Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 99

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The atmosphere in the forest was thick with tension, a palpable energy crackling in the air as the wolves, massive and fierce—each the size of two vampires—prepared for battle. With a sudden burst of speed, Gareth launched himself from the forest floor, a blur of motion aimed directly at Kairos. In a surprising display of strength, he enveloped one of the wolves in a bear hug, tackling it into the underbrush with a fierce determination.

Meanwhile, the other vampire, less aggressive but equally on edge, extended his hands in a futile gesture of peace. Valentin’s ash-brown wolf, his teeth bared and glistening with saliva, lunged at the man’s feet, snapping dangerously close. I could almost hear the quiet mutterings of the vampire under his breath, a frantic prayer or perhaps a curse, but his words were drowned out by the growl of the wolf. Just as the tension peaked, Valentin sprang from his crouched position, attempting to clamp his jaws around the vampire’s neck.

With a desperate leap, the other vampire barely evaded the attack, yelping as he soared through the air, as if he had sprouted wings. He cleared Valentin’s snapping jaws but didn’t get far; Gareth, propelled by Kairos, collided with him mid-flight. They tumbled together in a chaotic heap, crashing to the forest floor.

In their struggle, they knocked over my bucket of blood, sending the crimson liquid sloshing across the ground. “No!” the other vampire screeched, reaching out in a panic, his eyes wide with desperation. Gareth, however, was quicker. He yanked the man to his feet, pulling him away from the precious blood.

“Leave it!” Gareth barked, his voice low and commanding. “You witnessed what happened to Wesley. Your life is far more valuable than her poison!”

Valentin, caught in the turmoil, appeared to be processing their urgent words. His deep gold eyes flickered between the two vampires and the spilled blood, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. Suddenly, he lifted his snout towards me, and I could see the realization dawn in his eyes, wide and fearful. He then turned back to Gareth, lowering his head in a show of defiance, his lips curling back in a menacing snarl.

“How dare you hurt my mate!” he growled, the words echoing through the clearing.

His mate, I thought, feeling a wave of weariness wash over me.

You’re dangling from chains in a tree, and that’s your priority? Mona’s voice echoed in my mind, dripping with sarcasm. Gods, help us all.

Gareth’s shock was evident; he had clearly never encountered a wolf that could articulate its thoughts. As he struggled to regain his composure, he stumbled backward over the other vampire, landing unceremoniously on his backside. In that moment of vulnerability, Kairos was right behind him, moving with lethal speed.

With a swift motion, Kairos’s mouth descended upon Gareth’s head, and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut, unwilling to witness the brutality. But the sound was unmistakable—a sickening CRACK that reverberated through the trees. My eyelids fluttered open, and I watched in horror as Kairos expelled Gareth’s severed head, which rolled across the forest floor to rest at Valentin’s feet.

The rest of Gareth’s body remained upright for a fleeting moment before it crumpled to the ground, landing in front of the other vampire, who began to shake uncontrollably. Kairos and Valentin exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them as they lowered their heads in unison, circling the trembling man like predators stalking their prey.

“Please,” he whimpered, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Don’t kill me. I’ll tell you anything—anything! Just spare my life.”

“Pathetic!” Kairos spat, his voice dripping with contempt as he snapped his jaws in the air. The vampire flinched, attempting to escape, but he collided with Valentin, who regarded him with equal disdain.

“Moonraiser, keep an eye on him,” Valentin commanded with authority. “He may possess crucial information about who orchestrated this. I’ll get Zora down.”

As the tension escalated, Kairos growled at the vampire, clearly displeased with how the tasks were being assigned. Yet, Valentin moved purposefully towards the lever that held me suspended in the air. With a fluid motion, he shifted back into his human form, dressed simply in a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, as if he had stepped away from his duties as headmaster.

He grasped the lever with care, and I winced as the silver pressed against my skin, gravity pulling me downward. Slowly, I descended from my precarious position, landing on the forest floor with my arms still bound behind me.

Valentin rushed to my side, cupping my face in his warm palms. “Oh, love,” he murmured, his voice laced with regret. “I’m so sorry.”

In his haste, his wrist collided with one of the chains, and he hissed in pain, jerking back instinctively. But then he looked at me again, his eyes widening in alarm. I managed to muster a weak smile, despite the pain coursing through me.

“Wolfsbane,” I grunted, the words barely escaping my lips before I snorted in frustration. “Bane of my existence.”

“Gods, almighty,” Kairos hissed, his voice filled with disbelief as he hovered over Valentin’s shoulder.

Valentin fell silent, his focus shifting to the chains binding me. He pressed his hands against one of them, attempting to pry them apart. While he managed to dent the metal, the effort resulted in deep burns on his palms. Frustration radiated from him as he ran his fingers through his hair, only to wince again when his hand brushed over his injuries.