Chapter 67
(Lily’s POV)
It was the first day of exams, and my nerves were buzzing before I left my room. I had just pulled on my school sweater when Aunt Lamia knocked and stepped inside, holding a small white box.
She handed it to me without saying anything at first. When I opened it, I found a white bracelet with a smooth, shimmering oval–shaped stone set in the center.
“I made this for you,” she said, placing it gently around my wrist. “To remind you that no matter what happens, you’re loved. You’re growing into someone strong, Lily, and I’m proud of you.”
My throat tightened. I nodded and hugged her tightly. “This means alot to me, Aunt Lamia. I’m forever going to treasure this.”
She kissed my forehead, just when Dev’s car horn interrupted our moment.
I grabbed my bag to head out the door when Aria came to the window, grinning wide as she shouted, “Let’s go crush these exams and leave school, GIRL!”
“You’ve got this,” Aunt Lamia whispered behind me. I looked back and smiled before shutting the door.
I climbed into the backseat beside Tobe, who immediately tossed me a juice box.
“Drink, It’s a brain fuel,” he snickered.
“Thanks, mom” I laughed.
The car was loud, full of the kind of energy that made your shoulders relax. Aria was skimming through her notes and memorizing some points under her breath, while Tobe kept poking at her book to annoy her. Dev drove calmly, but I could see the slight smirk tugging at his lips.
“So….” Tobe began, stretching the word until I looked at him suspiciously. “How does it feel to be the future Queen of the
realm?”
“What?” I blinked.
“Oh please,” Aria grinned, leaning forward as she abandoned her books. “Zion is the Crowned Prince, and you’re his mate. It’s basic math.”
“Zion hasn’t told his parents yet,” I muttered, glancing down at my bracelet.
“He will,” Dev said without looking away from the road. “He’s now acting right.”
I groaned and covered my flushed cheeks. “You’re all ridiculous,” I muttered, trying to hide my smile.
“Ridiculously right,” Tobe said, and they all burst into laughter:
By the time we arrived at school, I couldn’t stop smiling. We walked across the parking lot in step, laughing at Aria’s dramatic pep talk about finally escaping school life.
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Chapter 67
The big exam hall buzzed with nervous energy. My schoolmates shuffled around with papers, whispering last–minute notes, and clutching their pens like weapons.
Some waved at me, while some nodded. I guessed it was simply them being nice, realizing that school was going to be over and we wouldn’t be seeing each other often. But what really caught my attention was how students from other classes looked at Dev, Tobe and Aria. They liked them.
“Dev, good luck!” a girl called out, flashing a bright smile.
“Would you be having your beast duel later today? I’d love to see..” another girl asked Tobe, bouncing on her toes.
He smiled lazily. “Yeah.”
Both girls giggled like he’d said something poetic.
I leaned toward Aria. “Are they always like this?”
Aria rolled her eyes. “You’d think they’ve never seen a boy before.”
“They’re not that charming.”
“Tell that to the girls,” she said with a grin.
The first two exams passed in a blur of scribbled answers, and sore fingers. When the break bell rang, I stood up immediately to use the restroom.
It was empty when I entered. I did my business and left the stall to wash my hands in the sink. After drying my hands, I stepped into the corridor… and froze.
Kade was standing there, leaning casually against the wall.
His expression was calm, but his eyes held disdain and amusement.
I walked forward without a word, but then he stepped directly into my path.
“So, Lily…” he said slowly, “I’ve been watching you,”
I frowned. “Okay?”
“And I don’t like that you get in the way of Celeste. Your existence makes her suffer.” he said with a twitch of smile.
It felt like he was spewing gibberish and I made to step around him again but he blocked me.
“You think you matter in this story? You’re just a disgusting placeholder. It has always been about Celeste and Zion.”
I looked him in the eye. “You sound crazy.”
He leaned in slightly with a smirk “I know about the figure you saw in the cafeteria. Creepy, wasn’t it? That little shadow in the corner watching you?”
My breath caught in my throat.
“You’re not safe, Lily,” he whispered. “This isn’t a fantasy tale. You’re simply a piece on the board, and some of us are tired of
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Chapter 67
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watching you play games with our Queen.”
“Get help, you’re sick.” I whispered.
He tilted his head. “You hurt her again, and I’ll make sure that you kiss this world goodbye. You messed with the wrong family at Zelda’s party. Next time, I won’t just watch.”
Before I could say anything, the bell rang sharply.
I turned toward the sound. When I looked back, he was gone.
The hallway was empty… but the dread he left behind sank into my bones like poison.
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AD
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