179 Chapter 179

Chp248

I turned to the guard and then the consort. "I think it's best the two of you leave."

The guards nodded and as he left muttered, "the verdant princess."

The consort shot me an annoyed look, but then his lady waved a hand, and reluctantly, he left, his eyes on mine as he did, almost daring in a way. I snorted and shook my head which seemed to piss him off, though he left before anything occurred.

Zirani and Aeverie spent a long moment embracing each other before they separated.

"How?" Aeverie was clearly in shock.

"That is a long story," Zirani replied. "And one for later. First, I'd like you to meet the reason I'm still alive."

She motioned to me. "This is Aiden Hawke, and thanks to him and his archvein bloodline I survived."

Aeverie seemed confused and then her eyes widened even further than before. "You… allowed yourself to be bonded?"

"It was that or die," Zirani answered.