so unfeeling?

“Only two months imprisoned, and you are complaining? Consider yourself lucky you are my bloodhost, Sinai.”

Unholy ruins. At this point, he may really send me back to that rotten prison.

Sinai’s knees hit the floor. “Please, Your Grace,” hands clasped together in plea. “I will never repeat my actions again. Please, temper justice with mercy!”

Finally, her master straightened from the window, crossing the room in slow, unhurried steps. Reaching her, he bent down, his face close to hers and curled his hand around her neck, lifting her from the floor as he rose to his full height.

“I am showing mercy,” he said in a low, calm voice. “You have not been tried in court, I have not sentenced you, consider me at my most merciful.”

She gasped for breath, clutching at his wrist, her feet barely touching the ground.

“But make no mistake, Laelsainai, your punishment is far from over.” His grip tightened, forcing her to meet his unflinching gaze. “Once we are done here, you will return to your prison. That is final.”