Page 57 of Under the Lion Star

“Not how I imagined my wedding night,” she smirked.

I huffed a laugh, still trying to catch my breath as the adrenaline from the nightmare faded.

“I’m sorry if I woke you,” I sighed, running my hand over my face.

“No worries,” she ran her hand up and down my arm. “I was having trouble sleeping anyway.”

“Why?” I rolled to face her. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s weird to sleep in an unfamiliar place,” she continued. “New noises. And the bed in my room is so big it feels strange to be alone.”

“You’re always welcome here,” I offered.

I found myself desperate to kiss her, to hold her, but I knew it wasn’t what she wanted. While she’d mentioned that sex was on the table, I knew I had to control myself. There was no realm where I could be intimate with Zialda and not fall even deeper for her.

“Go back to sleep,” she said softly, resting her small hand on my chest. “I’ll help you fight off any demons that return.”

I nodded, my heavy eyelids closing, but with the comfort of Zialda next to me, no nightmares returned.

Chapter 17

Zialda

My knee bounced nervously as I waited for the lords to enter the council chamber. Leor had placed a seat next to his so that we both sat at the head of the long table. While it made me feel good that he was showing me as an equal, it added to the nervousness that everyone in the room would soon be aware I didn’t belong.

I was not fit to be a queen. I didn’t know the first thing about ruling over a country.

“Never let them see your nerves,” Leor whispered, placing his hand over my thigh.

“I had a few ideas after reviewing the agenda last night,” I said quietly.

“I look forward to hearing them.”

“Oh, I thought maybe I’d run them by you first, and if you thought they were okay, you could present them?” I hedged nervously.

“No,” he shook his head. “I don’t need to pre-approve any of your thoughts. You’ll share them yourself.”

He gave my thigh a gentle squeeze and softly smiled before the doors opened. Lords Corrin, Gamril, and Merhan’s son Ellor entered first. I’d spent a good portion of our wedding trying to put names to faces so as not to embarrass myself or Leor.

Prince Orin sat in the chair beside mine and only gave the lords a curt nod as they took their places. He seemed at ease, unbothered by the surprised glances his presence elicited.

Lord Corrin offered me a smile as he took his seat, and I noted one of the books in his hands.

“Haedril’s,” I tipped my chin toward the book.

“Ah, yes,” he looked over the cover. “I have a few books to return to the castle library. I hope it’s still okay that I borrow them for my daughters.”

“Of course,” Leor nodded.

“You should try Arkhain,” I offered. “Haedril offers many good insights into basic herbology but lacks the extensive interaction explanations that Arkhain covers in her text.”

Lord Corrin blinked at me a few times.

“My Aunt trained my sister and I,” I explained. “She used to own an apothecary shop, and my sister went to university to study herbs and medicinal plants.”

“I’ll try Arkhain then, thank you,” the lord smiled.

They took their respective seats while the remainder of the council entered the room. Every man offered me a polite smile and bow of their head. I wished so badly to know what they honestly thought of me. Leor’s hand continued to rest on my thigh, a source of warmth and comfort that I desperately needed.

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