Their Hidden Princess (Zora and Maximus) novel Chapter 247

Chapter 247

“He was already her knight, and he did a piss poor job of it,” Max said bitterly.

“He was following the orders of our Queen then,” Valentin said. “What I’m asking now is not a vow of service because of duty, but because you want to follow your own true heart.”

At once, Thorne dropped to his knees in the soggy dirt. He dipped his head low, bowing to me. “For the rest of my life, you have my loyalty and my fealty, Zora Luna. I am your knight, to be used at your discretion. However you see fit.”

Max huffed with clear disbelief.

Kairos continued to growl, openly hostile.

“I accept,” I said to Thorne, ignoring my other mates. Though, I was no fool either, and had not forgotten the hurt Throne had previously put upon me, so I added, “For now.”

That seemed to satisfy but Max and Kairos. Max nodded with approval. Kairos finally stopped growling.

“Stand, Thorne,” I said.

He pushed himself back up to his feet.

Max stepped forward then, grabbing Thorne threateningly by the shoulder. “I’m not fucking around, Blythwitch. We aren’t at the Academy anymore. This is war.”

“We’ll both be keeping an eye on you,” Kairos said, stepping to Thorne’s other side. “Old friend or no, if you show even a vague sign of betrayal, we are going to kill you.”

“No one will threaten our mate or our princess,” Max said.

Thorne looked between the two of them, his gaze steady. “I will never hurt her again.

“”

In my chest, my heart pounded fiercely, the Thorne-shaped hole finally starting to fill.

That night, I stood by the window and watched as Thorne, in his wolf form, curled up on the grass to sleep under the stars. He had a room here, with a second pair of bunk-beds, but when Valentin had offered it to Thorne, he had refused.

“I don’t deserve it,” he had said then.

Valentin reached up with his free hand and unhooked the sash holding back the curtains. They fluttered closed, blocking our view of the outside.

I turned in his arms, resting my face to his chest. He closed his arms around me and held me tight.

In his arms, I could be strong.

Lifting his hand, he cupped my cheek. Then, with such kindness, he turned my face up toward his.

Devotion shone brightly in his eyes. I could feel it all the way down to my soul.

“I’m very proud of you,” he said. Softer, with a small smile, he added, “My mate.”

I placed my hand on the center of his chest, right over his heart, feeling his heart beat in tandem with mine.

“Mine,” he whispered.

Then he leaned down and kissed me.