Page 49 of Zar

Chapter Fourteen

“Are you sure this is appropriate for a Queen, Zar?”

Callie had asked him that same question three times already. He looked at her once more. The black slacks fit her curvy ass and long legs beautifully. The red blouse with the pearl buttons down the front looked lovely against her skin tone. She’d put her hair up in an intricate twist and she still wore his neck band. She looked delicious.

“I have said that you have nothing whatsoever to worry about, Callie. Queen Lyria doesn’t stand on formality the way Zenarians do. She prefers a more relaxed setting, which is why I have chosen to have her come to my home instead of my office. She’ll be more relaxed here, less guarded.”

“But you did invite your brothers to sit in?”

He nodded. “I cannot have a meeting with Queen Lyria without the council present. That includes Dyre and Flare, as well as my brothers. It is one formality that even I cannot circumvent.”

“Because they don’t trust her,” Callie surmised with her quick mind.

Zar reached for her and pulled her down next to him on the couch. He cupped her cheek in his palm. “Be calm, little dove. There is nothing to be concerned about.”

‘Are you kidding me?” She swatted his thigh and glared at him as if he’d lost all brain function. “I’m meeting with a queen, Zar. A queen!”

He couldn’t help the grin that appeared at her frustration. “And I am a king, yet you continue to swat me like a naughty child.”

She snatched her hand back and placed it in her lap. “I’m sorry, but I’m nervous. I’ve never met a queen before.”

He took hold of her hand it kissed the back of it. “You are an important member in your father’s company, HealthTec, correct?” She nodded vigorously. “Think of this as just another meeting. You are confident and intelligent. Those are qualities Lyria respects.”

She took a deep breath. “Just another meeting with the board of directors. They’re all a bunch of a-holes. No big.”

A knock on the door drew their attention. Zar sat with his leg touching Callie’s and he could feel her stiffen. She clutched his hand tighter. He gave it a reassuring squeeze and released it, then strode across the room to pull the door wide. His four brothers, as well as Dyre, and Flare stood on the other side. They all wore their uniforms. His brothers in the traditional black slacks and black vest with the royal insignia emblazoned on the left breast pocket. The insignia consisted of a pair of lhargerre surrounding a sword and shield. They all had their hair tied back from their face. The scar on Zadoc’s neck was easy to see. Zar knew Zadoc had done that on purpose. He wanted Lyria to know the pain she’d caused him. And not just to his neck, but his heart as well when his Jasmine had died during the war.

Dyre wore his guard uniform, black tactical pants and t-shirt. Zar was glad he’d left off the armor. He was intimidating enough without it. Flare in his silver dress coat and slacks made him appear almost of a different realm. Zar stepped back to let them enter.

Venn took up a spot along the wall near the balcony doors. Ever the quiet, watchful one. Zar knew that Venn chose that spot so he could quickly deal with anyone intent on coming through those doors and attacking. He crossed his arms over his chest and stayed silent.

Therius was the first to speak as he crossed the room and took a chair across from Callie. “I find this meeting to be too much of a coincidence considering Naxon’s recent visit.”

Dyre snorted as he moved to sit on the other side of Callie. “Those two are definitely up to something. I don't have a good feeling about this meeting.”

Flare crossed the room to stand behind the couch. He was quiet as he stared down at Callie. Zar followed his gaze and realized Flare was staring at the neck band. When Flare’s gaze lifted to meet his, a slow grin spread across his face. Clearly Flare thought Callie had agreed to stay and accept the bond between them. Zar’s heart ached for that to be the truth.

Kade walked over to the drink cart and grabbed a bottle of whisky and poured himself a drink before moving to stand near Dyre. “If she wanted to start shit, this wouldn’t be the way she’d go about it.”

Zadoc was quiet as he moved across the room and took one of the other chairs. His posture was rigid as he sat down. His right hand was wrapped tight around the dagger strapped to his thigh. His youngest brother had lost his ofelia thanks to Lyria’s war. Was Zadoc thinking to get vengeance for that loss? His thoughts must have registered on his face because Zadoc frowned and shook his head, then released the dagger.

Zar started to take his seat next to Callie when he noticed Dyre’s position on the other side of her. An inch or two was all that kept Dyre’s thigh from touching Callie’s leg. The leader of the guard would bump up against Callie if he shifted at all. Dyre was purposely putting himself near Callie for protection, but Zar’s creature didn’t like the other male so near.

“Dyre,” he hissed under his breath, his talons extending as his volatile emotions got the better of him. Dyre arched a brow at him and slowly scooted a few inches to the right. Zar curled his lip at Dyre, then sat at Callie’s left and wrapped a hand around her upper thigh. As always, Callie seemed to sense his agitated state and placed her hand over his and stroked. Garra, he was turning into a jealous fool. The room was quiet as they all watched him.

“I think we all know the nature of Lyria’s visit,” Zar stated. “At least in part.” He looked over at Callie. “She wants to see the woman who caught the king’s eye. Naxon no doubt told her plenty but knowing the queen she wants to see for herself that I’ve found my ofelia.”

Dyre cursed. “And that she’s earth-born,” he muttered.

Zar stiffened as he glared at his friend. “Is that a problem for you?”

Dyre had the grace to flinch. “Not me, but Queen Lyria might take offense.”

“It matters little what she thinks of my ofelia,” Zar bit out. “She is not a part of Zenarian society anymore.”

Zadoc unsheathed his dagger and placed it across his lap. “She forfeited the right to have an opinion when she took up arms against us.”

Zar sighed. Already they were getting angry. “You are right, brother, but we need a level head for this meeting. We cannot alienate her.”

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