Page 77 of Gryphon’s Fire

Grandmother finally pulled Phina away, passing my sister to a pleased-looking Lulabelle. Jima, in his ferret form, sat on Lulabelle’s shoulder. He quickly jumped into Phina’s outstretched hands. She nuzzled Jima, holding him tight to her chest. Lulabelle’s expression softened as she stared at the pair. When she looked at me again, her expression morphed yet again. A form of pride radiated from her. With a slight nod, Lulabelle placed her arm around Phina’s shoulders and led her away.

Xavier was there as well. He didn’t go with Lulabelle. Instead, he stood there, arms hanging loosely by his sides. Xavier appeared to be dazed or perhaps in a fog of disbelief. He wasn’t the only one.

It was as I’d thought. There were many—perhaps too many—who found Jaakobah’s death impossible to believe. Some appeared lost while others glared at me with a mix of hatred and vengeance in their eyes.

“Go,” Grandmother softly said. “My flight will safely escort you back to the château. I will handle this.” Distaste filled those last words. “I have much work to do.”

I shook my head. “I should stay. I’m the one that⁠—”

“You have done enough,” Grandmother said. “You have done more than I had a right to ask. Some will always hate you for this. Others will sing your praises. It is a difficult position to be in, Keir. I fear if you stay here in Europe, you will never be truly safe.” Grandmother gave me an apologetic smile. “That said, your father’s flight is yours, should you want it.”

I couldn’t think of anything I wanted less. “No.”

“I had a feeling that would be your answer.” Grandmother patted my arm. The softness in her expression vanished, leaving a cold, hard mask in its place. Turning from me, Grandmother began doing what she was best at, what she’d trained all her life to be—a leader.

“Come, Keir. I need to take care of you.” Lazarus’s words sounded strained as he led me away from the field. The flowers decorating the area had somehow survived the onslaught. They were meant to be celebratory and now presided over a funeral.

“Need to, huh?” I asked as Lazarus’s fingers tightened on my arm.

“I chose my words with care.” A deep rumble escaped Lazarus’s chest. “It is not easy, watching your intended mate face death while relegated to the sidelines. I… Please, never make me do that again. I do not believe I would survive it a second time. I need to examine every inch of your precious skin.”

My fingers traced the outline of Lazarus’s scale. The leather cord was still gone. When I’d transformed, the scale had integrated itself into my humanoid form just as it had my gryphon one. “You were with me,” I said, voice low. Tapping the scale, I turned so I could stare up and Lazarus. “You saved me. If not for this,” I tapped it again, “Jaakobah would have slit my throat.”

Lazarus stopped walking, turning us and lowering his head until our foreheads touched. His body vibrated, trembling ever so slightly. “I cannot even contemplate a world where you are not in it.”

“That goes both ways,” I answered, cupping his cheek. “Now, let’s get out of here so you can make good on your promise. I want to feel your hands on me. Preferably in a tub filled with steaming water.”

“I believe that can be arranged.”

“Good.” Lazarus’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me tight as he led us to a waiting vehicle. When the door opened, Phina, Lulabelle, and Jima were already inside. Phina leaned heavily on Lulabelle, her eyes closed and already asleep. Jima was curled up in her arms, his whiskers twitching as he peacefully dreamed.

It was over. Relief threatened to drop me to the ground as the adrenaline fueling me faded. But was it? What had Jaakobah said? You may have defeated me, but I still win. What did that mean?

As if he could read my mind, Lazarus said, “Let it go, Keir. Rest now.”

I couldn’t find it in me to argue. Taking a cue from my sister, I laid my head on Lazarus’s shoulder and allowed exhaustion and cautious relief to lull me to sleep.

Twenty-Seven

Lazarus

My hands hurt from clenching them and my chest ached from holding in my fire. Had my life ever required so much self-control? Doubtful. I still wasn’t certain how I managed to remain out of the fight. If not for Lady Usha’s constant reminders and firm reprimands, I doubt I would have been successful. When Jaakobah had taken a swipe at Keir’s throat… The memory would haunt me for the remainder of my life, as would the scent of Keir’s spilled blood.

We’d arrived back at Lady Usha’s château less than an hour ago. Keir’s blood was still thick in my nostrils. He’d repeatedly told me he would be fine, that the wounds were not life-threatening. It wasn’t that I doubted his words, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until I’d done what I said and stripped him bare, exposing all his damaged flesh to my eyes. Thankfully, stripping only meant removing the blanket I’d wrapped him in.

The bath water ran, steam filling the room. Our host had offered to place us in the southern wing instead of the water damaged northern one we’d been staying in. I’d deferred. This was the area we were comfortable in and it had served us well.

“It worked like a charm,” Jima said for the fifth time, an added snap of his fingers providing the punctuation.

Predictably, Keir answered, “That’s because it was a charm.”

Jima huffed. “I know that. What I’m saying is that Warlock Holland really knows his stuff. The protection charm activated just as promised. Good thing too.” Jima was sitting on the bed, his shorter legs swinging back and forth, his heels kicking the bed on every downswing. Food was on the way. All of us needed sustenance after the energy expenditure today. Jima more than Keir or myself. As a ferret shifter, his metabolism ran hotter than ours and he used up energy quickly.

Keir was sitting next to him, scrunched down in the blanket. “So, we were right.”

Jima aggressively nodded. “More than right. There had to have been half a dozen of ’em trying to get through the barrier. They hit it with everything they had.” Jima swung his arms as if boxing. “Nothing happened. Well, Phina screamed once or twice. Can’t say that I blame her. I, uh… I might’ve peed a little too.” Jima’s cheeks pinked. “You know, when I get scared, I can’t really help it.”

Keir’s arm wrapped around Jima’s shoulders, pulling him close. “I doubt Phina minded. She probably didn’t even notice, and if you don’t tell her, I won’t either.”