Page 47 of Gryphon’s Fire

“No hope is ever foolish. Some hopes are simply more reasonable than others.”

Turning his head, Keir’s wondrous amber eyes stared into my own. Twisting in my arms, Keir laid the palm of his hand on my cheek. His thumb traced down a long scar. The warmth filling his eyes never wavered as he traced the permanent evidence of my fight with Verona. “Have I told you recently how grateful I am to have you in my life?” With a slight headshake, Keir amended, “More than grateful. That is far too small a word for how I feel.”

Leaning into his touch, I turned just enough to press my lips against his skin. “You may regale me with such platitudes whenever you desire.”

With a bark of laughter, Keir pulled away but clasped my hand, pulling me toward the doorway leading down into the compound. “Let’s eat and rest. Everyone needs energy when plotting evil’s demise. Afterward, we’ll need to fill the others in on the plan.”

My answer was a simple “lead the way.” I was long past pretending I wouldn’t follow Keir anywhere he asked me to go. It was my pleasure and privilege to follow this gryphon’s path.

Seventeen

Keir

Goddess, Jaakobah really was an arrogant ass. Willingly speaking with him, capitulating to his will by agreeing to bond with him, had been one of the hardest things I’d ever done. Not only difficult, but nausea-inducing. More than once the bile racing up my throat nearly had me running for the trash can. I’d kept the contents of my stomach where they were by sheer force of will.

Tea in hand, I’d added an antinausea charm to the brew just in case. After all, I still had to relay the conversation to the others. I didn’t trust my stomach not to revolt with the retelling.

Eldon sat on a chair close to the fireplace. I thought my brother’s constant chill was more psychological than physical. Honestly, I didn’t think there was enough firewood on the planet to warm his soul. Despite that, I didn’t begrudge him his desire to seek out warmth. Even if the fire provided the barest relief, it was worth it.

Vi and Blu were cuddled up on his lap. The girls were very intuitive and naturally gravitated toward him. The tension Eldon constantly carried dissipated when the tiny wyvern were with him.

“Tabitha is on her way,” Elvira announced as she solidified near the secondary fireplace. Vi still liked cuddling up within the coals. Blu hadn’t joined her in days.

“Thank you,” I answered as I watched Elvira’s curious eyes track the room.

“Where is Lazarus?”

I indicated my head toward the bedroom. “He’s on the phone with Thalia.” As soon as I’d settled on the couch with my cup of tea and antinausea charm fully in effect, Lazarus left to fill Thalia in on our plans.

The door opened and it wasn’t Tabitha, but Martin and Grayson who entered. “I’m just saying, that’s not typical,” Grayson said, walking slightly in front of Martin as they crossed the room. “I mean, to each their own and all that, but collecting a bunch of fingernail clippings and considering them treasure is… Yeah, I could have gone all my life without finding that.” Grayson dramatically shivered before plopping down in a nearby chair, his arms theatrically draping over the armrests. “You’ve got some odd ducks working here, Keir.” Grayson made a swirling motion at his temple with his index finger.

“Chester was a troll and one should not speak ill of the dead,” Martin scolded without a lot of bite.

“I’m not speaking ill of him,” Grayson defended. “All I’m saying is that it’s not typical and not something I wanted to find.” Arms crossed over his chest, Grayson leaned into the cushions and pouted.

Branches sprouted from Martin’s fingers, wrapping around Grayson’s body. “I’m sorry. I forget that it is difficult for you too.”

Head bent, Grayson ran his finger down one of the branches. “You’re forgiven,” he muttered before his lips twisted into a grimace. “I have to forgive you because I can’t stand feeling the way your bit of magic I’ve got in here”—Grayson tapped his chest—“feels. Ugh! It’s not fair. I can’t even be properly angry with you or else it hurts me too.”

“That goes both ways, love,” Martin answered, leaning over and planting a kiss on the crown of Grayson’s head.

“More lovey-dovey stuff,” Henry lamented as he hopped across the room, down on all fours and tail swaying behind him. “Don’t you two ever stop?” Henry scrabbled up the couch, settling on the armrest to my right. Plopping down, dust motes filled the air. More dust followed when Henry used a back foot to vigorously scratch his head.

Martin’s only response was a self-satisfied smirk while Grayson answered, “Not apologizing.”

“Didn’t expect ya to,” Henry sagely answered.

“My goodness, am I late?” Tabitha asked as she breezed through the open door.

“Jima still ain’t here,” Henry answered before I could. “Did you let him know?” Henry asked, looking at Elvira.

“I informed him,” she answered. “He did seem…distracted.”

Before I could ask what that meant, Jima rushed through the open doorway. “S-sorry! I was…busy…” Jima’s cheeks were flushed and a fine sheen of sweat shone on his forehead. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing yet,” Lazarus answered as he joined us, phone in hand. I assumed his conversation with Thalia was over.

Walking to me, Lazarus took the seat next to me on the couch. His arm wrapped around the back, his fingers gently stroking my shoulder. Leaning toward him, I asked, “Is Thalia up to speed?”