Page 139 of Griffin Food

Chapter Forty-Seven

Violet

Goddess weep, they are beautiful, resplendent men, naked and proud… and they have tails. Further, they seem as surprised by this development as I am, as they look between one another and peer under their wings at their swishing tails.

Barely have I assimilated the splendor of their half-shifted forms when the air crackles, and with a shower of sparks, a giant furred beast that must be easily twice my height appears where Lark was.

“Oh, my,” I say as I take in his vast size and intimidating façade.

A thin thread of drool escapes the corner of his lips. His tongue lolls out to catch it before he snaps his jaw shut. Then he stretches his arms wide, flexes gnarly fingers tipped with lethal claws, lifts his chin to the air, and howls.

Above, griffins flap their wings and screech in a deafening chorus of approval that echoes off the chamber. Like a trigger, the wing leaders who have stood on ceremony around the edges of the room slam fists against their chests and spread their beautiful wings.

“The sleeping griffins come to witness,” Aldric informs me, voice deeply reverent. “Today, you become our Queen.”

So that is who they are… I had wondered if they were another pride, but no.

Moisture gathers at the back of my eyes, but I blink it away. The knowledge cements the rightness of what we do. The multifaceted hope that underlies it all.

My mind releases its hold on the now, on the regal griffins, and the wing leaders. They fade away.

There are many reasons why we should do this, for our situation is perilous. Selfishly, I do this for Rafe.

Atlas

It is time.

The wing leaders are present, the unbound griffins have roused from their sleep, many for the first time in eons.

Master Pugstone and Master Lychen are on standby in an antechamber. I pray that we shall not need them.

I pray this shall be enough.

“Trust your instincts,” Aldric says. “You are a Pride Leader. One who has waited long and patiently for his Queen. The unbound griffins have risen. Resonance awaits.”

Violet

A quickening sensation rises inside as my four mates step forward like predators about to circle their prey. I feel a pull upon my soul as they draw closer, forming up around me.

Beyond us, Rafe lies unconscious.

My anchor.

The man who tethers me to this earth when the other four might lift me away.

And then Atlas leans in, slides his fingers into my hair, grips it with the perfect amount of bite, and slants his lips over mine.

I melt into his kiss. Moan. Our tongues tangle. I’m already breathless when he hoists me into his arms. My legs wrap around his waist, my arms around his neck.

Another body slides up behind me.

Darrion.

His lips press against my throat. He nips on the shell of my ear just as Atlas breaks the kiss.

“Such a good girl,” Atlas says, his big hand warm against my cheek. “But tell me, do you remember your lessons?”

Lessons? Why does my mind jump to that day, what feels so long ago now, when Atlas spread me out over his desk, and Darrion pulled up a chair…