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Following Lulabelle’s line of sight, I forced my immediate growl deep into my chest.

“Pompous ass,” Lulabelle muttered under her breath. “I will leave you to deal with the trash, Grandmother. I’m afraid dealing with Xavier has captured all my goodwill and patience.” Two gryphons followed. They’d been listening in on the conversation, so I could only assume these two were members of Lady Usha’s flight that had been deemed trustworthy.

My spine stiffened and fire built deep within my belly as I watched Jaakobah mingle—shaking hands, laughing uproariously, slapping others on the back just a little too forcefully before playing off the power move through muttered apologies regarding a lack of knowledge surrounding his own strength. Honestly, the whole affair was nausea-inducing.

What might have been worse was how those he interacted with reacted. Fear. I could practically smell it on the air, tainting every handshake and awkwardly forced smile. And those that weren’t outwardly afraid were uncertain.

“He is a pestilence,” Lady Usha whispered behind a raised hand. “One that must be stopped here and now.”

“A well-dressed pestilence,” I answered. Wrapped in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit with a jet-black silk shirt beneath, the top button undone, Jaakobah confidently walked across the glade, coming to stand at the arch. A feathered crown topped his head. The feathers were more golden than Keir’s eagle form and reminded me of Lulabelle. “Is that typical attire for a gryphon bonding?” Considering I fully intended to bond and mate with Keir, I wanted to know.

A harsh, hissed breathy intake made me glance Lady Usha’s direction. Her fingers squeezed tighter and great, curved talons erupted from her fingers, digging into my flesh and drawing blood.

“He would dare.” The words were softly spoken, and yet that did nothing to negate their weight.

“My lady?” I questioned, keeping my voice just as hushed.

“I would recognize those feathers anywhere. He is wearing my daughter’s feathers like a crown of victory.” I felt Lady Usha’s skin ripple beneath her finery and knew I had but mere seconds to intervene.

Moving to block her view, I placed my body between Keir’s grandmother and Jaakobah’s ghastly fashion accessory.

“Calm yourself.” I added a warning growl, the sound reverberating through my throat and lending weight to my words.

Lady Usha’s eyes flashed pure, gold fire. “Who are you to command me, wyvern?” Feathers erupted along her cheeks, painting them in hues of golden brown.

Instead of pulling away due to intimidation, I leaned in closer. “I am a friend and the one who loves your grandson.” I kept my voice calm, my words steady, and the emotion behind them on full display. I had nothing to hide from this proud gryphon.

Seconds slipped by and as those seconds drifted away, the fire lighting Lady Usha’s eyes faded to painful regret. Her feathers receded, leaving behind humanoid skin lined by aged experience. “My daughter.” Lady Usha spoke quietly, the name, “Lavinia,” whispered like a prayer.

I’d been amazed by the fortitude driving Lady Usha. In all our meetings, I’d never seen her anything less than composed and clear headed. What I’d been witness to was a weatherworn flight leader. This…this was the grief of a mother. This was the escape of carefully contained emotion. This was expertly crafted walls cracking.

Taking Lady Usha’s hands in mine, I rubbed my thumbs along her palms, easing away what tension I could. “I am sorry, but I must ask the unthinkable and request you contain your grief, just for a little longer. We must act the part. We must support Keir. Jaakobah will suffer. Keir shall make certain of it.”

I watched in fascination and respect as Lady Usha’s composure returned, washing away the hatred and need for vengeance, leaving a cold, distantly unreadable mask of indifference in its place. The change did not come too soon.

“Lady Usha, how wonderful to see you here.” I wanted to turn and burn Jaakobah to ash. The fire filling my belly and chest begged for release, and it physically pained me keeping it inside.

“I would not have missed this joyous occasion.” Lady Usha squeezed my fingers before releasing them and stepping around me, facing her daughter’s murderer with a smile. “I see you have chosen a more modern dress for the bonding.”

Jaakobah’s laugh sounded good natured enough. “Yes. I thought the suit best, but I couldn’t go totally against tradition.” Running his fingers over Lavinia’s feathers, Jaakobah’s frown appeared sincere enough. “I hope you do not consider this in poor taste. I only sought to honor your daughter’s sacrifice.”

It was difficult enough for me to swallow that line of bullshit. I couldn’t imagine what it cost Lady Usha. “Indeed. I feel as though my daughter’s presence will be greatly felt this day.”

Confusion flashed through Jaakobah’s eyes—there and gone quickly enough that someone lesser would have wondered if they’d seen it at all.

Evidently uncertain how to respond, Jaakobah turned the conversation to me. “Lazarus Azure, I am pleased you were able to attend.” Jaakobah’s grin pulled the edge of his lips into something just shy of grotesque. His bright white teeth glinted in the early afternoon light before being covered by a placating frown. “I know this must be difficult, what with your misguided notion that you, a wyvern of all things, would be the one to bond with Keir.” Jaakobah shook his head with pity. “An unfortunate turn of events. For you.” The obnoxious grin was back. “I must admit that I admire your…spirit. Most wouldn’t have the stomach to watch the one they claim to desire bond to another. Then again, perhaps your feelings are not as strong as you claimed.”

I wasn’t certain if Jaakobah was baiting me or simply attempting to twist jealousy’s knife all that much harder.

Unhappy with my silence, Jaakobah continued pushing. “Later, when Keir and I complete the bond, I’m certain he’ll find my…shall we say, less marred, physique more appealing than the flesh he’s used to.”

My fingers tightened on elongated claws. The fire within my belly turned to a raging inferno. Not at the thought of my marred physique, but of the implication that Jaakobah intended to take Keir while knowing that would not be Keir’s wish.

It was Lady Usha’s turn to be the voice of reason. Her fingers grasped my wrist, squeezing to the point of pain. Taking a step in front of me, Lady Usha’s voice remained calm but lowered an octave. “Lazarus’s scars should be respected. They are visible evidence of his willingness to risk his life for those who cannot yet defend themselves. If everyone were of similar thinking, the world would be a much better place. Do you not agree?” Lady Usha cocked her head to the side, her expression a neutral mask.

Jaakobah inclined his head, giving the barest necessary respect. “Of course, Lady Usha. I only meant to point out that one more powerful, or perhaps more capable, would not have incurred so much damage. Naturally, it is admirable that Mr. Azure was brave enough to go up against a foe he had little hope of defeating considering his own limitations.”

Lady Usha’s smile was brittle. “You believe you would have fared better battling alone against two grown acid-natured wyvern?”