In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 40: Strength and Beauty~

I've had some of these scenes written for quite some time now and I'm SOO glad I can finally share it with you. Hint: all you peeps pushing for them to get a move on... be excited ;)

She had known it was coming, but the words were still like a physical blow. Her legs felt weak and she wobbled a moment before an arm under hers lent her stability. It was the Ambassador, and she drew strength from him.

She tried to speak, but words failed her for a moment.

"Princess, I would like to add that this decision was not made hastily or thoughtlessly," Layla said, her voice full of sorrow. She seemed to sympathize.

That didn't make Kalysta feel any better, though.

"Regardless of how much thought was placed into this, you've come to the wrong conclusion, Your Majesties." Gone was any sense of proper etiquette. They had given that up when they heard her plea and chose to sit back and watch her country fall. "Pray to your Ornan that he forgives you, because I and my people do not."

Full of righteous rage, she spun on her heel and left the room, swinging the door open wide and not caring who was about to see the wild fury that was gripping her. Footsteps indicated that Zayn and Louis were following, but she couldn't find it in herself to care.

"Gather our stuff, we're leaving," she said the minute they entered their rooms.

"Princess, it's just nightfall," Louis protested.

"I don't care. You mentioned how safe the King has made this land. Let's test that out. I want to be on the road to Wolvecaster and away from this city in an hour."

—- —- —- —- —-

She got her wish, whether they were afraid to confront her when she was in this mood or for some other reason. They met with Mahir at the inn and even he didn't have a word against it when he saw her face. Her rage was a quiet rage now, but all the more deadly for it.

She wanted to give Starling her heels as Zayn led the way out of the city, but she knew the horses would likely injure themselves running in the dark. There was no way to release the tension, though, and as it built she felt like she was going to explode.

How dare he? How dare that man sit in front of her and refuse any help?! Only the rich and powerful could watch someone desperate for help and deny them it. In a moment, she felt her blood might boil.

"That blasted fool!" she finally spouted. "He knows how important this is and he still withholds his support!"

"Careful, Princess!" Zayn snapped. "We're not out of Cheshire yet. Save your venom."

She slumped in her saddle, the fire going out of her and the despair finally welling up again. Her biggest hope was gone with the possibility of Harry's support. Gaining Wolvecaster and Velia would be difficult if not impossible now.

She mindlessly steered Starling after the other horses until finally, upon reaching a copse of trees, Zayn called, "We're stopping here for the evening, whether you like it or not, Princess. We need rest. It is two days journey on horseback from here to the Royal City of Jamison."

Kalysta climbed down from Starling's back, dropped the reins, and stepped away. "I'm going to relieve myself," she said, stepping further into the dark. She had always hated squatting in the woods, but now she welcomed the chance to get her wits about her.

When she was done, she didn't return immediately. She couldn't shake the fear that was eating at her now and she didn't want something the men said to set her off. It was possible she'd respond in anger or sadness and either response was not desirable.