Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 39

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**
**Chapter 39**

**SE Vouche**

As dawn broke the next day, I made my way across the campus, my hoodie pulled low over my head, shielding me from the chill of the morning air. The gym loomed ahead, a familiar sanctuary, and I stepped inside just after seven. There, in the center of a sparring mat, stood Valentin. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and the expression on his face was anything but welcoming.

“You’re late,” he snapped, his voice sharp and unyielding.

I shrugged, peeling the hoodie off and tossing it carelessly onto the floor. “Sorry,” I mumbled, sinking into my usual stretches. I was well aware of our routine by now. “I didn’t think I’d be here today.”

Valentin blinked, his brow knitting together in confusion. “Why not?”

“Dunno,” I replied, my shoulders lifting in a careless shrug. “I didn’t see you at all last week. I figured you were done with me.”

His expression hardened. “I’m not,” he said, his voice firm. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way it ticked with frustration. “Especially after hearing about what happened yesterday.”

A groan escaped my lips. “Is this about the class shift?”

“Professor Valencia informed me about your outburst,” he retorted, his tone sharp. “How could you allow your anger towards Kairos to overwhelm you?”

Anger? No, it was more like… hot and bothered, I thought, my wolf chiming in with a snicker.

I shot back at her silently, *I’m not telling him that.* Of course, she responded with a swish of her metaphorical tail, full of sass.

“A little jealousy never hurt anyone,” she mused, a hint of mischief in her voice.

“He keeps pushing my buttons,” I admitted, shifting into hamstring stretches. “It’s not my fault he’s a massive jerk.”

A smirk danced across Valentin’s lips. “You cannot allow your emotions to control you,” he stated, his voice steady. “You are a young wolf. Letting your feelings dictate your actions could lead to harm—either to yourself or someone else. And might I remind you, you are the Princess and heir to the throne?”

I snorted, rolling my eyes. “No need for reminders,” I muttered. “It’s a constant, nagging thought in my mind.”

Valentin chose to overlook my sarcasm and gestured for me to return to the sparring mat. I complied, dropping my stretches and facing him, hands firmly planted on my hips, eyebrow raised in challenge.

“We’re going to practice voluntary shifting today,” he announced, his tone shifting to one of authority. “Tell me what you know about the Shift.”

“It happens,” I replied matter-of-factly. Valentin stared at me, clearly expecting more. I shrugged again. “That’s all I know.”

“The Shift is an intricate dance of the chemicals within our bodies and the High Magiks colliding,” he elaborated, his voice taking on a more instructive tone. “It is charged by the specific chemicals that emotions release. However, with focus, you can harness your Magik to shift without being overwhelmed by emotion.”

“Okay,” I drawled, trying to wrap my head around it. “I’m acing Magiks right now, so this should be a breeze.”

Valentin shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “The Magiks they teach you in class are merely the lower level ones. These High Magiks are far more complex and challenging to control. They are directly tied to the strength of your bond with your wolf and her overall power.”

And my wolf was weak and annoying, I thought with a mental sigh.

*Great,* I grumbled internally.

*Rude,* she shot back, her tone playful yet pointed.

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