Elis
Lily sat up hastily, pulling the sheet over herself. I leaned back against the pillows, completely unbothered. Her glare only amused me.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"It's Marta, my lady," came the maid's voice from behind the door. "Shall I bring breakfast?"
"Not yet," Lily answered quickly.
I couldn't help the smirk tugging at my lips as I watched the panic on her face. "Your staff will know soon enough."
She shot me a look. "It's none of their business."
I chuckled. "You think they don't already suspect?"
She sighed and rubbed her temples. "You need to leave before the entire palace starts talking."
I stretched my arms, enjoying the way her eyes briefly flicked over my bare chest before she caught herself. "There's one problem with that," I said.
"What?"
I lifted the sheet, raising a brow. "I didn't exactly come here dressed like a king."
She groaned, and I loved every second of it. "You're impossible."
Lily slid out of bed, grabbing a robe and tying it tightly around herself. "I'll send a guard to fetch your robe from your quarters."
I sat up further, grinning. "You're sending a guard to retrieve the Alpha King's clothes from his chambers? That won't raise suspicion at all."
She gave me a sharp glare. "You should have thought of that before you barged in here half-naked in the middle of the night."
I caught her wrist before she could leave. "I don't regret it," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "Not one moment of it."
Her eyes softened, and she smiled. My day was made already. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips, lingering for a moment before letting her go.
She called for a trusted guard and gave quiet instructions. I used the time to pull on my loose tunic and fasten a belt around my waist. It wasn't much, but at least I didn't look entirely indecent. When the guard returned with my robe, I stood near the window, watching her as she adjusted the collar and smoothed the fabric down.
"You should go before someone sees you," she said softly.
I caught her hand and kissed the back of it. "I'll see you later." I stepped out into the corridor, heading toward my private wing. But luck or fate had other plans. As I turned the corner, Princess Zeena appeared.
She stopped dead in her tracks. Her sharp green eyes locked onto mine, then flicked to the door I had just exited. Her expression twisted, but she masked it quickly, her lips curling with disdain. I didn't stop. Didn't flinch. I walked past her with calm, confident strides. Let her stew or assume. It didn't matter anymore. Lily was mine.
Later that morning, I sat at the grand table in my private quarters. Sunlight streamed through the windows, but the warmth I felt had nothing to do with the sun. It came from the memory of her…Lily. Her scent still clung to my skin, and I could still feel the imprint of her touch. A satisfied smirk played on my lips as I brought a piece of meat to my mouth. Everything in me buzzed content and alive. For the first time in what felt like ages, I felt whole.
Eunice stood across from me, arms folded. She studied me with narrowed eyes, suspicion written all over her face. "You're in a suspiciously good mood," she said. "Had a pleasant dream, My King?" I kept chewing, the smirk deepening. She leaned forward, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Or was it not a dream?" I met her gaze but said nothing. No confirmation. No denial. Her lips twitched. "Ah. I see."
I chuckled under my breath and took a sip of wine, my thoughts drifting back to Lily. It hadn't just been about comfort. It had been… transformative. That night had stirred something deep in me…something primal and powerful. Tika had returned.
Eunice watched me for a long moment. "Whatever happened," she said, "you needed it."
I set my goblet down, my smile fading into something more serious. "I did."
She nodded slowly. "Tonight is the night."
I leaned back slightly, the weight of the words settling over me. But I wasn't afraid. Not anymore. "Yes."
"You're ready?"
I rolled my shoulders, feeling the pulse of power under my skin. Tika was there now, restless, pacing. "I am."
She gave a small smile. "Then I suppose I should thank her."
I scoffed lightly. "She didn't do anything."
Eunice raised a brow. "Didn't she?"
I shook my head, but the warmth in my chest gave me away. She had done more than she realized. "Thank you, Eunice. For everything."
She inclined her head. "I only guided you. You found the way back on your own." As she turned to leave, she paused and looked over her shoulder. "When the time comes, focus on your connection with her. Hold onto it. That bond will be your anchor."
I nodded. She was right. Tonight, when I stood before the council of Alphas, I would show them the truth. And I would let Tika out.