Page 14 of Gryphon’s Fire

Keir quieted and his eyes were distant. So soft I could barely pick up the words, Keir said, “I’m glad Grayson found her eggs.”

“I know,” I honestly answered.

“Even if they’d brought about our destruction, I wouldn’t have regretted finding them, only that the others were injured in the process. I tried to get them to leave, to allow me to handle the situation, to take responsibility for Huxley’s actions.”

“They wouldn’t go,” I said, already knowing the answer.

“No. Stubborn lot,” Keir affectionately answered.

“Stubbornness can be an admirable trait.”

“Or it can get you killed.”

“Or it can save your life,” I argued.

Keir blew out an exasperated breath. “We could sit here and argue that point for hours.”

“We could. Or we could have something to eat and return to the living room to wait for Eldon to wake. I believe I know which scenario has more comfortable seating.”

Keir barked out a laugh. “True enough. You think Henry left us any potatoes?”

“Doubtful,” I truthfully answered before standing and offering Keir my hand. He took it but not before his cheeks turned from pink to red.

“Maybe you should go grab a shirt first.”

I frowned while looking down at my torso. Thickened lines of flesh slashed their way through my scales. The image was most likely off-putting. “Apologies. I forget that I’m not as aesthetically appealing as I once was.”

“Wait? What? No, that’s not what I meant at all.” Waving a hand in the general direction of my torso, Keir said, “Nothing unappealing there at all. Everything’s very appealing. Nothing to be ashamed of in the least. I’m sure… I should shut up now.”

Hands on hips, Keir’s gaze traveled everywhere but me. “I’ll heat up dinner and you go get a new shirt or something and then you can come back…” Keir’s words trailed off as his eyes zeroed in on something in the corner. “Is that one of your shirts?”

Following Keir’s sightline, I saw the crimson piece of cloth and felt my stomach dip. It was indeed one of mine. Three strides placed the fabric in my hands. “It’s mine,” I said, my eyes skimming the surrounding walls. “Now, how in the hell did it get here?”

Keir and I shared a knowing look before he turned back to reheating the roast. “Pixie magic,” Keir mumbled. “I think I could live here a thousand years and still not get used to that.”

I stared at the shirt for a few more seconds before slipping my arms into it and buttoning it closed. A thousand years wouldn’t be nearly enough. I doubted there would ever be enough years to come to terms with living in a home protected by home-and-hearth pixie magic.

Seven

Keir

“He don’t look much like you,” Henry said before poking a tiny claw-tipped finger at Eldon’s nose. “I mean, I’ll give ya the hair. It’s kinda similar although not as many different shades and it looks kinda gross right now.”

Henry started to poke Eldon again, prompting me to swat a hand his direction and hiss, “Stop that.”

“What? I’m just tryin’ to wake him up. He’s been sleepin’ for like… I dunno, but it’s been a while.” Henry sat on his rump and used a back leg to scratch at his head, sending little motes of dust into the air.

“He’ll wake up when he’s ready,” I said, even though I privately agreed with Henry. Eldon had been asleep for a long time. I wasn’t certain if I should still call it unconsciousness. Eldon had stirred a couple of times but then fallen back into deep slumber. I kind of got the feeling that if I really tried, I could wake him. I told myself that I was letting Eldon sleep longer because he needed the rest. While that was true, I’d be lying if I said I also wasn’t afraid of what he’d be like when he did finally rise and shine.

The image of Eldon turning from me, giving me his back and walking away, was seared into my brain. I didn’t know if I could take a second round of rejection.

Vidia’s eggs took that moment to shimmy within their warm coals. I’d noticed them doing that a few times. I’d been alarmed at first, but Lazarus informed me it would still be a bit before the eggs truly hatched. Lazarus said the tiny wyvern were simply stretching their wings. I wasn’t so certain but had to default to the one who should know the most.

Hearing the musical egg shuffle as well, Henry turned and scuttled down Eldon’s body, perching on the end of the couch and staring at the eggs. “What do ya think the little rascals will look like? You think they’ll be the same color as their eggshells, or do ya think they’ll be crimson like Lazarus?”

I wasn’t certain. “I’m not sure. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.”

Henry huffed. “Well, if those little wyvern have anything to say about it, looks like we’ll be findin’ out soon.” Clapping his hands together, Henry rubbed them together, mimicking every villainous stereotype. “I can’t wait. It’s been too long since Hikaru was a kit, runnin’ around and gettin’ into mischief. I’ve got so much to teach the little ones.”