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

Ch. 41

Aurelia had locked herself in her room, it had been days since Ben had drug her back to Auradon. 

She couldn't bring herself to leave her room, unable to face the reality of her situation. Her heart ached, longing for Zed and the life she had built in Seabrook. The castle felt like a prison, a constant reminder of the life she had been torn away from.

Outside her window, the world moved on without her. She could hear the laughter of children playing in the streets, the familiar sounds that now seemed so distant. It was as if a part of her had been left behind, and she didn't know how to move forward.

Lumiere had tried to talk to her, to offer words of comfort and encouragement, but Aurelia couldn't find the strength to respond. Her thoughts were consumed by Zed, by the memories of their time together, and the pain of their separation.

One evening, she found herself on the balcony of her tower, "I was the one who had it all, I was the master of my fate."

She gazed out over the gardens, her eyes landing on her brother and Mal. They were walking hand in hand, laughing, and it felt like a cruel reminder of the happiness she had left behind.

"I never needed anybody in my life, I learned the truth too late." She looked down, a frown spread across her face. "I'll never shake away the pain, I close my eyes, but he's still there."

His face clouded her mind, memories of Zed swirling around her head, and the ache of missing him was like a heavy weight on her chest.

"I let him steal into my melancholy heart, It's more than I can bear."

She walked over to the decorative box that had lain on her vanity, her fingers trembling as she picked up the hairpin. It was a tangible connection to him, a piece of him she could hold onto, and it brought both comfort and sorrow.

"Now I know he'll never leave me, even as he's miles away."

She opened the box, pulling out the hairpin, and her heart ached as she imagined his touch, his presence, so far from her. "He will still torment me, calm me, hurt me, move me- come what may," She slipped it into her hair, tears glistening in her eyes, and she wished for nothing more than to have him by her side again.

"Wasting in my lonely tower, waiting by an open door." She glanced towards her bedroom door, aching for the sound of his voice, the warmth of his smile. "I'll fool myself, he'll walk right in - and be with me forevermore."

Zed was running drills by himself on the football field, sweat pouring down his face, he couldn't escape the thoughts that consumed him. Each movement, each sprint, was an attempt to distract himself from the pain of her absence.

"I rage against the trials of love, I curse the fading of the light," he muttered to himself, pushing his body harder with each repetition. The words echoed in his mind, a bittersweet reminder of the love he felt for her.

Zed's determination to stay focused on his training was evident. He tackled the training dummy with all his strength, pouring his frustration and longing into each hit. But despite his efforts, he couldn't help but smile as he thought of Aurelia.

"Though she's already flown so far beyond my reach," he whispered, imagining her as the inspiration that drove him. He knew that no matter how far apart they were, she would always be a part of him, guiding him in everything he did. "She's never out of sight."

Zed's mind wandered to the moments they had shared, the laughter, the football games, and the kiss they had shared. He missed her presence on the football field, cheering him on from the stands, and the thought of her never being there again weighed heavily on his heart.

"Now I know she'll never leave me, even as she fades from view," he continued, his voice filled with a mix of determination and sadness. He knew that he had to stay strong, not just for himself, but for Aurelia. He wanted to be ready for the day when they could be together again, no matter how distant it seemed.