Page 79 of Gryphon’s Fire

I ran my wet fingers through Keir’s hair, skimming along his scalp and relishing the feeling of him leaning into my touch. “No?”

“No,” Keir answered. Grabbing my hand, Keir pulled it around his face and pressed his lips against my palm. “My home is back in Minnesota, with you and the rest of my found family. With Vi and Blu.”

My inhaled breath felt heavy in my lungs. I could just make out my scale, now a part of Keir’s body, as it settled comfortably within the skin of his lower neck. My heart scale. A wyvern’s gift to his chosen mate. I hadn’t been certain it would be accepted into Keir’s gryphon body the same way it would be into a wyvern’s. That’s why I’d created the hole for a string to slip through. Even if Keir had only been able to wear it like a piece of jewelry, I would have been pleased to see it on him.

To see it integrated into his skin was pure bliss.

Cupping Keir’s cheek, I leaned in and peppered his forehead with kisses. “Then that is what we shall do. We will go home.”

“That’s what I want to do, but I should stay. This is my mess and⁠—”

“This is not your mess,” I cut Keir off, my words sterner than typical.

Keir’s eyes rounded, curiously blinking. “How is it not?”

I pulled away just enough that I could grasp Keir’s face with both hands. “You did not cause this.”

“But I left and⁠—”

“And those who were in charge allowed Jaakobah’s scheming to continue. Not only continue but gain ground. You had nothing to do with it. Could you have stayed and fought more?” I shrugged. “I’m not certain. But I do know you. I know you made the best decision you could at the time with the information you had available. You cannot take on the responsibility of others’ actions, Keir. Their decisions were their own and led to our current path. By the time Eldon crashed-landed at the compound, your course was set.”

Keir’s wide eyes softened and his fingers wrapped around my wrists, pulling me in and pressing our lips together. Yielding quickly, I savored Keir’s flavor and counted myself the luckiest wyvern alive to have this magnificent individual as mine.

Lightly panting, Keir pulled away. “I love you, Lazarus Azure. So much my chest aches with it.”

“I would never wish to cause you pain.”

Keir shook his head. “It’s a good kind of pain. The very best kind.”

“If that is what you believe.”

“It is.” Inhaling, Keir released me and gripped the sides of the tub. “Much longer in here, and I’ll prune.”

My grin felt good. “We wouldn’t want that.”

“No, we wouldn’t. Help me into the shower so I can finish cleaning off?”

“With pleasure,” I answered, enjoying the flush radiating up Keir’s neck and filling his cheeks. His high color might have been caused by the warm water, but I preferred thinking it was due to my touch.

As Keir stepped into the shower, he asked, “Do you think we’ll find Jima in a food coma when we get back into the bedroom?”

My chuckle released a puff of smoke. “I am only worried there won’t be any food left.”

Keir grimaced. “True. We probably should have eaten before coming into the bathroom.”

“I’m certain Lady Usha’s flight will provide more food if necessary.”

“Also true,” Keir agreed before sighing as the warm water sluiced over his skin, washing away the last of his and Jaakobah’s blood. “How long do you think politeness dictates we remain here?”

I helped Keir out of the shower, wrapping the fluffiest towel I could find around his shoulders and drying him off. Ignoring Keir’s bemused expression, I continued my path down one gorgeous leg and up the other. Keir’s heavy cock rested at half-mast, and I was pleased when he hardened at my touch.

Making my way back up his body, I laid kisses along his chest and laved a nipple, enjoying the way it peaked under my tongue. Keir’s breathing intensified as little gasps of pleasure escaped his lips. “L-Lazarus, I…”

I nuzzled Keir’s neck before wrapping him in my arms and pulling him close. “I should not tease you so,” I rumbled, my words more growl than humanoid speech. “I promised that when I took you, when I made you mine and me yours, that I would keep you in bed for days. I want that time to be when we are home and safely behind the barrier.”

Keir groaned. “Goddess…I want that so bad. I want to be there right now in our bed.”

“We’ll have to see if someone can watch Vi and Blu for a few days.”