Chapter 34
(Lily’s POV)
Zelda squinted at us, suspicion practically radiating from her.
Zion said nothing. He just leaned lazily against the doorway, his gaze locked on me with a devilish glint- daring me to speak.
I mentally groaned.
“We were just… looking at his paintings,” I said, trying to sound casual as I stepped out but my voice came out strained.
Zelda tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. “Uh–huh. Then I want to see.”
Before she could move, Zion stepped forward, blocking the doorway. “No one gets in.” he said smoothly “Only Lily.”
Zelda scowled “Ugh! You’re so annoying, Zion.” She reached for my arm and pulled me away. “Come on, it’s my turn. You’ve had her all morning. I’m not letting you see her all day.”
Zion smirked but said nothing as she dragged me through the palace, taking a different route that led to the gardens.
The fresh scent of flowers met my nose the moment we stepped outside. But just as I opened my mouth to speak… whoosh! a sudden gust of wind whooshed past us.
And there he was. Zion.
Standing right in front of us, arms folded with that signature cocky smile on his lips.
“You also get thirty minutes with her,” he told Zelda.
Zelda scowled “You already had her for more than that in your stupid studio. Don’t think I don’t know what you two were doing.”
My heart fluttered.
“Zelda-” I started, cheeks flaming.
She glanced away dramatically. “You two came out smelling like each other. I’m not dumb.”
I tried to respond, fumbling for a reasonable excuse, but Zion just shrugged, unapologetic. “And so? She’s mine. You want to spend time with her? Be nicer to me.”
I turned to glare at him, but he just gave me a wink.
Zelda’s mouth dropped. “You arrogant-”
She suddenly launched herself at him, growling.
Zion laughed and dodged, and in an instant, they were both chasing each other around the garden like little kids. Flowers scattered, vines curled from the edges of the hedges… A breeze lifted the petals and tossed them into the air like confetti.
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Chapter 34
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I giggled at the sight.
Zion tackled Zelda gently to the grass, and she twisted out from under him, sticking her tongue out and crawling toward me like a mischievous kitten.
“Oh no,” I laughed, standing up to back away.
Too late. She grabbed my leg, and we both tumbled into the grass.
“I got her!” she cried.
Zion dropped beside us, laughing until his eyes crinkled.
I couldn’t help laughing too as we rolled around in the grass, petals in our hair, clothes stained green.
Eventually, we laid back on the soft ground, breathing hard. I was in the middle, both of them on either side, the sky bright above us.
Zelda turned to me, her voice quiet now. “Why did you always ignore me in school? Like we were strangers.”
I blinked at her, taken off guard.
She wasn’t angry. Just… hurt. Her eyes were glassy.
I swallowed hard. “Because I was scared. I thought you wouldn’t want to see me as your sister. Your friends always looked at me with pity… and I hated it. I felt like I didn’t belong, so I stayed away.”
Zelda’s eyes glistened. “I hated it. You’d walk right past me like I was nothing. And I missed you…. I missed having a big sister.”
Guilt surged through me. I reached out and pulled her into my arms. “I’m sorry. I was bitter and hurt, I blamed everyone… But I missed you too, Zelda, more than anything.”
She sniffled and hugged me tighter.
After a long moment, she pulled back, grinning “Well, it’s too late to get rid of me now because even if you try, I’m yours forever. The Moon Goddess made sure of that.”
I laughed, my heart lighter than it had felt in years.
But then I remembered something. When Zion had declared I was his earlier, Zelda hadn’t even looked surprised. She was just annoyed, almost like she already knew.
I blinked. “Wait… you know about us?”
Zelda nodded with a cheeky smile.
“I told her,” Zion added smoothly. “She helped me convince our parents to rebel against the council to bring you here.”
I stared at her, eyes stinging again.
Zelda leaned in and whispered, “Welcome back home, Lily. You’ve always belonged to us.”
I reached out and pulled her into another hug, this time tighter.
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Chapter 34
“Thank you,” I said, voice shaking. For once, I truly felt like I was home.
But our wonderful moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and the polite cough of two maids standing nearby. They bowed slightly.
“The Queen sent us, she’s been looking for you three. Lunch is ready.”
Zion groaned, Zelda rolled her eyes, and I let out a reluctant sigh.
“Race you!” Zelda grinned, jumping from the grass and darting off.
Zion looked at me with a smile playing on his lips. I took off running, the grass soft under my feet, heart pounding with laughter and breathless joy.
I knew the palace halls by heart, and I managed to beat them both to the dining hall. Although I knew Zion just let me win.
We were still giggling when we came to a sudden stop. The Queen was at the far end of the hall, arms wrapped warmly around a girl. “Guess who’s here?” she beamed.
When the girl turned, our laughter died in our throat.
Celeste’s face came into view, “Hello, Love” she said to Zion.
Then her eyes flickered to me, she smiled creepily “Hello, Lily. I have come to stay too.”
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