BEAST'S SLAVE - CHAPTER 11
Emeriel paced restlessly in his small room within the slave quarters, his mind consumed by worry. The fortress was abuzz with activity as the Urekai prepared for their moonlight festival.
Even the slaves, whose lives were filled with misery, seemed to anticipate the festival with a semblance of joy. But for Emeriel, the absence of his sister Aekeira had become unbearable.
It had been more than a week since he had last laid eyes on her. The agony of not knowing how she was gnawed at his soul.
Madam Livia had only shared that Aekeira was confined back in her chambers, offering no further information. Emeriel longed to see his sister and ensure her well-being.
He had not heard any more screams in the night, giving him hope that Aekeira had not been given to the beast after that first night.
But how long could he hold onto hope that she avoid such a fate? What if it happened tonight?
Emeriel cast a longing gaze toward the door, contemplating his options. As a slave, he was expected to be present at the festival grounds, serving drinks to the revelers.
Could he discreetly steal away to the southern wings? Surely, a brief visit to check on her would go unnoticed.
Determined, Emeriel stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him. As he ventured out of the slave quarters, he adopted a purposeful stride, mimicking someone on an errand as he made his way through the main fortress.
Fortunately, the grand lords would already be occupied at the festival grounds, minimizing the chances of running into anyone.
Navigating the familiar corridors, Emeriel finally arrived at the route that led to Aekeira’s chamber. He got to the door and cautiously tested the handle. He was relieved to find it unlocked.
With a hopeful smile, he slipped inside…only to be greeted by an empty room. Confusion clouded his features as he called out for Aekeira, searching every nook and cranny, even the storage space.
She was nowhere to be found.
Emeriel’s heart raced, anxiety coursing through his veins as he exited the chamber. Where could she be? As he retraced his steps toward the servant’s quarters, his eyes scanned the surroundings, desperately seeking a glimpse of his sister.
However, when he reached the crossroad where different paths within the fortress intersected, Emeriel halted. Instead of heading towards the servant’s quarters, his feet led him to the fourth wing.
Unconsciously, he followed the route that led to the forbidden chambers.
But before reaching the intersection of the abyss land, Emeriel abruptly stopped again. What in the underworld was he doing here? she would be severely punished to reaching this side of the fortress without permission.
He turned to retrace his steps, but a movement caught his attention. And there she was—Aekeira.
She stood alone, wearing a regal attire that showed greatly the princess she was. It mirrored the dress she wore on that fateful first night. Aekeira was heading toward the haunting hallway that Emeriel knew led to the forbidden chambers.
“Keira?” he whispered, his voice resonating softly against the desolate walls.
Aekeira turned, eyes widening in surprise. “Em?”
“Oh, thank the Lights! It’s really you!” Emeriel exclaimed, rushing toward her and enveloping his sister in a tight embrace. “I tried so hard to believe Grand Lord Vladya when he claimed you were alive, but it was still difficult to sleep at night, Keira. By the gods, I am overjoyed that you’re alive—”
“No, you mustn’t touch me!” Aekeira suddenly shouted, panic in her voice, as she pushed Emeriel away. “Do not touch me.”
Hurt flashed in Emeriel’s eyes. Aekeira had never pushed him away like this before. “Keira?” he whispered.
“I would not feed him your scent again,” Aekeira reiterated, her voice trembling. “Please, do not touch me.”
“Scent? Feed who? I do not understand,” Emeriel confessed, his mind struggling to understand those words.
“You should not be here, Em. Please, go away.”
“And what are you doing here?” Emeriel countered, casting an apprehensive glance toward those imposing metal gates. “Come on, let’s leave this place,” he urged, taking hold of Aekeira’s hand.
“No!” Aekeira jerked her hand away, “I need to be here. But you, Emeriel, you should not. Leave.”
“What? No! You do not need to be here. No sane person should be here!” Emeriel seized her hand once more, this time her grip tightened. “Come on, Keira, please, let us go!”
“I can’t, okay!?” Aekeira’s voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes, smearing her makeup. She appeared utterly exhausted, as if burdened by the weight of the world.
This sight pierced Emeriel’s heart like a dagger. Aekeira made no attempt to withdraw her hand; simply too weary to fight.
“I can not leave, Em,” she whispered tearfully, her voice barely audible. “If I do, it will be you who goes behind those closed doors.”
Emeriel recoiled at the thought. But he quickly recovered. “Fine, I will go to the forbidden chambers—”
“No, you cannot! Not you, Em. Never you, do you hear me,” Aekeira stated vehemently, her eyes wide. “I will do it.”
Emeriel did not want to enter that chamber, barricaded with metal rods, and face the terrifying beast that lurked within. The mere idea frightened him to the core.
But he would do anything to protect Aekeira. Seeing her so defeated, he couldn’t bear to witness her suffering.
“Please, Kiera, let me go. I want to protect you,” Emeriel pleaded, tears welling in his eyes. His lower lip quivered with emotion.
Aekeira shook her head, and this time, she drew Emeriel into her embrace. Emeriel clung to her, buried his face to her neck as tears streamed down his face.
“For once in our lives, allow me to protect you, Keira,” Emeriel pleaded sorrowfully.
Aekeira stepped back, cupping his cheeks. She offered a watery smile. “I am the elder one here. It is my duty to protect you.”
Emeriel wanted desperately to continue arguing, but the flicker of determination returned to Aekeira’s eyes. His sister would never back down. “Okay,” Emeriel nodded at last, conceding.
Aekeira nodded as well, her smile growing wider. “Very well. That’s my brave sister,” she said, planting a kiss on Emeriel’s forehead. “Now, please leave before Madam Livia returns. She stepped away briefly to use the chamber pot in closest restroom.”
“Allow me to escort you to the door,” Emeriel insisted.
Aekeira appeared on the verge of protest, yet Emeriel gently took her hand and guided her forward. Eventually, Aekeira yielded, and allowed him to lead the way.
Although Aekeira tried to appear composed, her hand trembled in Emeriel’s grasp, and her shoulders seemed tense. Aekeira was terrified.
New tears welled up in Emeriel’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. If Aekeira had to endure this torment once again, the least he could do was be strong for her.
They traversed the lengthy hallway until they reached the metal gates of the forbidden chambers, coming to a halt.
Emeriel turned to Aekeira, “I will remain here waiting for you, dear sister—”
A low rumble emanated from behind the door.
Emeriel’s eyes widened. It was the beast. The growl sounded so terrifying that Emeriel felt an overwhelming urge to flee. To run and never look back.
Even Aekeira’s eyes bulged. Yet instead of running, she clutched his hands tightly. “Run, Em. Escape from this place. Leave the southern wings altogether! Go!”
“Let’s go together!” Emeriel tried again.
Just then, Madam Livia came into view. At the same time, another growl pierced the air, even more thunderous than the first.
“What in Tartarus are you two doing!? Come here this instant, Emeriel!” Madam Livia barked at them.
Emeriel desperately wanted to protest. He opened his mouth…
“Right. This. Instant.” Madam Livia punctuated her words with anger.
Emeriel swallowed hard and reluctantly released Aekeira’s hand. He retreated and walked away from the hallway toward Madam Livia.
“Enter, Aekeira. Emeriel, come with me.” Madam Livia marched off, leaving him to follow.
Emeriel complied and followed.
However, for some reason, an instinctual part of him—the same part that urged him to run and never look back—screamed at him to stay.
With every step he took away from that chamber, his skin prickled, and a sensation akin to needles spread through his body.
Stay, stay, stay! Something screamed inside him.
••••••••••••••••••
In the forbidden chambers, Aekeira stood frozen like a mouse ensnared in a trap, her heart pounding as the towering beast loomed above her. Its menacing growls reverberated through the air, filling the room with an ominous presence.
Tonight, the feral creature seemed even more restless than it had been on that initial encounter.
Drawing nearer, the beast sniffed her cautiously, its predatory instincts on high alert. Aekeira held her breath, afraid that the slightest movement would provoke its wrath.
Suddenly, the beast’s massive hand reached out, its intimidating claws pressing against her arms as it effortlessly lifted her off the ground. With a wave of its hand, she was dropped to another corner of the dark room, deliberately away from the door.
Then, the beast turned its attention to the door. Taking two steps forward, it halted and raised both hands. Aekeira watched in awe as the creature exerted an astonishing force, pushing against the sturdy oak door.
With a resounding crash, the door yielded to its strength, and splintered into fragments. Behind the shattered remnants stood the imposing metal gates. The beast pulled, gathering momentum before hurtling itself at the gates.
Oh, the stars! It was attempting to escape!
Aekeira remained motionless, seated where the beast had left her, paralyzed with fear. Could the beast truly breach that unyielding metal gates and escape?
Finally, it became clear why Grand Lord Vladya had been so certain that the beast would ki|| her that other night. The sheer strength possessed by this creature was beyond comprehension. Immeasurable. Unfathomable.
Aekeira whimpered, her terror so overwhelming that she came dangerously close to losing control of her bladder.
The beast was on the verge of escape. Yet, Aekeira found herself incapable of uttering even the faintest sound.
Again and again, the beast repeated its assault, each impact echoing with a deafening boom. Locks and keys succumbed to its power, crumbling at its feet as the metal gates swung open wide.
The feral creature cast one final glance at Aekeira.
She recoiled from its gaze, pressing herself against the wall. It was about to end her life now, was it not?
The beast began to approach her, each step exuding a thr_@tening aura of power. Strength.
Aekeira would have wet her undergarments if Madam Livia hadn’t insisted she empty her bladder before coming here.
It drew near, bent down and brought its face closer to Aekeira. Due to the darkness of the room, she couldn’t see its features clearly, except for its glowing yellow eyes.
It pressed its nose against her neck, inhaling deeply. The very spot where Em had nestled her face during their embrace.
The creature growled menacingly. Then, it proceeded to lick her neck. Twice.
Finally, it straightened up and exited the forbidden chambers with heavy steps.
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