Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 112

**Zora**

In that moment, it felt as though time itself had come to a standstill within Kairos’s room. The tension was palpable, and it was as if everyone present had been turned to stone, caught in the web of Kairos’s unsettling foresight. His expression was a mix of fury and disbelief, his piercing gaze flicking between me, Maximus, Amara, and her mysterious companion, as if searching for answers in our faces. An uncomfortable silence enveloped us, stretching on indefinitely, until finally, it was Loren who broke the spell.

“We were just looking for a bathroom,” she squeaked out, her voice barely above a whisper. “We stumbled in here, and Princess Amara was already with… him.” She gestured awkwardly toward Amara’s Alpha friend.

“My name’s Dave,” he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain as he fixed his eyes on Loren. “We have like ninety percent of our classes together, you know.”

Loren waved her hand dismissively at him, her expression softening as she turned her attention back to Kairos. “Sorry?” she offered, her voice laced with uncertainty.

“Out,” Kairos commanded, his voice a low growl that resonated with the authority of an Alpha. Instantly, chaos erupted as everyone scrambled to vacate the room. Maximus quickly helped me to my feet, and we were halfway out the door when Kairos blocked our path.

“Not you,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing as I lifted my chin defiantly. Under normal circumstances, I would have relished a verbal spar with Kairos, feeling empowered to challenge him. But after the whirlwind of emotions that had swept through me earlier, I felt utterly drained. Luckily, the warmth of Maximus’s presence wrapped around me like a protective shield.

“Not now, Kairos,” Maximus warned, his voice steady and firm.

“Your girlfriend can speak for herself,” Kairos retorted, his gaze now fixed on me, a flicker of challenge in his eyes. “Our second fight. You said best two out of three.”

“I did,” I sighed, fatigue weighing heavily on my shoulders. “When do you want to do it?”

“Next week,” Kairos replied, his voice unwavering. “Saturday.”

“Fine,” I acquiesced with a resigned sigh. “Can I go now?”

Kairos’s jaw tightened as he scrutinized me, his expression a mix of annoyance and something softer that I couldn’t quite place. When he wasn’t scowling, he had an unexpected charm about him—his freckles lending him an air of boyishness, and his hair curling in a way that made him almost endearing. He was undeniably handsome.

As if sensing my internal struggle, Maximus’s hand tightened around my waist, grounding me. I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel the confusing thoughts swirling in my mind about Kairos. I inhaled sharply and pushed past him, feeling an almost electric connection as our shoulders brushed. Dismissing it as a mere figment of my imagination, we stepped out of his room.

**Chapter 112**

**+25 Bonus**

Maximus escorted Loren and me back to our dorm room in a comfortable silence. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, and Loren and I exchanged glances but said little. Maximus occasionally broke the quiet, checking in to see if I was cold or if everything was alright. When we finally reached our door, Loren paused, her expression inviting as she gestured for me to enter.

My gaze instinctively drifted toward Maximus as he prepared to open his own door. I shot Loren a pleading look, silently asking for help. “Go,” she mouthed with a reassuring smile before gently closing our door behind her. I turned my attention back to Max, who was now halfway into his room, hesitating as he looked back at me.

Despite the earlier turmoil surrounding Valentin, a magnetic pull drew me toward him at that moment. He represented a sense of safety amidst the chaos that had unfolded throughout the night. As he held the door open wider, I ducked my head and scurried inside, the weight of uncertainty settling back on my shoulders.

Once the door clicked shut, my nerves flared anew. Would he push me against the wall again, his hands exploring every inch of my body? Would he expect something from me simply because I had stepped into his space? My heart raced in my chest.

“We don’t have to,” Maximus said softly, his voice steady and calming. I turned to face him, finding him leaning casually against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, exuding an air of relaxed confidence.

“I can’t explain it. It’s like I know there’s something there, but part of it feels incomplete,” he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

“I feel the same way,” I mumbled, my heart heavy with unspoken truths.

I refrained from elaborating on the ache I felt for Valentin, the way I craved his touch, and how my encounters with Maximus, while pleasurable, didn’t fill the void left by him. I also kept quiet about Thorne, who lingered in my mind like an irritating itch I couldn’t scratch.

So, I chose silence, letting my body fall back against Maximus’s bed. I stared up at the ceiling, my eyelids growing heavy as I succumbed to fatigue. I heard the rustle of Max getting off the bean bag, followed by the soft thud of his body landing beside me on the bed. Our legs dangled off the edge, our backs pressed against the cool mattress.

I turned my head slowly, locking eyes with Maximus. His dark golden eyes sparkled with an emotion I hadn’t noticed before, and I felt the urge to reach out and capture that fleeting moment. My hand brushed against his cheek, and to my surprise, he leaned into my touch, eyes fluttering shut. A spark ignited in my skin where we connected. His hand came up to cover mine, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through our arms.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, concern etched in his features. “From earlier.”

I nodded, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within me. “Just thinking about the last time I was there. I got too caught up in my anxiety.”

“It won’t happen again,” Maximus promised, his voice firm yet gentle. “I’ll always protect you, Zora. I promise.”

He pressed a soft kiss to the center of my palm, and I felt myself melt into his touch, warmth spreading through me. He sat up and began to shed his shirt and jeans, and I followed suit, swapping my bra for one of his oversized shirts. We pulled back the covers of his bed, sliding beneath them as Maximus wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth.

His lips brushed against the top of my head, and I heard him murmur once more, “I promise.”

Those words were enough to lull me into a peaceful sleep.