Chapter 24
(Zion’s POV)
“Lily is your mate?”
Zelda’s voice was barely a whisper, but it sliced through the silence of my room like a dagger. She sat beside me on the bed, her fingers curling tightly into the edge of the mattress
I only nodded.
She blinked, once, then again. “You mean… our adopted sister? And you’re just telling me now?”
My throat was dry. I swallowed hard, struggling to find my voice, “I didn’t know how to say it. Everything’s been so complicated Even Mom and Dad can’t know yet.”
Her head snapped toward me. “Are you serious right now? They have to know! You can’t keep something like this from them, Zion!”
I raised both hands slightly, “Please, Zelda Just.., not yet. Promise me you won’t tell them.”
She stared at me, long and hard, then pressed her lips into a thin line. She let out a sigh and muttered, “Fine. I won’t say anything, for now. The silence stretched until it became too loud to ignore. “So, when did you find out?” she asked softly.
I hesitated. My hands fidgeted in my lap, and my gaze dropped to the floor “At my birthday ball.”
Her eyes widened in horror. She stared at me, piecing it together. “That night you disappeared from the party. You were with Lily?” ”
I nodded again, guilt crawling up my spine like ice,
Zelda looked away, her jaw clenched. “Zion… that was the same night you announced Celeste as your mate and future Queen.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “I know I messed up
She shook her head, almost disbelieving A dry, bitter laugh slipped out. “You didn’t just mess up, you broke your own mate’s heart.”
“I didn’t know what to do,” I said quietly. “Being mated to Lily, our adopted sister, felt forbidden. Moreso, Celeste and I had already agreed to be chosen mates. We planned to make it official at the pany. Everyone our parents, the nobles, they were all watching
Zelda turned to face me, her eyes blazing “So you threw Lily aside for what Appearances? Or what the Council thinks?”
I couldn’t say anything, I stared at hands.
Zelda shot up from the bed, pacing now. Her fists were tight, her whole body vibrating with anger. “You’re a jerk. A real one
I slowly let out a shaky breath. “That’s not all.”
She froze, her stare sharp enough to slice through steel. “There’s more! Zion, what did you do?”
I looked away, shame curling in my stomach. My lips trembled. “Remember Sienna’s party! When you came to drag me home after I got drunk? I was dared to kiss the glost attractive girl in the room and I kissed Celeste.
Her jaw dropped. “You what?”
I nodded slowly, my head hanging low.
Zion! That was heartless! If anyone had told me you’d become this guy. I wouldn’t buve believed them. I mean, who even are you anymore? Her voice cracked with hurt and disbelief. She turned away and stormed out, slamming the door.
1ut frozen, her words echoing like a slan. My
aslap. My chest ached, sad and heavy.
Even Ragnar had gone quiet. No starling or growling, he was now sober. We both feared that we may have lost Lily for good because of our brutal fight with Lucien
And the school… the floors, walls, ceilings–everything was torn apart. The entire place was nearly reduced to rubble. My father must have heard about it by now. There would be severe consequences.
1 dropped my face into my palms, the weight of it all crashing down on me.
1/2
11:16 AM c c
Chapter 24
Minutes passed, maybe hours. I didn’t know how long I sat like that, unmoving
A knock came at the door. I didn’t move until the maid’s voice followed.
“Your Highness,” she said gently, The King has returned His Majesty has summoned you to join the family for dinner
I stood slowly, wiped my face, and headed out.
The long dining hall felt colder than usual. The lights overhead glowed warmly, but the tension was undeniable. I entered and took my seat quietly.
Father sat at the head of the table, mother beside him, both wearing unreadable expressions. Zelda was already seated. She avoided my eyes completely.
Silver ways lined the long table, each with roasted lamb in nich sauce, buttery vegetables, mashed potatoes, spiced rice, and warm honey–glazed rolls. A crystal jug of red wine made its way around the table, along with golden goblets.
I could barely eat
Just as my father cleared his throat to speak, Zelda looked up.
“Dad,” she said, cutting in. “When are we bringing Lily back home?”
2/2
