Dawn's

“Did you really dance on the table last night?” Zach teased, his voice low and playful as I stirred awake, sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains of the room.

I groaned, burying my face in the soft pillows, a wave of warmth washing over me from the previous night’s festivities. “I may have had a little too much to drink,” I mumbled, recalling the laughter and cheers from our celebration in the grand hall. “But in my defense, the music was irresistible!”

Zach chuckled softly, the sound making my heart flutter. “You were quite the spectacle. I think you surprised everyone, even me.”

Peeking out from beneath the covers, I caught sight of him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a small smile playing on his lips. He looked relaxed, his dark hair tousled and his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Not that you’re complaining,” I shot back, my cheeks warming at the memory of him pulling me up to dance, his strong arms guiding me as we twirled and laughed under the glow of candlelight.

“No, I definitely enjoyed it,” he replied, stepping closer. “You have a way of lighting up a room. It’s hard to take my eyes off you.”

I smiled, the weight of his words wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. “Well, I guess I’ve finally found my groove in the Underworld.”

“You’ve done more than that, Vera,” he said, his tone shifting slightly more serious. “You’ve already made a name for yourself here. The court is buzzing with stories of the new queen.”

I felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. “Queen? That sounds so… daunting.”

“Maybe, but it’s also exciting. You’re not just here to stand beside me; you’re a part of this kingdom now,” he affirmed, his gaze unwavering. “And I believe you’ll bring a fresh perspective that we desperately need.”

Before I could respond, a soft knock echoed through the room, breaking the moment. “Your Highness,” came a voice from outside, “the council is waiting for you in the meeting hall.”

Zach sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I guess duty calls.” He turned back to me, his expression softening. “I’ll be back shortly. We can have breakfast together before the day gets too busy.”

I nodded, though a twinge of worry crept in. “Is everything okay? I mean, after last night and the confrontation with Zephyr…”

Zach stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder, grounding me. “Yes, we need to address some matters regarding his threat, but I assure you, it’s nothing we can’t handle. I promise I’ll be back before you know it.”

With a gentle kiss on my forehead, he slipped out of the room, leaving me enveloped in warmth yet tinged with unease.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, the weight of the Underworld’s expectations settling heavily on my shoulders. Yet, I also felt a flicker of determination. I had chosen this path, and I was ready to face whatever challenges awaited.

After a few minutes of quiet reflection, I decided to explore the palace a bit before breakfast. The golden light of dawn spilled across the polished marble floors, and I wandered through the corridors, admiring the intricate tapestries depicting the history of the Underworld. Each stitch seemed to tell a story, and I found myself lost in their beauty.

As I walked, I heard hushed voices coming from a nearby chamber. Curiosity piqued, I approached, straining to listen.

“Zach cannot be too lenient with her,” a voice said, one I recognized as Zephyr’s. “She’s an outsider, and we can’t forget the dangers that come with it.”

“Enough, Zephyr,” another voice chimed in—this one deeper, authoritative. “Zach has made his choice, and we must support him. Vera has proven herself worthy. It is our duty to accept her.”

I stepped back, heart racing as I processed their conversation. Zephyr’s disdain for me was palpable, yet there were others who supported my presence. The conflicting views of the court were clearer now, and I realized I had a long way to go to earn their trust fully.

Continuing my exploration, I found a grand dining room filled with lavish arrangements. The long table was adorned with an array of dishes—fruits, pastries, and steaming pots of food. It was a feast fit for royalty, and I felt my stomach rumble at the sight.

As I sat down, a servant approached, bowing slightly. “Good morning, My Lady. Can I get you anything?”

“A little of everything, please!” I replied, my excitement bubbling over.

The servant smiled and nodded, quickly returning with plates piled high with an assortment of food. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging wash over me as I sampled the delicious offerings, savoring each bite.

While enjoying my meal, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling from the earlier conversation. I had to confront Zephyr and his motives. But how? My thoughts were interrupted when Zach returned, looking slightly more serious than before.

“Everything alright?” I asked, motioning for him to join me at the table.

He sat down, a thoughtful expression on his face. “The council is concerned about Zephyr’s influence. He’s rallying those who oppose our union. We need to be strategic about how we approach this.”

“Do you think he’ll cause more trouble?” I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper.

“Possibly,” Zach admitted, his gaze steady. “But I want you to know that you’re not alone in this. We will face whatever comes together.”

His reassurance wrapped around me like a warm cloak. I could see the love and determination in his eyes, reminding me why I was here.

“Together,” I echoed, feeling a newfound sense of purpose.

We shared a breakfast filled with laughter and light banter, allowing the tension of the morning to melt away, if only for a moment. As we finished, Zach leaned in, a playful glint in his eyes. “Are you ready for your next adventure, my queen?”

I raised an eyebrow, a smile forming on my lips. “Adventure? What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s visit the training grounds,” he suggested, a spark of excitement lighting his features. “You’ll see how our warriors prepare and maybe even join in.”

My heart raced at the thought. “You want me to train with them?”

“Why not? You’re part of this world now, and I want you to experience every aspect of it. Besides, I think you’d be a fierce warrior,” he said, his admiration palpable.

“I don’t know about fierce, but I’m willing to try,” I replied, feeling a mix of nerves and exhilaration.

With that, we left the dining hall, stepping out into the sunlit corridors, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever awaited us in the Underworld.