Chapter 51

VALKYRIE

“Here, have some water,” Zar suggests, handing me a glass. I take it from him and sip it slowly.

I’m pregnant? Carrying Dimitri’s child?

“Valkyrie, look at me,” Zar instructs, gently lifting my chin so our eyes meet. “Breathe, you’re looking a little pale.”

“Pale?” I echo, still trying to process the news.

“Valkyrie, if anyone walks in and sees you like this, they’ll start asking questions. You need to calm down,” Zar advises, offering a comforting smile.

I swallow hard. I’m pregnant, about to become a mother. I grip Zar’s hand, my fingers trembling.

“Why are you so nervous?” Zar asks, kneeling down to my level.

“Baby,” I whisper, looking at him. Zar’s brow furrows in concern.

“You don’t want it?” Zar questions, causing me to stiffen. Did I want the baby? “Talk to me, Valkyrie.”

“It’s not that. It’s just… I’m not ready,” I admit, feeling defeated. The last thing I expected was a baby. I don’t even know what it means to be a mother.

“Listen, if you don’t want to tell anyone, that’s okay. I can keep a secret. But eventually,” Zar says, pointing at my stomach, “it’s going to show, and everyone will find out.”

He’s right. I can’t hide this forever, but I can for now.

“Okay,” I agree, managing a weak smile. “I’ll keep it a secret. Thank you.”

Zar nods, standing up and stretching. Just as I’m about to speak, the chamber door swings open. Mia stands there, looking shocked as she takes in the sight of Zar and me.

“Oh, you’re awake,” Mia murmurs, her gaze fixed on Zar.

“It’s okay, Mia,” I assure her, standing up. “He’s healed and doing fine. Could you call Damian and Michael for me? Please?”

Mia looks doubtful, her eyes never leaving Zar as she shuts the door behind her.

“Looks like I’m in trouble?” Zar glances at me.

“Don’t worry. No one’s going to hurt you,” I reassure him with a smile.

Ten minutes later, Damian, Mia, Leo, and Michael enter the chamber.

Zar sits beside me on the bed as I tend to his wound.

“Looks like the bastard’s finally awake,” Damian grumbles.

“Don’t,” I warn him.

“May I check on you?” Michael asks, and I step aside to give them room.

“How long has he been awake?” Damian questions me.

“About twenty minutes,” I lie. I’m not about to tell them that Zar woke up an hour ago.

“I see. Did he say anything?” Damian asks, glancing at Zar.

“No, he didn’t. I waited for you guys to get here,” I explain.

“Huh? What’s this?” Michael suddenly exclaims, drawing our attention to him.

Mia gasps as she spots the mark on Zar’s back. Zar looks up, and I decide to step in.

“It’s a tamer mark,” I admit, walking over to the bed and standing next to Zar. “For some reason, we both have the same one.”

“Why do you?” Leo stammers.

“I know, it’s weird. But when I saw hers, I had to show her mine. We’re both still trying to figure it out,” Zar explains.

“Could you explain what happened to you?” Damian asks, changing the subject. I pat Zar on the shoulder in encouragement.

“You might want to sit down. It’s a long story,” Zar sighs, settling back onto the bed.

Everyone takes a seat, waiting for Zar to begin. I move to the balcony, crossing my arms and waiting silently for him to start.

“A few weeks ago, my father discovered I’d traded the dragon hearts for scales. He was furious and punished me. I don’t know if you know this, but my father despises me.

“He’s always wanted me dead, but because I have the council’s support, he can’t do it. So he sent me back to my home and kept a close watch on me,” Zar explains, rubbing his nose.

“Somehow, he found out I was planning to leave the kingdom and sent his men to kill me.”

“You wanted to leave the kingdom?” Leo asks, intrigued.

“Yes, I’ve been working on treaties with other kingdoms to create peace between dragons and humans. My goal is to stop the senseless killing of your kind,” Zar explains, running a hand through his hair.

“But with my father still alive, I can’t think straight. I’m a nuisance to him. He hates that I’m standing in his way.”

Hearing him say that sends a chill down my spine. My eyes instinctively drop to my stomach.

“He wants all of you dead, and he wants King Dimitri’s head,” Zar continues, and I can feel his gaze on me.

“I’ve been on the run for a week. I’ve been ambushed and managed to escape several times, but four days ago, they attacked me and I got injured. That’s when your queen saved me.” I smile at him.

“So you escaped?” Damian asks, frowning.

“Yes, just barely. The men who helped me were all killed. I’m the only one who survived,” Zar admits, a sad smile on his face.

“And what about that mark?” Damian finally asks.

“This? I’m not a tamer,” Zar denies.

“Sure, fucker. Isn’t that a tamer mark?” Leo snaps.

“Yes, but I always kept it hidden,” Zar admits, peeling off the skin that covered the mark. He hands it to Michael, who examines it.

“It’s fake skin,” Michael confirms. “You used this to hide the mark?”

“Yeah, that’s right. My dad only gives his sons the tamer marks, and so far, only one of them has it,” Zar says.

“Is it Seth?” Damian growls out the question.

“No, it’s Eros,” Zar shakes his head. “Just him and my dad.”

“And what about you?” Leo asks.

“I’ve kept mine hidden for the past ten years. I don’t want to hurt your kind,” Zar says with a smile. “I know it’s hard to swallow, but I’m being straight with you.”

Everyone’s eyes are on Zar, their gazes sharp and suspicious.

“I believe him,” I say, stepping back into the room.

“YOU WHAT?” Damian roars, standing up and hissing at me. I raise my hand in a calming gesture.

“I believe him, but that doesn’t mean I trust him,” I clarify. “You need to give us something concrete. Proof that you’re not lying.”

“Okay,” Zar nods.

“And how do you plan on doing that?” Leo asks, his brow furrowed.

“I’ve got two different kings who can back up my story,” Zar says, looking at Damian.

“Out with it, tamer,” Damian growls.

“The king from the Fae Kingdom and your peace treaty king who’s on the kingdom border,” Zar says, sounding irritated.

“Hold on, you mean the southern kingdom?” Leo asks, surprised. “He knows you?”

“Yeah,” Zar rolls his eyes, “Not just him, a bunch of the other kingdoms know me too. They know what I’m after,” Zar chuckles. “Go ask them.”

“I have a question,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. “You mentioned the king of the Fae Kingdom?”

“Yeah. You know him, don’t you?” Zar asks, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.

All eyes turn to me. Feeling uncomfortable under their scrutiny, I look down at the floor.

“Is something wrong?” Zar asks.

“Not really,” Leo mumbles, sighing.

“Are you talking about King Sesto?” Damian asks, prompting a nod from Zar. “Well, it looks like you need to have a chat with your dad, Michael.” Zar’s head whips around to look at Michael, his eyes wide with surprise.

“You’re King Sesto’s son?” Zar asks, looking at Michael in shock. “I thought he only had one son. What’s his name… Cian?”

“Not just him. Michael is his son too,” Leo says, laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Zar asks.

“Well, you see, Michael is Cian’s twin brother and King Sesto’s son. And Valkyrie is their cousin,” Leo explains, while Michael growls in annoyance.

“You’re not human?” Zar snaps at me.

I smile and shake my head.

“No, I’m not,” I say, still smiling.

“Wow,” Zar says, shaking his head. “Better make sure my dad doesn’t find out about that.”

“About what?” Damian asks, his eyebrows furrowing.

Zar looks up, a small crease forming on his forehead. Why is he looking at Damian like that?

“Don’t you know?” Zar asks, looking confused. His gaze sweeps the room and stops when he sees me. He lets out a sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“You don’t know,” Zar whispers.

“Know what?” Mia asks.

“That my dad knows Dimitri found his mate,” Zar says, frowning.

“He knows?” Damian asks, his voice rising in anger.

“Yeah,” Zar sighs, gripping the bedsheets. “And he’s been watching her. My dad wants to know everything about Valkyrie.”