CHAPTER 30: A GIFT

Emira followed the prince slowly, every step measured. Her side ached where Teacher Shim’s kick had landed, a dull, throbbing pain spreading with every breath she took. She could feel the bruise forming already, hot beneath the skin, the flesh stiffening with each passing moment. It would be there for days, she knew.

An Omega did not heal the way an Alpha did.

Alphas shook off injuries like they were nothing, their bodies stitching themselves whole before the blood even dried. Omegas healed faster than humans, yes, but the pain lingered, the weakness clung longer. And this kick... she knew it would remind her of itself each time she moved.

Inside the cabin, Prince Zen walked to the low couch and sat with an ease that made Emira feel even smaller where she stood. His movements were deliberate, his presence filling the room in a way that left no space for anyone else to breathe too loudly.

She lowered herself to the floor at once, keeping her eyes downcast, and knelt before him. Her fingers tightened around the threads in her hand as she spoke softly.

"Your Highness... I wish to thank you."

Prince Zen leaned back against the cushions, his posture relaxed, but his eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light. "Thank me?" His tone carried a trace of amusement, as though the idea itself surprised him. "And what exactly did I do?"

Emira’s head shot up before she could stop herself. The casualness in his voice left her startled, scrambling for words, but she quickly dropped her gaze again, heart hammering.

"You... for what you did with Alec..." The words slipped out in a rush, trembling but determined.

The prince tilted his head, his expression unreadable as his voice cut through the air, slow and deliberate. "Are you accusing me," he said, "of orchestrating Alec Soier’s abuse, little fire? That is... quite a serious accusation."

Emira shook her head so quickly her hair brushed against her cheeks. "I dare not, Your Highness," she said, her voice firm despite the way her hands trembled in her lap. "I only wished to offer my thanks... for what you have done for me."

She raised her head slightly, only enough to show her sincerity, and held out the two threads she had guarded all this time. Her fingers unfolded slowly, revealing the small bracelets lying across her palms.

"This," she said softly, "is my gratitude. I made one for you... and one for Prince Kael."

Prince Zen’s eyes moved from her face to the bracelets in her palm. For a moment, he said nothing, only studying the small stones tied with thin threads. Then his voice came, calm but carrying a note of curiosity.

"And what is this?"

Emira kept her head lowered. "It is... a talisman, Your Highness," she said softly. "To protect you. Always."

One dark brow lifted slightly, the faintest sign of surprise crossing his face. "A talisman... to protect me?" he repeated slowly, as if tasting the words. The corner of his mouth tilted just a little, but his eyes were unreadable. "Interesting. Bring it here."

Emira hesitated for only a moment before rising to her feet. The movement made her side ache again, but she ignored it. She walked closer to where he sat, holding the threads carefully in her hand so they would not slip.

When she stopped before him and bent slightly to offer the bracelets, Prince Zen moved suddenly.

His hand shot out, fingers closing around her wrist before she could react.

Emira gasped softly as he pulled her forward with a strength that felt effortless. In the next breath, she was sitting on his thigh, the distance between them vanishing so quickly it left her trembling.

The heat of him seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes. His hand stayed firm around her wrist while his other hand plucked one bracelet from her palm—the one with the small grey stone that caught the light faintly.

He held it up between two fingers, his gaze still fixed on her face.

"This little thread and stone," he said slowly, his voice low, "is meant to protect me?"

Emira’s heart pounded so hard it hurt. She nodded, her breath shaky, the closeness of him making her hands tremble even more.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Prince Zen studied her for a moment longer, the bracelet glinting faintly in the dim light between his fingers. Then, without warning, he returned it to her open palm.

"Put it on," he said quietly.

Emira froze for a heartbeat before nodding quickly. "Y-Yes, Your Highness."

She took the thread back, her fingers trembling as she moved closer. He did not shift, did not make it easier for her. His arm remained resting on the arm of the couch, his wrist held out in patient command.

Her breath caught as she leaned in. Carefully, she looped the thread around his wrist, fumbling with the knot because her hands refused to stay steady. The warmth of his skin burned under her fingertips, and she swore he could feel how cold her hands were compared to him.

Finally, she tied the knot, tugging it tight so it would not come loose.

Prince Zen’s eyes narrowed faintly as he felt a faint warmth from the stone, but he said nothing, only watching as the little Omega scrambled off his lap the next second, dropping to her knees before him once again.

She raised her hands quickly, holding the second bracelet out to him.

"Please... give this one to Prince Kael," she said softly.

One brow lifted. "You want me to be your messenger?"

Emira’s eyes widened, panic flashing across her face as she shook her head hurriedly. "No, Your Highness. I... I didn’t mean—"

Before she could finish, Prince Zen laughed under his breath. The sound was low, rich, but held something sharp underneath.

"Just give it to him yourself," he said smoothly. "He is right behind you."

Emira went still. Slowly, as though afraid of what she might see, she turned.