Page 30 of Zepharali: Lord of the East Winds (Lords of the Wind Book 3)

Lazaar

“Stop fidgeting. You look amazing.” Zepharali leaned down and brushed their cheeks together. “You look regal.”

“I feel sick.” Lazaar tugged at his high-collared tunic with gold embroidery and black diamonds around the edges.

The room sounded loud behind the double doors as the guards waited for their titan’s order to open them.

“You’ve already seen how loved you are, your grace,” Elephaa whispered from close behind. “Tonight will be no different. My other sisters have been eagerly waiting to meet you.”

She was beautiful in her formal black attire, as was the rest of his court standing behind him in their sleek black cloaks, representing his title as Lord of the Dark.

Lazaar released one last breath of nerves, locked his spine, and nodded for the doors to be opened.

The crowd was already on their feet and falling quiet as the Master of Ceremonies announced their titles.

Lazaar groaned inwardly at his many names, but the crowd seemed to grow more and more excited with each one, especially when the sergeant proclaimed in a booming voice.

“And our Titan of the East’s prophesized love…”

The crowd didn’t withhold their cheers as they stepped inside. The number of titanesses with their golden hair, some with flowing tresses, others with braids or dreadlocks similar to their father’s, was almost too grand to believe.

How in the heavens was it possible Zepharali knew everything about every one of them?

“How do you show them all equal love?” Lazaar asked in awe.

“Like this.” Zepharali pursed his full lips and blew delicate gusts of breath into the room. A second later, each of his daughters touched their cheek, loving smiles gracing their beautiful faces.

“I kiss them all at once.” He winked.

Can you feel their love?

Lazaar’s core filled with admiration and affection that bled from his beloved’s heart into his.

I can.

He also felt the excitement they had for him. Lazaar entered feeling a lot more confident.

Zepharali

He and Lazaar began to make the rounds in the large hall decorated with opulent chandeliers and crisp white linen draped over the buffet tables.

There was no way for his footmen to serve seven hundred people for a sit-down dinner, so they usually offered a buffet for these grand gatherings.

The feast was lavish, with everything from exotic fruits and cheeses to steaming silver trays of meat to decadent pastries.

Zepharali could feel Lazaar’s ease as the dignitaries rushed to bow before him. He thought his daughters were over-the-top, peppering his love with kisses and hugs until he appeared exhausted…but Lazaar still radiated happiness.

They only had enough time to grab a few samples of food and wine from the trays circulated by the staff, enough to keep their stomachs from rumbling while they were greeted by another lord each way they turned.

The evening was winding down, and Zepharali finally got a chance to have Lazaar to himself as he guided him through the steps of a popular dance when they began a musical rendition of a common Gregorian chant.

It didn’t go unnoticed that his prince only had eyes for him, no matter how many bachelors and lords gave him seductive leers.

Zepharali understood they could not resist themselves. Lazaar had consumed so much love from his titan heart and passionate winds that he was bathed in it.

Zepharali pressed his face to Lazaar’s cheek, murmuring sweet nothings and promises of what he’d do to him when they were back in his chambers.

He was so in love and infatuated that he didn’t hear the intruders until his guards rushed to his side.

“My lords!” Dorema shouted as she pulled them behind a strong defense line formed by his elite infantry of titanesses, amazons, sunlocks, and elves.

The attendants were working themselves into a frenzy as they crowded the perimeter of the walls, creating an opening for Mercurius Kol, Lord of Domhan an Gáire, The Mad Lands of the Ghost Realm, and his Legion of Madness to rush through.

Lord Mercurius’ red eyes and cruel smile made Zepharali want to bash his skull before he could utter a word.

“Pardon the intrusion, Lord Zepharali Cavalerie. I hate to ruin such a preposterous occasion.” The dark lord’s voice made the hairs rise on his bare arms. “But I had to witness the harboring of the abomination for myself.”