7. En’Zal

"En'Zal, where are you going? Our ship is the other way," Khi"Zal says.

"I know."

I pace through the bowels of the Pleasure Palace, navigating its many winding paths meant to disorient and distract its drunk clientele. We pass brothel after brothel, each one offering different lurid and wanton acts of sin.

There's no room for error here. If Ro"Kal takes the human back to his lair…

I shudder to think about that. I will not allow it to happen.

The moment I saw her, I felt a change inside of me. A shift. My body was instantly primed for mating. My very soul yearned to claim her and mark her as my mate in the classic Erullian way.

I've never felt a sensation that strong.

I don"t even know her name. I know nothing about this creature except that she needs help, and I'll give it to her. Whatever happens next is up to her. If she rejects me…

It'll break me.

But I will cope. For the good of my people, I must. I will endure, but as a shade of what I could be.

None of that matters now. My feelings and desires are not important — only the human's safety matters. If I don't find where they are transporting her in the next few minutes, she's forever lost me.

I can smell her, but I do not see her anywhere. It drives me absolutely mad.

Our silver-masked human servant comes running after us.

"King En'Zal! Please, Your Highness! Where are you going!? Allow me to assist!?"

He's out of breath, struggling to keep up with my large paces. I turn around and grab him.

"WHERE'S THE VIRGIN?!" I growl with a ferocious intensity that surprises even me.

The human's silver-mask falls off, and to my shock, the male has no eyes. They've been plucked out. I release him, and he quickly grabs the mask and puts it back on.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Your Highness," he snivels. "I know my face is an affront."

I kneel down so that I'm level with him, and place my hand on his shoulder. "They did this to you?"

"Your Highness, I assure you?—"

"Stop the bullshit," I whisper. "Be honest with me, human. Your masters, the botu-kan, they did this to you, didn't they?"

He's silent for a moment. "Yes," he whispers. "And this is them being gracious, my lord."

I shake my head in disgust. I knew these slavers were depraved, but still. This must end. This will end. I swear on my people, this will end.

"The woman that was just auctioned — I want to save her. She's been bought by a very bad man, who makes the botu-kan seem nice. Tell me where she is and I'll save her life."

"You're risking a lot, upsetting the slavers," Khi"Zal says. "Not that I disagree, but as your advisor, I feel like I have to mention it."

"Noted, Khi"Zal," I say.

"Your Highness?" The masked male says. "Are you serious? You cannot stand up against the slavers. Not even an Erullian king can match their strength."

"I'm willing to take that bet. Tell me where she is."

The human takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his thin hair.

"There are secret tunnels for transporting cargo," he says. "There's a hidden entrance right over there. My keycard will open it."

"Good man. You have done well. Khi"Zal, prepare my vessel. I will be there shortly."

"Brother, you are playing with fire," Khi"Zal says. "I must remind you that your people need you. Alive."

"Khi"Zal, I need you to stop being my royal advisor for a moment, and start being my brother."

Khi"Zal grins and nods. "Very well then. As your brother, I say: Fuck them up."

I rip open my black tux, exposing my broad, scaled chest. I do my best fighting shirtless. "Will do, brother. Will do."