Page 64 of Zar

She placed a palm on his chest and began a gentle massage. It felt good. He wanted this every day. “But you’ll have to take me home so I can take care of everything. I have a life back there that needs to be wrapped up. It could take a few weeks.”

His good mood vanished. “I cannot leave the mountain, Callie.”

Her hand stopped moving and she glanced over at him. “That’s originally why you had Flare bring me here, but you never explained why.”

Callie was to be his queen and it was time to tell her everything. “The gindier around the mountain not only hides us from earth-born, but it provides a filter as well. The toxic chemicals in your air, pollution you call it, is harmful to me and my people. I couldn’t spend one day at your apartment, much less a week. It would kill me.”

She frowned. “How is Flare able to handle it then? And Queen Lyria travels back and forth with Raine. Also, there’s Naxon. He wasn’t tied to this mountain either.”

Unable to keep his hands off her even for a few minutes, Zar stroked the back of her head and began to play with the length of her pretty blonde hair. “Flare is a regis,” he explained. “They are born with a filter in their lungs. It gives them the ability to handle the pollution without harm.” He sighed, then went on. “As for Naxon and Lyria, they were subjected to your atmosphere after the uprising. Our theory is that over time their bodies evolved to handle the toxic air.”

“So, if I go home to take care of things, you’ll have to stay here?”

He nodded, already hating the separation. “I wish it weren’t so.”

She shrugged. “I’ll just try to make it quick then.”

He took hold of her chin and forced her to look at him. “I will be uncontrollable if you do not return, Callie.”

She rolled her eyes and tweaked his nipple, drawing a curse from him. “An hour ago you were ready to send me away for forever. Now you can’t handle a few weeks apart? I’m getting mixed messages here, winged-man.”

He placed his hand over top hers and kept her from inflicting more pain. “You have shown me the error of my ways, little dove, when you suggested meeting another man. You are mine.”

Her face split into a sexy smile. “Good, because I’m not letting you go.”

The ache in his chest was already beginning and she hadn’t even left yet. “I will send Flare and another trusted regis with you on your trip.”

She stiffened. “A chaperone? Really?”

On this Zar refused to bend. “Not a chaperone, Callie, protection. Do not forget that Naxon has supporters. Your safety above all else.”

She took a deep breath and let it out, then sat up. “Speaking of Flare. He’s still here, isn’t he?”

Garra, how could he forget? “He is and I cannot send him home just yet. He and I have things to take care of.” He pushed her back down to the mattress, then covered her with the comforter. “I want you to rest for a bit. You had an ordeal.”

She drew the covers up higher and closed her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

A grin slipped across his face as he sat there for another minute watching her sleep. She was a blessing from Garra and Zar vowed to do whatever it took to keep her safe. With that thought in mind, he left the bed and slipped back into his grey lounge pants, then quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. When he entered the living area, he found Flare sitting on the couch with his phone in his hand. He looked up when he heard him. His regis quickly stood. “My king, you are looking refreshed.”

He thought back over the last hour he’d shared with Callie and knew his face was probably beaming with happiness. “I am quite happy, Flare.”

Flare nodded, a slight smile curving his lips. “I’m pleased for you and Callie.”

“Thank you.” He thought about Naxon and knew he had to take care of the horrible task of contacting Queen Lyria. “I need to get Lyria on the line. I want her to hear the news from me.”

Flare held up the phone he had in his hand. “I have her on hold, my king. I took the liberty of calling Raine and informing her that you needed to speak with her queen.”

Zar thought back to the pillow and the seating arrangements. He’d hated having Callie seated at his feet. She belonged at his side. Flare had taken it upon himself to override his decision. It still angered him, even though he knew why Flare had done it. “You take many liberties, regis.”

He winced and quickly looked away. “If I have displeased you it was not my intention.”

Zar closed the distance between them, then placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “Your job is not an easy one, Flare. And I have been difficult of late. I appreciate your insight as well as your total dedication to me and our people. I would never want to lose you.”

Flare’s eyes widened. “Thank you, my king. If I may say, you are the king our people always needed.”

That was Flare’s roundabout way of saying King Arlias was a lousy leader. “My father made many mistakes and it cost us countless lives. We must remember the past so we can make a better future for all Zenarians and Mordaines alike.”

He nodded and shoved a hand in his pocket. “With Callie at your side I believe the future will be much brighter.”

A sense of pride filled Zar at Flare’s words. “I will tell her you said that. I believe she counts you as a friend.”

“And I her, my king,” he said, with a hint of a smile.

He swiped a hand over his face. “Now, about Queen Lyria. Best to get it over with.” Once the ugly task was finished, he could get back into bed with his Callie. That thought spurred him into action.

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