Valkira couldn't find her voice. Her lips parted, but the words came out weak.
"Join you?" she stammered, barely above a whisper.
Zeroth's eyes stayed on her for a moment longer before he finally stepped back. He unpinned her from the wall and sighed.
"Well, don't go far, Valkira. When I'm done bathing, I need you close," he said, his tone softer now.
He turned away and walked into the bathroom. The door didn't shut fully behind him. He let the towel fall and stepped into the tub, the warm water wrapping around him like silence. He leaned back, letting it soak into his skin before reaching for the soap.
As he scrubbed himself slowly, his thoughts wandered.
"She's pretending. I know she feels it—she has to."
He muttered to himself, "Let's see how long she'll keep pretending…"
Zeroth closed his eyes. He hated this situation, just as he hated Lady Ygraine. But now, he had no choice. His father made it clear… Ygraine was the plan. Politics came first. Power came before happiness.
He used to wish for a mate—someone real, someone chosen by the moon, not by a council. He thought if he found her, everything would change.
He did find her. But she was an omega.
A fragile, low-ranked girl his father would never acknowledge, no matter what fate said. It felt like a cruel joke… to find your mate, only to be told she's not good enough.
Zeroth rested his head against the edge of the tub. If it were up to him, he'd mark her, bond with her, protect her, and take her away from all this madness.
But in his world, love wasn't enough. Valkira meant nothing to his father's politics. She was invisible in his father's eyes.
Zeroth sat up, water dripping from his skin. He got out and dabbed himself dry with a towel, then tied it around his waist. He stepped back into the room, quiet. The cold air brushed against his skin.
He wore a simple robe, tied it loosely, and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Valkira," he called.
The door opened immediately.
"Yes, my prince," she said, with her eyes low and her voice calm.
Something in him twisted… My prince.
That's what she kept calling him… not Zeroth, not something sweet, not anything that hinted at what they were to each other. She stood like a servant and spoke like one too.
But they were mates. Or… they were supposed to be.
She should've called him by his name. Touched him like she felt the pull too. Looked at him like the bond meant something. But she didn't, she stayed distant and quiet, like she was being careful.
Zeroth stared at her. Maybe she was pretending. Or maybe… maybe she didn't know they were mates.
"Why do you bow so much?" Zeroth said, watching her from the bed. "One day, you'll hit your head on the floor and won't get back up."
He stood and walked toward her. His steps were calm, slow, but there was something in his eyes that made the room feel smaller. Valkira didn't move. Her head stayed low, like always.
She wasn't sure how to face him. She wasn't even sure what he wanted from her anymore.
"Raise your head and look at me, Valkira."
His voice wasn't harsh, but it left no room to disobey. She hesitated, then lifted her head slowly. Their eyes met for a second that felt too long. His stare wasn't angry… it was searching hers. Like he was trying to read something written behind her eyes.
"How long are you going to pretend?" he asked.
She blinked, her brows pulling together.
"I don't follow," she said quietly.
He sighed. His eyes broke from hers as he turned around and walked to the window. He stared outside, into the woods in the distance.
"I know what you did," he said, his voice low.
Her heart skipped. Her mind went back… fast to the woods. That day, that moment when she saw him wounded. She didn't know how it happened, but when she touched him, the bleeding stopped. His breathing steadied. She hadn't told a soul.
She didn't even understand it. Now here he was, saying it out loud.
Zeroth turned around slowly.
"You're the girl in the woods," he said. "The one who placed her hand on my head."
She felt like her chest caved in, her breathing became fast. Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears. But she said nothing, she only bowed her head again, not knowing what else to do.
"I'm sorry, Prince Zeroth… it's…"
"Don't," he cut her off, stepping closer.
His voice dropped again, but it was calmer now.
"How did my wound get treated?" he asked. "You were there. I wasn't healing. Then you came, and touched me. The pain stopped. The wound closed."
"I… I…" she stammered, her throat dry. "I don't know."
He didn't look like he believed that. Not fully.
"And the next day, you just happen to become my personal maid?" he asked. "That's not luck. That's your plan. Or maybe something more."
He stepped close—too close. She could feel the heat off his body. His hand rose and rested gently under her chin. He tilted her head back up, forcing her to meet his eyes again.
His other hand found her waist. He didn't grip her hard, but he didn't let go either. She could feel his breath now, and her chest rose and fell faster.
"You felt it," he said softly. "Didn't you?"
She didn't speak. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted, but no words came out.
"You're my mate, Valkira."
The words left his mouth slowly, each one full of weight, and it made her freeze. She was just confused, and Zeroth leaned in. His hand on her waist pulled her closer. His fingers brushed over her jaw. Their lips were almost touching now.
He waited one more second, staring into her eyes, searching for any sign of fear.
There was none. He couldn't hold himself anymore.
His lips tangled on hers.