Chapter 40
(Zion’s POV)
The night stretched long and unbearable.
I sat in my studio, canvas untouched. My brush hovered in mid–air, paralyzed by the chaos in my head. Nothing I painted made sense, every stroke turned into a meaningless smear. My muse was gone.
No, she wasn’t gone. She was the cause of it.
Lily.
Her image taunted me from the half–finished painting resting against the far wall. Her eyes, captured in a moment of soft vulnerability, stared back at me as if to ask, “Why did you let me go?”
I pushed away from the easel and stood, running a hand through my hair. My chest felt tight, and suffocated. I needed air… Maybe a walk would help.
The palace corridors were dim and quiet, shadows curling along the walls. I passed the eastern wing, barely acknowledging the guards as I made my way to the inner garden.
That’s when I heard them. Two maids near the corridor turn–in, whispering and giggling in low tones.
“Did you see the card Prince Lucien left for Lady Lily?”
“So sweet,” one said dreamily. “He tied it with flowers. It’s like a fairytale… Unlike the cold prince who walks past her like she doesn’t exist.”
“Yeah,” the other added. “You’d think he would at least treat his girlfriend, Lady Celeste, like she matters. Or even Lady Lily, because it’s obvious he’s in love with her.”
I froze mid–step.
“What do you mean by obvious?” the first maid asked.
“Everyone sees it! He looks at her like she’s the moon in his sky. My cousin in the stables said the same thing. I wonder how long before the Queen and King find out.”
My blood ran cold. I should’ve walked over, warned them to mind their tongues but I didn’t.
I turned and walked away because the truth stung more than any insult… Also, they were right.
I loved her, and somehow, everyone could see it but her.
The next morning came quickly. I hadn’t slept a second, and the ache in my chest hadn’t faded.
I avoided breakfast and roamed the side gardens until I ended up near the southern archway, where vines curled over stone columns.
There I saw Lucien and Lily.
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12:48 Wed, Jul 30
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Chapter 40
They were walking slowly, talking and laughing with their hands entwined in each other. Lily was wearing a soft blue dress. and Lucien looked like a royal storybook knight beside her.
He brushed a loose curl from her face, lingering too long… then he said “I’m serious about us, be my future bride.”
I couldn’t breathe.
I stared on as Lily looked away, her cheeks flushed. She looked happy and at peace, whereas Ragnar was ferally growling in my head, “He dares to claim what is ours? Let’s end him once and for all!”
My claws threatened to rip through my skin.
Lucien, my cousin… The same one who once said love was for fools, and firmly believed in waiting for his mate now looked at Lily like she was his forever.
My cousin was in love with my mate.
I backed away quietly and unseen but inside, I was burning.
I entered my chambers and sat motionless on the edge of my bed. My shirt was half undone, hair a mess, I couldn’t even think straight… I didn’t know what to do. For the first time I really felt helpless about a situation. Was I to be noble enough to let Lily be with the guy she loves or to swallow my pain and be with the one everyone says is perfect for me?
The door creaked and Zelda walked in.
“I just came to warn you,” she said, making me look at her sharply.
She shifted uncomfortably, then said, “Mom asked my opinion on something. She’s planning a surprise intimate dance for Lily and Lucien at my birthday party.”
My world spun, and everything was blurry.
“She thinks it’ll be symbolic,” Zelda added with a shrug. “Says they’re mates and that we should do everything we can to support their union.”
I stared, unblinking. I couldn’t breathe. Nothing hurts more than your parents rooting for your mate to be with someone else.
“Are you okay?” she asked quietly.
I didn’t answer.
Because I didn’t know who I hated most at that moment.
Lucien, for daring to love her… Lily for not saying no, or myself for waiting too long to fight for what was mine.
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12:48 Wed, Jul 30
