Chapter 360:
The door clicked shut behind him as he walked into the quiet room. His eyes swept over her, his expression grim.
“You’ve lost weight,” he stated flatly.
Emeriel blinked, unsure of how to respond. She fumbled for words. “I’m sorry.”
Lord Vladya waved off her apology. “Sit down. Eat.”
She hesitated, but seeing the hard look in his eyes, she sank back into her chair.
“I’m not hungry—”
“I didn’t ask if you were hungry.” Lord Vladya’s tone was sharp as he took a seat across from her. “I gave you an order. Now, eat.”
Emeriel couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. She stared at her hands as though they held all the answers to calming the violent windstorm around her. Picking up the spoon, she forced herself to take a small bite of food.
The moment the warm food hit her tongue, her stomach growled hungrily, reminding her just how long it had been since she last ate. She ate slowly at first, but then hunger took over.
Emeriel devoured the meal as if it were her last. She barely noticed Lord Vladya watching her until the last crumb was gone. Then, reality came crashing back.
“Are you here to punish me too?” she asked, defeated.
Lord Vladya’s gaze remained steady. “Why?”
She shrugged, her hands dropping to her lap as she looked away. “You gave me instructions to avoid him, to never be found out.”
“I also told you that fate is a bitch who knows how to mess with people just to get a good laugh. You were never going to win against that bond.” Lord Vladya tilted his head slightly. “Frankly, I’m surprised you managed to keep the secret for this long.”
Lᴬtєѕτ chᴀρτєrs ιn g𝓪lɴovєl𝓈.𝒸о𝓂
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Emeriel glanced at her trembling hands, struggling to hold back tears. “Can I ask… is Aekeira alright? I haven’t seen her in days.”
“She’s fine.” Lord Vladya’s tone softened.
Silence settled between them, thick and heavy.
“Are you not going to ask how things are out there?” Lord Vladya said, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t you have questions?”
“I do. I have a lot, but…” She cast a fleeting glance at him. “I wasn’t sure you would answer them.”
Lord Vladya leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. “Ask.”
“How is… everything out there?”
He remained quiet for so long that Emeriel began to wonder if he would answer at all.
“It could have been worse,” he said at last. “For someone so small, you caused quite the stir.”
Emeriel looked away.
“We have been doing damage control, but it has been a series of long, exhausting deliberations. The council is in uproar, but more concerning are the people. They are the most delicate problem we face.” Her heart sank. “The people?”
“They are demanding Daemonikai hand over your head on a silver platter,” Lord Vladya stated matter-of-factly.
The words sank in, settling like a dead body tied to a heavy rock and thrown into the river. The plate in front of her blurred.
“Some have threatened to go on a killing rampage if Daemonikai takes a human bondmate. The petitions are relentless. We are trying to manage the chaos as best we can, but it’s been… challenging.”
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