Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 74

**Zora**

In that moment, it felt as if time itself had come to a standstill in Kairos’s room. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I could see the anger simmering in Kairos’s eyes as they flitted from me to Maximus, then to Amara and her companion, and back again. It was as if an invisible wall had risen, separating us from the outside world, and no one dared to break the silence that enveloped us. Finally, it was Loren who found her voice, her tone a mix of nervousness and urgency.

“We were just looking for a bathroom,” she squeaked, her cheeks flushing slightly. “We came in here, but Princess Amara was already… with that guy.”

“My name’s Dave,” Amara’s Alpha friend shot back, a sneer twisting his lips. “We have like ninety percent of our classes together, you know.”

Loren waved her hand dismissively at him, her gaze shifting back to Kairos with an apologetic smile. “Sorry?”

“Out,” Kairos commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority that only an Alpha could wield. The word was sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. In an instant, everyone scrambled to exit the room, a flurry of movement as they rushed for the door. Maximus helped me to my feet, and we were almost out when Kairos stepped directly in our path.

“Not you,” he said, his eyes narrowing as he focused solely on me.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I swallowed hard, lifting my chin defiantly. Normally, I would have relished the chance to stand my ground against Kairos, but after whatever had transpired downstairs, I was running on fumes. Thankfully, I felt Maximus’s reassuring presence beside me, his warmth wrapping around me like a protective shield.

“Not now, Kairos,” Maximus warned, his voice low and firm.

“Your girlfriend can speak for herself,” Kairos snapped back, his gaze shifting to me with an intensity that made my heart race. “Our second fight. You said best two out of three.”

“I did,” I admitted with a heavy sigh, feeling utterly drained. “When do you want to do it?”

“Next week,” Kairos replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Saturday.”

“Fine,” I sighed again, the weight of the upcoming challenge settling heavily on my shoulders. “Can I go now?”

Kairos’s jaw tightened as he regarded me, his expression shifting from anger to something softer, if only for a fleeting moment. When he wasn’t scowling, his freckles added a certain charm to his features, and I noticed the way his hair curled slightly, giving him an unexpected handsomeness.

As if sensing my internal struggle, Maximus’s hand tightened around my waist, grounding me. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the confusing thoughts I was having about Kairos. I inhaled sharply, pushing past him, our shoulders brushing together. For a brief second, I felt an electric spark at the contact, but I quickly dismissed it as I exited his room.

Maximus walked Loren and me back to our dorm, the air thick with an awkward silence. Loren and I exchanged glances, both of us lost in our thoughts while Maximus occasionally broke the quiet to check if I was cold or needed anything. When we reached our door, Loren paused, standing in front of the open entrance, silently inviting me inside.

My eyes instinctively drifted to where Maximus stood, opening his own door. I shot Loren a desperate look, and she smiled softly, mouthing, “Go.” With that, she gently closed our door behind her, leaving me alone with Max.

As I turned to face him, I felt a pull toward him that I couldn’t quite explain. Despite the earlier turmoil with Valentin, in this moment, Maximus felt like a beacon of safety amidst the chaos that had unfolded throughout the night. He held the door open wider, and I slipped inside, my head lowered in an attempt to hide my growing unease.

Once the door clicked shut, my nerves returned with a vengeance. Would he push me against the wall again, his hands exploring my body? Did he expect something from me just because I had stepped into his room? My heart raced in my chest, a drumbeat of uncertainty.

“We don’t have to,” Maximus said softly, breaking the silence. I turned to look at him, noting how his arms were crossed over his broad chest as he leaned casually against the door. He shrugged slightly, a gesture that seemed both relaxed and guarded.

“I’m not expecting anything,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh,” I managed to say, feeling the weight of the moment settle between us. “Okay.”

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