Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 68

It was during my time at Alpha Academy, a period filled with lessons and challenges, that the realization struck me hard: I had to stop losing consciousness. It was a peculiar thought, yet I couldn’t help but consider that having two distinct entities cohabiting within a single body might drive anyone to the brink of fainting. In the depths of my mind, Mona huffed in irritation, her annoyance a palpable force that jolted me back into awareness. The chill of the air wrapped around me like a frigid blanket, and I could feel the prickling goosebumps rising on my skin. Slowly, I blinked, my vision gradually sharpening as I shivered against the cold.

It dawned on me that I was in motion, being carried by someone. I attempted to pry my eyes open once more, but the weight of exhaustion was too great, and they snapped shut again, surrendering to the darkness.

“Just relax,” a soothing voice urged, wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

For a fleeting moment, I thought it was Mona’s voice echoing in my head, but then I realized that Mona’s tone was never that deep. With great effort, I tried to open my eyes again, and through the haze, I could make out the blurry silhouette of a man with tawny brown hair.

“We really need to stop meeting like this,” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper.

“Stop putting yourself in compromising situations, and we will,” Valentin replied, his tone devoid of any bite, simply stating the facts with a calmness that both irritated and comforted me.

Seeking warmth from the biting wind that stung my skin, I nestled my face against his chest, instinctively curling closer. A shiver coursed through me, and Valentin’s hand tightened around my ribcage, a protective gesture. “We’re almost to the infirmary,” he said softly. “Just go back to sleep, and when you wake up, it will be warm.”

It was a compelling argument, one I found hard to resist. I let the exhaustion wash over me like a tide, slipping back into a deep slumber, a soft “M’kay” escaping my lips. Yet, Mona remained a restless presence in my mind, darting around with uncontained energy. She surged to the forefront, and I found myself waking once more.

The familiar rhythmic beeping of the infirmary greeted my ears, followed by a groan that slipped from my lips involuntarily. My head throbbed like I had been trampled by a herd of wild horses, and instinctively, my hand shot up to cradle it. I heard a shuffle beside me.

With great effort, I cracked one eye open and turned my gaze to the right. There he was again—Valentin Lunerly, seated in the chair beside my bed. His expression was as neutral as ever, a familiar sight that somehow both soothed and frustrated me. I pushed myself up, wincing as I did so, and raised an eyebrow at him, trying to ignore the fire raging in my head.

“Do you even have emotions?” I asked, half-joking, half-serious.

“I do,” he replied flatly. “You know I do.”

I pressed my lips together, recalling the training sessions we had endured. The way our bodies had intertwined, the heat radiating between us—it sent a blush creeping up my cheeks, a reminder of the intensity that had lingered. I quickly shifted the subject to something more pressing.

“Did I win?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Did you win?” Valentin echoed, his tone bemused. “I wasn’t aware it was a contest.”

“No,” I replied, tilting my head slightly. “But I would like to know.”

Valentin shifted in his seat, leaning forward slightly. “Did you shatter Mr. Moonraiser’s leg and then hold him by the neck before you were ordered to drop him?” he queried. “Yes?”

“Oh, I felt a rush of heat bloom in my cheeks, mixed with a swell of pride.

We are triumphant, Mona mused triumphantly in the back of my mind, her essence glowing with satisfaction.

“For a non-contest,” I reminded her, my thoughts racing.

“Semantics,” she retorted, her tail swishing playfully before she vanished once again into the recesses of my mind.

I took stock of my body, assessing the aftermath of my latest ordeal. Aside from the pounding in my head, everything seemed relatively fine. I rolled my neck, but suddenly froze, a tightness gripping the skin on the right side. It felt fresh, almost new. A gasp escaped my lips as memories surged back, vivid and overwhelming.

Liquid gushing into my fur, the tearing sensation in my neck, the yelp that had escaped my throat, and Kairos’s wolfish grin flashing in my mind.

I licked my lips nervously and lowered my gaze to my hands. I could feel Valentin’s eyes on me, assessing my reaction.

“I don’t see your fiancée enjoying that much,” I deadpanned, trying to mask my concern.

Valentin shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and when I turned to look at him, I noticed his jaw clenched again, a flicker of emotion breaking through his carefully constructed mask.

“Bella understands I have a duty,” he choked out, determination lacing his words. “I will ensure she does.”

I hummed in response, but anger simmered beneath the surface. Bella was the least understanding person I knew, especially considering she viewed me as a threat.

Which I was.

Because Valentin was my fated mate.

“How’s the wedding planning going?” I asked, attempting to sound casual, but the bitterness seeped through my tone.

I locked eyes with Valentin, and in that moment, I saw a storm of emotions cross his face—hate, anger, frustration. He stood abruptly, tension radiating from him as he walked toward the door of my room, rigid and unyielding. He opened the door, casting me one last look, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Same time and place,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

With that, the door slammed shut, leaving me enveloped in silence, the weight of the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.