Page 7 of Gryphon’s Fire

Four

Lazarus

I was loath to leave Keir’s quarters, his home within the Magical Usage Compound. His space was warm and inviting. The low smolder of embers incubating Vidia’s offspring added a pleasant glow and atmospheric hum. Contentment seeped deep into my soul, relaxing my muscles and lulling me into slumber.

“You’re welcome to stay if you wish,” Keir said, his voice hushed and sounding far away. I wasn’t certain when I closed my eyes, only that my eyelids felt far too heavy to try and lift. Stretched out on Keir’s couch, my feet propped on a pillow on Keir’s coffee table, there wasn’t a single cell in my body that wanted to protest his invitation.

My rumbled response reflected my satisfied state. Keir’s soft chuckles, followed by a brief “I’ll take that as a yes” filtered through my mind. I felt a light weight fall across my body and vaguely realized it was a blanket. The soft fabric didn’t compare to the gentle touch of Keir’s fingers as he raked them through my hair, pushing it away from my face.

“Sleep well,” Keir said, those words sounding even further away as I drifted off. My body was still in need of rest and healing. The generous meal Keir had fed me pleasantly sat in my stomach, filling yet another void. I finally drifted off to thoughts of Keir’s selfless care and the anticipation of pleasant dreams.

“Do ya think they still hurt?” Slight pressure pressed against my cheek, the touch and voice rousing me.

“Stop that, Henry. I swear to the Goddess that sometimes I think you were born in a barn and have no manners whatsoever,” Keir scolded, keeping his voice soft even as he reprimanded the little house dweller.

“I’ve no idea where I was born,” Henry answered, his voice a little louder or maybe closer than it had been before. “Coulda been a barn. You shouldn’t disparage those that were born in barns, Keir. Not like they had a choice in the matter. And besides, ain’t nothin’ wrong with a barn. Lots of dust mites to munch on.”

“Goddess save me,” Keir lamented.

Evidently ignoring Keir’s earlier warning, Henry’s small body worked its way around my face. I could feel his tiny claws now and again, although they weren’t strong enough to pierce my tough skin even in my humanoid form. “They look like they still hurt,” Henry went on as he pressed another scarred section.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t be poking at them,” Keir answered, exasperation clear in his voice.

“You didn’t ask him?” Henry questioned, once more ignoring Keir.

“No. Unlike you, I have some manners.”

“Pfft.” I felt the air Henry blew out with the sound. “Not askin’ is what gets you tall folks in trouble. You’re always bein’ sneaky about shit when you should just come out and ask what you wanna know. No quicker way to the truth.”

Henry was no threat. Intellectually, I knew this. But instinct was a difficult beast to reign in, and Henry was precariously close to the very vessels Verona and her brother Axios had tried to rip out. “They do not hurt,” I answered, finally opening my eyes. Henry was a blur, his small body too close and situated on my nose, between my eyes. “If you don’t mind,” I gently suggested.

“I don’t mind a thing,” Henry answered, most likely being purposefully obtuse. “You’ve got a comfy nose. Makes a good seat.”

“Henry! If you don’t move now, I’ll pick you up and make you move,” Keir threatened.

“Always throwin’ your size around,” Henry mumbled, obviously irritated. “Fine, I’m movin’. But I just wanna point out that I got an answer when all you were doin’ was fussin’ about whether Laz is still in pain.”

Laz?

“You are ridiculous,” Keir answered, his tone full of fond exasperation.

“I’m direct,” Henry answered. “There’s a difference.” Henry scrambled down my shirt, perching on my blanket-covered knee. He held on well when I shifted, lowering my feet to the floor and sitting up a little straighter. Although still a bit groggy, I definitely felt better than I had the last time I woke.

“I’ve got a roast and some potatoes in the oven,” Keir said, the smell hitting me as he said the words. “I figured you’d be hungry again when you woke.” I glimpsed Keir’s pinkened cheeks before he turned and headed off to the kitchen, mumbling something about needing to check on the food.

“He’s a good catch,” Henry stated with absolutely no preamble.

I stared at the diminutive form comfortably resting on my knee as if he hadn’t a care in the world. As if one sharp swipe of my clawed finger wouldn’t eviscerate him on the spot. “I assume you’re speaking about Keir.”

“You assume correctly.” Arms crossed over his chest, Henry’s tail whipped around behind him. It didn’t strike me as a nervous gesture. “Keir’s got a heart of gold. He’s the sacrificial type.”

“Yes. I believe I figured that out already.” Keir had more than proven his willingness to protect Vidia’s young, no matter the personal cost.

Henry offered a slow nod. “It’s an admirable trait, no doubt about it.”

“But?” I could hear the but coming from a continent away.

“But that’s a huge responsibility.” Thumbing over his shoulder, Henry indicated the kitchen where Keir was busying himself with the meal he’d prepared. “Those kinds of folks need someone holding their sacrificial reigns, pulling them back before they offer themselves up to a cause that ain’t worthy.”