Resonance

“Her breathing’s still stable,” Zach muttered to himself, pacing at the foot of the bed. His eyes flicked back to Vera, her chest rising and falling evenly. He had never been one to panic, but today felt different. There was something about hearing the heartbeat of their child that had stirred something deeper in him—a kind of protectiveness that ran far beyond what he had ever known.

He sat back down beside Vera, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Wake up, Vera,” he whispered. “We need you.”

But no response. Her eyes remained closed, her body still in the realm of sleep.

The door creaked open, and one of the healers stepped in, her gaze shifting from Zach to Vera. “Your Majesty,” she greeted quietly, not wanting to disturb the quiet atmosphere. “Any change?”

Zach shook his head, his expression firm but concerned. “No. She’s still unconscious. We gave her the herb just before dawn, but it’s been hours.”

The healer moved closer, checking Vera’s pulse, her expression calm and methodical. “It will take time, Your Majesty. The body needs to adjust to the herb’s properties. She’ll wake when she’s ready.”

“I know,” Zach muttered, though impatience gnawed at him. “But how much longer can we wait?”

The healer offered him a soft smile. “You’ve done everything you can. Now, it’s up to her. And the little one,” she added, nodding toward Vera’s stomach.

Zach glanced back down at Vera, his expression softening. “I heard it,” he said quietly, almost as if confessing. “The heartbeat. I heard our child.”

The healer’s smile widened. “That’s a good sign, Your Majesty. It means the child is strong. Vera will wake soon, I’m sure of it.”

Zach sighed, his mind racing through the possibilities. He needed Vera by his side, now more than ever. But for now, he had to trust that she would return when the time was right. He had to focus on what was ahead.

“I need to check on the preparations,” he said, rising from his chair. “We’ve got a kingdom to secure, and I can’t afford to let my guard down.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll stay with her,” the healer replied, bowing her head as Zach stepped out of the room.

Outside, the crisp air greeted him, the sun just beginning its descent beyond the castle walls. The kingdom had been quiet for the past few days, but Zach knew it wouldn’t last. The calm before the storm was always the most unsettling part.

As he made his way down the corridor, he passed guards standing at attention, their eyes briefly meeting his before snapping back to their watchful posts. Everyone was tense, and he understood why. They all knew Glazilda’s threat still lingered, like a shadow waiting to pounce.

He reached the council room, where several of his trusted advisors were already gathered around the long table. They rose as he entered.

“Sit,” Zach said with a nod, taking his place at the head of the table. “Give me updates. What’s the situation in the southern provinces?”

One of the advisors, a seasoned warrior named Orrin, spoke first. “The patrols have reported no unusual movement from Glazilda’s forces, but there’s a sense of unease among the villages. Word is spreading about what happened, and people are afraid.”

“They have reason to be,” Zach replied. “But fear won’t help us now. We need to show them that we’re in control, that we can protect them. Increase the patrols. Double the guards at the borders if we have to. We can’t afford to be caught off guard.”

Another advisor, a younger man with sharp eyes named Darien, leaned forward. “And what of Max? Has he reported anything from his clan?”

“Not yet,” Zach answered, his tone clipped. “He’s gone to rally his people. We’ll hear from him soon.”

There was a moment of silence as the weight of their situation settled over the room. Zach clenched his fists on the table, his mind racing. He had to stay focused, had to keep his kingdom safe. But part of his mind remained with Vera, lying unconscious in their chambers, and their child whose heartbeat he had heard for the first time.

“We’ll be ready,” he said finally, his voice firm. “Whatever comes next, we’ll be ready.”

The advisors nodded, but Zach could see the concern in their eyes. There was only so much they could prepare for. The real test was yet to come, and it would take every ounce of strength to face it.

As the meeting wrapped up and the advisors dispersed, Zach lingered for a moment, staring out the window at the darkening sky. He had always known this day would come—the day when the weight of leadership would feel unbearable. But now, with Vera and their unborn child, the stakes felt impossibly higher.

He turned, determination etched in his face, and made his way back to their chambers. Vera needed to wake. And soon.

When he reached the door, he paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The healer was still there, sitting quietly by Vera’s side.

“Any change?” Zach asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

The healer shook her head, though her expression remained calm. “Not yet, but her body is responding to the herb. She’s fighting.”

Zach knelt beside the bed, his hand resting gently on Vera’s stomach once more. The heartbeat was still there, strong and steady. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sound fill him with the strength he needed to carry on.

“You’re not alone,” he whispered to both of them. “We’ll get through this. Together.”

Zach remained at Vera’s side for hours, the flickering light of the candles casting long shadows across the room. The healer had long since left, leaving him alone in the quiet chamber with his thoughts and the rhythmic sound of Vera’s breathing. His hand rested protectively on her abdomen, where he could feel the faint pulse of life beneath his fingertips. The heartbeat of their unborn child, the only reassurance in the stillness of the night.

He leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss against Vera’s forehead. “I need you to wake up, Vera,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I need you by my side.”

Zach wasn’t the type to let emotion show, not in front of his men or his advisors. He was always the calm, steady leader, the king who kept his kingdom in check. But here, in the privacy of their chambers, with Vera lying unconscious, his heart felt heavy with worry. He had heard the heartbeat of their child, but what if something went wrong? What if Vera didn’t wake up?

A sudden knock at the door broke the silence, and Zach straightened, masking his concern behind a more composed expression.

“Enter,” he called, his voice firm.

The door creaked open, and Darien stepped inside, his face tight with urgency. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s news.”

Zach stood immediately, his concern for Vera still weighing heavily, but duty called. “What is it?” he asked, his tone sharp but controlled.

Darien stepped closer, lowering his voice. “We’ve received word from the southern outposts. A messenger arrived—Glazilda’s forces have been spotted moving along the borders. It’s not an attack, not yet, but it’s a clear provocation.”

Zach’s jaw tightened. Glazilda. Of course, she wouldn’t waste time. “Have the patrols been reinforced as I ordered?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Darien replied. “But if this escalates—”

“It won’t,” Zach interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension. “Not yet. She’s testing us. Let her. We’ll be ready when the time comes.”

Darien nodded, though the worry still lingered in his eyes. “And what about Max? Have we heard from him?”

“Not yet,” Zach replied, glancing back at Vera. “But I trust him. He’ll come through.”

There was a pause, and Darien’s gaze shifted to Vera, lying still on the bed. “And Lady Vera?” he asked, his voice gentler now. “Is there any change?”

Zach’s expression softened for a moment, though he quickly masked it with his usual stoicism. “No,” he admitted. “But she’s strong. She’ll fight through this.”

Darien nodded, offering a brief, respectful bow. “We’re all praying for her, Your Majesty. The kingdom needs its queen.”

Zach didn’t respond to that, though he appreciated the sentiment. Darien excused himself, leaving Zach alone once more.

He turned back to Vera, his thoughts heavy with both the kingdom’s troubles and his personal fears. He had to be strong for both of them—for his people and for Vera. But the weight of it all was becoming harder to bear.

Suddenly, a small movement caught his eye. His breath caught in his throat as he watched Vera’s fingers twitch. It was slight, barely noticeable, but it was there. He knelt beside her, his heart racing.

“Vera?” His voice was low, steady but laced with hope.

Her eyelids fluttered, a soft groan escaping her lips as she stirred. Zach leaned in closer, his hand still resting gently on her stomach.

“Vera, can you hear me?” he whispered.

Slowly, her eyes blinked open, unfocused at first, but then they settled on him. There was confusion in her gaze, but there was also life. She was waking up.

“Zach?” Her voice was hoarse, barely audible, but it was the most beautiful sound he had heard in days.

Relief washed over him, though he kept his expression calm, for her sake. “I’m here,” he said, squeezing her hand gently. “You’re safe, Vera. You’re home.”

Vera’s brow furrowed as she glanced around the room, trying to piece together what had happened. “The herb… did it work?”

Zach nodded, his hand never leaving hers. “It worked. You’re going to be fine.”

Her gaze shifted down to her stomach, and for a moment, a flicker of panic crossed her face. “The baby?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.

Zach leaned in, resting his forehead gently against hers. “I heard the heartbeat,” he whispered. “Our child is strong.”

Tears welled in Vera’s eyes, the tension in her body slowly melting away as she let out a shaky breath. “I thought… I thought I lost it.”

Zach shook his head, his voice firm but soft. “You didn’t. You’re both safe.”

For the first time in what felt like ages, Vera smiled, though it was weak and tired. She reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Zach pressed a kiss to her forehead, his heart full of both relief and love. “You don’t need to thank me. We’re in this together, Vera.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the world outside their door temporarily forgotten. All that mattered in that moment was that Vera was awake, and their child was safe.

Eventually, Zach stood, helping Vera sit up a little more comfortably in bed. “Rest,” he said, his voice gentle but commanding. “You need to regain your strength. I’ll handle everything else.”

Vera looked up at him, her eyes filled with both gratitude and determination. “I want to help, Zach. I don’t want to just lie here.”

“You will help,” Zach replied, his tone soft but firm. “But first, you need to get better. The kingdom needs its queen, and I need you by my side. So rest, Vera. For now, let me take care of things.”

Vera nodded, though Zach could see the fire still burning in her eyes. She wasn’t one to sit idly by, but for now, she would have to trust him to handle the kingdom. And he would. He had no other choice.

As Zach left the room, closing the door quietly behind him, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. Glazilda’s forces were stirring, the kingdom was on edge, and the weight of leadership felt heavier than ever.