As the carriage drew closer to the palace gates, the housing grew from shared mansions to luxurious estates with huge front lawns, beautiful gardens, and pretty fountains. It was like all the riches of Astra were centered around the palace. Part of Zoey loved the sweeping villas and beautiful homes that litter their journey, but the other half of her hated it beyond words. The Nobles worked for nothing, and yet they received everything. They reaped all the benefits from the crops, animals, and other commodities the peasants under their control toiled in the land to make.
They always had the best food, the best clothes, the richest homes, and the best tutors. The finery was reserved all for them while others wasted away, not knowing a moment's rest the majority of their short-lived lives. Zoey had longed to make the poor of this city into wealthier beings just so they could live in better conditions, while a lot had changed t still wasn’t enough in Zoey’s opinion. Angered by the different degrees of power she had witnessed, Zoey decided it was time for her favorite pass time of watching Zephyr. Sometimes she made it obvious, and other times, she let herself get caught. It was no small secret that Zephyr and Zoey had grown up together. The bond they had was unbreakable in Zoey’s heart; she just had to work up the courage to see if Zeph felt the same way. He was growing into a delicious piece of eye candy. His long silver locks and startling green eyes made it hard to look away from his face. Zoey had even memorized the shape of the lips she longed to kiss and how his top lip was just a little bit fuller than his bottom lip. She had dreams sometimes of kissing Zephyr’s lips ever so softly as she fell into his arms.
Her fantasy was light-hearted for one who was trained to kill unless she got to the part of her dreams where her domination instincts take over. As Zoey had gotten older, she had had to work hard to keep her feelings hidden, not knowing if Zephyr even saw her as she saw him. The fact that Master Rajendra had kept them paired during much of their training had only bound them closer; they were literally thick as thieves and completely inseparable.
Zoey couldn’t imagine her life without Zephyr in it; he was more than just her working partner; he had become her best friend. At the Celebration Ball, Zoey would live one of her fantasy’s and ask him to dance with her. The idea of being in his arms sent shivers down her spine. Zephyr gazed out his window lost in thought; he could feel Zoey's gaze and her love for him. Well, not exactly him as he was Eros in disguise but for Zephyr himself. They were a good match, one Eros had planned from the start. As the God of Love, it was his duty to see that the Queen he had intended to rule this world was well-loved as well as armed.
Eros had been watching Zoey since her birth; she had touched his heart so much as a babe that he had gifted her with a kiss of shadows so that she could move through the very shadows themselves at will. It was a gifted Master Rajendra loved and envied: as it made Zoey his brightest pupil and his most dangerous. Princess Zoey held a gift that only the most powerful of her bloodline had been able to train, and she used it effortlessly. It was a gift Queen Elsie was not aware of, nor would she ever know if Eros had anything to do with it. It was Zoey’s ace for when the time came to reclaim her rightful throne. That gift alone proved her of royal blood and the rightful heir. Her gifts weren’t stolen like Princess Sasha’s were, Eros, knew she had learned to eat other people's magic, and he had often wondered how many Sasha had killed to attain the level she wields now.
Eros had no idea if Queen Elsie was aware of the demon that lived in Princess Sasha’s heart and mind, but Eros had seen the destruction it had rained down upon this land in the past. That the beast had been reborn in a princess was a mystery Eros had not solved yet, but the answers would find him of this he had no doubt. That he had felt compelled to choose Zoey as his champion was not lost on him. The real Zephyr was privy to all the feelings and memories Eros had made while interacting with Zoey so that Eros could slip away at the right moment and watch his chosen Queen flourish.
As far as Zephyr was concerned, it was him that lived all these moments with Zoey, and even if the long-lived mortal had stolen the God Eros’s heart, there was nothing for him to do but treasure the moments he had with Zoey before he had to let her go. His plan would be glorious, and no one would get in the way.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the palace, receiving doors; plush carpets were being laid before the exit of the carriage to the doors like it was a crime for anything royal to touch the ground. It annoyed Zoey to no end, and by the look on Zephyr’s face, he wasn’t impressed either. Royal’s could be such temperamental fuck sticks! Tired of waiting on pomp and circumstance, Zoey exited the carriage from the door that faced the street. Zephyr followed her a little chuckle escaping his lips. He knew as much as she did that the attendants would be beside themselves with horror that Zoey had not let them help her from the carriage. She paused, peeking around the carriage, watching as they scurried around like ants. Their overseer’s face red with fury at their slow progress.
Zoey giggled at the scene before her; she had forgotten how seriously the servants and attendants took their duties. Stretching to limber her body up from the long ride and straighten her back, giving herself perfect posture. Zoey threw on her backpack and walked around the carriage, causing those in attendance to gasp, whimper, and bow. The blush that crept across her cheeks a deep crimson that only made her that much more breathtaking to all who saw her. Zephyr stood back and admired the stir she caused; she was definitely the most magnificent creature he had ever known.
“Your Majesty, welcome home,” a small woman with soft brown eyes said as she spread her arms wide. Zoey squealed in glee as she rushed to hug the small woman crying out, “Nana!” Zephyr took the whole event in with a smile on his face. It had been nine years since Zoey had seen her nanny, yet she greeted the woman like she was a treasured aunt or friend. Her embrace and emotions were all genuine, and the smile that lit her Nana’s face was priceless. Eros had never been surer of his choice than he was at that moment. Zoey was all heart and heart was what the world would need to survive the battle ahead.
“Zoey, my child, you have grown! You’re still cute as a button, though,” Nana said as she bopped Zoey on the tip of her nose.
“That’s what kids do, Nana, we grow. How have you been? I have missed you,” Zoey said with a smile.
“I have been fine, child though I must say things have been interesting since you left the palace.”
“How are mother and Sasha,” Zoey asked her inquiry, hesitant?
“They are as you remember them, forever the same, forever miserable,” Nana replies, her eyes sad but filled with a veiled warning for Zoey. Eros funneled the information away for later and made his presence as Zephyr known.
“Greetings Nana, I am the crown Prince Zephyr of the Jaguar Kingdom. I will be Zoey’s assistant for this mission,” he said with a small bow. Nana smiled and opened her arms, “Come closer boy, I like to hug my greetings,” Zephyr complied with a smile on his face that could light up the night sky. Eros saw where Zoey’s heart had first experienced love, and when he had a private moment, he planned to reward Nana in secret for her priceless gift. Her loving guidance had been more important than she would ever know. To be honest, it might be the very thing that would save this world.
“Let’s get you young ones settled, The Queen has requested an audience with Zoey and all her assistants. I will need to have you both dressed properly before you enter her presence. We have some time yet, but it will be a close thing with the tailors.,” Nana stated flatly, her worry present in her tone even if she gave a wink trying to play it off. She ushered us through two large double doors into a large greeting room.
The carpeted floors depicted scenes of battle, while the paintings on the walls depicted peace in all its forms. The meaning was not lost on Zoey or Zephyr as their eyes fell upon golden statues of every fallen hero in history as they made their way to the staircase that would take them towards the royal quarters. Nana seemed to pass the finery without a passing thoug
ht, but Zoey gazed at it all with a remembered fondness that filled her eyes. She ran her fingertips across the simplest of items as if to make sure they existed. It was a curiosity Zephyr would have to ask her about later.
They were led up marble steps of the blackest night while the banister was coated in a golden silver mix, creating a silver-like glass that sparkled in the light of the magical flames that lit their way. Regal in every way, yet overwrought for something as simple as a handrail. Zoey seemed to breathe it in like a warm breeze on a cold night. When they reached the landing, Zoey’s feet immediately turned towards the right hall towards her old rooms.
“Princess Zoey, your quarters are this way,” Nana said, gesturing to her left. Zoey’s footsteps sputtered as she hurried to change directions, her eyes wide and questioning.
“Don’t worry love, you are to be given the old king’s quarters. Queen Elsie commanded that you be close to Princess Sasha but in an unnoticeable way. To be given your father’s quarters is fitting as Sasha is nothing more than a bastard playing at the chance to be queen. Her raven locks do not come from your father but your uncle. A clever ruse for a power hungry queen. A little known rumor, but it is a true one.” Nana’s face held a sadness as she finished her words.
“One would say that it is not a rumor but a fact that could breed confusion if it was a known truth,” Zephyr mused his eyes, catching Zoey’s in an effort to reassure her. The fire he saw burning in her eyes gave pause, it was the fire of true heartbreak and sadness. From the look, she gave it was clear that Zoey had never imagined she was the only true heir to the throne or that her mother had displaced her with such a simple lie. Zephyr could see her burning with a quiet rage that was frightening.
Someone would pay for this transgression, and they would pay with their life, it was only a question of who and when.
“Are my father’s quarters still as he left them?” Zoey asked her voice even, showing none of her inner turmoil.
“We have cleaned the dust away and changed the linens on the bed only. All of your father’s treasures remain for you to find, though they are well hidden unless you know where to look. Let’s get you settled and measured for the tailor, and then you can explore the mysteries left in the late king’s chamber undisturbed.”
“Very well, when you have time, I would like to learn more about that rumor, please? I feel it is too important to cast aside.” Zoey asked her tone, unsure and wavering.
“We will talk my young charge until that moment put what you have learned from your mind, lest it betrays you in the presence of those who hold the power of life and death in this kingdom,” Nana advised.
Zoey nodded her response and continued to follow Nana down the hallway, her footsteps taunt and clapping to the floor in an angry stomp. Large golden and silver doors appeared wrought with a lion lounging across the face, it loomed before the group like a sentinel. Directly across the hallway was another set of doors showing jaguars guarding a lion queen, both doors were breathtaking but gave Zoey a shiver that ran down her spine like an omen. She did not remember the jaguar doorway at all. Was it new?
“I see the questions in your eyes, love,” Nana said softly. “Your father had his own bodyguard from the Jaguar Kingdom. She was a princess far removed from the throne. Nethra was the perfect companion for your father, many thought they would marry until your uncle brought Queen Elise home. I will fill you in on the full story when we talk. There are things you need to know, no matter the cost. We must hurry the hallways have ears, and even now, I have said too much where others can hear.” Nana said, twisting her hands together in a nervous gesture. Zephyr raised an eyebrow but didn’t blanch at Nana’s warning.
As Eros in disguise, he was well aware of the story and knew all of its details. He shared all these memories with the hidden sleeping Zephyr even if it was Eros who wore his features. Eros wanted the young prince knowledgeable. The surprise in Zoey’s life were starting to snowball, and Zephyr must be ready to take his place when Eros was finally called to play the role of the God of love. He had hoped that Zoey would never find out about Elise’s schemes to push her aside and install her bastard, but it would seem that fate had other ideas. The Fates were always troublesome at best; his ancient sisters had a hand in all planes of existence. Even if Eros hated their interference, but he had no choice but to defer to their whims. Their power far outstripped his, and he had learned long ago that the Fates were not to be trifled with, as their consequences could be deadly.
Eros was glad that it would be Nan’s loving heart that broke the news of Queen Elise’s schemes to Zoey’s raging heart and mind. Maybe her words could find a way to soften the blow. It would make the pain Zoey felt a little less traumatic, and it would help her keep her sanity. If left up to Queen Elise, Zoey would have been nothing more than a tool to use and discard, more a well-trained beast than a daughter. That type of treatment would have broken anyone’s mind, and yet Queen Elsie did not care in the slightest. The betrayal would have broken Zoey’s heart, just like it had broken her father’s heart long ago. That the Queen’s plans were beginning to unravel, gave Eros hope for the future, and validated the actions, he had already taken.
“Nana, send the tailor to me first, it will give Zoey time to wash the dirt of the road from her skin,” Zephyr suggested, knowing it would give Nana time to tell her story.
“That is a delightful idea! I shall see to it immediately.” She replied with a bow.
Zoey watched Nana’s form retreat but made no move to enter her father's chambers.
“Are you okay?” Zephyr asked his tone even and light. He feared to leave her at this moment, but he knew the tailor would be along at any moment, and he wanted to be in quarters when they arrived.
“I will be fine once I have my questions answered,” Zoey said softly as she pushed open the golden doors and went into her chambers. The golden doors seemed to close on their own with a faint hiss, leaving Zephyr in the silence of the hallway.
Chapter 10
Nana
Nana hurried along the royal hallway, her focus solely on the task at hand. She would set the tailor up in Zephyr’s quarters, and then she would keep a promise she had sworn to King Anthony Nightshade to protect long ago. As she passed Queen Elsie’s room, Nana could hear her screaming at one of her servants, such was the nature of the cruel lioness. It made Nana bristle with anger; who did this imposter queen think she was? If King Anthony had not been killed on the battlefield, Queen Elsie would have been put aside a long time ago. Nana often wondered if King Anthony’s abrupt death had been a ploy to take power? One arranged by Queen Elsie herself?
Having lived all these years as her servant, Nana put nothing passed the selfish lioness. She was ever greedy for any power she could take, and in Nana’s opinion, it never boded well for the seeker. Tapping twice on the tailor’s door before entering, Nana pushed on the door forcing her way past a bundle of expensive fabric before finding the tailor’s workspace. The tailor labored with her head bent low over the lace on the Queen’s hem, adding delicate little crystals for a finishing touch. The Queen would look as is she walked on a patch of stardust, and it seemed fitting for the great woman’s disposition, a fading star to be ground under the heels of her children.
“Ella dear, Princess Zoey and Prince Zephyr have arrived and will need to be fitted with proper attire. You must hurry to get their measurements as they will need to be dressed as befits their station. Both are to meet Queen Elsie, and we know how she gets when her guests are seen as shabby.” Ella handed off the garment she was working on to an attendant with instructions on how to clean and prepare it for the Queen to wear. She browsed her supply of fabric and chose the cloth she imagined dressing her charges in and proceeded to head for the door.
“See to Prince Zephyr first, for he has bathed and is ready for you now. I will attend Princess Zoey and get her cleaned up from the road while you dress her assistant,” Nana instructed before heading to Zoey’s chambers. Nana had m
uch to discuss with Zoey, and they had little or no time to do it.
Nana hurried along the royal corridor, twisting her fingers with one hand, she had longed for this moment. King Anthony Nightshade had been a hero and a dear friend to her heart; she had made a promise to protect Zoey, and she intended to keep it. She knocked lightly, as she did not want to startle her charge, but she received no answer. She opened the doors to hear Zoey in the shower, singing as she washed the grime of the road from her skin. It delighted Nana’s heart to know that even in the face of the worst revelations, Zoey still enjoyed her baths as she had when she was little.
A heart so full of love and joy had no business being an assassin, yet that is what Queen Elsie’s schemes had made her. A lone tear rolled down Nana’s cheek leaving a tiny tear shaped diamond upon the carpeted floor. It was the evidence of Nana’s heartbreak for her beloved charged. The glittering tear unnoticed Nana stepped forward and knocked on the bathroom door.
“Princess Zoey, make haste we have much to discuss before the tailor arrives.” Nana listened as Zoey’s song choked off, and the water of the shower ceased to run. She took a step back and waited as Zoey opened the door wrapped in her father’s old robe, her hair covered by his favorite towel. At that moment, Nana could see the resemblance, and it shook her heart to its foundation. The way Zoey carried herself a proud yet gentle lioness was the same gait her father had held, shoulders back, head held high like nothing could change her heart or mind once she had found her desires was remarkable.
Zoey had always been a gentle soul, easy to love, and even sweet enough to charm, but she never used her wiles to gain favor. It was her loving personality that won the hearts of all those lucky enough to experience her gentle youth. Now she stood a woman of great character far stronger than her father would have ever imagined. Nana felt blessed to care for her and proud of her as if she was her own daughter. She was every bit the queen that Nana would see her become if she had her way.
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