<i>Zephyrine </i>
<b>28 </b>
+20 Free Coins
I was woken by the sound of a soft knock. Still sleepy, I called gently for the person toe in.
A secondter, the door opened and Princess Mearez stepped into my bedchamber. Just like that, the sleep in my eyes vanishedpletely.
I opened them wider to stare at her, watching her stand quietly in the doorway. Then she sighed softly, her eyes falling on the sleeping King beside me.
“He is still asleep?” she asked in a low voice, moving carefully as if not to wake him, and she stopped to study his peaceful, gorgeous face.
I nodded with a quiet sigh.
“Yes,” I replied, easing away from Lycannar, careful with the nket as I got off the bed and walked to the dresser, leaning against it.
I hadn’t realized my heart was thudding until now. I looked up into her eyes, and for what felt like an eternity, we held our silence.
I had sought Lycannar’s arms to forget the bigger problem out there. The noise, the chaos. I had fallen asleep, letting his presence carry away my worries for a while.
Now, with the gentle after–rain breeze swirling around us, Princess Mearez, who had attended to my sick brother, parted her lips and spoke.
“Zephyrine,” she called, and I swallowed hard, my heart clenching. I was ready. “I am proud of you.”
The words stilled my heart. I didn’t move or respond, simply waited.
“I admire your strength and heart. Your courage and kindness. Your will.” She gently reached for my hand and took it in hers. “Your brother carries your blood, and as much as I’ve heard of the Ashmeres, I know they are strong. Your brother is also an Ashmere, which means he will heal but it may take time.”
I bit my lower lip to hold back a sob as she continued, her hold on me growing tender. <fnfc03> Official source is F?nd-Novel</fnfc03>
“You will be strong for him. Whatever unstable reaction he might disy… you will be there for him, and you will be strong. Do you understand me?”
<b>18:13 </b>Tue<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>16 </b>
:
Tears spilled out, and I nodded, wiping them away with a sigh.
<b>28 </b>
+20 Free Coins
“Thank you so much, Princess Mearcz.” I went to hug her. “I… I can’t… I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Don’t you dare,” she scolded softly. “Being my brother’s woman is enough. You make him happy, and I am grateful.”
She smiled, turning to look at Lycannar. I followed her gaze, and the sight of him made me smile in relief.
“He proposed to me today, Princess Mearez,” I confessed. She turned to me, her brows arching in utter disbelief.
“What?<b>” </b>
“He proposed marriage. For me to be his wife.”
Princess Mearez went still, swallowing hard, her gaze fixed on me as though waiting.
“And… what do you… what was your response?” she asked, almost in panic. I shook my head with a sigh.
“He wants me to think about it.” I looked at her and smiled.
***
The pack was steaming itself dry when I walked back into the bedchamber fully dressed. The door opened suddenly, and I turned to see Dessyn freeze in the doorway, stiffening at the sight of Lycannar asleep.
“Be more careful,” I mouthed, and she nodded, replying the same way.
“Princess Mearez said it’s time to depart.”
My heart sank at those words, but I didn’t argue. I nodded, watching her close the door silently. Earlier, Princess Mearez had been shocked that Lycannar proposed marriage and even more unsettled at my possible future response.
I turned now to Lycannar, still asleep. The sky had already darkened, and I knew he must return to his tower since he couldn’t stay out two nights in a row.
I walked toward the bed and sat tenderly beside him, reaching out to graze his cheek with my fingertips.
+20 Free Coins
“Lycan?” I called softly, hating to wake him from his beautiful sleep. “Lycannar? My love?”
He stirred, and slowly his eyelids fluttered open, grey shifting to pale gold. My heart leapt to my throat, nearly stealing all reason from me.
Why is he so handsome? Why does he have to be this breathtaking? Why?
Silence stretched between us. I couldn’t move, and he wouldn’t stop staring. Then his lips pressed against mine, making my heart swell with joy.
“My love, you have to go home,” I said softly, my chest aching with sadness as I pulled away. “I’ll order clothes for you at once. The one you wore is in theundry basket. It’s wet from the rain and blood.”
I headed toward the door, but his voice came, deep and husky from sleep.
“Don’t bother.”
I turned back, meeting his gaze as he sighed and nced toward the present box Blue had brought.
Then Lycannar rose from the bed and walked into the bath chamber to answer nature’s call before returning to dress.
I sat down on the bed, eyes on him as he fixed his attire. Blue had been precise. The clothes fit him perfectly, as though she had taken his measurements herself. She must have been obsessed to know him so well.
Lycannar put on the new boots, ran his fingers through his hair, leaving the strands to fall beautifully across his face. Lastly, he picked up the bracer and was fastening it around his forearm when I stood to help him. In silence, I reached for the ropes, tying them expertly.
The entire time I could feel his eyes on me, steady, unrelenting. After I finished, I made to walk away, but he caught my wrist and pulled me back.
“You’re mad at me.”
I swallowed, then pulled away.
“Let’s go. It’s nightfall already.”
With that, I walked out, sadness clinging to me at the thought of him leaving, knowing I’d be empty once again.