Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 24

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

**Chapter 24**

Every fiber of my being felt as if it were disintegrating into nothingness.

I didn’t do it.

Kairos had bested me.

**55 Vouchers**

I shifted slightly on the bed, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling my nostrils. Instantly, recognition washed over me—I was in the infirmary. A rhythmic beeping sound resonated from my right side, pulling my attention. Glancing down, I noticed an IV drip snaking out from my hand, a frown creasing my forehead. I attempted to prop myself up further, but a relentless throb pulsed through my skull, forcing me to sink back down against the pillow. My gaze landed on Valentin, who was seated beside me.

“What happened?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely above a murmur.

“You were doing well,” Valentin replied softly, concern lacing his tone. “But then he got the upper hand. He swiped your foot and had you on your back before you knew it.”

A flicker of memory ignited in my mind, and I nodded slowly. Yes, I remembered that much. The details, however, became murky after that. Valentin sighed heavily, running a hand through his tousled hair, a gesture that spoke volumes of his frustration.

“He threw you to the ground a few times, and then you headbutted him. Hard,” he said, a soft smile creeping onto his lips. “Not exactly what I meant when I said ‘use your head,’ by the way.”

I managed a weak smile in return, but the pounding in my head intensified, forcing me to close my eyes in hopes of silencing the chaos within. “So, I didn’t win,” I murmured, the weight of disappointment settling over me like a heavy blanket.

“No,” Valentin replied, his joking tone evaporating. “You threw yourself at Kairos with such force that you knocked yourself out. He was stunned for a moment, but once everyone realized you were unconscious, Maximus called it.”

A wave of humiliation washed over me, and I wanted nothing more than to curl up into a tight ball and disappear. Not only had I lost to Kairos, but I had also humiliated myself in the process. Part of me felt a strange sense of pride for having stunned him, but the other part was cursing the dull, throbbing pain in my head. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing to drown out the noise.

Suddenly, I heard a gentle buzzing, followed by the sound of Valentin shifting in his seat. “Hello?” he spoke into his phone, his voice low. A high-pitched voice erupted from the other end, causing him to sigh. “Yes, she’s here.”

I didn’t need to ask whom he was speaking to; I could already guess. Silently, I extended my hand, and Valentin placed the phone into my palm. I brought it up to my ear, bracing myself.

“Hello, mother,” I said, my voice sounding crackly and distant.

“Hello?!” Victoria screeched, her voice sharp enough to pierce through my headache. “You almost died, and all you can say is ‘hello’?!”

“I didn’t die, did I?” I mumbled defensively. “Besides, your screaming is making my head feel like Jell-O.”

“You are unbelievable!” she continued, her tone shrill. “What on earth were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I was tired of being pushed around like I was nothing,” I replied, cracking one eye open to gauge Valentin’s reaction. His expression was neutral, but I could sense he shared my frustrations. “I had to prove myself,” I added. “He had this Hunt thing planned after me, and—”

“Valentin didn’t mention his Hunt was after you,” she snapped, cutting me off. “The annual hunt usually targets the weakest wolf.”

I snorted in disbelief. “Well, that’s just great.”

Victoria sighed deeply, her disappointment palpable through the phone. “Zora, I cannot believe you thought it was wise to confront the son of a High Alpha without awakening your inner wolf,” she admonished gently. “And I’m sorry you felt you had to.”

I blinked twice, taken aback. “Um, thank you?”

“We should have sent you in as the Princess,” she continued, her voice laced with regret. “This was a grave mistake.”

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