Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 153

I had managed to mangle the locker beyond any hope of repair, frustration bubbling inside me as I realized my coat was trapped within its confines. With a surge of irritation, I slammed my fist against the metal surface one final time, and after a brief struggle, I wrestled my long winter jacket free. As I shrugged it on, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, and without another moment’s hesitation, I stepped out of the locker room.

Emerging into the heart of the campus, I was greeted by a cascade of delicate white flurries drifting from the heavens. It was my inaugural snowfall at Alpha Academy, and I tilted my head back, entranced by the sight. The snowflakes danced gracefully through the midnight blue sky, each one finding its way to my face, where they kissed my eyelashes before dissolving against my warm skin.

I inhaled deeply, savoring the crispness of the air, then exhaled slowly, watching my breath form a fleeting cloud. The campus was enveloped in a serene silence that felt almost surreal. It was hard to believe this tranquil place had been the source of my anguish for months. Instead, the buildings loomed around me like protective sentinels, wrapping me in a comforting embrace. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of belonging wash over me. This was my sanctuary.

No one would take that away from me again.

I strolled across the center park of the campus, my boots crunching softly on the fresh snow. As I reached the heart of the park, surrounded by several bare, slender trees, I looked up once more. The snowfall had intensified, but it was a welcome change, each flake soothing the fire that had been simmering within me. I closed my eyes again, inhaling the rich, earthy scent of the trees that surrounded me, grounding me in the moment.

“Smith,” a voice broke through my reverie.

I reluctantly pried one eye open to see who had called my name. My stomach plummeted as I recognized the figure standing ten feet away. Kairos. He stood there, hands tucked into the pockets of his carpenter’s jacket, his facial hair giving him a rugged appearance, a light five o’clock shadow accentuating his features. Surprisingly, his eyes lacked the usual malice; instead, they appeared softer, almost vulnerable. Yet, despite this unexpected gentleness, I remained on high alert.

“What do you want?” I replied, my tone flat and guarded.

Kairos remained silent for a moment, taking a step closer, his gaze shifting to the sky as he watched the snow fall. “I haven’t seen much of this,” he mused, a hint of nostalgia lacing his voice. “Moonraiser Keep is much farther south. We tend to just get rain.”

He extended his hand, catching a snowflake, which melted almost instantly in his palm. A smirk crept onto his lips. “S’kinda nice.”

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