~LENORA'S POV
Zephyr lifted his head slowly, scanning the area lazily before his gaze settled on mine.
For a moment the noise of the courtyard faded. The shouting. The crackling flames. The horns in the distance. None of it seemed as loud as the look in his eyes.
He parted his lips, wanting to speak but I was quick to shake my head.
Not here.
Not in front of guards. Not with nobles watching from the balconies. Not with smoke rising like a warning into the sky.
He frowned, before giving a small reluctant nod, though his gaze lingered on mine longer than it should have.
Then he shifted more of his weight toward the man next to him.
Only then did I truly look at the man supporting him.
He stood tall beside Zephyr, broad-shouldered and solid in a way that made the guards nearby seem smaller.
His had blonde hair, with a buzz-cut style. His frame was muscular without appearing heavy, and even in the chaos he held himself with a confidence that did not need announcing.
