Chapter 21
(Zion’s POV)
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and for a second, I didn’t recognize the guy looking back at me. My eyes were heavy, with dark bags under them, and my hair was a mess, I was dressed for school, yet I didn’t feel like the prince I was supposed to be
The room around me was everything one could ask for, shiny marble floors, velvet curtains, gold–framed mirrors. But none of that mattered right now, it felt like I was slowly losing my mind.
Ragnar hadn’t stopped growling and howling in my head since the confrontation with Lucien and Lily at school. He was scared that Lily would be claimed by someone else. Scared that she’d soon reject us, and worst of all because of my cousin.
When Lucien called Lily his girlfriend, my heart dropped and Ragnar lost it. He wanted in rip everything apart, Lucien, the crowd, anyone that looked like a threat. I felt the dark rage build… If I had shifted completely that day, I don’t think I would’ve come back raily.
And then Celeste happened,
She stepped in, trying to save the day and claimed she did it to protect me so i not sure I feel any
different
sildn’t do something shapst, hat Ragnar haired her for it, and I’m
Although, since the day we found out Lily was mir mate, Ragnar and I never agreeil on a thing but right told Lily that Lucien was my cousin. We are so desperate….
Maybe if she had known that, or seen him around the palace before, she wouldn’t have accepted him. But her and his mother only the human realm a few days after Lily was sent away.
I missed the way she used to look at me, like I was more than just a brother. But was I rern think thought it would make her forget what we had. I didn’t think they would actually date or have any
Iran a land over my face
What if she really falls for him!
Before I could think further, Zelda’s voice interrupted the silener
“Zion! You’re taking forever! Let’s get going!”
ther
I growled quietly, and grabbed my backpack from the chair before storming out. The second I opened the door, Zelda was
me back from
“You know we’re riding together today and you still decided to take forever just to look goo” she paused mid–sentner. “Woah, you look like a walking nightmare. You good?”
I didn’t answer, I just walked past her.
When we reached the grand foyer, I saw our parents. My Dad was kissing Mom softly on the forehead as he got ready to leave. Normally, Zelda and I would gag and tell them to get a room. But today! That little moment of love only made my chest burn.
I mumbled a greeting and headed for the car waiting outside.
The guards bowed as we passed. Some of the maids whispered and giggled when they saw n
Zelda got in the car beade me, throwing her bag in t
Would I ever have what my parents have?
saw me but I didn’t even look at them
first, and I leaned against the window, my chest tight
I used to think Celeste was perfect. But now, I couldn’t stop thinking that I had loved Lily before we knew we were mates Because this pain? It wasn’t just from the mate bond. It felt deeper, fresher, torturous, reckless, like I was falling apart.
I remember the momings, how she would rush into class late, sometimes with her hair all over the place. She was so beautiful. I knew all her expressions by heart. The way she bit her lip when she was nervous, the way she lit up when she laughed.
I would steal glances at her when no one was looking, but always told myself that it was wrong. That she was my adopted sister, but hand I tried. I couldn’t stop.
She made me feel tongue–tied around her, and I would go silent or cold just to hide how I felt about her.
no matter how
was scared of raining us
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Chapter 21
And now I was losing
her
I closed my eyes and swallowed the hurt. I didn’t want to cry next to Zelda. As much as we hicker and argue, we love each other, and she would notice. She would worry.
ch a gentle touch on my arm “Zion are you okay? You’ve been awfully sad since Sienna’s party.” Zekla said.
I opened my mouth to say something when the chauffeur’s voice interrupted.
“Your highnesses, we will be turning now to pick–up Lady Celeste
Immediately. Zelda rolled her eyes and moved away. She sighed so loud it filled the car.
That was when it hit me
our parents for
She disliked Celeste, and merely tolerated her because of me. Celeste was the reason she avoided school rides with me and begged our her own ride to school
wasn’t about to ruin this
rare moming with my sister
“No.” I said, sitting up straighter. “We’re not picking up Celeste today, keep driving”
The chauffeur was stunned, and stuttered “yes, your highness”
Zelda smiled and threw a happy fist into the air.
I was in my private room thinking about how I would approach Lily, when I felt someone trying to mind–link me, It was Principal Thamior. I let
“Prince Zion, see me in my office now his voice came rough, and Ragnar snarled at his rudeness. We never liked Principal Thamior because he was one of the elder of the royal council who tries to make my life miserable. Too bad, he is also Kade’s father.
When I stepped into his office, the man was standing beside his window. He didn’t waste time. “My ears are everywhere in the school… and I’ve been petung disturbing rumors about
You and JOHUR cousin fighting over a girl.
Then be turned to look at me “Goddess me I hope it’s not that outcast-
–
that Lily girl,”
Ragnar lifted has brad instantly, my eyes turning dark and soulless. Elder Thamior flinched and took a step backward,
“You will in Lily and Lucien be,” he said after regaining his voice. “Or I will tell your father. And we both know how the King would react to the duguring idea of his son harboring feelings for his adopted sister.”
lipe ruried. “Geleste best for you. She’s noble, and refined. The kind of girl that wouldn’t taint the royal family’s reputation. Don’t do anything Hundal Your Highness” be said the last part almost mockingly. I left his office with my tub, clenched.
Kated hom he spoke like I was some throur–bound puppet with no right to feel. Like I existed only to please everyone else. I hated that he, and the brider. Keep watching and judging my every move. They stole my childhood .. I was never allowed to make mistakes or fail even as a child. All
shaping me into their idea of a perfect king.
Kagnar. “When the tension dira down, we’ll find a way back to her and claim what’s ours”
scary groet. He didn’t like it that we have to wait, but he agreed reluctantly.
Bway toward by
ar wing Trended think to stay away from her but that was when I sawİL
ng sser Lấy, herbach possed in the wall, his face just inches tisan hers. He was
over. My Lostri sapped, my skin stretched, for tore through muscle in a flad of fury. In the blink of an eye, I was
wirdland through the hallway.
Chapter 21
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