ZURI

The morning's air was cold. The strong glow of the sun filtered through the trees as I clutched the gown Denny handed me. His broad back was turned to me, giving me a rare moment of privacy. I slipped the soft fabric over my head. The sensation was foreign after the rough, tattered dress I’d been wearing.

“You can turn around now,” I said softly, tying the gown’s sash around my waist.

I could see the unspoken worry in his gaze as he turned. He had been doing this as long as I'd known him. Always worried about me, always looking out for my safety.

"Denny, you shouldn't have come after me," I whispered. "Froky will also get you banished if he finds out."

"To hell with Froky!" Denny spat. "May the goddess take away his peace and bless him with sorrows. I stay with you. Always."

As I stared at him fume, I realized that he hadn't even asked if I did any of the things I was accused of. He'd jumped right to the conclusion that Froky was the monster. And he was!

“We need to find a village,” he continued. “Somewhere safe for you to rest and heal.”

But rest was the last thing on my mind. I looked down at my hands, still trembling from the events of the morning, and felt a surge of determination. “No.” I shook my head.

“What do you mean, ‘no’?” His brows furrowed and he took a step closer.

“Hiding won’t solve anything,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “The longer I stay in the shadows, the stronger Froky becomes. If I don’t act now, there won’t be a kingdom left to save.”

Denny’s expression darkened. “Zuri, you’ve just been through hell. You can’t rush into this. You need time.”

“Time is exactly what I don’t have,” I countered. “Do you know what Froky will turn the kingdom into if I don’t stop him? A graveyard. He’ll leave nothing but skulls and ash in his wake.”

He was making sense, but I had no plans to change my mind. Denny sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“So what’s your plan?”

I hesitated for a moment to steel myself for what I was about to say. “I’m going to seek out Tyr, the Lycan King.”

Denny froze. “The Lycan King? Have you lost your mind? You know what they say about him, Zuri. You know what he tried to do! He’s dangerous. Ruthless. He’s not someone you can trust.”

“I don’t have a choice. Tyr is the only one with enough power to stand against Froky. Magnika is the only kingdom he couldn't conquer. If anyone can help me, it’s him.”

“And what will you offer him?” Denny asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

I took a deep breath. The words were bitter on my tongue. “I’ll offer him a marriage alliance.”

Denny looked like he'd seen a ghost. He blinked. “You’re going to sell yourself to him? Just like that?”

“It’s not like that,” I snapped, though the sting of his accusation made my chest ache. “This is a marriage of convenience. Once I regain the throne, I’ll find a way out of it. It’s a means to an end.”

Denny shook his head. “You think Tyr will just let you walk away? Zuri, you’re gambling with your life.”

“I know what I’m doing.” There was no room to accommodate doubt now. “This is the only way.”

Denny stared at me for a long moment before exhaling sharply. “Fine. If you’re dead set on this, then I’m coming with you. Someone has to keep you out of trouble.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips despite the heaviness of the moment. “Thank you, Denny.”

He didn’t respond; instead, he motioned for us to start moving. The journey to Tyr’s territory was long and treacherous, but I couldn’t afford to waste time.

*^*^*^*^

The next few days passed in a blur of sleepless nights and tense silences. Denny was a steady presence at my side, scanning the horizon for threats. I could vividly remember when Tyr had gone out to conquer kingdoms. I was about fifteen then. Our kingdom fought him off, so strongly that it was rumoured he admitted the battle to be a first defeat for him.

And now, he was my only option.

But as we approached the outskirts of Tyr’s territory, the tension in my guts grew.

“Are you sure about this?” Denny asked as we trudged through the dense forest.

“Yes,” I replied, though my heart pounded in my chest. “This is our only chance.”

Before Denny could respond, a rustling in the bushes made us both freeze. A group of heavily armed guards emerged, their golden eyes gleaming in the dim light.

“State your business,” one of them barke.

“I’m here to see Tyr,” I said, hiding the tremble in my hands. I hated how powerless I was. Denny always reprimanded me whenever I talked down on my abilities.

The guards exchanged wary glances before one of them stepped forward with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “The Lycan King doesn’t see uninvited guests,” he said coldly.

“It’s urgent,” I insisted. “He’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

The guard snorted. “That’s not for you to decide.”

Before I could protest, they moved quickly. Their hands gripped our arms as they forced us to the ground. I struggled against their hold, but their strength was overwhelming.

“Let me go!” I screamed.

Denny growled low in his throat and was already turning, but he was outnumbered. The guards bound our hands and began marching us toward the heart of Tyr’s territory.

As we approached the towering gates of the Lycan King’s fortress, my heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. I had no idea what awaited us on the other side, but one thing was certain: I couldn’t back down now.

The gates opened with a heavy creak, revealing a grand hall lit by flickering torches. At the far end of the room, a massive throne loomed, and seated upon it was Tyr himself.

The Lycan King was as imposing as I remembered: tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding an aura of raw power. His green eyes bore into me as the guards dragged us forward, forcing us to our knees before him.

“What is this?” Tyr’s deep voice rumbled in the emptiness of the hall. I could feel the baritone seeping into my bones, making my knees weaker than they already were.

I lifted my head and met his piercing stare. “I’m Zuri,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. “And I’ve come to ask for your help.”

He slowly got to his feet. His height was a new intimidation. A flicker of recognition swirled in his eyes, and his golden hair fell on both sides of his face, hiding a part of the sneer that curved his lips.

"Lady Zuri... What a pleasant surprise."