As the heavy wooden door closed behind Denzel and Devonte, Zara stood frozen in place, her chest tightening. She couldn't shake the unease that clung to her like a second skin. Something wasn't right. They'd returned from the forest looking more distant than ever before, their warm, protective gazes replaced by cold, unreadable expressions.
"How was the search? Did you find anything?" she asked hopefully, waiting for them to look at her as before.
"It was fine," came a bland reply from Denzel. He didn't spare a glance at her, his eyes looking at everyone but her.
"Xavier, prepare the troop. We are going back early as the sun rises tomorrow," Devonte announced suddenly, surprising everyone.
"And Zara… she is coming with us as we already decided," he added after passing a quick stare at her. Zara noticed his secretive glance and looked at them with a puzzled expression.
"Going back in a hurry? What happened suddenly?" she muttered to herself, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Why? What could have happened during the search?
Her father approached, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Zara, you should get some rest. They'll explain in time."
But Zara wasn't convinced. The way the brothers avoided her gaze, the way they brushed off her questions with vague responses—it wasn't like them. They never ignored her.
"Do you know something, Father?" she asked, searching his face for answers.
Xavier hesitated, his jaw tightening slightly before he shook his head.
"No, Zara. But you shouldn't overthink it. The Kings have their reasons."
Zara bit her lip, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She wanted to demand more, but her father's calm yet firm tone made it clear he wouldn't say anything else.
With a heavy heart, she retreated to her room, though rest was the last thing on her mind. The memory of Devonte's hand on her cheek and Denzel's promise earlier that night lingered, making their sudden coldness all the more baffling.
What changed? she wondered as she paced the room, wringing her hands.
---
Meanwhile, in the guest bedroom, Denzel sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders tense, while Devonte leaned against the wall, arms crossed and jaw set. The silence between them was thick, their earlier discovery weighing heavily on their minds.
"This isn't going to work," Devonte finally said, his voice low and rough.
Denzel glanced at him, his expression as hard as stone.
"We don't have a choice."
"She's going to know something's wrong," Devonte argued, pushing off the wall. "She's not stupid, Denzel. Zara's going to ask questions—questions we can't answer."
"Then we make sure she doesn't," Denzel replied sharply. His tone softened slightly, but his resolve didn't waver.
"This is for her safety, Devonte. You saw that cave. Whoever left that message knows about her. They know she's our mate—before even we knew."
Devonte's fists clenched at the reminder. The image of the blood-streaked message carved into the cave wall was seared into his mind:
"The Kings' mate will pay for their sins."
It wasn't just a threat—it was a promise.
"We should've told her," Devonte muttered, his frustration evident. "At least let her know she's in danger."
"And then what?" Denzel shot back. "Make her panic? Put her at even greater risk because she's scared and distracted? No. The less she knows, the safer she'll be," Denzel said in a low voice.
"And you can't forget the other side we discovered today. I hope you still remember what we heard."
Devonte didn't respond, his jaw tight as he stared out the window. He hated it—hated the distance they were forced to put between themselves and Zara.
She was their mate, their world. But now, their bond was a vulnerability their enemies could exploit. And the thing they saw and heard in that cave still lingered in their minds like a vengeful ghost.
"We leave at dawn," Denzel said after a moment, his tone final. "The castle is the safest place for her. We'll figure out who's behind this and eliminate the threat. Until then, we keep our distance."
Devonte nodded reluctantly, though the thought of avoiding Zara made his chest ache.
---
Back in Zara's room, sleep eluded her. The hours dragged on as she replayed every moment of the night in her mind, searching for clues. Why had they changed so suddenly? What had they found in the forest? And why wouldn't they talk to her about it?
Is there something unexpected happening there? Had they met someone? Did they find something unusual about her?
Or… did they get to know she had been scooped into this story magically?
No. There's no way for that. According to them, this is their world. They wouldn't believe it if they found out she had come from the real world—it would sound totally absurd to them.
Then what could have possibly gone wrong?
Finally, unable to bear the questions any longer, she made her way to the guest bedroom. Standing outside the door, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the handle. She wanted answers—needed them—but something about the heavy silence on the other side of the door made her pause.
She pressed her ear against the wood, hoping to catch a hint of their conversation. But all she heard was the faint sound of steady breathing. They were already asleep.
Disappointment settled over her as she returned to her room. Maybe tomorrow they'll explain, she thought, though she wasn't entirely convinced.
---
The next morning, the packed house buzzed with activity as the Kings prepared to leave. Zara watched from the balcony as the horses were saddled and supplies loaded. She took a deep breath, seeing everything ready for their departure. Soon, one of the caretakers called her to leave.
She stepped out of her room with a heavy heart. Even though she had spent just a few hours here, she felt an unexplainable connection. Her heart was saddened by the fact she was leaving her maternal place. It seemed she had already adapted to the story.
With a heavy sigh, she descended the staircase and reached the doorstep of the mansion.
When Denzel and Devonte finally emerged, their expressions were as unreadable as they'd been the night before. She passed them a warm smile, hoping for at least a small response. But they barely glanced her way as they gave final instructions to the guards and her father. Her lips curled with sadness.
Soon, everyone mounted their horses. Denzel was on the right side of Zara, Devonte on the left. No one started a conversation. Everyone rode with hard, stone-like faces, and it was beginning to irritate her.
Something's not right, she thought, clenching her fists at her sides.
She wouldn't sit idly by while they kept her in the dark. She'd find out what they were hiding—no matter what it takes.