Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 32

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

**Chapter 32: Thorne**

Thorne Blythwitch had carried the weight of a singular dream since his childhood—a dream that had become his refuge amid the miseries of his youth. It was nearly impossible to ignore, especially considering the shadows that loomed over his early life. Losing his mother at the tender age of eleven had left an indelible mark on his heart, and his father, consumed by his own demons, had shown little care for the boy left behind. Fast forward to the age of sixteen, and Thorne found himself utterly alone, devoid of parental guidance and wandering through a world that felt entirely unwelcoming.

In the years that stretched between his mother’s passing and Queen Victoria’s unexpected offer of sanctuary, Thorne had often retreated into his thoughts, envisioning a life filled with warmth and love. He imagined a moment where his parents would embrace him once more, and alongside them, a mate—his destined partner—would stand by his side, sharing in the joys and sorrows of life. This was the dream that had kept him going through the darkest days.

So, why had he turned away Zora when she had been presented to him?

Why had he severed the very bond he had yearned for throughout his existence?

The scene played on a relentless loop in his mind, the very words echoing like a haunting refrain: *I reject the bond.*

“Idiot,” he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling within him. For nearly an hour, he had remained outside the Auditorium, grappling with the reality of his decision after Zora had shifted. The urge to claw at his own eyes, to erase the memory of that moment, consumed him entirely.

But the truth was, he was trapped—bound by circumstances beyond his control.

First and foremost, a broken bond was a wound that could never heal. Thorne realized with a sinking heart that there was no turning back to Zora. Even if he attempted to claim her as his chosen mate, the magic of their fated bond had dissipated, leaving only a hollow shell of what could have been.

Secondly, he was engaged to the Princess. The thought of betraying Victoria, who had pulled him from the depths of despair, was a weight he could not bear. She had done so much for him, offering him hope and a future when he had believed himself lost. The prospect of marrying the Princess loomed larger than his own fleeting desire for personal happiness. He simply could not let Victoria down.

But what did happiness even feel like?

“Fucking idiot,” Thorne cursed again, running a frustrated hand through his hair, yanking at the braid he had meticulously woven earlier.

“Yo!” a voice called out, breaking through his spiraling thoughts.

Thorne lifted his gaze, squinting against the fading light to catch sight of a figure clad in a striking Kelly-green suit, trudging through the woods behind the auditorium. His heart sank as he recognized the familiar silhouette.

“I’m not in the mood,” Thorne snapped, irritation lacing his tone. “Fuck off, Kairos.”

Kairos raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk playing on his lips. “Easy there, killer. I was sent to check on you.”

“I’m fine,” Thorne replied tersely, rubbing at his tired eyes. “Now can you please leave?”

But Kairos remained, plopping down beside Thorne on the bench with an air of defiance. Thorne shot him a glare, but Kairos maintained a composed expression, his gaze fixed on the ground. He rummaged through his pockets and produced a cigarette, placing it between his lips before snapping his fingers to ignite the end.

“Using magic for something so trivial is beneath you,” Thorne scolded, his tone tinged with a hint of superiority.

“And you shouldn’t break a mate bond,” Kairos retorted, the smoke curling from his lips as he spoke. He took a drag before exhaling it away from Thorne, shrugging nonchalantly.

“But here we are,” he added, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“You know why I did it,” Thorne replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t actually,” Kairos leaned back against the log, his curiosity piqued. “So, if you’d care to enlighten me, I’m all ears.”

With a heavy sigh, Thorne pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, as if trying to will away the pain. “Victoria has done everything for me,” he confessed, dropping his hands into his lap and finally meeting Kairos’s gaze. “Everything, Kairos. When my father died in combat, she was the first to offer me a place to belong. She fought for me to enter Alpha Academy, despite the fact that I’m neither a High Alpha nor from a line of Knights. She has given me so much, and I can’t let her down by denying the Princess a chance at my hand.”

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