Chapter 21: This Should Be Illegal
"I will read," Naomi finally spoke, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She opened the book cover, repeating the title softly, even though she had already done so before. Her heart raced as she began to read aloud, but for some reason, her voice wavered. She wasn’t sure why she was struggling with the words; it wasn’t that the text was difficult.
Zylan, lounging across from her, smirked. "Did you attend school, or do you simply not know how to read?"
Naomi’s eyes widened in shock at the insult. His words were sharp, biting even, and yet there was a teasing undertone that unsettled her more than the insult itself. Was he deliberately trying to provoke her? The problem wasn’t that she couldn’t read, but something else entirely—something about his presence that made it hard for her to focus.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she turned to face him. "I did," she replied, her voice firmer now. She wouldn’t let him rattle her.
"Watch me," Naomi read, her cheeks flushing as she continued the passage. She tried not to think about how close Zylan was, or how his gaze seemed to burn into her. "Princess Elle’s gaze was unwavering as she stared up at him. Without hesitation, she reached out and pulled down his—"
Determined to ignore the way he looked at her, Naomi forced herself to refocus on the book. As she continued, her voice grew stronger, gaining confidence with each line.
she read aloud. But as she went on, the confidence she thought she had began to drain away.
Naomi took a deep, slow breath, trying to steady herself.
Naomi’s voice faltered, her throat suddenly dry. Heat crawled up her neck, and she could feel her face turning an even deeper shade of red. ’How could someone write such a thing’ She thought, horrified. Her eyes darted quickly to Zylan, only to find him smirking, his eyes locked on her, enjoying her discomfort.