Chapter 76 AEKEIRA The unknown mistress led Ackeira through the courtyard of the southern Wings , then deep into the western wines w … every step , Ackeiras dread deepened .
Slaves and soldiers alike howed low as they passed , whispers rusting in their wake .
This woman held power , a palpable force that thrummed in the air around her .
Finally , they stopped by the river , its gentle murmur a stark contrast to the tension crackling between them .
I am Lady Merilyn , the woman declared , her voice clear and cool .
Bondmate to High Lord Henry , overseer of domestic affairs .
And- she paused , her lips curving in the barest hint of a smile -bloodhost to the third ruler of Urai .
Ackeiras eyes widened .
You are Grand Lord Vladyas bloodhost ? Now it all made sense , the deference this woman was not only the closest to a grand lord but also the wife of a high lord of the court .
The mistress nodded .
And you are the human princess , Aekeira , am I correct ? Yes , Mistress , Aekeira confirmed , her voice small .
ilt .
Her gaze swept over I have been eager to meet you .
My … condition has made navigating this vast fortress quite di Ackeira , lingering in a way that sent a shiver down her spine .
You are remarkably beautiful for a human .
Now I understand why Vlad is so … captivated The last word hung in the air , heavy and strange .
Ackeira blinked , utterly baffled .
Huh ? What did the mistress mean ? Captivated ? I have heard that Grand Lord Vladya has taken a particular interest in you .
Is it true that he has claimed you ? The question .
while not unexpected , felt like a hand closing around Aekeiras throat .
Uhm .
I dont under- He mounts you , does he not ? The mistresss bluntness sliced through Arkeiras hesitation .
Her cheeks burned , but the truth was unavoidable .
She nodded single , jerky movement .
And how was it ? the mistress pressed , her eyes glinting with an unreadable curiosity .
Painful .
He is not … gentle .
Understatement of the century .
The fact that Lord Vladya hadnt killed her yet was honestly surprising .
He despises me .
I know he does .
Vlad has his reasons for harboring a deep seated hatred of humankind .
Thats why I find his desire for you … intriguing .
You see , although Vlad may detest humans , he generally refrains from sexually engaging with them .
Despite having countless human slaves over the centuries , he has never taken any of them to his bed .
Lady Merilyn tilted her head , studying Ackeira like a specimen .
That revelation was unexpected .
Confusing .
At least now Ackeir understood why Vladya had accused her of witchcraft .
So , you can understand my fascination .
Merilyns words hovered in the air like smoke .
How does a small human female like you manage to elicit such a loss of control in the mighty Vladya ? If you were a syren , I would assume you were his Soulbond .
She stepped closer , her closeness stilling .
Her nostrils flared as she bent towards Ackeiras neck , a predator scenting prey .
Not a syren , just a human .
So what exactly is happening here ? Lhonestly have no idea , Mistress , Aekeira replied sincerely .
Silence stretched between them , the rivers murmur suddenly too loud .
16:58 Sat , Dec 28 Chapter 76 Do you know why he hates your kind so ardently ? Lady Merilyns question was softer , almost hesitant .
easy one to answer .
It is because of the tragic fate that befell the grand king and his family .
And his own That was an easy people .
56 % Oh , if only it were that simple .
A sigh escaped the mistress , and for a moment , the weight of power seemed to slip from her shoulders .

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You see , Vlad has always had bad luck when it comes to forming bonds .
Among all the rulers , he desired a family the most .
He desperately longed for a bondmate .
And out of all of them , fate was most unkind to him .
She sighed .
First , he searched for his Soulbond .
Even when everyone laughed at him and dismissed it as a pipedream , as Soulbonds were rare or even extinct , he didnt give up .
Vlad traveled through kingdoms , crossed lands and oceans , searching for her .
From the Urekai land to other species across the world A faint smile graced Merilyns face .
He used to be quite the hopeless romantic , always spinning tales of love .
Aekeira would bet gold coins that her mouth hung open .
Dumbfounded .
The image of Lord Vladya painted by Merilyn seemed entirely incongruous .
She simply couldnt envision Lord Vlad in that light .
Unbelievable , I know .
But , true , Merilyns eyes glittered with an unnerving intensity .
However , when he eventually gave up on his quest , admitting defeat , he mourned a Soulbond he never had .
Centuries later , he exrienced his first love .
He was he customary seven days .
deeply in love with her , but after undergoing the bonding ritual , the bond failed to form wi Do you understand what it means for an Urekai boriding ritual to fail ? Ackeira got the idea , but shook her head nonetheless Very cruel .
It is natures , the moons , Ukraes , and fates way of declaring .
Your souls do not align , and thus , you two cannot be together .
Merilyn had a sorrowful expression on her face .
is an exceedingly cruel fate .
We are not granted our Soulbond , yet we cannot be with the ones we love because our souls do not connect .
And once a bonding ritual fails , it is impossible to become bondmates .
Consequently , one must let go of the person they love .
Truly heartbreaking , Ackeira murmured , the words barely a whisper .
Its far more than that , Merilyn replied , her voice tight , the focus on the river a shield against Ackeiras own emotion .
It is soul shattering .
With each failed bonding ritual , Vladyas heart grew colder and more callous .
His soul fractured .
It seemed as though both heaven and hell conspired against his happiness .
He witnessed other lords and grand lords go through the bonding ritual successfully and have a bondmate .
He watched as they struggled to bear offspring , a struggle all Urekai knew , yet in the end , they built families .
And all the while , his own bonding rituals consistently failed .
When I became his bloodhost a thousand years ago , love and family were no longer dreams for him .
Merilyns voice cracked , just slightly .
They were the ghosts that haunted him .
Hed closed those doors , hardened , and simply brushed off any female advances by giving them the cold shoulder .
Our females adored him ; they all wanted him , but Vladya had shut himself off .
He was done .
A shadow fell over Merilyns eyes .
Then , I fell in love with him .
Ackeiras eyes widened .
She hadnt expected that .
Merilyn offered a small , sad smile .
I did .
It was incredibly difficult to break through those walls he built around himself .
He pushed me away more often than he drew me close .
However , as his bloodhost , we already shared armique bond .
Each bloodfeeding intensified my feelings for him and gradually eroded his defenses .
It took two hundred years , but I succeeded .
He fell for me , and he fell hard .
Oh , Aekeira didnt like where this was going at all .
She felt a growing sense of unease .
The bond … it didnt form ? she whispered fearfully 16.58 Sat Dec 28 Chapter 77