Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 59

On that Saturday night, the air was thick with anticipation as Maximus and I found ourselves together once more.

The year was 2000, and the campus was alive with energy.

I could hear the raucous laughter and music spilling from Kairos’s house, a party that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat on the other side of the campus. The sounds sent a wave of anxiety coursing through me. It had only been two weeks since my unsettling incident, and the mere thought of a repeat performance made my heart race with unease.

As we engaged in our sparring session that evening, Maximus couldn’t help but notice my distraction. After a particularly harsh strike from his elbow collided with the high point of my cheekbone, I stumbled back, instinctively pressing my hand against the sore spot.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice softer than I had ever heard it. “You blocked that just fine the other day.”

I dropped my hand from my face, feeling the lingering sting where his bone had impacted mine. I gestured vaguely towards the distant party, my mind racing with turmoil.

“I just—” I faltered, my hand falling limply to my side. The words I struggled to find seemed to evaporate into the night air.

Fortunately, Max seemed to grasp my unease. He glanced toward the party, then turned back to me, a newfound softness in his expression that caught me off guard.

“He’s not going to hurt you again, Zora,” he assured me, his voice steady. “I made sure of it.”

“I know, I just think—” I huffed, frustration bubbling inside me as I squeezed my eyes shut. “Sorry, this is stupid.”

Maximus stepped closer, his hand reaching out to grasp mine. A jolt of electricity surged between us, causing my eyes to fly open in surprise. His thumb brushed tenderly over the back of my wrist, grounding me in that moment.

“It’s not stupid,” he replied, his tone warm and reassuring. “I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through. But I promise, it won’t happen again. That’s a guarantee.”

I nodded, holding his gaze, feeling a strange warmth blossom within me. This gentle side of him was something I had never encountered before, and it stirred emotions I couldn’t quite articulate. My heart raced, overwhelmed by the tenderness he was showing, and I felt vulnerable in a way I had never experienced.

Max released my hand, and the electric connection faded. “Come on,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. “We’re done for the night. Let’s head home.”

“You sure?” I asked, though deep down, I longed for the comfort of my bed.

“I’m not going to push you right now,” he replied, offering a small smile that made my insides flutter.

I nodded in agreement, gathering my belongings as we made our way back to the dorm. The journey was cloaked in silence, but within me, my thoughts were a cacophony of confusion and gratitude.

Over the past week, I had spent nearly every day with Maximus, and he had proven to be so much more than I had anticipated. Instead of the harsh, bitter persona I had initially perceived, he was soft and intuitive. He knew when to be gentle and when to challenge me, dedicating so much of his time to training me. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was getting out of this arrangement.

As we approached the entrance to our building, I sensed his gaze on me, filled with unspoken questions. He looked at me as if he were silently urging me to voice my thoughts, but I remained silent until we stood before our doors.

I turned to him, opening my mouth just as he did the same.

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