Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 168

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**
**Chapter 168**

“Is it really that good?” I murmured, a hint of defiance creeping into my voice as I prepared to counter his attack.

With a swift motion, I hurled my fist towards him, but he sidestepped with ease, a smirk playing on his lips. In retaliation, he sent his own fist flying back at me. I jerked my body to evade it, raising my palm instinctively to block his strike. Even though I had gained strength since our last encounters, Maximus’s punch still hit me harder than I anticipated. I let out a grunt, stumbling back slightly, feeling the impact reverberate through my body. Unfazed, he followed up with a kick aimed at my midsection.

“Damn it, Max!” I snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Can’t you give me a moment to breathe?”

But he was relentless. Another punch came my way, and I managed to swat it aside. In a surge of adrenaline, I retaliated, landing a solid hit on the underside of his jaw. The satisfaction of seeing him trip over his own feet was fleeting.

“Shit, I’m really sorry!” I exclaimed, rushing forward, my voice laced with genuine remorse. But Maximus had no intention of letting it slide. In a swift motion, he swept my legs out from under me, and I found myself crashing onto my back.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he was on top of me, his powerful hands pinning my wrists firmly against the mat. I squirmed slightly, testing the strength of his hold, but it was futile. He had me trapped. Instead of submitting, I shot him a fierce glare, my frustration boiling over.

“What the hell is your problem?” I hissed, my voice low but charged with emotion.

“You!” Max spat back, his voice barely above a whisper yet filled with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. “You are my damn problem, Zora. You almost get snatched away by vampires, barely utter a word to me while you’re in the infirmary, and then vanish for the entire two weeks of break. Are you kidding me right now?”

“I don’t have a phone—” I started, but he cut me off.

“I don’t care!” he seethed, pressing my wrists harder into the mat, his frustration palpable. “What I do care about is that when I tried to reach out to you, Lunerly had wiped your entire record clean. What the hell does he know that I don’t?”

“Nothing!” I protested, but I could see the suspicion darkening his eyes. He leaned closer, his breath brushing against my ear, and I felt an involuntary shiver run through me. I couldn’t help but arch into him, the familiar electric connection sparking between us. I noticed his pupils dilate, mirroring my own surprise.

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