Chained to the Enemy Alpha-Chapter 158: I Remember You

Lily's body went limp in Zayn's arms. Her eyes rolled back.

"Lily? Lily!" Zayn's panicked voice cut through the bathroom. "Lily, stay with me!"

Talia rushed forward, pressing her fingers against Lily's neck to check for a pulse. The seconds stretched on like an eternity as Zayn watched nervously. He couldn't lose her. Not when he just got her back.

"Her pulse is steady," Talia finally said, her shoulders sagging with relief. "The medicine is working. Her body is fighting the poison."

Zayn exhaled sharply, clutching Lily's unconscious form closer to his chest. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath. The thought of losing her had sent a chill through his body, unlike anything he'd felt before.

"Get her out of that bath," Elder Princess Tilda instructed. "She needs to be dried and kept warm. The worst of the poison's effects should be neutralized now."

Ragnar hurried to grab towels while Zayn lifted Lily from the icy water. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, but the angry red blotches had begun to fade. He wrapped her gently in the towels Ragnar provided, his movements careful as if she might shatter under his touch.

"She'll live," Tilda said firmly, watching Zayn's worried expression. "She's stronger than she looks."

Zayn carried Lily to the bed and laid her down gently. He brushed wet strands of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek.

"Now," Tilda's voice hardened as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I think I deserve an explanation. What happened?"

Zayn's jaw tightened. He didn't want to leave Lily's side, but he knew the Elder Princess deserved answers. He straightened his back and turned to face her.

"Victoria tried to force me to mark her as my mate," he explained, his voice low and controlled despite the rage simmering beneath. "She threatened to kill Lily if I didn't comply. When Lily tried to protect me, Victoria forced poison down her throat."

"And where is Victoria now?" Tilda's eyebrow arched.

"She fell off the balcony during the struggle," Ragnar answered.

Tilda's expression remained impassive. "I see." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"There's more," Talia stepped forward, her hands twisting nervously. "Victoria had been manipulating Zayn, forcing him to relive his worst memories while suppressing the good ones. She wanted him to hate Lily."

Tilda's sharp gaze fixed on Zayn. "Is this true?"

Zayn nodded slowly. "I believe so. My memories have been… confused. Things I was certain of don't make sense anymore. I remembered hating Lily, but then I'd get flashes of… different feelings."

"Memory manipulation is serious," Tilda said, her voice grave. "And illegal among our kind for good reason. It can cause permanent damage."

Zayn clenched his fists. "I'm starting to remember more now. It's like a fog lifting."

"The bond between fated mates can't be permanently severed," Tilda explained. "Victoria could suppress it temporarily, but it would always find a way to resurface."

She walked over to Lily's bedside, looking down at her peaceful face. A surprising softness entered her expression.

"This little one has endured much," she said quietly. "She could have walked away from all this. But she stayed for you." Tilda turned her piercing gaze back to Zayn. "I wonder if you're worth such sacrifice, Alpha Zayn."

Zayn flinched at her words but didn't reply. He didn't have an answer.

Tilda sighed. "I'll have my healers check on her periodically. The medicine should flush out the remaining poison over the next day or so. She needs rest now."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Zayn thanked her sincerely.

Tilda paused at the door. "I suggest you use this time to sort through your memories, Alpha Zayn. Figure out what's real and what was planted. That girl deserves the real you when she wakes up."

After Tilda left, Talia insisted on staying to help monitor Lily's condition. Ragnar took up a post outside the door.

Zayn didn't leave Lily's side. He sat beside her bed, holding her hand, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Sometimes he'd close his eyes, trying to sort through the jumbled memories in his head.

He remembered their first meeting, the rejection, the cruelty he'd shown her. But now other memories surfaced, too. Lily taught him sign language, and the intimate moments they shared.

Two days passed. Zayn barely slept, refusing to leave except for the briefest moments. He spoke to her sometimes, hoping his voice might reach her wherever she was.

"Come back to me," he whispered on the second night, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "I need to tell you I'm sorry. For everything."

He must have dozed off eventually, his head resting on the edge of her bed, his hand still holding hers.

The gentle touch of fingers running through his hair stirred Zayn from his sleep. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming.

"Zayn," a soft, familiar voice whispered.

His eyes snapped open. Lily was awake, propped up slightly against the pillows. Her fingers were tangled in his hair, her eyes bright and alert. A small smile played on her lips.

"Lily," he breathed, sitting up straight. "You're awake."

She opened her mouth, hesitated, then tried again. "Zayn," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They both froze, staring at each other in shock. Her voice. She had spoken his name.

"Did you…" Zayn couldn't finish the sentence, afraid he'd imagined it.

Lily's eyes widened in realization. She brought her fingers to her throat, feeling the vibrations there.

"Zayn," she said again, louder this time. Her voice was raspy from disuse, but clear. "I can… speak."

Zayn recognized her voice immediately. It was the same one he'd heard in his mind during their intimate moments. The voice that had called to him when he was lost in his darkest memories.

"Your voice," he said, awe spreading across his face. "It's really you. But… how?"

Tears welled in Lily's eyes.

"Talia… her medicine must have worked," She smiled at the thought of it.

Zayn pulled her into his arms, holding her as she cried.

"I never thought—" she sobbed against his chest. "I never thought I would speak again."

Zayn held her tighter, his own eyes growing damp. "I'm sorry for everything I put you through," he whispered into her hair. "I was so blinded by hate."

Lily pulled back, looking into his eyes. "You remember now?"

He nodded. "Not everything, but enough. Enough to know that what I feel for you is real."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Talia poked her head in, concerned.

"Is everything okay? I heard—" She stopped mid-sentence, her jaw dropping as she saw Lily awake and sitting up.

"Talia," Lily said, her voice still rough but clear.

Talia's eyes widened in shock. "Lily? You… you can speak?"

Lily nodded, fresh tears spilling over. "I can speak," she repeated, as if she still couldn't believe it herself.

Talia rushed into the room, embracing Lily tightly. "By the Moon Goddess," she whispered. "It's a miracle!"