Page 50 of Zar

“At least not until after we find out what the hell she’s up to,” Therius replied as he leaned against the back of the chair. “After that I don’t give a fuck if she’s offended or not.”

Several grumbled their agreement, but it was Callie who spoke up next. “I don’t want my presence here to cause a war between the Mordaines and Zenarians. Besides, this visit is temporary.”

Zar frowned down at her. “You are not the cause of the tension between our societies, Callie. The problems go back as far as Zenaria.”

Callie shoved a lock of hair behind her ear. “I understand that, but you are all acting as if she’s here because of me. I’m completely irrelevant.”

Zar cupped her chin with a little more force than he intended and turned her to look at him. “You will never call yourself irrelevant, my ofelia.”

Zadoc cleared his throat. “You wear his band. Does that not mean you are staying?”

“I’m staying for the festival only,” she explained, her gaze never leaving Zar's.

“But—” Zadoc muttered as his gaze took in the neck band.

Zar hissed at his youngest sibling. “Leave it,” he commanded.

Zadoc’s eyes widened a moment before he clamped his lips tight and shrugged. Everyone went on discussing the upcoming meeting, but Zar was distracted by the topic of the neck band. He knew what Zadoc would say to Callie if Zar hadn’t silenced him. That the band was the mark of an ofelia. That they were bonded. That she was accepting him and Garra’s will. The neck band did mean all those things. It was indeed a lifelong commitment. He hadn’t been completely honest about its meaning to Callie, because he hadn’t wanted her to bolt. Well, the neck band wasn’t strictly binding. There was no law written stating that wearing one meant you were committed. But the underlying message had always been clear to all Zenarians. Wear the band and you’re committed.

Guilt washed over him that he’d somewhat deceived Callie. But, Zar had hope that he could make her admit her feelings for him. Callie did care. Zar could feel it every time she moved to comfort him. Every time they made love. He saw it in her expressive blue eyes and the way she smiled just for him. Her beautiful glow when she was aroused. It all spoke of love. But Callie was afraid. It had all happened too fast. Damn it, he needed more time with her. He couldn’t prove his worth if she went back to the city and left his mountain forever.

A knock on the door silenced the room. Dyre stood and stalked towards it. He flung it wide. Queen Lyria and Raine, her second in command, stood on the other side. The black and white wings of both women always shocked him. In their world it meant that you were at war with your creature. It meant you had broken away from the will of Garra. Lyria wore a pair of black leather pants and a white tank top. Her red stilettos sounded loud against the wood floor as she moved farther into the room. She had her red hair in a braid down her back. It nearly reached her ass. Raine had a similar outfit, only the tank top was red. Both women were over six foot. They were warriors and prided themselves on their skills in battle. Zar would not allow her to get within striking distance of Callie.

He stood and moved in front of Callie, his brothers and Dyre did the same. Zar reached out and clasped Lyria on the forearm in their traditional greeting and she did the same. “I was surprised to hear from you, Queen Lyria,” he stated as he released her and gestured towards a chair across from him.

Her gaze swept from left to right, taking in the defensive stance they’d taken. She chuckled. “You should see yourselves. So protective of the little earth-born. It’s adorable really.” She sat down and Raine stepped beside her, silent and deadly as she watched the room. The woman wasn’t Lyria’s second in command for no reason. She was smart and cunning. She’d fought alongside her queen during the uprising. Only a fool looked at the curvy blonde woman and saw nothing more than a beautiful female. Raine was every bit as lethal as Dyre. And at the moment they were both staring at each other as if ready to draw swords.

Zar heard Callie curse. When she moved to stand, he stilled her with a hand to her shoulder. Callie glared at him but stayed seated. If looks could kill he’d be a dead king. He nodded towards his brothers and Dyre. They went back to their positions, but they were no less watchful. Zar took his seat next to Callie, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Queen Lyria, this is Callie Wilson.”

Queen Lyria’s expression was unreadable as she looked Callie over. “Pants. I like her already.”

Callie rolled her eyes. “Oh goodie, finally accepted at the cool kid’s table.”

Zar had to work hard to contain his laugh. Dyre snorted. Zar noticed a hint of a smile on Raine’s face as well. Everyone was quiet, then suddenly Lyria burst out laughing and replied, “Naxon said you weren’t what he expected. Now I see what he meant.”

Zar’s humor dried up instantly at the mention of the rogue Zenarian. Replaced by a rage he could barely contain. “Naxon came into my home and threatened Callie. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Callie placed a calming hand on his thigh. “I’m okay, Zar,” she murmured as she looked up at him.

Zar wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed, his gaze never wavered from Lyria. “Did you know he intended to breach my quarters and come after my ofelia?”

Queen Lyria frowned and looked away. “No.”

He wasn’t so sure. “It would break the truce between our people if you had prior knowledge of his attack and chose not to warn me,” he warned. “I would personally consider it an act of war.”

Her gaze jerked back to his. “I have more honor than that, Zar,” she bit out. “I would never attack a defenseless woman, much less your ofelia. You know this. The first law still means something to me.”

Zadoc cursed and shot to his feet. “Was my ofelia not innocent when you chose to go to war? Jasmine died at the hands of your supporters!”

Therius and Kade quickly moved to Zadoc’s side, each taking hold of an arm. “Easy, brother,” Therius groaned.

Queen Lyria’s gaze landed on Zadoc. If Zar was reading the leader of the Mordaines correctly, then there was genuine sadness in her green eyes. “Many lost their lives during the Time of Mourning. On both sides.” She paused then quietly added, “I bleed for all of them.”

Zar stood and went to his brother, then took him by the shoulders. “Lyria is not the only one to blame for the war. Our father played his part as well.” Zadoc started to protest, but Zar silenced him with a hiss. “We are not here today to open old wounds.”

Zadoc gave a jerky nod, then glared at Therius and Kade. They released him and Zadoc sat back down. Zar took his seat next to Callie, but Therius and Kade stayed near Zadoc. When it came to Queen Lyria, Zadoc was unpredictable at best. Zar understood his brother’s volatile emotions better now that Callie had come into his life. He would be a force unlike any other if he lost his ofelia.

Dyre spoke up next and got them back on track. “What do you know of Naxon’s plans?”

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