67. A death threat

[Diana’s POV]

I turned around.

“Zeph!” I ran to him as he dashed to me.

Panting, he stopped, his hands on his knees.

“I…” — pant — “thought I would” — pant — “reach here before you. But this place is” — pant — “huge. I am sorry, I am late.”

“It’s ok. You are right on time. Settle down your breaths, first,” I went to the carriage and fetched a water bottle, proffering it to Zephyr. “Here, drink it.”

“Thanks, princess,” Zephyr finished the entire bottle in a few gulps. Water droplets slid from the corner of his lips down his throat. His adam’s apple bobbing sensuously with every gulp. He licked his lips and exhaled, wiping his mouth on his cuff.

I gaped at his lips, and suddenly I was thirsty.

He looked at me, and I looked away.

“Ok, now that everyone is here. Let’s go,” Archer said. He was holding a considerably big wooden box.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A gift for luna Nesta from our luna. They are… close friends,” Archer said.

We entered the palace. It was in the aesthetic of white, re