Warrior Love

Chapter 4

It was just another ordinary day at the castle—at least, it seemed that way on the surface. The sun was out, casting a warm glow over the gardens, and Zara went through the motions of royal life: meetings with advisors, discussions about the kingdom’s affairs, and playing her part as the future queen. But underneath it all, there was a gnawing emptiness. Every task felt mechanical, a distraction from the sting of betrayal that had yet to fade.

Zara needed a break. The weight of her duties had become too much, and she longed for something—anything—that would make her feel alive again. As the evening approached, she slipped away from the hustle of the castle and wandered into the gardens, hoping the fresh air would help clear her mind. The flowers and trees that had once been her solace now seemed to mock her. It was as though everything around her was blooming, full of life, while she remained stuck in a haze of hurt and confusion.

As she walked, her thoughts kept returning to Kaelen and Liora. Why did they betray me? What did I do wrong? The questions circled in her mind, each one more painful than the last.

Just as she was lost in thought, a strange sensation washed over her. A sudden shift in the air—like a breeze, but different. Something unusual. Zara paused, her heart racing a little. She felt... watched. She turned, and there, standing at the far edge of the garden, was a figure.

A man.

His features were unmistakable, even though she hadn’t seen him before. Blonde hair, eyes as blue as the sky. She knew him—somehow, she knew him. He looked at her with a soft, sorrowful expression, almost as if he understood the pain she was carrying.

Zara took a step forward, but as she did, he vanished.

Her breath caught in her throat. It was as though the moment had never happened. She blinked, trying to convince herself she hadn’t imagined it. The garden was empty again, the air still. Was that real? She had no idea what just happened. Was it just a trick of her mind?

Her heart pounded in her chest. She shook her head, as though trying to clear the fog from her thoughts. You’re just tired, she told herself. It was nothing.

But even as she tried to reason with herself, she couldn’t forget the look in his eyes. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something, or someone, had just reached out to her.

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Later That Night...

That night, Zara’s sleep was anything but peaceful. As she drifted off, the dream returned. But this time, it was different. She was back in the garden again, and there he was. The man. The one who had appeared to her earlier. But now, he seemed more real, more alive.

His presence was calming, like a steady breeze. She could feel the warmth of his gaze, hear his voice as it whispered her name. “Zara,” he said softly, like a secret meant only for her.

The dream unfolded like a memory, even though Zara knew it wasn’t one. She saw herself and this man together—talking, laughing, sharing moments that felt so natural, so easy. It was as though they’d known each other forever. She had never felt such a sense of connection.

For a fleeting moment, it felt real. Her heart was at peace, her mind at ease. But as quickly as it all came, it started to slip away. His voice faded, the warmth of his presence slowly dissipating. Zara reached out, desperate to hold onto him, but he was gone.

She awoke with a start, her chest tight, her breath shallow. She sat up in bed, disoriented. Was it a dream? she thought, but it felt too real, too vivid. She could still feel the softness of the breeze, hear the echo of his voice in her mind.

Zara put her hand to her face, trying to calm herself. “It was just a dream,” she whispered, but even as she said the words, something deep inside her resisted them.

It was more than that.

She couldn’t explain it. She didn’t know what to make of it. But something told her this wasn’t the last time she would feel the pull of that strange connection. It was only just beginning.