Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 156

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**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**
**Chapter 156**

Petyr pushed himself to his feet, and without hesitation, Kairos mirrored his action, collecting his tray as he did so. Petyr cast a glance downward at Maximus, his voice steady yet urgent. “I’ll send a message to Alessia as soon as I can,” he assured, the weight of responsibility evident in his tone.

Maximus offered a simple nod in response, his expression a mix of gratitude and concern. “Thanks,” he murmured, appreciating the effort despite the tension that hung in the air.

As they moved towards the trash, Kairos and Petyr exchanged sidelong glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Petyr then turned to Maximus, giving a brief, curt nod, signaling their departure. The two boys made their way to the trash bin, and as Petyr approached, he let out an unattractive snort, jostling his shoulder against Kairos’s in a playful manner.

“Crazy what getting laid will do to you,” he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips, clearly amused by his own comment.

Kairos, however, remained silent, his glare directed at Petyr like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. He slammed his tray down into the return pile, the clatter echoing in the cafeteria, and sulked out of the room, his mood darkening further with every step. Behind him, he could faintly hear Petyr’s voice grumbling about Kairos’s apparent irritation, the words barely registering in his mind.

But the truth was, Kairos’s mood was indeed a reflection of his tangled thoughts, and all of it led back to Zora Smith.

As he trudged through his afternoon classes, the hours dragged on, filled with less conflict but an overwhelming flood of thoughts about Zora. By the time his four o’clock class ended, he felt a storm brewing inside him, a tempest of frustration and confusion. The situation worsened when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Amara. He nearly collided into her as he exited his building, the encounter jolting him from his thoughts.

“Watch where you’re fucking going,” he snapped, irritation lacing his words. He was about to stride past her without a second glance when something caught his attention—Amara looked utterly disheveled, a sight that made him pause.

Her eyes, usually adorned with kohl, were bare, and her pupils appeared as tiny pinpricks, almost lost amidst the whites of her eyes. Dark circles underlined her yellowish gaze, and the hoodie she wore hung over her head, barely concealing her usually sleek bob, which now resembled a frizzy mess. Kairos noticed her hands trembling, several of her long nails chewed down to the quick, a clear sign of distress.

Alarm bells rang in his mind as he instinctively stepped back, his wide eyes searching Amara’s face for clarity. She was mumbling something, her voice barely audible, and he strained to catch her words. Stepping directly in front of her, he forcibly grabbed her shoulders, jolting her from her trance. She looked up at him, her expression distant and unfocused.

“What are you on!?” he demanded, his voice harsh as he shook her slightly, desperation creeping into his tone. “I’m not about to watch you overdose on campus, Princess.”

To his surprise, Amara seemed completely unfazed by his outburst. Her gaze drifted from him to something behind him, her lips moving as she continued to mumble incoherently.

“Have…have to go…” she rambled, her voice rising in urgency. “Needs…needs…blood!”

The last word sent a chill down Kairos’s spine. Her eyes bulged with a manic intensity, and she suddenly struggled to break free from his grip. Ignoring her frantic movements, he tightened his hold on her shoulders.