Standard Disclaimers Apply.

Okay, I love love zoyalai right now, that's why I wrote these fics. My one-shots are based on the prompts I made and a few I liked in the internet. If you find a good prompt, I encourage you to write a zoyalai fic about it! And please pm me so I could read it? I miss these characters and I would enjoy to read more stories about them while we wait for KoS2.

Whoa, that became long. I'll stop my chatter now. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

"I'm really not that drunk you know." Nikolai said while he and Zoya are unsteadily making their way to his chambers.

"Of course you're not. You were clearly not inebriated when you attempted to make a fool of yourself in front of the Lantsov pretender." Zoya snapped irritably. Nikolai had his arm around her shoulder and her arm is rap around his waist. The king is leaning heavily on her and it's a slow process because he would sway from time to time.

"You look so much prettier whenever you scowl at me Nazyalensky. Must be the twist of those captivating lips of yours." Nikolai quipped, his breath tickling the side of Zoya's neck.

"Do shut-up Nikolai." Zoya growled and had Nikolai looked, he would have seen the now familiar flash of silver in Zoya's normally striking blue eyes.

The two of them finally reached the kings chambers. It took a bit of maneuvering mostly on Zoya's part and a few stumbles in Nikolai's but at last, Zoya got Nikolai into bed. He sank into it just like a rock, not even removing his party clothes. Has she needed any more proof that he's drunk, this would have been it.

So Zoya release an exasperated sigh and tried to take as much clothes off of him as she could. "Honestly, you're such a pane Your Highness. You're getting married tomorrow and you still pull off a stunt like this." she unlaced his boots and yank them off with more force than necessary.

"Be gentle Zoya dear." Nikolai said, turning on his side to make her job more difficult.

"I thought you know I'm never sweet nor gentle your highness." she replied while tugging on his coat. As soon as she turned him on his back, Zoya leaned over and started to unbutton the garment. "Stop being difficult." she scolded him when he wiggled slightly under her fingers.

Nikolai suddenly reached for a wayward lock of her hair and said, "What if I'm having second thoughts about this marriage Zoya? If I tell you, I don't think I can go through with this sham after all."

Zoya stilled, but she fought her instincts to move away. Instead, she stared straight into Nikolai's hazel eyes to drive her point home. "You don't have the luxury of second thoughts Nikolai. Ravka needs you to do what must be done, you know that. You never doubted yourself before, don't start now."

"My ruthless Zoya, even your pep talk sounded like a series of sharp commands." Nikolai tried to joke but it was a useless attempt and they both new it. So he just twirled the silk strand in his fingers while a contemplative look clouded his fine features.

Zoya could have pulled away if she wanted to but to her annoyance, she found that she did not. Her king is faltering before her eyes and she would never stand for it. "I am a general your highness, it's my job to do that. Besides, you didn't get where you are now for being weak. You knew what you had to do and you did not hesitate to do it. You'll get through this, just like the other things you've faced. And then..."

It was her, who stumble this time. After this royal marriage, and then what? Zoya knew this would happen, she was the one who pushed Nikolai to it but... She was not prepared for the storm of emotions that battered her heart. Knowing and living are indeed two very, very different things and she would do well to remember it.

"And then?" Nikolai's quiet voice snapped her back into reality. His undivided attention is on her now, the sharp eyes she grew to be fond of are watching her with an intensity that threaten to crumble her resolve. She noticed that a strand of her hair was still curled in Nikolai's finger and there for links them together.

Not letting herself to second guess her decision, Zoya leaned away and straighten herself. Effectively cutting the thing that tethered the two of them. "You'll deal with more problems than you know what to do with. This is Ravka after all." she told him briskly and she even added a dismissive waive to make herself look indifferent to him.

As if it does not matter. Like she doesn't care. All that had happened in the last three years were not important to her. 'He's not mine to keep.' If she told herself that enough times, it might dull the sharp pinpricks somewhat.

"Not very reassuring. But, I concede your point."

"As you should." Zoya sniffed. "Good night your highness."

She made to leave but Nikolai seized her by the wrist and the shock of his touch stopped her long enough to hear his request. "Tell me lies Nazyalensky, say pretty words until I fall asleep. At least do this for your king."

Nikolai was looking at her with desperation, longing and a plethora of other emotions that flashed too quickly across his eyes that not even Zoya, could identify them. She and Nikolai weren't physically oriented people. For him to touch her, he must really needed a distraction. Looks like he was right, he was not that drunk after all.

So Zoya perched herself on the chair near the bed and started to tell her tall tales. "I see it written in the stars that after a lot of hardships, you'll finally marry the love of your life."

"What's she like?" Nikolai asked, relinquishing his hold on her in favor of crossing his arms behind his head.

"Kind to a fault, pretty as a purl and a classic damsel in distress."

"Might I ask how did our fated meeting went? Did I save her from her neglectful relatives? Or did I slue the beast that's terrorizing the kingdom and they gave me their precious princess to be my bride as thanks for vanquishing the evil villain."

"Ah, this is why I have the ability to see the future and not you. You're too predictable Nikolai."

"By all means, show me how it's truly done Nazyalensky." Nikolai let-out his usual easy smile and she took it as a challenge.

"You were sailing with your crew and you found her stowing away on your ship. The moment your eyes met, you fell in love with her instantly. You've learned that she was running away from a wealthy old merchant that's trying to force her into wedlock. So you did not waste time in taking her away from that horrible place and bringing her to Ravka. In spite of everyone's objections, the king of Ravka married a common slave girl and they lived happily ever after." Zoya finished with a flourish.

"And where were you in this fairy tale? I can't imagine that my fierce general let all of that happen. Peacefully living in the Little Palace with a lot of jewels and cash than you'd know what to do with, I hope."

"Not quite. Of course I'll know what to do with them Nikolai, don't be stupid. You did not listen to my sound advice but since you outsmarted all of Ravka's enemies, I let you have your way." she stood, "I've fulfilled your wish your highness, I'll take my leave now."

Nikolai sleepily reached for her kefta but he missed. "Tell me one last lie Zoya, let's continue our game in that carriage long ago. Tell me you love me, my lovely wife."

Zoya's almost out the room before she replied, only her face was visible to Nikolai. "I won't."

"Why?" Nikolai's eyes fell close as he asked, not letting her see the emotions that she was certain playing in them.

"Because if I did tell you that, it wouldn't be a lie Nikolai." Zoya whispered. The last thing she saw was Nikolai had sat up, his hand lifted as if to stay her, his bewildered gaze was firmly fixed on her retreating form and his mouth opened to say something. But Zoya, closed the door before he could.

Prompt: Nikolai got tipsy so Zoya brought him to his chambers. They talk then and some truths had been said.

A/N: Tell me what you think?