Kenneth's POV
My heart ached for her.
I should have waited before telling her that horrible news. Why didn't I wait? I scolded myself, mentally face-palming.
She lay in my arms, almost lifeless. The thought of her no longer being around to calm me, to smile at me, to be mine—it strangled the breath right out of me. I couldn't bear it.
I couldn't imagine living with that witch. No wonder she transferred to our school. I clenched my jaw, fury boiling within. That cunning lioness knew about the decree. I was sure she transferred schools to get closer to me, to insert herself into my life long before the announcement. She'd tried to seduce me, hoping to make me fall for her before the marriage decree came into play. That way, it would feel like fate. Like a choice.
How calculating.
I hissed, shaking my head, forcing my thoughts back to the girl in my arms.
My Lucy.
She remained limp no matter how many times I screamed her name into her ear, no matter how hard I shook her. Panic began to set in, constricting my chest. What if she doesn't wake up? What will I tell her aunt? She made it crystal clear—I was responsible for Lucy's well-being. If something happened to her, I'd have more than a grieving heart to deal with. I'd have her wrath too.
Zeus roared in my head, intensifying my headache. He was beyond agitated, pacing and snarling like a wild beast. He demanded control, claiming I was moving too slowly.
Trying to stay calm, I gently laid Lucy down on a bed of leaves, ensuring there was nothing beneath her that could hurt her fragile body. Then I mind-linked my mother.
"Please, call the healer. Tell him to come to the castle immediately!"
Without waiting for her reply, I scooped Lucy up bridal style and sped toward the castle, my heart pounding faster than my feet.
The healer was already there when I arrived. I didn't even greet him. I bolted straight to Lucy's room and carefully placed her on the bed, brushing strands of hair away from her face.
The healer, who also considered himself a prophet, stepped forward and raised his hand.
"I'll need you to leave the room while I assess her."
Before he could finish his sentence, Zeus surged forward, ripping control from me. He let out a thunderous roar directly in the healer's face. The man flinched but bowed immediately in submission.
"It's alright, my Prince. You may stay. Everyone else, please step outside."
Tension eased from my muscles, but I could feel my mother's eyes boring into me. She was watching Zeus with concern and confusion. I gave her a slight shrug, silently promising we'd talk later.
I tried to rein Zeus back in, but his emotions—combined with mine—made it impossible to think. The dizziness from our shared panic almost made me collapse.
I took a seat on the couch at the far end of the room and held my throbbing head.
"Zeus, sit down! You're making me dizzy," I growled at him.
But he wouldn't listen. He was too emotional. And the more emotional he got, the more it overwhelmed me.
After what felt like an eternity, the healer finally broke the silence.
"Did you say she is human?"
I blinked at him. Seriously? What kind of question was that coming from a lion?
Can't you smell her scent? I wanted to snap, but I held back.
I exhaled, trying to remain polite. "Yes. She's human."
"I'm not so sure about that," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I'll need to examine her more closely. Her inner being is… dormant. As if a spell has been cast over her. She could be human—or she could be something else. I can't read her soul."
His words confused me further. My first instinct was to lash out, but I didn't want another lecture about respecting my elders from my parents.
"Uhm... Can you try speaking English?" I asked, rubbing my temples. I was exhausted. Today had been one disaster after another.
The prophet nodded. "I'm not just a herbalist. I also read souls—be they supernatural or human. To heal someone quickly, I must connect with their soul."
"Yeah, I know that part already. What are you saying about her specifically?" I asked, now growing irritated.
"I'm saying I can't tap into her soul. It's hollow. As if it's been veiled by powerful magic. She's breathing, but she's in a coma. And I can't reach her soul to awaken her."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I was shaken. Completely.
I tried to make sense of what he was saying, but nothing fit. A spell? On Lucy? But how? Why?
An hour passed. Still no sign of movement from her. She just lay there—still, pale, and unresponsive.
By evening, I was beyond overwhelmed. I hadn't left her side. Not for food. Not for rest. Not for anything.
A soft knock at the door startled me. I stood up and opened it.
My mother.
"Nkem, we need to talk," she said, her eyes serious.
I nodded, casting one last glance at Lucy before stepping out. I followed her to her chambers in silence.
---
Liza's POV
The moment the King told me about Ken's human girlfriend, I was concerned. But I assumed it would be easy to convince him to end it and accept the lioness chosen for him.
That hope vanished the instant he stormed out of the throne room mid-shift. He left his father and me standing there, stunned and half-transformed.
What could have triggered Zeus like that?
Was it because he knew something we didn't? Or perhaps… was there more to this girl than met the eye?
Why would a Royal Lion be so attached to a mere human?
Could it be... magic?
The thought sent fury rippling through me.
Still, I knew better than to jump to conclusions. I dismissed myself from the King's presence, knowing that if I stayed too long, he'd sense my rising emotions. As my destined mate, he felt everything I did.
I went to my chambers and quickly blocked the mental link between us. I needed to think—alone.
Just as I was about to reach out to the prophet, Kenneth's voice echoed through the link.
"Mom! Are you there?" His voice trembled, causing panic to course through me.
I knew the King would feel it soon too, since I had just reopened the link to connect with the prophet.
No, I thought. Let him focus on his duties. I'll handle this.
"Yes, son. What's wrong? You sound scared," I replied, trying to steady my voice while bracing for his answer.