While Eriolan looked around, the hall was slowly filled with moving whirlwinds, each of which acquired the individual appearance of a tall man in armoured clothing. They looked at the guest with obvious interest, lining up in a row. From the restrained emotions on their faces, it was noticeable that the warriors were admiring him without looking away. Eriolan was confused, trying to figure out what to do next.
"The Phoenixes sensed the presence of the new Lamori and flocked to get acquainted," Rohen noted playfully and took him by the arm and led him past the prying eyes. "This is Eriolan, our new citizen."
"Are there not enough Lamori in your Kingdom?" The King was mentally puzzled. "Why is everyone staring like that?"
"They like you..."
"I am not a woman!" Eriolan said loudly.
"We like your energy," said one of the warriors. "Beautiful golden-haired young man, your gender does not matter... We are very glad to see your wonderful image for inspiration."
The King did not find anything better than to wake up quickly.
A gentle voice continued to rustle in my head:
"You need to get used to the attention of those who adore you, and not run away. Learn this from Ray. He's been through it all and he's fine."
"Lord, I... have never been in such a role before... It's too unusual to feel like an object of desire for men - your warriors."
"I made it clear to you a long time ago that there are no barriers to love. Phoenixes and Lamories will fall in love with you. Such relationships harmonize society. It is not at all difficult to accept feelings."
"Well, no, not here, in the physical world!"
"Why such stubbornness?"
"I'm used to dominating in relationships, isn't that the case with you?"
"You see, even though we both have the status of Rulers and we command subordinates, this separates us from those who could sincerely express their love for those who hold power. Anyone who wants to get close to you usually has selfish goals. I would be glad if someone truly loved me forever, cared about me, expressed their feelings and no matter what gender they are. But this doesn't happen. I go ahead and try to win someone's heart. I'm still searching, can you imagine?"
"Nobody reciprocated your feelings?" Eriolan was surprised. "What about your husband Ray?"
"This is tolerance on his part, not love." The kind voice continued in his mind. "Acceptance of inevitable circumstances. Therefore, you should be happy that powerful beings want to experience nice moments with you. You are very handsome and in a thin shell, your radiations are sweet for our perception, so I chose you from many mortals as Lamori and allowed you to taste the unearthly euphoria with the Radiance. You adore making love to Ray like no other, right? You've had hundreds of girls before and you don't want anyone else but him. You constantly dream about new mergers with him... "
"It's true, I admit... I've never had this happen to anyone..."
"Have you ever wondered how he feels? Why did he cheat on Arlow to merge with you?"
"He seems to be very happy with me. He wouldn't pretend."
"He wouldn't... He just wouldn't accept you without your sincerity. This is his nature. Your love is real, not just for fun."
"I don't think I would want to be in Ray's shoes and accept the love of those who desire me."
"You've probably noticed that Taylor, my celestial son, likes you..."
"In this sense? Ha... well no! I don't want to get so close to him at all."
"Try to be loved by someone for your training."
"Training?"
"Yes! Lamorie's duties include not only seduction, but also acceptance of the feelings of an adorer."
Eriolan was again very embarrassed. The prospect of becoming the lover of a Phoenix in the shell scared him to the bone. The only time he saw Taylor left the eerie impression that such a conscious being with superperception of reality could have close contact with him. His languid blue eyes, piercing into the depths of the soul, and a slight grin said that it was not difficult for the phoenix to seduce anyone he wanted. Goosebumps ran down Eriolan's back from the fantasy of a sultry young man touching him and kissing him somewhere.
"Why are you hurting so much?" The rustling voice rang out in his head again. "Get to know him better and you will understand that there is nothing to fear. An explosion of pleasure, that's what awaits you..."
Eriolan shrugged it off and did not answer, realizing that the stubbornness is useless and he would not escape the harassment, hurrying up with complaints to the lover.
Ray noticed his slightly enraged state, jumping up to him with a hug, when the Eriolan met him in estate.
"My precious King, something is bothering you?"
"It turned out that your gardener was Rohen's servant... and you didn't tell me about it... Why did you hide it?" - excitement flashed in the jealous man's eyes.
"It's strange that Tay shared his mission with you..."
"And I finally got to the heavenly Realm to Rohen!"
"Did something confuse you?"
"Yes... his sons... Phoenixes, they are also cordially disposed to you... Are you in a relationship with them?"
"No, not quite," - Ray said evasively. - "It's more of a flirt on their part... there's nothing to worry about at all. And you, like Lamori, don't have to answer them to their love claims... I suppose your attractive image will not give these warriors rest and they will chase you in your lucid dreams and bother you with intimate affairs..."
"But... - Eriolan said confusedly. - I don't want that at all! Although Rohen explained to me that I was an inspiration for them, like you..."
"Listen... it's just their games... they need it for fun! But if you tell them that you have a relationship with Taylor... and it's serious, they'll leave you."