Chapter 44
(Lily’s POV)
Π
1
日
79%
X
+201
Tears blurred my vision as I took off running, barely aware of where my feet were taking me. I didn’t know which pain hurt more; Zion rejecting me in front of everyone, or my friends stabbing me in the back.
I just needed to get away from the lies, whispers and everything.
I burst into the nearest restroom, slammed one of the stalls shut, and crumpled onto the closed lid of the toilet seat. The tears came in waves, harder than before, hot and unrelenting.
How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?
The betrayal cut deeper than I imagined. Zion had hurt me, yes–but Aria, Dev, and even Tobe? Theirs broke something in
- me.
They were only ones I had at some point in my life. I had thought that my life would get better but it only got worse.
I stayed there for what felt like forever, numb to the world. Girls came in and left, chatting about their crushes, but none of them noticed or cared that I was there.
When the bell finally rang for lunch and silence returned, I slipped out, head low, and with a heavy heart.
I knew I couldn’t stay in school any longer. Not today.
I slipped through the rear exit of the building, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and shifted into my beast.
Midnight–black fur rippled over my skin, sharp fangs stretched from my mouth, claws extended from my nails, and two horns curved from the top of my head. My eyes tinged red and I let out a low snarl. Vaelith and Ravena felt free and excited.
Then we ran, tearing through the forest with paws pounding the earth. Branches whipped past me, birds scattered, and the wind howled in my ears. I didn’t stop until the palace came into view.
Home.
I shifted back before reaching the main gates, panting and shaking. My legs were sore, but my heart hurt more.
I walked through the palace doors and paused just inside the grand hall, not sure where to go. Then I looked up.
There, on the topmost balcony, stood King Eros. He was gazing out across the courtyard, regal in his crimson and gold robes. His presence alone made everything else blur.
I was about to speak when he vanished.
And the next moment- He was in front of me.
King Eros looked at me softly and cupped my cheeks like I was something fragile.
And that did it, I burst into tears.
The sobs tore through me, and I didn’t care who saw or heard. I clung to him like a lifeline, pressing my face into his chest.
1/3
12:49 Wed, Jul 30
Chapter 44
“Dad.” I cried. “Dad, it hurts.”
He didn’t speak but just held me.
X
+20)
His arms wrapped around me with such strength and warmth that I felt like I might finally stop falling. Then he lifted me off the ground, carrying me bridal–style like I weighed nothing. I didn’t resist. I didn’t want to.
Gasps and murmurs echoed through the palace.
“Why is the King carrying her?”
“Is Lady Lily alright?”
“She looks like she’s been crying…”
Guards bowed, maids watched with wide eyes, whispering to each other, stunned by the sight but the King didn’t stop.
He walked straight past them all, into the royal wing. As soon as we entered the hallway, Queen Eden rushed forward, eyes wide with worry.
“Lily! What happened?” she asked, pulling me from the King’s arms into her own.
I couldn’t speak. I just cried silently, resting my head against her shoulder.
“Let’s take her to her room,” she whispered.
The King nodded, and together, they led me to my chambers.
Queen Eden draped a soft duvet over me and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll go make you something warm to drink,” she said gently. “Some juice with honey, hmm?”
I nodded weakly, still sniffling.
She left, and the King sat beside me on a stool, silent for a moment. His presence was grounding, steady.
“I didn’t mean to make you both worry,” I mumbled after a while.
His large hand gently held mine. “What happened, Lily?”
“I had a fight with my friends,” I whispered. “It got bad. I don’t think things will ever go back to the way they were.”
He sighed thoughtfully and gave my hand a light squeeze. “When I was younger, I had friends too. We didn’t always see eye to eye. We argued, and sometimes didn’t talk for days. But those who were true stayed, we always found our way back to each other.”
His words soothed something inside me.
“True friends fight, Lily,” he said. “It’s how you come back together that defines the friendship. Don’t throw it away if it’s worth saving.”
I looked up at him with red eyes and nodded slowly.
Just then, Queen Eden walked in, holding a steaming glass of warm juice. She had a proud smile on her face.
2/3
- 12.
vved, Jul 30
Chapter 44
79%
0
X
She must have overheard.
“There’s my strong girl,” she said, handing me the cup. “And my wise husband.”
For the first time today, I let out a soft laugh.
By evening, I was out of my room, walking the palace gardens to clear my head. The sun was beginning to dip and the creaked open in the distance.
The royal cars rolled in. Lucien, Zelda, Zion, Celeste were back from school.
The car doors opened and Zelda rushed toward me.
“Lily! I’ve been wanting to tell you….”
4 ”
14
A
A
7
” 9
E
But her voice was drowned out by the sharp sound of my hand slapping Lucien across the face.
Whack! The sound echoed across the palace entrance.
