The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 166

Lylah’s POV

The blow snapped my head to the side.

For a heartbeat, there was nothing–only the ringing in my ears. Then the pain followed, blooming across my check in a hot, searing wave that spread through my skin like fire.

Sestine stirred beneath my ribs, restless, offended.

But I stayed still.

‘Isaac, enough.” Thane Blackridge stepped forward and caught Isaac’s arm before another strike could fall.

Isaac jerked his arm back, glaring. “Why are you defending her now?”

‘I’m not defending her,” Thane replied evenly. “But if you keep attacking her and she spills blood, they’ll drag you out of here. And you won’t be present when Iris wakes up.”

The taste of copper filled my mouth.

Blood.

swallowed it quickly before anyone could see.

Isaac Grey…” My voice came out rough, but steady. “I will trace it. I’ll find out how the incident with Iris happened.”

His gaze snapped to me, sharp as a blade.

Before he could speak, another voice cut through the room.

Cold. Mocking.

‘Is that really all you’re capable of doing? Something useless?”

My head turned.

Soren stood beside Cora, arms crossed, her expression dripping with contempt. I hadn’t even noticed when she arrived.

‘Oh, Lylah,” she continued sweetly. “And how would we know you wouldn’t simply fake the results?”

Cora suddenly hissed under her breath, her voice tight with alarm. “Soren–how are you even here? Who Iris was being treated here?”

told you

My eyes narrowed.

That meant Cora hadn’t told her.

So how did Soren know?

Unless… she already knew Iris had fallen.

The realization struck like lightning.

Memories from last night surged back–the restaurant, the sharp tension in the air, and the dark, ugly flash that had crossed Soren’s eyes when Iris had spoken up for me. Iris’s words had wounded her pride, and a grudge had ignited in her heart right then and there.

My wolf reacted before my mind fully caught up.

I moved.

“How did you know Iris fell?” I demanded. “You’re not even an official student here yet. How did the news reach you this fast?” My grip tightened. “Unless you were there when it happened. Speak. And don’t you dare lie to me.”

“What is this…?” Soren forced out, her voice rising defensively. But beneath the anger, I caught the tremor. “Are you accusing me? This is ridiculous! How could you accuse me of pushing Iris?”

“I didn’t!”

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