Lily sat at the dressing table, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Martha gently ran a comb through her long hair. The rhythmic motion was soothing, but Lily couldn’t shake the uneasiness that had settled in her chest.
She had been sitting on that uneasiness for a few days now, unable to shake it off.
“Lily, would you like me to braid your hair for you?”
Lily didn’t hear Martha; her eyes were unfocused. The maid paused, noticing the look on her face. Their eyes met in the mirror. She placed her hands on Lily’s shoulders.
“What’s troubling you?” Martha asked, her voice soft with concern. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”
Lily hesitated for a moment. She signed, ‘Something feels wrong. I can’t explain it.’
Martha set the comb down and pulled a chair to sit next to her. She placed her hands on Lily’s, “Is it about tomorrow’s journey? The ball?”
Lily nodded, her fingers moving again. ‘I feel like something bad will happen.’
“It’s normal to feel that way, after all, it is your first visit to the Capital,” Martha said reassuringly, gently patting Lily’s hands, “You’ll be well protected too. You have Alpha Zayn by your side, Ragnar and the others, even me.”
‘It’s not that,’ Lily signed, biting her lower lip. ‘Victoria will be there.’
Martha’s expression hardened at the mention of the she-wolf. She had never trusted Victoria, especially after witnessing how the woman looked at Lily when she thought no one was watching.
“That woman may think herself important, but she has no real power,” Martha assured her. “Besides, Talia will be attending the ball too. She won’t be traveling with you, but she’ll be there. Between Talia and your guards, Victoria won’t dare try anything. Besides, I’ll be there to fight her off, too.”
Lily forced a smile for Martha’s benefit, but the gnawing feeling in her gut wouldn’t subside.
Martha finished brushing Lily’s hair and helped her into bed. “Try to get some rest, dear. You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow.”
‘Thank you, Martha,’ Lily signed, grateful for the older woman’s unwavering support.
Martha squeezed her hand before extinguishing all but one small candle. “Sleep well, Luna. Everything will be fine.”
As the door closed behind Martha, Lily stared up at the ceiling. Despite the comfortable bed and warm blankets, sleep eluded her. Her thoughts kept circling back to Victoria and the upcoming journey to the Capital.
She tossed and turned, attempting to sleep. She tried everything, including counting sheep. But nothing worked. Lily sat up, sighing in frustration. She turned to her pillow, biting her lip as she stared at the piece of clothing she had hidden there.
She reached under the pillow and pulled it out slowly, revealing a neatly folded robe.
It was Zayn’s, the one she had worn when she fled his room. He seemed to have forgotten about it, and she didn’t bother to remind him either. So, instead of returning it, she kept it hidden beneath her pillow.
She buried her face in the soft, fluffy fabric, inhaling deeply. Despite being washed, it still carried traces of his scent.
The familiar scent calmed her frayed nerves. Lily hugged the robe to her chest, finding comfort in this small connection to him.
“You know, it’s rude to take what doesn’t belong to you,” a deep voice spoke from across the room.
Lily jumped, heart leaping into her throat as her head snapped toward the sound. Leaning casually against the doorframe that led to the balcony was Zayn, arms folded and grinning. The moonlight outlined his muscular torso.
It dawned on Lily. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, just a pair of loose trousers that hung low on his hips. His lips curved into a smirk as he watched her clutch his robe to her chest like a guilty child caught stealing sweets.
Lily’s face burned with embarrassment. She quickly stuffed the robe under her blanket and signed, ‘What are you doing here so late?’
Zayn pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked towards her. “I could ask you the same thing. Why aren’t you asleep yet? It’s nearly midnight.”
Lily hesitated, then admitted, ‘I couldn’t sleep. Too many thoughts.’
“That makes two of us,” Zayn replied, stopping at the foot of her bed. “I couldn’t sleep either.”
A charged silence fell between them. Lily was acutely aware of how she must look—hair loose around her shoulders, wearing only a thin nightgown. Zayn’s eyes roamed over her briefly before returning to her face.
“I thought a walk might clear my head,” he continued. “I ended up here.”
Lily chuckled, “Did you take a detour?”
Zayn smiled, “An unusual detour, but yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, seeming hesitant as he continued to speak. “Actually, I was hoping to see you before tomorrow’s journey. To make sure you’re prepared.”
‘Martha helped me pack,’ Lily signed. ‘Everything is ready.’
“Good,” Zayn nodded, then fell silent again.
Something in his expression made Lily’s heart race. There was vulnerability there, hidden beneath his usual stoic demeanor. She’d seen glimpses of it before, but never so clearly as now.
“With the full moon... and the ball...” He clenched his jaw before continuing, “I don’t know if the elixxir will work. If something goes wrong...”
‘I’ll be there,’ Lily assured him, her hands moving confidently. ‘We’ll face it together.’
Zayn’s expression softened. “I know you will.” He glanced around the room, then back at her. “I should let you rest.”
He walked back to the balcony, hesitant in his steps. He stopped at the doorframe and turned back.
“Can I share your bed tonight? Just to sleep,” He added quickly, hands raised, “Your presence seems to help me sleep better.”
Lily’s breath caught in her throat. Zayn had never made such a request before. She hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Zayn must have mistaken her hesitation for rejection. “I apologize for the intrusion,” he said stiffly, turning toward the balcony. “Forget I asked. Goodnight, Lily.”
Panic surged through her as she watched him retreat. Without thinking, Lily scrambled out of bed and rushed after him. She almost tripped on her own feet as she caught up with him.
She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her face against his bare back. She squinted her eyes closed and held her breath. She wished she could speak.