2.16

Erin couldn't believe his luck as he held the newborn princess in his arms. They had not had winged girls for many centuries, and he could not hold back his tears. As a patriot, he was always worried about the disappearance of his race and finally became the father of a real princess. He swaddled his treasure and spent a lot of time sitting next to the sleeping Kamily, touching his daughter. He couldn't stop admiring her huge lilac eyes and gentle face, smoothing her thin black hair.

The syrinxes organized a real celebration in honor of the birth of the princess. They sang hymns outside the palace, set off magical fireworks of colorful lights, and when Erin and Kamily came out with their daughter to greet the citizens, there was a general roar of jubilation. Erin was already a real hero, also became the father of a princess initiated as Launia.

Such an unheard of event that a former mortal woman was able to give birth to a girl with wings elevated Kamily to the rank of a Goddess. Everyone also wanted to recognize Erin as the Supreme Ruler with the status of Yary.

There was an opinion among the syrinxes that such a couple could produce many beautiful descendants and there was no need to violate their sacred union. All that remains is to wait until Palien and his fleet fly away to proclaim their orders, different from Xantari.

The Commander arrived at the holiday together with a yellow-eyed officer Ramies, who rummaged around the crowd as if looking for someone.

"Where is your brother?" Ramies asked Erin.

"Why do you need Lariel?"

"I want to meet him."

"Closer?" Erin chuckled. "You're not his type!"

"What kind of men does he prefer?"

"He likes girls... mostly. Brunettes! You are not!"

"Funny! Aren't herms attracted to guys?"

"He's been busy with other things lately. He has no lovers, as far as I know. Afraid of getting pregnant, I guess. He lives in the palace, if you can get there, you will meet him there."

"During our telepathic contact, did your brother mention some master who protects him? Are you his patron?"

"What are you talking about? Lar is most likely mocking you. He does not obey anyone, on his own mind, after the death of Darian's father."

***

The piercing yellow eyes alarmed Lariel, who woke up in an unfamiliar environment.

"What? Where I am? Who are you?"

He realized that he's paralyzed and could not move at all, lying on a couch against the wall in a windowless room softly lit by white light.

"Kidnapped me?" Lariel hissed to the officer who pointed his hand at him.

"I'm Ramies, I talked to you recently. Do not remember?"

"You have no right to touch me. I rejected you!"

"You have been ordered to be taken to Xantari by higher authorities."

"What kind of arbitrariness? My father, the Chief Archon, crowned me a Zarian Prince. Am I on a ship?"

Ramies nodded his head with a cheeky grin and tilted the couch into a more upright position, sitting closer to his captive.

"You're beautiful, even when you're angry," Ramies whispered languidly, touching his lilac hair and face with his lips. "What a aroma! Mmm... velvet skin. Baby doll!"

"I'm also naked," Lariel discovered with annoyance, trying to turn his head away from the sparkling-eyed officer, who sliding his palms with admiration over the relief of captive's body.

"Exceptional beauty... gorgeous. Probably there is no end to fans? How many lovers have you had in three hundred years? Lucky them!"

"None of your business! Let me go!" The paralyzed Prince was indignant.

"Hah! Nope! You cannot escape from my hands and today you will be mine.

Lariel bared his sharp, snow-white teeth.

"Just try! I will bite and scratch you."

"Hmm... I'll take you from behind, naughty one."

Ramies was not joking at all and, taking advantage of the prisoner's helplessness, sat him on his lap with his back. He buried his face between his wings, stroking his thighs and torso with moans.

"As an ancient aristocrat, I am worthy of descendants from the herm... I am happy that I have been given such an honor. You are just fertile, your scent intoxicates my mind... I have never smelled anything like this."

Lariel felt the officer's considerable excitement under his butt and in panic mentally shouted: "Rohen! Rohen! Save me!" 

Not really hoping for the Phoenix to come.

He appeared a couple of moments later in a purple haze with flaming eyes, large black wings opening menacingly. A seven-rayed diadem sparkled on his forehead, and crimson sparks rained from his palms.

"Release my vassal immediately!" Rohen shouted angrily.

"Phoenix! So that's what you are! Pathetic!" Ramies blurted out mockingly in surprise.

"You have no right to touch mine!"

Shocked by the sudden invasion, the officer left his victim on the couch and released paralyzing magic on the newcomer.

But Rohen easily absorbed it with his aura and shackled the ancient magician with a hard energy blow, knocking him to the floor in painful convulsions.

"A-ah! Nightmarish pain!" Ramies yelled hysterically. "You are a monster!"

Phoenix, not bothering to answer, picked up the prisoner with an angry look and disappeared.