In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 52: Spear Point~

Shorter update, but here ya go!! I'm starting to get back into the swing of this and writing is getting easier again!! Hope you enjoy it!!

They stepped into the meeting hall and stood before Liam. The time had arrived and Kalysta couldn't believe it. She was terrified, excited, and, despite her best efforts, a little hopeful.

"Ambassador Zayn," Liam began, "when you first came to me and spoke of a resistance, I didn't even harbor a dream that it could come to fruition in our lifetime." He looked at them seriously and Kalysta had to remember to breathe while he spoke. "The idea was too nebulous, without form or direction. I couldn't put my promise behind it, I thought.

"Then, you brought Princess Kalysta before me, a woman, someone without an ounce of authority in most countries a major portion of the time."

His line of thought made her more nervous, but she stayed silent.

"Princess, you stood before me, dressed so improperly as to invite scorn, and presenting your side as unarguable truth. At first, I was taken aback, a bit angry, and bewildered by you. The more you spoke the more I saw your passion, your conviction to this cause, and I can say that you are just what we need.

"This resistance would fail without a spear point, a leader, a motivator, and you are just that. Where the Ambassador is hamstrung by keeping up his appearance of loyalty to Mullingar for the foreseeable future, you are able to stand against tyranny and inspire the people of Dalitrise. Never in my life did I suppose that a young woman would stand up and charge me with a duty that I had ignored. Our duty is to more than just our own nations; our duty is to Dalitrise as a whole, because what affects one affects us all.

"Therefore, I will promise my help, my input, and what forces I possess. Wolvecaster will not let another country fall, if at all possible."

Kalysta felt such a weight lifted from her that she thought she might faint. As it was, her knees gave out a bit and Louis reached out to provide support.

"Thank you, King, Your Majesty," she crowed, unable to keep the joy in. She gained her legs and stumbled forward, kneeling and taking Liam's hand to kiss his signet ring. "I am forever indebted to you."

Liam smiled and shook his head. "You have another country at your side, but I ask that you do no reveal where our loyalties lie unless you are able to gain the promise of Cheshire as well."

Kalysta nodded, confident they could. They had a bit more time and if Velia agreed, they would have a majority of the resistance taken care of.

"I've taken the chance of writing these letters," Liam continued, holding two envelopes out. "It speaks of my promise of support so that both Thomas and Harry cannot doubt your word. I beg you to take care with them, though, for it they should fall into the wrong hands, Murdoch will quickly throw his ire at me."

She took them reverently, saying "I will guard them with my life." She stepped back and turned to join Louis and Zayn once more. Louis looked dumbfounded even still, and Zayn stood proud, sharing a smile with her that lit up his whole face and made his eyes sparkle.

She looked away quickly lest something in their faces betray their involvement to Liam, but she could tell that Zayn was as overjoyed as she, perhaps more so.

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They returned to the room and Kalysta was past excited. The minute the door was closed she turned to Zayn and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his neck. His strong arms were the pinnacle of comfort and shared joy as he held her.

"I can't believe it!" she gasped, full of laughter and short of breath. "We can do this! We can actually do this!"

"Did you doubt it that much?" Zayn laughed in return, moving back a space.

"Not exactly. I was just quite discouraged at Harry's refusal," she allowed. "Do you think we'll be able to persuade him now, Louis?" She turned, but Louis was nowhere to be seen. He hadn't joined them back in the room. "Wherever did he go?"

"He must have planned on our leaving soon for Velia and is saying his goodbyes to Elise and Everett," Zayn replied. "All for the best, I think." His voice lowered and when she looked at him again he kissed her deeply, lifting the cap from her head and wrapping his fingers in her hair.

A/N: Heheheh don't kill me too badly. Let's see how quickly this can get voted and commented on and then I'll see what if I can post the next scene. Hahahhahahhahaha