In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 55: Velia~

                  

The past month has been the epitome of the rollercoaster of life and not in a good way. I'm the kind of person that needs passion and motivation to complete these updates. I let someone ruin that zeal for a time and I simply couldn't write. I tried, but everything that came out was complete sh!te in my personal opinion. It was horrible. Though it's been a month since I updated I'm hoping you all haven't forgotten everything that's gone on!!

I love you all and I'm sorry I couldn't update before now!! Please bear with me!

Dedicated to @1Directioner_0913 because her comment reminded me that simply not writing is not okay. In some ways I was hoping no one would miss this because I wasn't sure if I was ever going to be able to channel the same emotional strength that I needed in order to write. However, she reminded me that some people enjoy reading this and that I do thoroughly enjoy writing.

I've missed Zayn and Kalysta and Louis and all the characters and it's only going to get better and more fun from here!! You get to meet King Thomas next chapter! Remember they were on their way from Wolvecaster to Velia in order to talk to Thomas. They've just received backing from Liam... Okay GO!! :)

"Are we going to stop for the night?" she asked after they'd been on the road for a bit longer.

"I hadn't planned on it," Zayn answered. "Would you like to stop?"

"I'll be fine," she assured him quickly. She didn't want to seem weak, but she was exhausted. "Why don't you three tell me about Thomas? I know very little of him for someone who is going before a King."

"I'll tell you what you need to know," Zayn said quickly, slowing his horse to ride back with her and letting Louis take the lead.

"King Thomas is a bit of a riddle," he began. "I will say this about him, he will answer your questions truthfully. He's not one to bend the truth to fit what he wants. However, he can be cruel in his justice, so I can't predict how he'll behave. He hasn't been the most sympathetic toward our cause, but he hasn't entirely rejected it either. I've been hoping that more occasions meeting with him would press him to change his mind."

Of all the countries, Velia was the least discussed and had the least involvement in politics, so this made sense. By some twist of fate, the smallest country in Dalitrise was also the most militarily capable and militarily enforced. Kalysta had learned very little of the culture compared to the other nations.

"Do you know any of his habits or ways of behavior?"

"He is... intimidating," Zayn confessed. "And I don't say that lightly. He is powerful both politically and physically. He stands about the same height as I, but his arms are three times the size of mine and you feel he could crush you if he had the chance.

"When he speaks, it's in a deep, quiet voice, but you have no trouble hearing because his presence commands that everyone listen. His people respect him, show him ultimate loyalty. If there were a person to hold your temper around, it is him. Losing it, shouting, insulting him, will gain you nothing."

"I would protest your assumption to this being my way of behaving, but history says otherwise," Kalysta sighed. She mulled this over in her mind. She couldn't deny that she was a bit frightened at the concept of facing a man that had such an impact in Zayn's mind. They couldn't predict behavior, but Zayn was intimidated and that said much of Thomas.

What could she do to persuade this man? Getting the measure of him upon first meeting wasn't ideal. She had already known much more about the other rulers and then Zayn and Louis had given her more information. Now, she felt like she was entering this truly blind.