Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 25

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

**Chapter 25**

The nurse finally granted me leave from the infirmary a few hours after my conversation with Victoria. With a stern look, she made me promise to take it easy for the rest of the week. Since it was already Wednesday, this meant I would only miss one session of Basics, but it still felt like a significant loss. She handed me a note, two Advil, and with a slight nod, I was sent on my way.

As I exited the infirmary, I caught my first glimpse of myself in a mirror. The sight was shocking. The entire right side of my face was marred with mottled, purple-blue bruises, a vivid reminder of the fight. My right eye was swollen and puffy, making me look like I had just stepped out of a boxing ring. My hair, once neatly twisted, now resembled a tangled mop, completely out of control. My clothes were stained with blood—both Kairos’s and my own. I could feel the sting of several splits on my lip and the crown of my head. My wrist, though reset, was encased in an air-cast, a constant reminder of my recent encounter.

I looked like a disaster.

The sun had set by the time I slipped out of the infirmary. The shadows of dusk embraced me, allowing me to navigate the campus unnoticed. I stealthily made my way to my dorm room, relieved to avoid any unwanted encounters.

As I entered, I noticed Loren standing by her bed, her eyes rimmed with red, as if she had been crying. She hesitated, reaching out for a hug, but then pulled back, her gaze taking in my battered appearance.

“A mess, aren’t I?” I attempted to lighten the mood with a half-hearted laugh, trying to break through the tension that hung in the air.

“Oh gods,” Loren gasped, her voice filled with concern. “I knew it was bad, but this is worse than I imagined.”

“Note to self: never spar with Kairos again,” I joked, waving my air-cast as if it were a trophy. “Might end up breaking a wrist.”

Loren didn’t respond with words; instead, she enveloped me in a gentle hug. It was the softest embrace I had ever received, filled with warmth and understanding. Tears began to well up in my eyes, frustration and vulnerability spilling over. This was exactly what I needed—someone who genuinely cared. I rested my head on top of hers, allowing the tears to flow freely as sobs wracked my body.

Throughout my emotional release, Loren rubbed circles on my back, her touch soothing. Once my tears subsided, she encouraged me to shower. I emerged wrapped in one of her fluffy pink towels, only to find she had rummaged through my closet and laid out some of my old, comfortable clothes.

“I figured they’d be the comfiest,” she said softly, her smile reassuring.

I nodded gratefully, slipping off the towel and into the clothes. I avoided looking in the mirror, fearing the sight of my battered body would be worse than the bruises on my face. When I turned to face Loren, her expression confirmed my worst fears. I climbed into bed, wincing only slightly, and Loren settled in beside me, resting her head on my shoulder, our bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle.

We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the day pressing down on us. Suddenly, Loren burst into laughter, breaking the stillness.

“What?” I asked, curious and amused.

“Just imagining Bella’s face when Professor Lunerly picked you up and carried you to the infirmary,” she chuckled again. “It must have been utterly priceless.”

“I wish I could have seen it,” I replied, laughing along with her.

“Yeah,” Loren said, her tone shifting to one of sadness. “Me too.”

I turned slightly, looking down at her. “Thank you for being such a good friend,” I said softly, my heart swelling with gratitude.

Loren smiled back, her expression brightening the room. “Thanks for being a person worth being a good friend to,” she replied, her sincerity evident.

I returned her smile, allowing myself to sink into the comfort of my pillow. It didn’t take long before both Loren and I were fast asleep, cocooned under my old quilt, the world outside fading away.

The next morning, I noticed a significant reduction in the bruising. My fingers were beginning to regain feeling in the hand that Kairos had broken. The split in my lip had transformed into a single medium-sized welt rather than two large ones. After a quick shower, Loren helped me apply some makeup to conceal the remnants of my injuries.

We made our way to the cafeteria, which was nearly empty, and grabbed some fruit before heading to Basics. As we walked, I began to pick up on whispers around us.

“That’s her,” a girl remarked, her voice dripping with disdain. “The idiot who challenged Kairos.”

The guy she was with snorted in derision. “She looks like she weighs twelve pounds soaking wet. She should have known he’d wipe the floor with her.”

Loren instinctively pulled me closer, her expression serious. “Don’t listen to them,” she urged in a low voice. “You did great.”

Despite her words, I glanced around and saw that others were whispering too. My heart sank as their words reached my ears, each one a sharp blade.

“I can’t believe she lost.”

“I can; she has no wolf. She should’ve known.”

“Well, I heard she didn’t even know she was a wolf until some strange lady told her.”

“I heard she isn’t even a wolf. Just a human spy.”

“-weak-”

“-pathetic-”

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