Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 46

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**
**Chapter 46**

The bananas were the perfect snack that morning, their sweet, creamy texture providing just the right boost as we made our way to Basics. By the time we arrived, the last remnants of the fruit had vanished, leaving only the faint scent of their peel in the air. Just as Maximus had predicted the night before, Coach had taken it upon himself to pair us up for the day’s exercises. True to his word, I found myself alongside Maximus, a twist of fate that filled me with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

As I started to stride toward Maximus, who was stationed across the gym, Loren nudged me with her shoulder, a playful gesture that broke through my preoccupation. She was paired with another second-year student, a tall girl with cascading brown hair streaked with vibrant pink. I could see the nervousness etched on Loren’s face as she stepped onto the mat with her partner. A thought flickered in my mind to ask her about it later, to check in on how she felt about the pairing.

However, my attention quickly shifted to the most unfortunate sight of the morning: Bella sauntering up to the mat adjacent to Maximus. Her partner was a lanky guy with honey-colored hair that matched his piercing eyes. It was painfully obvious that Valentin had spilled the beans about our breakup, as Bella shot me a smug smirk that seemed to radiate self-satisfaction. My lips curled into a scowl in response, but I quickly turned back to Maximus, not wanting to give Bella any more of my energy.

Max must have sensed my irritation because he stepped in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t let her get to you,” he reassured me. “I promise she won’t start anything.”

“Why?” I asked, curiosity piquing my interest. “Do you have some dirt on her or something?”

Maximus flashed a knowing smirk, his confidence radiating off him. “Just trust me, okay?”

I glanced back at Bella, who was now glaring at me with her eyes darting between Maximus and me. With a playful wiggle of my fingers, I attempted to dismiss her, but she merely huffed and turned her attention back to her partner.

“Alright, everyone!” Coach’s booming voice echoed across the gym, amplified by a touch of lesser Magiks that made it resonate in our ears. “As you can see, everyone is paired up. This will be your sparring partner until after the Holiday break. So, get used to it!”

A chorus of disgruntled groans filled the air, particularly from Kairos and Petyr, who exchanged annoyed shoulder bumps in the center of the room. My upper lip twitched in amusement at their antics. Just then, Coach blew his whistle, a sharp sound that pierced through the chatter, causing everyone to wince as the sound reverberated in our ears.

“Sorry, sorry,” he muttered, adjusting his stance. “Today, we’re going to focus on escaping a ground pin. Moonraiser and Nguyen will demonstrate.”

With a sweeping gesture, Coach directed our attention to where Kairos and Petyr were preparing. Kairos settled onto the mat, lying on his back, while Petyr positioned himself atop him as if they were engaged in a wrestling match. In an impressive show of strength, Kairos managed to shove Petyr off him, flipping their positions with a grunt.

“Good!” Coach called out, his voice full of enthusiasm. “Now, let’s see the reverse swing, Moonraiser.”

Kairos nodded at Coach, determination etched across his face. He shifted onto all fours, and Petyr quickly wrapped his arms around Kairos’s neck. With a swift motion, Kairos seized Petyr’s arm, gritting his teeth in concentration. In one fluid movement, he yanked Petyr over his head, sending him crashing back onto the mat with a resounding thud.

“Excellent, again!” Coach shouted. “Now, everyone, work on your stances with your partners. A few of the third years and I will be circulating to give pointers. Begin!”

As I turned to face Maximus, my eyes widened in disbelief. There was no way I could throw him—he towered over me at six feet and then some. The setup for this drill felt daunting, and I swallowed hard, uncertainty gnawing at me.

Maximus caught my gaze, nodding slightly. His pupils had dilated, a clear sign of his focus as Coach set us off. I realized I was still staring at him, my mind racing with the absurdity of being expected to know how to execute this move.

“Good,” he gasped, an approving nod from him urging me on. “Now use your legs to bracket my hips and roll us over.”

I nodded, my determination solidifying. Keeping my arm pinned against Maximus’s neck, I maneuvered my legs out from under him and shifted my weight to his sides, feeling the jolts of energy pulse through my skin as I made contact with him. Another wave of heat coursed through me, and I bit my lip to suppress a moan that threatened to escape. Maximus dipped his head slightly, a low grunt escaping him, and I frowned, suddenly worried that I was causing him pain.

“Are you—” I began, but he interrupted me.

“Finish the drill, Zora,” he urged, his gaze averted, focused on the task at hand.

I complied, pressing down with both points of contact, swinging myself and Maximus over until I found myself on top. His hands instinctively found their way to my hips, shaking me free from the pin on his throat. But before I knew it, I was back on my back with a thud.

Electricity surged through my bones, and a cry of surprise slipped from my lips. Everything felt as if it were igniting with fire. I peeled my back off the mat and made contact with Maximus’s solid chest. His head fell next to mine, and I heard a string of curse words tumble from his lips, frustration mingling with disbelief.

It didn’t matter that we were surrounded by classmates in Basics; a primal need coursed through me, overwhelming and foreign. Tremors shook my body, and I slammed my eyes shut, desperately trying to regain control. Then, just like that, the moment passed.

I opened my eyes to find Maximus across the mat, on his knees. Above him, gripping his shirt tightly, was Thorne Blythwitch.