Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 128087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
They’d fought so many battles. The stories they were entertaining the masses with seemed to never end.
Lazaar could feel Zepharali’s joy and love pumping into his core as strong as his own pulse. Every now and then, they’d lock eyes at the same time and send whispers of guaranteed ecstasy when they were once again alone.
Shall we go to our cavern this eve, beloved?
I’ll go anywhere you want, my prince.
“What are you grinning ear to ear about?” Elephaa chuckled.
“Oh.” He smirked. “Um, the music and the singing. It’s wonderful, is it not? It’s bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.”
“Mm-hmm.” She grinned.
The commander of his court was already his best friend. She not only protected him, but he’d begun to confide in her and trust her with his deepest secrets.
“Your grace, if you approve, I’d like to accept the offer of a dance from Lord Iohn of the Planes Empire.” Elephaa blushed.
“Ooh, he is quite the looker,” Lazaar teased. “I admire a lord who’s not intimidated by a powerful female.”
“Me too, your grace. You have no idea how hard it is to find a proper gentleman not intimidated by a titaness.” She lowered her eyes to her missing limb. “Especially one that is not whole.”
She and Lazaar had already had extensive conversations on this subject. And no matter how hard he tried to convince her that she was still fierce and whole in every way, his friend was sometimes saddened by not being in the infantry with her older sisters.
“Go on, enjoy yourself. I don’t anticipate danger,” he urged. “The evening is wrapping up, and Myst is at my side.”
“Okay,” she murmured, though she remained to scan the dense crowd.
“Just go.” He laughed. “You forget I’m the most powerful being there is. I doubt anyone will try to test that declaration.”
Once she had gone, he went to Zepharali and settled by his side, the same as the other wind titans’ mates, and fell easily into the conversation.
They’d already consumed plates of the abundant meats, fruits, and every other variety of food Scáthanna had to offer.
The wolf shifters were the only ones still eating the last of the rabbit trifle and fire-roasted starling.
“Well, brothers, I think it’s time for us to return home.” Theodor stood. “Because if I have to listen to this one complain one more minute about your gorgeous suns, I’m going to catapult him back to Amárach.”
Boraleashe scowled as his hand, Adresin, continued to fan him with an ice-infused cloth.
Lazaar turned his face into Zepharali’s shoulder and laughed.
The other titans stood and gave a slight bow to the king before giving each other tight hugs.
“Until the next celebration,” Notalus hefted his drink. “Since our days of war are over.”
“Hear, hear,” Adres added, raising his goblet.
Lazaar nodded.
Their threat of war was over. He dared a dominion or species to challenge any realm, including Earth, now under his protection.
Lazaar
Once Lazaar and his beloved were alone, and most of the people of Scáthanna had retired to their homes, his titan whispered in his ear, “I know you’ve already received an abundance of gifts this eve, but I have one last present for you.”
“Is it you on a pile of silk sheets, behind a rushing waterfall, and the warm glow of lanterns on your gorgeous skin?”
“Mmm, that too…but after…”
Lazaar was joyously startled when Zepharali hefted him into his arms, wrapped his legs around his waist, and bolted into the sky.
“You do know I can fly also?”
“I know, but I still like you in my arms when we do.”
“Where are you taking me, lord?”
“You’ll see.”
“Are we even in Scáthanna anymore?”
After several minutes, Zepharali landed gently, though his impact was still indicative of a titan, and set him back on his feet.
“Where are we? I don’t think I’ve been here.”
“You haven’t. This is the Sanctum Thundercloud. It’s the farthest mountain from my suns. The thick canopies of the aspen trees make it difficult for light to penetrate. But no one dares to venture this far because when my suns have set, it’s the darkest land in the realm.”
Zepharali held his hand tightly and asked, “Can you see?”
“Of course I can, and it’s gorgeous.” Lazaar gazed around at the murky-colored moss hanging like drapes from the dark limbs of the aspens.
They smelled of pine and damp earth, so similar to his secluded world, Chessuven. Instead of feeling jolted at the memory, he looked back on his one thousand years with appreciation for the safety and comfort it’d provided.
“I want to build my own refuge here, right there in the nook of those spiny shrubs and decaying leaves.” Lazaar smiled.
It felt eerie and held a mystery of danger and suspense. His vampire liked it.
“Is that why you brought me here, lord?” Lazaar hugged him. “I absolutely love it.”
Zepharali shook with his light chuckle. “I had a feeling you would, but that’s not your surprise.”