Page 165 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

“Your Highness!” they chorused, heads lowering in a rushed bow. “Forgive us, what brings you here?”

A muffled sound came from the back room… a door behind them, barely closed.

Anger steaming in her, Emeriel strode past them without a word, flinging the wooden door open.

There, on the floor, was Amie.

She was naked on her knees, hands bound behind her back. Tears streamed from her eyes as the slavemaster forced his manhood down her throat. Choked noises filled the room.

The male jolted backward, yanking himself away in horror as he saw who stood there. “Princess Emeriel...!”

“My Princess!” Amie cried, scrambling toward her. She hid behind Emeriel’s back, trying to cover herself with trembling hands.

“Princess, to what do I owe—”

Emeriel slapped him, hard. His head snapped to the side, the sound heard through the walls.

“But Princess—” he began.

She struck him again, backhanded this time, snapping his head in the opposite direction.

A low growl came from the slavemaster’s throat, his eyes flaring yellow as he glared at her.

Emeriel stepped in close, face inches from his. “Do something, Idareyou.”

Behind her, the sound of swords being drawn filled the room as her three bodyguards closed in.

The slavemaster blinked, his beast receding, the yellow draining from his eyes.

“No, go on. Summon your beast,” she said angrily. “Oh, mighty predator who likes to prey on powerless girls.” Then she turned to Amie, who stood trembling, tears streaking her face. “Why didn’t you tell me this was happening?” She was not just angry but hurt.

“I’m sorry, Princess,” Amie sobbed. “He warned me. Said if I spoke, he’d punish me worse—”

“Seize him,” Emeriel snapped to her guards. “Take him to the dungeons.”

She turned to the slavemaster. “Good luck writing enough petitions to earn the court’s interest. Maybe in a few months, they’ll even read one. Until then, you’ll rot in there.”

The slavemaster’s eyes widened in disbelief as the two Urekai males stood motionless at the door, stunned, but wisely kept their heads down.

“But I’ve done nothing wrong!” Kenta bellowed, guards dragging him toward the door. “I haven’t even mounted her yet!”

That earned him another backhanded blow from one of the soldiers before they marched him out, leaving Emeriel with her remaining guard and Amie.

Emeriel crossed the room, gathering the discarded clothes from the bed. With a softer voice, she handed them to her. “Put these on. Let’s get out of here.”

***

Back at Frostfall, Madam Livia tended to the bruises on Amie’s wrists and cheeks. Thankfully, the slavemaster hadn’t taken things any further. For that, at least, Emeriel was grateful.

Amie wouldn’t stop thanking her. Over and over, she repeated her gratitude like a rhyme on replay, and when it came time to rest, she refused.

“No, I really want to go shopping with you, Princess.” Amie smiled brightly, wincing from the ache in her cheeks. “I’ve been looking forward to it. I don’t want to rest. I’m fine. Truly. Please, don’t make me stay behind.”

Emeriel didn’t know what made her feel worse—how easily Amie had brushed aside what had just happened, or the realization that this wasn’t the worst she’d endured.

In the end, Emeriel relented with a defeated sigh. “Fine. Let’s go.”

The shopping took longer than expected, and the sky had already begun to warm with the golden tones of evening by the time they returned. It wouldn’t be long before Lord Herod arrived—if he wasn’t already within the fortress walls.

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