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)
“All my life, I’ve had other powers-that-be make decisions without my consent or even input.” Lazaar backed away, unable to inhale his titan’s sweet-scented blood without his vampire being affected. “I never thought my own beloved would do it as well.”
“My heart, ple—”
“And you did it without a second thought and despite my resistance.” Lazaar trembled with his hurt and rage. “So don’t ‘my heart’ me. If I were really your heart’s true love, you would’ve allowed me to stand beside you. I thought I was free and safe when I came here, when I was wrapped in your arms.”
“You are.” Zepharali came toward him, but Lazaar blinked to the other side of the room. “Please don’t run from me.”
“Run! I never ran. You sent me away!”
Zepharali eyes were cast down, and the sorrow he felt radiating from his beloved’s core was almost too much for him to take. But he refused to let him off so easily.
Hot tears stung Lazaar’s eyes before they slid down his cheeks.
“You’re no different from everyone else who’s hidden me away…but from you…it’s a kind of hurt I feel I’ll never recover from.”
“No, please don’t say that,” Zepharali pleaded.
“You knew I was nervous to meet everyone. And then you humiliated me in front of your council and all your daughters.”
“I only wanted to protect you, Lazaar. You are my whole heart. If anything happened to you…I would not survive.” Zepharali’s hands shook, his wind howling like a melancholy cry. “I promise that was my only motive. I never meant to control you.”
“How am I supposed to trust you?”
Lazaar blinked from the room before Zepharali had a chance to take another step toward him.
His speed was too fast for any of his guard detail to keep up. Even Myst grew farther and farther away as he ignored her calls.
Zepharali sent his wind after him, but he deflected it back, refusing the comfort of his element and the gentle caress of his kisses.
He didn’t stop. Lazaar ran to the only place he knew would take hours to reach him.
His heart ached so badly he thought his chest would split open.
Lazaar slid down the warm trunk of the Yucca tree atop the Kipmis Mountain, buried his face in the soft fur of the kinkalope that scurried onto his lap, and cried until he was out of tears.
Zepharali
It was still dark, but dawn would be approaching soon, and Zepharali hadn’t slept a wink. His heart was at the highest peak in his realm, hiding, crying, and he didn’t know what to do.
He never thought he’d make Lazaar that angry for trying to protect him. Didn’t he know how important he was to his existence?
Zepharali guessed he had been selfish, only thinking of himself and not how his actions would affect Lazaar.
His mate was a tribrid of immense power, and before he’d had a chance to display it, Zepharali had snatched the opportunity away.
“I’ve known the prince for many years, my lord. Give him some time. He’ll calm and accept the comfort of your element again.”
That’s what Oleksandr told him last night before he retired to his quarters.
Zepharali shook his head at his stupidity. He owed his heart an apology and a declaration that he’d never do that again.
Lyan and Dyan were lying in each other’s arms across the chaise in his chambers, trying to convince him to go to Lazaar.
He’d been standing on his balcony—had been the entire time—his gaze locked on the mountain peak.
He’d sent kisses, love, his wind, but none had been received.
“He doesn’t want a kiss sent from miles away, my lord,” Lyan argued. “Go to him, swallow your pride—like he was forced to—fall to your knees, and beg his forgiveness. You were wrong, and you must own that. Give him the respect of a real verbal apology. Not one you’ve floated on your wind.”
Zepharali relented with a single nod, and Dyan was quick to grab his cloak and drape it around his shoulders. He pulled up the oversized hood until it hung low on his forehead.
“What if he doesn’t forgive me?”
“He will. You’re his beloved. He can only stay away for so long before it causes him immense pain,” Lyan promised. “He’s just mad, my lord. All couples argue. Even the fated ones.”
Zepharali landed beside the tree Lazaar was curled under. He had at least a dozen kinkalopes nestled around him, keeping him warm.
If Zepharali wasn’t so stricken with heartache, he would’ve thought the sight adorable.
Lazaar would rather receive the comfort of these critters than the tenderness from his heart.
Zepharali went down on his knees.
He saw the dreary black-and-gray aura hovering near Lazaar’s core. The realization he’d hurt him so deeply sent a stab of agony throughout his body.
Lazaar was awake, his breathing changing to quick, shallow bursts, though he didn’t move or open his eyes.