Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 80: Zamian’s Promise

Chapter 80: Zamian’s Promise

Mira was shocked. She hadn’t expected Zamian to say such cheesy words. Where had he learned that from? She stayed quiet, and it wasn’t just her. Even John, usually unshakable, was silent. Clearly, neither of them had anticipated such affection from Zamian, who was usually reserved.

The ride continued in awkward quietness. Mira stole a glance at Zamian, who was gazing out the window, a small unknown smile playing on his lips. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable exactly, but it felt charged, as if something unspoken lingered in the air. The tension rose a little more when Zamian’s phone pinged, cutting through the stillness like a sharp note.

Zamian pulled out his phone and read the message in silence, his expression tightening slightly. Though he didn’t say a word, Mira felt the change in the atmosphere. The air grew heavier, and John, always perceptive, seemed to pick up on the shift as well. The cheerful lightness of the moment faded. Something was wrong.

Mira didn’t know what was happening, but her instincts told her that the message wasn’t good news. She bit her lip and glanced at Zamian again, trying to gauge his mood. However, his face had turned back into that calm, unreadable mask he often wore when dealing with work. The car pulled up in front of the mansion, and without a word, Zamian stepped out, his long strides brisk and purposeful. Mira followed, hesitating as her eyes flicked between him and John.

As they walked inside, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the grand foyer, Zamian finally spoke. His voice was calm, but there was a firmness to it that told Mira something serious was on his mind.

"You’ll need to rest more than usual. Make sure you’re keeping your body strong," he said, his eyes briefly softening as they entered the elevator.

Mira nodded, though she couldn’t shake the unease that lingered between them. Was this about the message he had just received? Why wasn’t he telling her anything? She wanted to ask, but something about his tone made her hold back.

Just then, her own phone pinged. Grateful for the distraction, she quickly pulled it out and read the message. Her eyes widened slightly, and a smile crept onto her face. It was an update from her job, informing her that she had been transferred to another branch—one that came with more responsibilities and recognition. All the hard work she’d poured into her job over the past few weeks had finally paid off. She felt a swell of pride mixed with relief. For so long, she had used her job as a distraction from the loneliness that crept in during Zamian’s frequent absences, and now it seemed like it had all been worth it.

However, her happiness was tempered by a strange feeling. As she tucked her phone back into her pocket, a thought nagged at the back of her mind. Could this transfer be related to Zamian? She glanced up at him, but his focus was elsewhere. Little did she know that this was all his doing, orchestrated behind the scenes.

When they reached the bedroom, Zamian’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. "I’ll be leaving for work soon," he said abruptly.

Mira’s shoulders dropped slightly. It seemed like he was always leaving. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Zamian continued, "Don’t worry. I’m not leaving tomorrow. I’ll leave the day after."

Her heart clenched, and she nodded, though part of her wanted to be selfish and ask him to stay. She bit back the words, knowing better. He had responsibilities, far more important than she could compete with. As much as she missed him, she couldn’t ask him to stay just for her. Zamian moved closer, his tone shifting from businesslike to something more serious, more personal.

"I’m going back to my kingdom," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "There are things I need to attend to... including Derek."

Mira’s heart skipped a beat. That name again. She’d heard it once before, back in the forest during that terrifying moment when everything seemed to spiral out of control. Since then, the mystery of it had gnawed at her, an unanswered question that lingered in the back of her mind. Was he finally going to tell her who Derek was?

Mira swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, her curiosity bubbling up. But before she could say anything, Zamian spoke again, his tone shifting back to casual. "You go get—"

"I’ll have a bath right now," she interrupted, eager to escape the tension building inside her. Her voice was light, but the eagerness to change the subject was unmistakable. Zamian gave a slight nod, and she quickly made her way into the bathroom.

The moment she stepped inside, her eyes widened. The bathroom was already prepared for her, steam rising from the hot water that filled the tub, the delicate aroma of roses floating in the air. Rose petals drifted lazily on the surface of the water, and soft, scented candles were arranged around the room, casting a gentle, calming glow.

Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled to herself. Was this Zamian’s doing? It must have been. The thought warmed her heart. He was always so thoughtful, in his own quiet, understated way. She hadn’t expected something like this, and it made her feel special—cherished, even. She took her time, letting the warmth of the bath relax her muscles and soothe her mind. The tension from earlier began to melt away as she soaked in the tranquility of the moment.

When she was finished, she stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel before slipping into a loose, baggy home gown —something soft and free, perfect for the evening. She dried her hair and took a moment to compose herself before returning to the bedroom.

Zamian was sitting on the sofa, his legs crossed, focused on something on his tablet. Mira hesitated at the doorway, watching him for a moment. He looked so calm, so at ease, yet she could sense there was something weighing on his mind. Gathering her courage, she walked over and sat beside him, fidgeting with her nails as she tried to find the right words.

"Did you... arrange the bath?" she asked, her voice quiet and a little awkward. She clicked her nails together, trying to channel her nervousness into something else.

Zamian glanced at her, his eyes softening as he set the tablet aside. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Did you like it?"

Mira nodded, her heart fluttering at his gentle tone. Without another word, Zamian wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. The hug wasn’t too tight, nor was it too loose—just the right amount of closeness to make her feel safe, protected. He rested his face against the crook of her neck, his breath warm on her skin.

"I’m glad you did," he whispered softly, his voice barely more than a breath.

Mira’s heart swelled with emotion. She wrapped her arms around him in return, closing her eyes as they held each other in comfortable silence. The warmth between them felt like a fleeting blanket—something they needed to soak in before the coldness of the world inevitably returned.

After a while, Zamian finally lifted her into his arms, standing effortlessly as he carried her toward the bed. Mira’s cheeks flushed as she felt the urge to protest, to tell him she could walk herself, but she decided to let it go. There was something comforting about being carried by him, something that made her feel cared for in a way that words couldn’t express.

As he laid her gently on the bed, Zamian’s voice broke through the quiet. "It’s good for you to sleep early tonight," he said, his tone serious but soft. "It’ll help relieve some stress."

Mira frowned slightly, her lips parting as she whispered, "But I’m not feeling sleepy."

Without a word, Zamian lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms once more. She hesitated for a moment, then rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The sound was soothing, lulling her into a state of calm, but there was still something on her mind—something she needed to ask.

"I’m actually very curious..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. She lifted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his as their gazes locked. Her pupils trembled with hesitation, unsure if she should ask the question that had been nagging at her for so long. Would he answer?

Noticing her unease, Zamian’s expression softened. "Curious about what?"

Mira bit her lip, her heart racing as she shook her head. "Don’t lie to me, Zamian," she muttered, her voice quiet but firm. "Even if I do ask, you won’t answer."

Zamian sighed, his hand gently stroking her back. "Ask me," he urged. "What’s your question?"

Taking a deep breath, Mira finally spoke the words that had been on her mind since that day in the forest. "Who is Derek?"

For a moment, Zamian’s face remained calm, his eyes unreadable. Then, he began to speak, his voice low and measured. "That day in the forest, when you ran... Derek was the one who started the war. The killing

His voice was measured, but underneath the calm, there was a weight, a restrained emotion. "When you heard my man say ’our people are dying,’ he was talking about my kingdom. Derek’s forces... they were slaughtering them."

Mira’s breath caught in her throat. The words hung heavily between them as the realization hit her, sinking deep into her chest. She had been running away from something she didn’t even understand, and all along, it was this—this war that had been brewing in the shadows, something much bigger than herself.

Zamian continued, his tone softening but still firm, "There’s more. So much more, but... I can’t tell you everything right now." His eyes flickered with an emotion she couldn’t quite place. "I promise, when I return, I’ll explain everything. Every last detail."

Mira felt her heart tighten. The gaps in the story, the things left unsaid—it all felt too much. She stared at him, her golden eyes searching for something, some kind of assurance in his gaze. "Promise?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet it carried all the uncertainty and hope she could muster.

Zamian nodded, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips, but his eyes remained serious. "Promise."

Zamian nodded. "Promise. Now sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day."

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and Mira’s body stilled. The kiss was gentle and soothing, like a goodnight lullaby. She felt a sense of relief wash over her—something she hadn’t expected. With that, she closed her eyes.

Though it was still early evening, it felt like nighttime to her.

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