Jasmine's POV
Luis's words hung in the air like a thunderclap. "The princess is my mate."
The silence that followed was deafening. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears as his confession settled over us like a heavy blanket.
Lina was the first to break the spell, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did you just say?"
Stephen stared at Luis as if he'd suddenly sprouted wings. His mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to speak. "Tell me you're messing with us right now."
Luis's expression remained somber, his jaw set with determination. There wasn't a trace of humor in his dark eyes.
Lina leaned forward in her chair, her face a mask of shock and disbelief. "Are you being serious right now? How long have you known about this?"
Luis's gaze dropped to the floor for a moment before he looked up again, meeting each of our stares in turn. "Since the very first day I laid eyes on her at school."
