Page 109 of Griffin Food

She is small, cute, and feisty as she stares me down, even if her choice of clothing is dreadful. All of which momentarily robs me of wit.

“She has chosen.” Darkan begins crooning and fluffing feathers.

She has fucking chosen.

I step back and yield to Darkan.

Feathers burst in a flash of ash and gold. Darkan lands before her.

“Well met, little mate,” he says, in echo of his previous words.

“Well met,” she replies softly. Her expression is enrapt wonder as she reaches out, just as she did last time, to stroke the side of his mighty head.

Only everything is different. She can hear him. She can hear us.

He croons, loud and resonant. Full of joy. His entire being is thrumming. Then he carefully unfurls wings, holding them wide for her inspection.

She pauses, and I sense the moment she notices the faint scar that bisects my right wing.

“What is this?”

“A remnant of a challenge,” I say before Darkan can wade in.

“Oh,” she says softly, before an expression of wonder overtakes her face. “I can hear you both.” Then her brows pucker slightly. “Who did you challenge?”

“Atlas,” I admit, before adding bluntly. “It was some time ago, and I lost.”

Her eyes grow wide, and a blush creeps over her cheeks. “And you’re friends now.”

“We are brothers now. Deeper than mere friends. Although I still consider challenging him from time to time.” I wanted to strangle him this very morning. “But I also accept that he is my leader, and I respect him as such. Griffins are predatory creatures.” I belatedly conclude that his order to guard her was not the punishment I thought, but a test. “It is in our nature to test boundaries.” And each other. “That we might better respect them.”

“I’ve never wanted to challenge anyone… except maybe my sister, Elisa. But she is a foot taller than me, and while pulling her pretty hair out might deliver some small satisfaction, I do not believe it would have led to greater respect between us, nor yielded a deeper bond.”

From what I have learned, her sister is pure malice and needs to be eradicated. And I can fully support the sentiments of such a challenge, even as the thought of her challenging anyone, but particularly her cruel sister, brings me out in a cold sweat.

“Also, she would likely have had me beheaded. So, you know that puts a bit of a damper on it.” She suddenly smiles sweetly. “My three other sisters are lovely. I should never wish to challenge any of them. I hope you get to meet them one day.”

I am slain. Disarmed of all intellect and rendered a swooning imbecile.

“I should be honored to meet your sisters… The congenial ones. Clearly.”

Violet

The beautiful, rich chocolate-brown griffin fills the ledge beside me. Flashes of lighter buff brown form around his beak, crown and throat, while the fine feathers closest to his red-gold ombre eyes are almost black.

Darkan.

He opens his beak and makes a strange chattering noise. His eyes are so primal. He dwarfs me entirely. I ought to be frightened. But there is nothing. No fear at all. Only wonder. As I step closer, his wings flex, creating a barrier against the buffeting wind, and inside it, I feel safe and cocooned.

Unable to resist another touch, I cup my fingers around his great beak. Then I slide one hand up over his brow ridge to his feathers. “You are so beautiful,” I say.

He makes the chattering noise again and gently nudges his beak against my belly. “Our mate will wish to inspect me fully,” he announces imperiously, rising and adjusting his wings, making himself stand tall and proud.

His two front talons scratch against the stone floor. He plants his hind legs down and curls his tail around, assuming a regal sitting pose.

I bite my lip to hide my smile. No wonder Darrion is so formal when he has been bonded to this griffin all his life.

His tail lashes the stone floor. The tip looks soft and fluffy. How I want to touch all of him, from his feathers to the soft-looking lion pelt of his rear body. Overcome with emotion, I throw my arms around him and bury my nose in the soft feathers.