Page 42 of Zar

Chapter Twelve

It took every ounce of self-control Zar possessed to keep from going after Callie. She would not leave him. She was upset and it was understandable. Too much had happened. She was soft and kind and had a generous heart. The concern she showed for Flare filled him with warmth. So quickly Callie was accepting him and his people. She worried for them. Her suggestions about Naxon were intelligent and it filled him with pride to know his ofelia was the architect of the plan they were about to put into action. He would simply have to prove to her that Zenarians are not so easily killed. Flare was nearly as ancient as he, and twice as cunning. All the regis were of the highest intelligence. Flare had centuries to hone his skills as a deceiver. If anyone could infiltrate Naxon’s camp it would be Zar’s silver-haired friend.

“My king, it was not my intention to upset your ofelia,” Flare said, his voice filled with worry.

Zar shook his head. “She is earth-born and unfamiliar with our ways. She has seen Naxon shove a dagger into my ribs. She had to watch while he threw you across the room with enough force to break bones. I’m amazed she isn’t falling apart right now.”

Zadoc grunted. “She’s strong. I only wish my Jasmine could’ve met her. I think they would’ve become fast friends.”

The ache in his brother’s voice when he spoke of his ofelia tore Zar up. “They would have ganged up on us, brother. Of that I’m sure,” he replied, hoping for a smile from Zadoc.

His brother swiftly nodded, then looked away. The pain of losing an ofelia cut deep. It stayed for all time. Jasmine had been an earth-born and she’d been killed during the uprising. Something Zadoc still hadn’t forgiven Queen Lyria for. Zar had formed a truce with the Mordaines, but that didn’t make them friends. Both sides had lost too much and the pain remained just under the surface.

“So, we have a plan then,” Therius stated, as he stood. “I still think Dyre could torture the truth from the traitor, but maybe that’s my anger talking.”

Dyre grinned. “Things have gotten a bit dull. I’d enjoy a good interrogation.”

Zar snorted. “Save it for when we catch our mole. Or moles. Then you can have your fun, old friend.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Dyre replied. He glanced towards the bedroom and frowned. “I admit that when she first arrived, I wasn’t her biggest fan.”

Zar rolled his eyes. “You think?”

Dyre shoved his hands into his pockets. “She’s growing on me though. I like her.”

“Good, because I intend to keep her,” Zar said as he stared at his bedchamber door. There should be no closed doors between him and Callie. It annoyed him that she was shutting him out.

“She seems pretty intent on leaving.” Therius said around a chuckle.

“I’ll change her mind.” And Zar would enjoy doing it as well. His lower half suddenly hardened as he thought of all the ways he could coax forth Callie’s surrender.

Dyre rolled his eyes. “She’s strong willed, my friend. Asking Garra for help might not be a bad idea either.”

Zar cursed. “Leave, all of you. I need time alone with my ofelia.”

Dyre looked over at Flare and Therius. “My money’s on Zar,” he stated.

Flare softly smiled as he darted a look over at the bedroom. “I’ll take that bet.”

Therius shook his head. “Leave me out of this one.”

The discussion continued as they left his home. Zar should be angry that they were taking bets on his relationship with Callie, but all he cared about was getting through that hated door and reaching her. Physically and mentally.

In a few swift strides Zar was across the room. He turned the handle and entered to find Callie huddled on the bed, her legs drawn up to her chest, tears in her eyes. He moved to stand in front of her, then knelt down until he was on his knees on the floor. They were eye level now. He brushed a tear from her cheek. “I’m sorry this has you so upset, Callie. Tell me what I can do to fix it.”

She shook her head, as if unwilling to even talk to him. After a minute, she said, “Don’t send Flare to Naxon. That would fix it. Find another way, Zar.”

He stood, then placed one arm behind her knees and the other behind her back. He carried her to the oversized brown chair in the corner that he normally used for reading. After he sat with Callie on his lap, Zar nudged her face until she was staring at him. “Let me tell you a story about our delicate Flare.” She narrowed her gaze at him but stayed silent. “When we were both very young, I had a problem with some fellow youths. They liked to harass the would-be king.”

She reached out and stroked his feathers, as if to soothe him. Even angry at him, Callie sought to make him feel better. “Apparently bullies aren’t simply a human problem,” she muttered.

Zar frowned, not understanding her choice of words. “Bullies?”

“Someone who picks on another for fun,” she explained, a note of anger in her tone. “Torments them and gets joy out of it.”

He nodded. “Yes, they were bullies. I was thin in those days, I hadn’t hit terris stage yet.”

She looked him over and a slight grin appeared. “I’m guessing that means you hadn’t hit your growth spurt?”

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