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I wouldn’t go so far as to say my heart warmed at Lulabelle’s words, but it did ease. Knowing Keir’s grandmother questioned Jaakobah’s account regarding her daughter’s murder was a true relief. Jaakobah’s rise to power wouldn’t be as obstacle-free as he believed.
“What about the other members of Grandmother’s flight?” Keir asked. “Do we know how they feel?”
“Some. Grandmother is being cautious. If it weren’t for her concerns regarding Saraphina, she would have already made a move.”
“Unfortunately, I share your concerns, especially after the threats Jaakobah made when he was here a few days ago.”
“What threats?”
Their footsteps faltered again, and this time, I turned to witness the exchange. “If I don’t agree to bond with him, then he’s going to go after Phina.”
The blood drained from Lulabelle’s face. “Go after as in…?”
Keir’s fingers clenched, his knuckles whitening. “As in court her and claim her as his bonded.”
Lulabelle’s hand flew to her mouth as she sucked in a disbelieving breath. Eyes wide, her voice was muffled behind her fingers when she said, “But Saraphina is too young. She’s barely more than a child. She… The laws wouldn’t allow that. Grandmother wouldn’t allow that.” Squaring her shoulders, Lulabelle’s eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t allow that.”
While grim, Keir’s smile was true. “I cannot tell you how much of a relief it is to hear you say that.”
Lulabelle appeared shocked and maybe a little hurt. “Did you truly believe we would support such an abhorrent act?”
I was afraid Keir would apologize and was relieved when he did no such thing. “Why wouldn’t I? As we discussed, Grandmother never reached out to me after I left. Too few in my flight believed me when I tried to warn them of Jaakobah’s true nature. Father all but exiled me, and Mother supported him. Even Eldon turned his back on me when I left. While I do not understand why, Jaakobah seems to have an ability to sway others to his way of thinking. It is as if he has some type of power over others where they become blind to reality and believe the lies constantly flowing from his honeyed lips.”
Lulabelle’s lips parted on a disbelieving gasp before her expression crumbled to contriteness. “Forgive me, Keir. I had not realized you were so isolated and ill informed. Nor had I realized just how bad it was when you left your flight. I do not believe Grandmother is aware either.” Reaching out, Lulabelle took Keir’s hands in hers. “I will inform Grandmother. Dealing with Jaakobah and saving Saraphina is priority number one. However, I believe it is equally important that we renew our familial ties. Perhaps things wouldn’t have gotten this far if we had kept closer contact. Grandmother will not be pleased with herself.”
This time, Keir’s smile held a hint of joy. “I would like that.”
Lulabelle gave a succinct nod. “Then that is exactly what will be done. I’ll make certain. I’ve missed you, cousin.”
“And I’ve missed you.”
Embracing again, the scent of salty tears filled the hallway. When Keir and Lulabelle parted, they were each chuckling and swiping wet tracks from their cheeks.
“Now,” Lulabelle said, her gaze sweeping the hall, “while this maze of corridors is impressive, I’d like to see Eldon and get back to the surface before Xavier decides to take matters into his own hands and his delusions of grandeur lead him down a path he shall not recover from.”
Laughter still filling the air, Keir offered his arm to his cousin. She took the appendage, tucking in close. Glancing my way, I was struck by the warmth filling Keir’s golden eyes when he said, “If you’d please lead the way, Lazarus.”
My response was an immediate “it would be my pleasure.”
“Goddess,” Lulabelle gasped. “What did they do to you?” Lulabelle descended on Eldon, swooping him up into her arms and squeezing the breath from his weakened body. Eyes wide, Eldon looked like a doe caught in a hunter’s crosshairs.
“L-Lulu, I…b-breath…”
“Oh! So sorry.” Lulabelle sat back, fingers still grasping Eldon’s shoulders but allowing him space to breathe. Raising one of her hands, she cupped Eldon’s still hollow cheek. “I just… I wasn’t expecting to see you in this…” Lulabelle’s lips pursed as if she were attempting to hold back what she truly thought. Finally, with a slight headshake, Lulabelle said what was on her mind. “You look like shit, cousin. Grandmother would scold me for being so blunt, but I just can’t muster up false platitudes right now. I’m too angry to be kind.”
Eldon shot Keir another questioning look, as if asking if Lulabelle was for real or if this was some kind of trick.
Keir answered his brother’s unasked question. “The barrier allowed her through, Eldon. Lulabelle means you no harm.”
Tension eased from Eldon’s shoulders as Lulabelle said a clipped “quite right.” Finally letting Eldon go, Lulabelle ran her hands down her blouse, smoothing out the wrinkles as she sat down and got down to business. “Now, tell me everything that happened. I’m afraid we only have time for an abbreviated version. Don’t hold back when it comes to the truly heinous facts. Consider them fuel for Grandmother’s wrath.”
Swallowing hard, Eldon’s eyes sought out Keir’s again. When he nodded, Eldon opened his mouth to start but was interrupted when Vi and Blu charged into the room. Climbing the bedsheets, Blu settled on Eldon’s lap while Vi continued to his shoulder. Both girls spread their wings, attempting to appear bigger and more threatening than they currently were.
“Oh my.” Lulabelle scooted back, eyes wide. The grin stretching her lips indicated Vi and Blu’s efforts weren’t terribly successful. “Wyvern young!” Lulabelle’s joy radiated into the room. Clapping her hands, her eyes tracked from me to Keir, widening before she asked, “Are they yours or…?”
“Not the way you’re thinking,” Keir answered. “Vi and Blu are Lazarus’s nieces.”
“Though not biologically related, they are Keir’s nieces as well,” I corrected while placing a terribly possessive arm around Keir’s shoulders and pulling him toward me.
