Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 113

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**

**Chapter 113**

As dawn broke the next morning, I quietly slipped out of Maximus’s bed, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. The warmth of our shared moments lingered in the air as I dressed swiftly, my heart fluttering with a mixture of affection and reluctance. Before making my exit, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, savoring the softness of his skin against my lips. The fleeting intimacy sent a rush of warmth through me, but I knew I had to return to my own room. As soon as my head hit the pillow, the exhaustion of the previous day enveloped me, and I drifted back into a deep sleep.

Later that night, Loren and I settled into our room, the atmosphere buzzing with the remnants of the party still fresh in our minds. We tackled our homework with a sense of urgency, but soon enough, the chatter turned to the events that had unfolded. “Can you believe what happened with Amara and Thorne?” Loren exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh, the thrill of sharing secrets making the mundane task of studying feel lighter.

Monday morning arrived, and I found myself back in the familiar routine of training with Valentin and Thorne. As I emerged from the women’s locker room at the gym, the cool air hit my skin, invigorating me. Clad in my training gear, I had already received a motivational pep talk from Mona about the importance of shifting. However, as I stepped into the gym, my heart sank.

There, in the center of the training area, stood my adopted sister, Amara, clad in what could only be described as scraps of fabric barely covering her. The sports bra she wore was nothing more than a flimsy strip, barely concealing her modesty, while the back was crisscrossed with straps that accentuated her toned shoulders. Her shorts were alarmingly brief, clinging to her form and leaving little to the imagination. Barefoot, she seemed to radiate confidence, and for a fleeting moment, a mix of annoyance and intrigue bubbled within me.

“What on earth is she doing here?” I shot at Valentin, my voice laced with irritation as I approached the group. The sight of Amara standing so close to Thorne ignited a fire of jealousy within me, one that I couldn’t quite explain.

“Good morning, Miss Smith,” Valentin replied, his tone completely devoid of emotion. “The Queen has requested that I extend my training to Princess Luna. It seems her previous school didn’t quite prepare her for the level of combat we uphold. The Queen desires her to catch up.”

I narrowed my eyes, my lips forming a thin line as I met Valentin’s gaze. Beneath his polished words, I could sense the underlying message: Amara was meant to be the sole Princess, and having her trained by him was a foregone conclusion.

“Lovely,” I replied, my enthusiasm dripping with sarcasm.

“Isn’t it a bit peculiar for a servant to have personal training sessions with the headmaster?” Amara teased, her playful smirk accompanied by the crack of gum in her mouth. “Right, Thorny?”

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