In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 32: Lamia Malik~

How about that picture eh? Yes, you should be excited lol

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get this up for #ShadowWednesdays, but it's here now! And it's a good update, in my opinion. I've had part of it written for some time and I'm really excited for you to get to know Ambassador Zayn a little better. ;)

Area of concern: 8 votes and 50+ views on the last chapter? That's a huge difference o.o What's going on? Am I not making you happy? 😅 PLEASE let me know if there's something bothering you or if you simply aren't enjoying my writing anymore. Voting and commenting lets me know that you like what you read!! Otherwise, it seems like people are accidentally viewing my story and not caring about it (which would make me sad).

Again, for those of you commenting and voting consistently (you know who you are, blessed people) THANK YOU x1,000,000,000 because you're what's keeping this story going right now. Honestly....

Oookay, moving on.... Here ya go!!

Zayn led the way and opened the door leading to the room underneath the top deck.

As she stepped in, she discerned in the dim lighting a bed toward the back window, a wardrobe against the right wall, and a desk against the left.

"Is this your room?" she asked, surprised.

"Does that bother you?" he laughed, clearly happy at the thought.

"This isn't the first time I've had to be in your room, obviously, so no it does not."

"Not the first time?" Louis' voice asked from behind them. He stepped into the room, smiling just as snidely as Zayn, if that was possible.

"Oh, by the gods, not you too!" she complained. "Not in that way, and you well know it!"

Both men laughed at her discomfort.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?" she suggested.

"Of course," Louis agreed. He pulled the chair from the desk and gestured to it as an offer for her to sit.

"No, thank you."

Louis took the seat at her decline and slouched down, putting his hands behind his head.

"What do you know about Harry, Princess?" he asked.

"I know he places great import on human life and religion," she replied, drawing on the things Elysium's spies had brought her. "His lands furnish most of the resources that the other nations use, and he employs the most skilled laborers and artisans in every trade. Though he does not have much organized military, he has provided enough to protect merchants in their travels and to deter bandits. However, in the likelihood of war, he would be hard-pressed to train more troops as his country pertains more to pleasure than protection. That is the crux of what I know."

"I'll tell you more about him personally, then," Zayn offered, moving about the room aimlessly.

"There is much you'll need to be conscientious of when addressing him," he instructed. "He is very polite and calm and expects the same from those he gives audience to. As well, those in Cheshire put great value in the iron control over emotion, as it is in Bradford. As such, he will not tolerate fits of anger or outbursts of displeasure." He gave her a knowing look at this last statement.

"I beg your pardon, I am perfectly capable of controlling myself!" she protested.

"Yes, I'm sure you are," Louis sighed, "but your response just now proves just how much you'll need to work on controlling your emotions. How will you behave if the King degrades you or women in general? Or if he belittles your father's rule and policy? I was in that council chamber when Zayn snubbed your father and you weren't exactly the picture of decorum."