Zephyrine


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    He stopped just before we reached the door, and I turned to stare at him. Lycannar. We were here for breakfast.


    Not that I was hungry, but my aunt, Kostyra, was a woman I could never be rude to. She had shown me no reason to be, and though I had my doubts about her, I still chose to maintain the respect and love I held for her.


    I nced at Lycannar again. A small frown creased his face, and I nearly smiled. Something was bothering him. I stepped closer, pressing my palm against his chest as I looked up.


    “What’s wrong?” I asked softly.


    In response, he only searched my eyes and kissed me, making my heart swell. Last night and this morning would have been the happiest of my life, if not for the truth I’d just learned about my family’s death.


    “Can I eat without worry?” he finally spoke. His words came as a question, and I swallowed hard at the meaning.


    Poison. Goosebumps prickled across my skin as I lowered my gaze. Even I could not let my guard down so easily.


    “She’s my mother’s younger sister,” I murmured. “She wouldn’t dare kill me or poison a king, unless she seeks the wrath of the Lycans.”


    Lycannar smiled faintly, shrugging.


    “It’s not that deep. My body is immune to poisons. Other things are my weaknesses. I just want to be sure I don’t have to worry about you.”


    My eyes flickered up, but before I could answer, he kissed me again. Just then the doors opened, and maids appeared in the doorway to receive us.


    Lentwined my fingers with Lycannar’s and walked inside, just in time to see my aunting toward us with a smile.


    In the living room, she offered him a wide grin, though Lycannar didn’t hold her gaze.


    Tm honored you came at my request, Your Majesty. Please, join us for breakfast. You too, Zephyr”


    We followed her into the dining hall. Only the maids and Lord Yua, her husband, were there. The moment he saw Laycannar, he rose to bow Lycannar returned it with a brief nod


    “Please sit. The meal is ready,” my aunt said I tugged Lycannar gently to his seat


    We settled before the dishes Delicious. fragrant, enough to make my stomach twist. I stared nkly at my cutlery until my aunt’s voler cut in


    “Please don’t be shy, Your Majesty. Take your cutlery”


    1/3 <fn127a> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn127a>


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    Lycannar obeyed, answering softly, rare for him, since he never spoke easily to strangers. Perhaps my aunt wasn’t a stranger to him, just as Jurrek hadn’t been


    “You may call me by my name.”


    “Really? Then may I call you Lycannar? Apex, which they address you as, is only a nickname, right?” she pressed.


    I shifted my gaze to her.


    “Apex is also his real name. You can use whichever you prefer.”


    She stared at me nkly, then forced a smile to smooth over the tension.


    “Ah. I see,” she murmured. We began the meal. Lycannar lifted his spoon when another question came.


    “I’ve never heard about your mother, the Queen. Is she alive?”


    I stiffened, and Lycannar froze.


    “Ah. perhaps I’ve gone too far. Forgive me,” my aunt said, feigning innocence. “I only want to understand you, since my niece here is clearly in love with you.”


    This time Lycannar did not reply. He set down his spoon, staring at the table.


    Then came another question.


    “A man like you must have had many mistresses. How many women have you bedded before Zephyrine?”


    “Aunt!” I snapped, my voice sharp with disbelief. She turned to me, pretending to be surprised.


    “What? I’m only trying to know your man better. Your mother would have, had she been alive. I’m only doing her duty.”


    I gaped at her, then turned to Lycannar, who remained silent. His dark hair fell forward, strands brushing his face. Then he shifted his gaze to the doorway, as though sensing someone approach.


    A momentter, the door opened and Blue stepped in.


    “My King, your sister requests your urgent presence.”


    Lycannar looked back at me, rose without a word, and kissed my lips softly before leaving with Blue. His absence left me hollow, shaken


    I turned my re on my aunt, but she only sighed, as though she were doing me a kindness.


    “A man like that is off-limits, Zephyr. Look around you at the maids. Can’t you see how fascinated they are with his very presence?”


    Her words made me nce around. She was right. Their eyes followed him, awestruck.


    “You and he aren’tpatible at all. He’s a Lycan, you a werewolf. He’s cursed. He’s lived in a ck tower all his life. He’s unsettling. A man so handsome, yet unwilling to meet anyone’s eyes or speak unless


    forced…”


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    “Enough!” I snapped. The word cracked like a whip, and she went still. “Enough, Aunt. You are like a mother to me. I will always respect you. But don’t cross this line.”


    “You’d choose a man over your own blood?” Lord Yua spoke atst. His eyes burned as he fixed them on me. “You’d choose a man born of destruction over your family?”


    “Ran told me you threatened himst night,” my aunt added. “He says you gave him no choice but to leave. Do you know who he is? He’s the son of Lord Osmir, one of the Imperium Council. You’ll never find a greater suitor, Zephyr. Won’t you reconsider?”


    Her words froze me. Ran is Lord Osmir’s son? She wanted me to marry into the very family that deceived mine into death?


    1 could barely speak. I only rose from my chair and turned toward the exit until her final words dropped like venom.


    “He will never belong to you alone, Zephyr. Save yourself the heartache now, and reject him.”


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