A Princess and A Zombie (A Z-O-M-B-I-E-S and Descendants AU)

Ch. 37

Her eyes widened as she recognized the voice. Turning quickly, she saw Zed standing a few feet away, his posture tense and his eyes fixed on Damian with a steely determination.

"Zed," she breathed out, relief washing over her for a moment before the gravity of the situation sank in. Damian was here, and now Zed was in danger too.

Damian's grin faltered for a moment as he turned his attention to Zed. "And who might you be?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, though it was clear he was assessing Zed as a potential threat. "Oh wait- I know."

Aurelia's heart sped up, if Damian knew about her feelings for Zed, he was in even more danger.

Aurelia felt a chill run down her spine as Damian's gaze shifted between her and Zed, a malicious glint in his eyes. She knew she needed to do something, anything, to protect Zed and get them both out of this dangerous situation.

"Leave him out of this," Aurelia said, her voice stronger now as she stepped forward, placing herself between Zed and Damian. "This is between you and me."
Damian chuckled darkly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Oh, my dear, you really think you can protect him? You really think you have any power here?"

Aurelia swallowed hard, trying to push down the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. She needed to stay strong, for Zed's sake. "I'm not afraid of you, Damian."

Damian's grin widened, and he took a step closer, his presence menacing. "Can you imagine what people would think?" He taunted her, "Auradon's crown princess, in love with a monster,"

She stepped forward, "He's no monster, Damian, you are!"

Damian's laughter filled the air, cold and mocking. "He can have your heart, your body is mine."
Aurelia's blood ran cold at Damian's words, her body tense with fear and anger. She felt Zed's presence behind her, and she could sense his anger as well.
"Get behind me."

"What?"

"I said, get behind me." And Zed stepped in front of her.
Zed's voice was firm, and there was a determination in his eyes as he positioned himself in front of Aurelia, facing Damian. Aurelia felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her-fear for Zed's safety, gratitude for his protection, and a newfound determination to end this once and for all.

Damian's smirk faltered for a moment, seemingly taken aback by Zed's bold move. "Well, well, well," he drawled, his eyes narrowing as he took in Zed's protective stance. "Looks like the monster has a backbone after all."

Zed's jaw clenched, and Aurelia could feel the tension in the air.

"Stay away from her," Zed warned, his voice low and threatening.

Damian chuckled, his dark laughter sending shivers down Aurelia's spine. "Or what? You'll unleash your inner monster on me?"

Zed's gaze didn't waver, and he took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Damian. "I won't let you hurt her."

Aurelia watched, her heart pounding in her chest, as the two men faced off.

"Hurt her? Oh, I won't hurt her." Damian shook his head, a cruel grin still spread across his face, "I would never hurt my future wife."

Zed's hand fell on his Z-band, "She'll be your wife over my dead body."

"That can be arranged."

Zed swiped his Z-band all the way to the right, allowing his full Zombie nature to take over.

Zed's eyes glowed a vibrant shade of zombie green, a clear indication of his heightened emotional state. His body was tense, ready to spring into action if Damian made a wrong move.

"Stay away from her," Zed growled, his voice low and filled with a primal edge that sent shivers down Aurelia's spine.

Damian raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused by Zed's display. "Or what? You'll bite me?" He taunted.

Aurelia could feel the energy radiating off Zed, the zombie instincts within him at the forefront as he protected her. She placed a gentle hand on his back, hoping to calm him, to remind him that she was here and she was okay. "Zed," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of fear and gratitude.

Zed's eyes flickered to hers for a moment, a flash of humanity shining through before he refocused on Damian. "I'm not afraid to do whatever it takes to protect her," he declared, his stance unwavering.

Damian's smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. "You think you can protect her? You think she'll choose you over her own kind?" He sneered.

Zed lunged forward, jaw clenched at Damian's words, but he didn't let the taunt shake his resolve. "Leave her alone."

Damian chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Aurelia's spine. "You think you can protect her? You think you can stop me?" His eyes gleamed with malice as he took a step closer.

Aurelia's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to think of a way out of this. She knew they couldn't let Damian get any closer, but she also knew they couldn't take him on alone. She needed to find a way to alert the others, to get help.

But before she could come up with a plan, Damian lunged forward, moving with a speed that took them all by surprise. Zed reacted instantly, stepping in front of Aurelia and blocking Damian's path."Stay away from her," Zed growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Damian's laughter rang out, sending chills down Aurelia's spine, "Go ahead, show her what kind of monster you are."