Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 119

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

**Chapter 119**

With a heavy heart, he released a deep, weary sigh, the kind that seemed to echo in the stillness of the room, before finally turning off the water. As he stood there, he pressed his palm against the spot where the tiles had been shattered, remnants of a moment of anger now long past. One by one, the broken pieces began to lift from the floor, as if guided by an unseen force, and gently reassembled themselves into their rightful places. Valentin could feel the magiks flowing through him, warm and vibrant, as they worked their restorative magic. When he pulled his hand away from the wall, it was as though he had never touched it at all; the damage had vanished without a trace.

He grabbed a towel, hastily wrapping it around his waist, and made his way to the dimly lit bench that sat against the wall. The shadows danced around him, cloaking him in a shroud of solitude. As he rummaged through the pockets of his trousers, his fingers finally brushed against his phone. The screen lit up, revealing a cherished background photo of him and Victoria taken during those fleeting days right after their liberation from enslavement. Their faces glowed with joy, bright smiles capturing a moment of pure happiness. Yet, behind Valentin’s eyes lurked an ocean of unspoken pain, a reminder of the shadows that still haunted him.

He flicked the phone open, the familiar sound of the screen unlocking breaking the silence, and scrolled through his contacts until he found Victoria’s number. It rang once, twice, and then she answered, her voice a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone sharp and immediate.

“Nothing,” he replied with a resigned sigh. “Just checking in for updates.”

“Oh,” she responded, her voice carrying a hint of weariness that reminded him so much of Zora. “No, there’s nothing.”

“Okay,” Valentin said, running a hand through his damp hair, the coolness of the towel against his skin contrasting with the heat of the conversation. “Amara arrived last week.”

“Right,” Victoria acknowledged, her voice sounding tired, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. “How was the training with her and Zora?”

“Volatile,” he replied without hesitation. “There seems to be some resentment brewing. Zora shifted and nearly took Amara’s throat off.”

Victoria made a thoughtful sound. “So, she is shifting?”

“You’re not worried that she almost killed the Princess right in front of the Blythwitch boy?” he pressed, his brow furrowing at the thought.

“It’s mildly problematic,” Victoria mused, her voice calm yet contemplative. “But he’s been around Amara long enough to know that her words can lead to precarious situations. I doubt he’d be surprised to see anyone trying to make her pay for them.”

Valentin nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. “We used the Hanswolf method today. She managed to reach five in a minute.”

“Good, good,” Victoria replied, though her tone suggested her mind was elsewhere, distracted by something that gnawed at her.

“Something wrong?” Valentin asked, frustration creeping into his voice as he scolded himself for sounding so disinterested.

“No, no,” she said quickly. “Just thinking about the task force and their lack of updates. Do you think we’re looking in the wrong place?”

“I couldn’t tell you,” he replied plainly, the weight of uncertainty settling in his chest. “We’ve scoured the wolf territories. The human ones seem like the next logical step.”

Victoria hummed in agreement, the sound barely a whisper. “Speaking of mates, how is the wedding planning going?”

At the mention of wedding planning, Valentin couldn’t suppress the grimace that twisted his features. He inhaled deeply, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts, before responding.

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