Semua Bab BOUND TO THE DEMON LORD: Bab 61 - Bab 70

🎀 CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE 🎀 Nil sat at the back of the inn on a worn wooden bench, his body slouched, eyes fixed on nothing. The noise around him, laughter, clinking cups, low chatter, felt distant, like it belonged to another world. He shouldn’t have come. The regret sat heavy in his chest, bitter and deep. He had crossed lands for Zayla. Risked everything. And in the end… she went back to Lord Asher. No letter. No word. Just silence. His jaw tightened. His hand curled into a fist. Soft footsteps approached from behind. He didn’t turn. But the scent reached him anyway, jasmine. Faint. Familiar. Sera. She moved carefully, as if afraid he might snap at her, then sat beside him. He didn’t push her away. That alone startled her. After an heartbeat, she shifted closer. Then, slowly, she rested her head on his shoulder. She froze, waiting for him to shove her off. He didn’t. The warmth of her seeped into him. He stayed still, letting it happen. Her breath was light. H

🎀CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE🎀 Asher didn’t turn back. “Release the others,” he said casually, as if dismissing servants. “All of them.” Kai hesitated only a second before signaling the guards. Knives flashed. Ropes were cut. The Vatrish men slumped, groaning as consciousness returned, eyes widening in horror when they took in the scene, Nil on his knees. Not one of them spoke. Not one of them moved. Fear had nailed them to the ground. Asher finally faced them. His gaze swept over the men slowly, deliberately, like a ruler counting livestock. “You’ve seen enough for one lifetime,” he said mildly. “Take him.” Orion was already there, rushing to Nil’s side, dropping to his knees. “Your Highness,” he whispered urgently, arm wrapping around Nil’s shoulders. “Can you stand?” Nil nodded once. Barely. His legs trembled as Orion helped him up. Asher watched them with detached interest. “You have five seconds,” he said calmly. “All of you.” He lifted a finger. “One

🎀CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE🎀 Lyra stared at Maera like the words hadn’t landed properly. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Maera tilted her head, then laughed. A thin, sharp sound. Ugly. Amused. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she said lightly. “One would think I asked you to burn down the palace.” Lyra swallowed hard. “I....I can’t,” she said, her voice shaking. “I can’t kill someone. Not her. Lady Zayla has been… kind to me.” Maera’s smile faded. She turned away, gliding toward a chair, and sat with slow grace. One leg crossed over the other. “Kind?” she repeated softly. “That’s what’s stopping you?” Lyra’s hands clenched at her sides. “She trusts me,” she said. “She’s never treated me like dirt.” Maera waved a dismissive hand. “Enough.” Then, coldly, “I’ll give you tonight. It came suddenly....I’ll grant you that. Think it over.” Lyra shook her head, backing away. “I can’t. I can’t kill a person. I can’t....” She didn’t finish. Maera flicked her hand.

🎀 CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE🎀 Slyvara turned sharply. Maera stood a short distance away, her hand faintly glowing. A slow, satisfied smirk curved her lips. Lyra gasped. “My lady....! My lady!” She ran to Zayla’s side, dropping to her knees where Zayla lay unmoving against the wall. “my lady… please, wake up.” Slyvara’s blood ran cold. Fury snapped in her eyes.“What have you done?” she barked. “Lord Asher will not let this slide.” Maera laughed, brushing imaginary dust from her hands as she stepped closer. “Lord Asher?” she scoffed. “He won’t touch me.” Her gaze flicked briefly to Zayla’s limp form. “She’s nothing. A nuisance that wandered where she didn’t belong.” Slyvara took a threatening step forward. “If she dies...” Maera cut her off, voice sharp and cruel. “Then it’s good news. One less problem.” She turned away without another glance. “Clean up your mess, demon.” And with that, Maera walked off, her laughter echoing faintly behind her. Slyvara didn’t chase her

🎀CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN🎀 The silence that followed was thick, brutal, suffocating. Not a single man dared speak. Rian leaned back. “Lost your tongues all of a sudden?” One of the ministers, finally cleared his throat. “Your Highness… how are we to know people… people strong enough to face someone like Asher? Such men… such power… they don’t exist in our world.” Another, older and grimmer, spat on the floor. “Even if they did, Your Highness… calling on them would be madness. No man dares answer to the likes of him and live.” Then a voice broke the tension. “I… I know a mountain wizard,” one minister said. All heads snapped toward him. Silence fell again, heavier this time. Rian’s lips curved into a smile as he slammed his hand on the table, making the wine jostle in the goblets. “That’s what I’m talking about, Minister Gareth,” he said, grinning. “Finally… someone who doesn’t waste my time.” Rian leaned back, fingers drumming on the table. “So… tell me about this mou