In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 93: Absent Father~

Hey everyone!!! 1. I'm terribly sorry about how long it's taken me to update! I've actually been busy. Normally I don't have too much going on, but the last few weeks/weekends have been crazy so I haven't had the energy to write! I'm sorry!!! 2. I LOVED hearing from everyone on the last chapter. Special thanks to those who checked in on me during the long wait😘it made my heart happy 3. This is dedicated to zaynstyles for her voting on EVERY chapter and the lovely message she posted over the weekend. It was great hearing from you! ❤️ 4. This is a REALLY long chapter. It packs a lot, even if it's only over the course of a day or so. If I take a long time to update I always try to make it a big one like this.  5. I PROMISE this has a happy ending to the story. Just, ya know, in case you doubt it after this chapter 😬 6. You're welcome for the overload of Zalysta in this chapter 😏

Recap: Zayn has walked a bit and they talked some and things seem to be better between them. Okay, GO 😊

Kalysta returned Zayn to his room and sat with him for a time. The past weeks away from him seemed insignificant when they were together again. There was much to talk about once she began filling him in on more of the details of the war. She felt hopeful, comforted afterwards.

Those blissful feelings didn't last long, however. Like a head wring, her subconscious dragged her back to torture when she fell asleep in her bed that evening. After the many nightmares she'd had, she wished she could get used to them, but it was impossible. They still had the same effect on her. She woke with a start, sweating profusely and crying.

Delia wasn't around this time to comfort her, otherwise Kalysta was sure her screams would have summoned the woman. As it was, Kalysta had a better idea for where to seek comfort. It had worked for her before.

She pulled on her ornate dressing gown and checked the corridor outside her room for activity. As she looked about, her plan seemed such a ridiculous venture that she almost returned to her bed. The thought of another nightmare strengthened her resolve.

When the corridor had cleared of passing servants, she hurried out, shutting the door behind her. It would be foolish to hope that she wouldn't be seen on the way, but she had to try to be seen by as few people as possible.

Those servants that glimpsed her and asked if she needed anything were promptly sent on their way.

She finally reached her destination: Zayn's room. The night nurse had fallen asleep in a chair positioned outside next to his door. No other person was present. Kalysta thanked whatever gods were listening for this stroke of luck.

The going was rough, but she managed to ease the door open without waking the woman stationed outside. Every squeak of the hinges and groan from the aged wood made her cringe. She closed and locked it behind her with as much care.

When she approached the bed, Zayn was still fast asleep, thanks to his exercise and struggle walking that day. She didn't want to alarm him, but neither was she comfortable with simply climbing into his bed if he wasn't there to encourage it. She settled for waking him gently, as she had in the past.

Slowly, she ran her fingers along his cheek and jaw. He fought waking at first, but when she brushed the hair from his forehead he opened his eyes groggily.

"Eh, what are you doing here, love?" he groaned, reaching up slowly to rub his eyes.

"I'm having trouble sleeping," she confessed. "Can I join you?"

"Course you can," he mumbled. "Is there something wrong?"

"I just need to be near you," she whispered, shedding her robe and climbing under the thin blanket.