A visit from a princess...

Zinna smiles softly again and nods in agreement with Nymera’s thoughts on her own freedom. Then she gently places her other hand atop Nymera’s, returning the warm, reassuring squeeze with a touch of fondness.

“I’ve been… around. Spent some time in Seshtau, and went to see Sofira and the girls for a bit. Mostly I’ve been at the orphanage, trying to focus on helping however I can.” She paused, a small shrug lifting one shoulder. “Probably going to see Charlotte soon. She sent me a letter requesting my presence. Some things were said the last time we spoke, and… my relationship with that branch of the family has been damaged as well.”

She paused again and gave a small, self-aware shake of her head.

“Though I suppose it’s partially my fault that my people don’t have the best reputation around here. We’ve been helping, but mostly in the shadows. So now, too many think we’re nothing more than leeches—good for pretty clothes and dancing whores, and not much else.”

She sighed, rolling her eyes with restrained irritation before shaking her head again, this time as if to shake off the weight of it all.

Zinna took a deep breath, steadying herself, and when she spoke again, the words came like lines she’d practiced many times over.

“I do not belong in King Kalil’s world. His way of life and mine do not meld well enough to form the bond needed for a happy marriage. I crave the open road, and he requires well-guarded walls. He is stoic, keeps his emotions tightly locked away. I wear mine on my sleeves like jewels. I need open communication; he is wary of opening himself to anyone but Connor.

“I want to move with the flow of the wind and rivers. He needs structure—every moment of every day mapped out with purpose. And with so many powerful enemies, I can’t be that close to him without giving up who I am. Who I’m meant to be.”

She paused, a flicker of lingering hurt flashing in her eyes.

“I was hurt and shocked by his sudden decision to end our arrangement — especially when it was made without even a drop of my input. But after taking time to reflect, to focus on myself and the person I’ve become, I see now that… it’s probably for the best.”

Her voice softened, losing the formality for something more vulnerable.

“I hope we can remain allies. Even friends, maybe...”She opened her mouth as if to say something more, the words hovering just behind her lips—unspoken but heavy. But then, just as quickly, she closed it again. Instead, she turned back to Nymera and offered a quiet, reassuring smile. 

Nymera nods as she listens. "I was surprised too when he ended the engagement. Even more surprised to find out that you two had gotten into an... Argument?" She sighs. "I don't really know what happened. I just know he was hurt and angry. But he told me that he wasn't going to stop us from chatting." She smirks and squeezes Zinna's hand. "I could always sense you weren't quite happy with your life at the manor. I can't say I understand needing to be out on the road, always moving, but I understand that life is very different from the sheltered one you've been living."

Nymera gives her a small smile. "Given the way Kalil... I expected you to be... Angry? Certainly more fiery than this." She chuckles half heartedly and nudges Zinna with her elbow. "Come on, Zinna. I know things went badly with Kalil but you said you've been out on the road again? Traveling? Have you been talking to your people? Are you enjoying your time on the road again?"

She suddenly sighs and looks down at their hands. "Or maybe you shouldn't tell me? Is it safer that way?" She huffs and chuckles. "I really am bad at knowing what to say when it comes to these things. I know how to be friends with 'Zinna, the future Queen of Dragons' but I don't know how I should be with 'Zinna, the Ramtovi Princess'." She gives Zinna an awkward smile.

Zinna looked down, her gaze tracing the folds of her skirt as her fingers fidgeted with the fabric. She shook her head again, slowly.

“There was anger. There was fire,” she murmured. “And I tried to let it out—tried to let it burn clean instead of letting it rot away inside me. But I wasn’t in a place where I could speak freely, and I… was taught a lesson. One Ba has tried to teach me for years.” She gave a tired, sardonic breath. “But Connor—he’s the one who finally made it stick. I don’t even know how long it took. It felt like weeks… but I was only gone an hour or two at most.”

Her eyes flicked to the air around them—the empty, silent space—and lingered there for a moment. Then she looked down again, drawing a deeper breath as though steadying something brittle inside her.

“The short of it, as far as I understand, is this: King Kalil built a house. A beautiful one, I’m sure. Built much of it for me. And yet, never once asked what I might want, or where I would want to live. Then he got offended when I didn’t accept it as the gift he meant it to be.”

Her voice softened as her fingers stilled on the fabric in her lap. “When I came back to the manor after spending time with my people—after finding Selena and Wolfrum gone, and everyone else tense and watchful—I didn’t want to stay. Not with the dragons. Not surrounded by soldiers. I didn’t want to be another problem someone had to protect...”

Her voice trailed off, and she looked down again. The silence stretched, then she spoke more quietly.

“There was chaos at Dragon Manor. All I wanted was peace. And Kalil… he got offended that I was scared.”

She gave a sharp shake of her head and inhaled, trying to settle her nerves again before turning her gaze back to Nymera.

“I'm still just me. I was never meant to be Queen of the Dragons. There are too many ancient rules in that world that clash with my own heritage. It was never going to work.”

She lifted her shoulders in a small shrug.

“I’ve been in contact with some of my people. I’m heading to a meeting with the bandoliers soon—once we find a safe enough place to gather.”

A trace of light returned to her voice then, and her smile, while small, was warmer.

“I’ve been thinking of putting together a festival of sorts. I know I can’t provide food, but… we have seamstresses, cobblers, carpenters—people who can fix just about anything. I’m hoping Zuigrii and the artisan’s guild will help too. The people could bring what needs mending, trade for better-fitting clothes, donate to those with nothing. Maybe I can even get Edgar to lend some of his undead to help with farm repairs and fences.”

She smiled to herself, a little brighter now, though her tone was still gentle. “I’ll talk it over with my people. Though, I need to speak with Vesta and Lady Katalina first about another thing.”
 

Nymera listens quietly and then smiles at the last bit. "I'm glad you are getting together with your people and trying to do some good out there. I hope you can achieve much." She furrows her brow. "I know the house was part of it. I know Kalil was trying to do something he thought was thoughtful and I understand you didn't feel that way. But...There is more to this than I know about. He has changed Zinna. I don't know what happened between the two of you but he's..." She presses her lips together as she tries to find the words. "Something happened right before the wedding. I don't know details. I know he came to me and he was... Different. Quiet. Thoughtful." She smiles at Zinna. "But despite whatever happened, he got back his confidence. I had been watching his confidence wane over the weeks before the wedding but one chat with you? And he was more confident than before." She shrugs and chuckles. "So thank you for helping him find his confidence again. Even if he would never admit it was because of you, I know it was."

Nymera sighs and pats Zinna's hand. "If it would help, I can explain why he got so upset about the house but I know that doesn't really matter to you anymore. Besides, I know that isn't what caused him to come to me and reassure me that I could continue speaking with you. And I don't know how Connor fits into this at all. What did he do that... Felt like weeks? I don't think I understand?" She squeezes Zinna's hand. "I'd like to understand. If you can tell me what I'm missing."

Zinna clasped her hands together tightly, her fingers twisting against one another as she took a steadying breath. Her voice, when it came, was calm but deliberate, each word chosen with care.

“Yes. He changed,” she said quietly. “He let doubt creep in. And instead of talking, instead of staying open… he let it fester. He doubted himself and his ability to protect me. He's always doubted my ability to protect myself. He doubted Wolfrum. He even doubted Ba.”

She paused, her brow furrowing slightly. “I don’t know if he still believes Wolfrum and Ba betrayed him… or if he finally accepts that she’s only gone for a little while. She told me she’s visited him—in dreams—but…” Zinna shook her head gently. “We don’t talk about Kalil.”

She gave a shrug that tried for nonchalance but didn’t quite reach it. “I didn't do anything other than tell him he was being an idiot. Because he was. He let his fear and uncertainty take control. Every old doubt he’s ever had about his worth, his strength, his place in all of this—they had full control of the reins. And he wouldn’t hear anything else.”

Zinna sighed, her gaze drifting briefly around them before she leaned in just a bit, voice dropping to a quieter register.

“Connor trapped us in Common Ground,” she murmured. “Said it was to make us talk. To fix things. But it didn’t fix anything. If anything, it shoved the wedge deeper. It made me see something I can’t unsee.”

She looked back at Nymera, voice low and steady now.

“Connor made me realize that I’m never really free—not so long as I’m under the dragons’ wings, so to speak. At any moment, he or Kalil or one of their men can find me. Take me. Pull me away from wherever I am, from whoever I’m with. And lock me away for however long they see fit.”

Her hands unclenched slowly, but the tension remained in her shoulders.

“That truth… it changed me.”

Nymera sighs heavily as she hears Zinna's tale. "I will be honest, I do not know where Common Ground is but to be trapped anywhere... I would want my freedom too.' She turns to face Zinna and lifts her hand so Nymera can clasp it in both of hers. "There is no reason for him to do that again though right? You are no longer engaged to them and well... They have no reason to. Correct?" 

Nymera pats her hand. "I know Kalil had been having doubts. He'd expressed as much to me. But he never said anything about Wolfrum and Selena betraying him. He always expressed to me that he felt the opposite. That he'd betrayed them." She shakes her head. "But he hasn't mentioned anything about that in the last few weeks. In fact, he mentioned Selena coming to his dream. He told me he was glad to see her. He actually said Wolfrum's name a few days ago which I haven't heard in months. He's been... Different but in high spirits at least."

She gives Zinna a soft smile. "It has been a few months since the wedding and since Connor trapped you, yes? Has he given you any reason to think he would do so again? I'm really hoping with time that the two, or three I suppose, of you can... Mend things. If that's what you both want. I'll be honest, Kalil doesn't talk about you. So I don't know how open to mending things he is but I'm sure I can find out if it is something you would like to do." She frowns. "But if your worlds are so different... If they hurt you so badly... I can also understand not wanting to reconcile things."