Page 27 of Zepharali: Lord of the East Winds (Lords of the Wind Book 3)

Zepharali

Zepharali was in a deep sleep, resting better than he ever had.

For the first time in his two thousand years, he was confident this lover wouldn’t flee his bed and into the arms of another.

Just as the prophecy assured.

“I can feel your consciousness on my element the moment you awake, my love. But now, I can hear you in my mind.”

Lazaar lifted his head from his chest, his mouth sealed shut.

You can?

Zepharali hummed at the beautiful darkness whispering in the sexiest tenor he’d ever heard.

He nodded with curiosity and then tested his own telepathic connection.

You can hear me too, can you not?

Lazaar’s smile was as radiant as the sunrise when he nodded excitedly.

I can. Lazaar slammed his lips against his. What does this mean?

It means our bond is sealed, unbreakable…and I no longer have to send my wind to whisper to you.

Will I ever tire of our union? Each moment has been a revelation of something more wonderous.

Zepharali squeezed Lazaar tighter, not wanting to leave his hidden den but knowing he had work to do and a war to prevent.

According to his seer, it wouldn’t be long before Lazaar’s demonic mother arrived with her legion of dead souls to steal his powers and then kill him.

Come with me. Zepharali got to his feet and stretched the kinks from his back.

He held his hand out. “I want to take a swim before it’s time to leave our fantasy and return to the real world. The water is the warmest at the prime of the day.”

Zepharali walked to the cavern’s edge and nodded for Lazaar to dive in with him.

Lazaar hesitated, fidgeting with his hands while shifting his sad-looking gaze from the foamy water at least five thousand feet below them and back to his face.

What’s wrong?

Lazaar shook his head, his gaze cast down to his feet.

“I cannot swim, my lord,” he confessed. “There were no oceans or rivers in my realm of shadows.”

Zepharali should’ve known that. He’d made his heart’s treasure feel insecure.

“I’ll teach you, I promise.” Zepharali hooked his arm around Lazaar’s narrow waist, ignoring his cock responding to his nakedness. “I’ll take you down.”

Lazaar

Lazaar was enjoying watching Zepharali’s sleek body glide effortlessly just below the surface of the crystal-blue water.

The ocean life seemed almost eager to join his titan in his swim as various fish and other sea dwellers splashed and danced around him.

Lazaar lounged on a small island several hundred feet from the shore, sunbathing while his beloved randomly splashed water at him when he came close.

Will you knock it off? I’m enjoying the suns, if you don’t mind.

He reclined again, only to get another face full of warm water that went up his nose and made his eyes water.

Gods damn you!

Zepharali was beneath the water.

Must I punish you for that language? That’s hardly the way to speak to your lord.

There was only the promise of a delicious penance in his titan’s voice awaiting him, and he was tempted to spout more curses, but a sharp whistle drew his attention to the shore.

He blinked in surprise and mild disappointment at Zepharali’s large detail, headed by Dorema and Aoide, standing just beyond the surf.

I think your swim is being cut short. Your daughters await, and they appear annoyed.

I’m sure they are. I should’ve been in the council’s gathering at prime.

Zepharali broke the surface beside him and gave him a gentler splash this time.

“Come on. You ready to see what plans Elephaa has for you today?”

Lazaar thought about another tour through the overcrowded market and decided he’d rather continue lying on his tiny island, basking in the sunlight and reliving every moment of their lovemaking last night.

“I’ll stay here a while, my lord.” Lazaar smiled. “When I’m done, Myst will return me to shore.”

Zepharali nodded, then leaned in and kissed him, infusing so much passion that Lazaar didn’t want it to end.

Later, my heart. Plenty more later.

His beloved disappeared into the depths of the water, and within seconds, he was at the top of the waterfall.

Lazaar’s clothes drifted down to him on a gentle breeze.

Oh yeah.

He felt so good and free that he’d forgotten he was naked.