Zephyrine


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    It was the aroma swirling through the house that woke me. I blinked, frowning, wondering who would be cooking so early in the morning. Dessyn?


    I turned to see her still asleep beside me. Slipping out of bed, I padded toward the bath chamber to freshen up, but the question pulled me back.


    “Who’s cooking so early?” Dessyn’s voice was groggy.


    I shook my head.


    “Moon is the worst at cooking. Didn’t he serve at the battlefield with you?”


    I nodded, still half–asleep.


    “Yeah… bad enough that everyone avoided camp meals when it was his turn.”


    “So who is…” I started, but the knock at the door cut me off. My brow furrowed.


    “Who would that be?<b>” </b>


    No one in the Dusk household knocked on doors, Maybe me, but not the Dusks. So who…


    “Mydy?” A soft voice drifted through.


    I froze. Blue?


    “Ah, it’s Blue, your personal maid. How could you forget?” Dessyn teased, sitting up.


    I didn’t answer. Instead, I opened the door. Blue stood there, smiling brightly, her posture perfect as she


    bowed.


    “I’ve finished the chores and prepared breakfast. Oh, were you going to bathe? I should help you.” She stepped forward, but I put up a hand.


    “Slow down. I don’t think you need to bathe me.’


    She blinked slowly, murmuring,


    “But His Majesty said I should.”


    “No need. Lycannar just exaggerates. Ignore him.”


    Her brow furrowed.


    “Really? His Majesty doesn’t exaggerate. His word isw.”


    ??????


    PER


    I groaned, and Dessyn’s smirk widened.


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    “Better you ept Blue already, Zephyr. She seemspetent. What will it hurt? Or should I keep her?”


    I shot Dessyn a re, which only made her shrug.


    “See?” she muttered.


    With a sigh, I gestured for Blue to follow me. She came along cagerly, entering the bath chamber to prepare everything. Sheid out a drying cloth, then drew a generous amount of water in the absence of soap.


    Without hesitation, she undressed me gently, eased me into the tub, and slid in beside me to help.


    I stayed silent, staring at nothing, my eyes fluttering close at the soothing scrub until her voice broke through, soft and warm.


    “I am happy to serve you, mydy.”


    My eyes fluttered open.


    “You won’t be serving me for long,” I said inly, knowing I wouldn’t need a maid once I returned to Ash Pack.<fn6bee> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?ndNovel</fn6bee>


    “I will be good to you,” she promised. That’s His Majesty’s order. He said I should do whatever you ask and never report anything back to him. He said if I’m good to you, you’ll like me and never let me go.”


    I paused <i>at </i>her words. Innocent, yet… telling.


    “Lycannar said <i>that</i>?”


    She nodded.


    “Out of all thedies presented to him, he looked right at me and chose me. I know it’s a big chance, so I won’t waste <i>it</i>.”


    My breath caught. Lycannar had looked into her eyes? Why choose her?


    ****


    Breakfast was as delicious as the aroma had promised. She’d prepared it earlier than I expected, and I couldn’t help marveling at her skill.


    When Father finally came out, I rose from my chair.


    “Please, sit,” he said. “Don’t act like a stranger here. Dessyn told me about your maid, Blue. She can stay as long as she likes.” Without pause, he nced around. “Where’s Moon?”


    I looked away. Moon hadn’t stepped out of his chamber sincest night. I wondered how he was coping.


    Before I could answer, a knock came. Blue opened the door, and Alpha Auedric entered with a smile.


    “So, she’s the Lycan who will be living with us? Impressive.”


    I bowed politely, but he waved it off.


    “Please, <i>Phy </i>


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    No need for formality.” Then, to Nathan, he nodded before turning back to me and add, “An official letter came from the Lycan King. He’s delivered your white horse<b>, </b>sealed a trade deal that


    benefits the Dust and granted permission for a Lycan to reside here. He assures me Blue is


    harmless and ic


    she ever shows otherwise, he’ll retrieve her himself. I’ve stamped and approved it. You shoulde see you…”


    He was still speaking when rushed to the window. Her knees weakened, and she turned to me with


    wide eyes.


    “Zephyr!” she screamed, just as I had expected.


    I ignored her and tuned back to Alpja Auedric.


    “Lycannar made a deal with you for the Dusk household?”


    He arched a brow.


    “Lycannar?”


    “Oh… I mean… Apex.”


    A knowing smile touched his lips.


    “Ah, so you know his real name now. Well, yes. Thanks to you. Supplies for months, all settled or… shouldn’t I have?.”


    Nathan spoke up first.


    “I’m d you epted. Zephyr is like a daughter to me. I won’t refuse anything her man offers.”


    My cheeks warmed, and I ducked my gaze to hide it.


    Alpha Auedric spoke a while longer before taking his leave. I was about to join Dessyn at the window when Moon’s door creaked open.


    He stepped out atst quiet, reserved but as he emerged, I noticed Blue freeze, her gaze locking on him. Awe spread across her face.


    “I’m going out,” Moon murmured, heading for the door without waiting for a reply.


    Blue giggled softly.


    “Does he also live here?” she asked.


    I was about to answer when Moon suddenly returned, a sheet of paper in hand. His eyes met mine,


    “The duel’s been issued,” he said. “It’s tonight.”


    “What?”