Page 28 of Zepharali: Lord of the East Winds (Lords of the Wind Book 3)
Lazaar
Lazaar grew tired of watching Myst dance and enjoy the sun, so he closed his eyes and dozed.
But he was awakened by another splash of water in his face.
“Seriously! You will get more than just a curse this time!”
Lazaar sat up, turning his head left and right, wondering where his sneaky titan was.
He peeked over the side and almost fell in at the sight.
What in the gods!
A small being with a child-sized upper body and a long blue-purple flowing tail with scales shimmering like sapphire floated just beneath the surface.
His tiny face held no malice, but his smile was mischievous as he flipped and twirled around Lazaar’s tiny island.
Myst continued to soar in the sky without a care in the world, so Lazaar knew he wasn’t in danger.
“Hey!” he called out when it disappeared, tapping the surface of the water.
Lazaar hoped he hadn’t scared it away. He was positive it was a merman. He’d read many books and heard tales of the wonderous creatures that ruled the waters.
After a couple of minutes, the same child was back, but it appeared he’d brought a few of his friends.
Lazaar could barely keep up with their speed, their tails whipping back and forth, propelling them long distances before they zipped back toward him.
He didn’t even know which one kept slinging water at his face.
Lazaar tapped the top of the water again.
“If I could swim, I’d chase you all over this—”
His weak threat was cut off when the young mermen came together and swished their tails in unison, drenching him from head to feet.
“Oh, you little tricksters.”
Lazaar sputtered, wiping the fresh water from his eyes.
When his vision cleared, a broad-chested man and a woman with iridescent shells covering her breasts appeared above the surface with polite but apologetic expressions.
Lazaar’s mouth hung open as they dipped their heads in respect.
“Please forgive them, your grace.” The man’s voice was rich and deep. “I told them to leave you in peace. But we all know of your arrival in Scáthanna and have been eager to see you. And if I may be so bold, your contagious energy can be felt for hundreds of miles, even in the deepest depths of my ocean.”
The man rose a bit higher, his gold crown and trident reflecting a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors.
“I am Aquor Marinus, King of the Merfolk, and beside me is my lovely queen, Seira. We are rulers of the Waters of Helios. Our domain stretches farther than even your eyes can see, your grace.”
“We are humbled to stand in the presence of the tribrid and our titan’s prophesized love.” The woman smiled, showing sparkling white teeth. “The ripple effects of his full heart and nourished core have radiated for hundreds of miles.”
Lazaar was still speechless.
“Our young ones can be pests sometimes, but I supposed they could not resist.” The man’s scales gleamed like thousands of tiny diamonds. “And neither could any of us, your grace.”
Lazaar glanced around and noticed he’d drawn quite a crowd of different breeds and ages of merfolk.
Their graceful elegance was almost hypnotic.
Some were deep sea-green, some a sun-gold color with long flowing hair moving along the gentle current.
There were beautiful mermaids with iridescent pearls across their shoulders and older males with glowing scales not only on their tails but on their chests and backs.
“My gods.” Lazaar returned the respectful gesture to the king.
“Zepharali never told me that you were in here.”
“We don’t bother our lord when he’s swimming. It’s his reflection time, and he likes to be alone.”
Lazaar nodded.
“And he probably wanted you to discover us on your own.”
I knew you’d be pleasantly surprised to see them, my love. Enjoy. I will return to you soon.
Lazaar was all smiles now. “I want to jump in there with you and enjoy the water as my beloved did.”
“You are more than welcome, your grace. We’d be honored.”
Lazaar sighed. “Maybe one day. My beloved promises to teach me how to swim soon, and the moment he does, I will search for you.”
The king and his wife exchanged knowing expressions before Aquor asked, “If you’d like, lord. We’d be delighted to teach you ourselves.”
“We are kind of experts at it if you trust us.” His queen had a serene smile, her aura turning a beautiful lavender.
“We’re also really good at playing games,” a young one piped up from behind the queen.
Lazaar didn’t have to think about it long.
Aquor held out his arms, his huge biceps flexing within their gold cuffs, and Lazaar leapt off his island into the warm water to the sounds of elated amusement from the merfolk.