Page 35 of Zepharali: Lord of the East Winds (Lords of the Wind Book 3)

Zepharali

Zepharali was beginning to dread these emergency meetings because the news and reports were only getting worse.

Dorema and her wife walked beside him on his way to the chapel.

“I need to pray to the god of war for a blessing.”

“Father, praying may not be enough this time. I don’t anticipate Ares showing up on the battlefield.”

“Do not mock the gods,” he growled, not slowing his pace.

“It’s time we train Lazaar to embrace his darkness and control his powers,” Aoide insisted.

“Absolutely not,” Zepharali snapped. “He has a gentle spirit. He’s not a fighter and definitely not a killer. I won’t send him away again, but I’m not forcing him to be ruthless.”

“It’s time he learned…or else we are all damned.”

“Dorema, please. We can’t ask him to kill his own mother.”

“You heard the seer. She’s already found a way to gain access to your world and is bringing an army of dead souls—that don’t feel pain—with her that can’t be killed by a swipe or stab of our blades. They’ll fall only to get right back up.”

Zepharali clenched his jaw until it ached.

“I’ll prepare the infantry, my lord. We’ll be going for their heads since they have no hearts. There’s no getting up from that,” Aoide professed.

“Regardless of changing our tactics, the tribrid’s power will give us the best advantage.”

“I don’t like this plan, daughter. Lazaar was raised in peace for a reason. His fathers did not want darkness to consume him.”

“He has the greatest chance of that if he’s taught to control it.”

Zepharali began to argue some more, but Dorema cut him off.

“No disrespect, Father, but I’m speaking as the commander of your legions now, not your daughter. My duty is to mount the best defense to protect you and Scáthanna.”

“My love, we’ll be okay. We’ve fought difficult battles before, and we’ve always prevailed.”

“Aoide. My decision is final.” Dorema turned to her elite unit. “Bring me the tribrid.”

They stamped their swords in acceptance of the command and turned in the direction of the palace.

Zepharali didn’t say anything. He had a defense council for a reason. His world was not ruled by a dictatorship. And this was the exact reason. He struggled with rationality when he was so deep in love.

Zepharali’s mouth was still in a tight line. He didn’t want to turn into an uncompromising titan and tell his council to go to hell and leave him and his heart’s treasure alone.

He and Dorema were waiting on his favorite bridge over the Lotus River. The water was tranquil and smelled herbaceous and perfumy while river life danced and leapt from the water in response to his presence.

His daughter began to grow irritated when several minutes went by. More than enough time to retrieve Lazaar from his quarters.

“What is taking so long?” Dorema glared at her wife.

“I don’t know. Do you want me to search?”

“No,” she answered in annoyance. “If he’s not here in another five minutes, I will go myself.”

His eldest wasn’t used to being denied or made to wait. She was impatient, and he thought she sometimes took her position a bit too seriously.

But he was sure keeping four hundred and ninety-nine younger sisters in line was not an easy feat.

Zepharali only had three brothers, and it’d been difficult for them to always be in accord.

The guards returned a few moments later…without Lazaar.

They stood before Dorema, appearing nervous to report why they failed to carry out her order.

“Where is he and his court?”

Agnosia grimaced. “I’m afraid he’s unavailable, but he said he’ll be along shortly.”

“Excuse me. What in the hell do you mean, unavailable?” Dorema stepped closer. “Unavailable doing what?”

Zepharali had a sinking suspicion.

Agnosia cleared her throat. “He’s um…um…”

“Spit it out!”

“He’s entertaining the merfolk.”

Zepharali held in his chuckle.

“Are you fuckin’ serious?” Dorema stormed in the direction of the Helios ocean. “As if those seaweed-for-brains need any more entertainment. All they do every day is play goddamn games.”

“Please don’t scold him. All of this is very—” Zepharali didn’t bother finishing his sentence since Dorema was already gone.

Instead of going to the chapel, he went to the infantry training fields. He swore to himself he’d stay out of sight and not intervene.

Even Zepharali didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Dorema’s anger.