Page 13 of Queen’s Griffon (Swords & Tiaras #2)

Chapter 12

Griff

“What do you mean, you don’t know where she is?” Griff snapped.

Monty, who’d been told to keep an eye on Avera after her trip to the tavern, ducked his head. “Sorry, Captain. I had to use the privy and when I emerged, she and Simhi were gone from the kitchen. I looked but I don’t know where they went.”

“Find them,” Griff growled. “And you’d better hope they haven’t come to harm.”

“Aye, Captain.” Monty scurried off and Griff uttered a noise of frustration.

Ever since Avera’s sojourn to the tavern, he’d been more on edge. The little queen had foolishly brought herself to the attention of those who might not care if they lost his favor, given the reward they might receive if they delivered Daerva’s disgraced queen. When he’d complained to Kreed, his friend shrugged and replied, “Told you so.”

“Yeah, you did. Now how do I ensure none of them abscond with her?”

“You could toss Koonis and his crew out,” Kreed suggested.

“Which will ensure I dry up our trade.” Saarpira needed the foreign captains, their goods, and the sailors who liked to spend money. Expelling one without good reason might cause others to choose another port to dock.

“You could marry her like you told them. They’d never dare to steal your wife.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Griff had muttered. The bounty on her head would tempt even the most risk-averse. Griff had no need of funds, nor the unpleasant feeling he’d get from selling a human being. However, others didn’t share that same morality.

“Is it me, or shouldn’t you have argued vehemently against marriage?” Kreed pointed out.

Griff shot him a dark look. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning you like the woman, hence why you’re worried.”

“I’d be concerned about anyone in my care.”

“Have you decided what you’re going to do with her?”

“No.”

“You know, we could take a sail around Verlora, maybe show her how impossible it is so she stops nagging.”

“I don’t think so. Knowing her, she’d find a way to row herself ashore,” Griff grumbled.

Kreed laughed. “She probably would. She is a determined little thing.”

Too determined. Her stubborn nature would get her into trouble. Might already have. Griff exited the castle and stood on a terrace that overlooked the town spread below. It also provided a view of the road leading to his home.

Such a panoramic view meant he saw Avera and Simhi well before they reached the path leading to the castle. They didn’t come from the direction of the city, though, but rather the part of the isle where a few determined folks attempted to farm the land. He doubted the pair went to look at crops. There was, however, one other thing in that direction…

Griff waited for them in the bailey, arms crossed and glowering. “Where have you been?” He didn’t mean to bellow but he’d been worried, dammit, and here they strolled without a care.

Avera arched a brow. “Hello to you, too.”

“I asked a question.”

“We went to see Vinmo,” Simhi admitted.

He’d already figured as much. “Whatever for?”

“To ask him what happened, of course.” Avera rolled her eyes.

“The man’s made it clear he won’t speak. Why would you waste your time?” he gruffly snapped.

“He spoke to me,” Avera retorted.

“Like fuck.” The expletive slipped from his lips.

Simhi shook her head. “She’s not lying. Vinmo spoke to her.”

The news rocked Griff. “What did he say?”

“He claimed the monster that attacked him and the others in Verlora could fly, and that it ate the other sailors with him,” Avera recounted.

“And that it spit green fire,” Simhi added. “Which makes it sound an awful lot like a dragon.”

Griff found himself at a loss for words and Avera filled in the gap. “He also muttered some nonsense about it looking through eyes to find him.”

“Not just any eyes,” Simhi corrected. “He seemed to think the monster could see through Avera.”

“What else?” Griff asked, trying to hide his discomfiture because what Vinmo claimed resonated with his own thoughts on what plagued Verlora. However, a monster using Avera to see? That sounded plain crazy.

The little queen rolled her shoulders. “That was it. Then he tucked back in his hole and wouldn’t come out.”

“So do you finally believe me now when I say Verlora is plagued by a deadly threat?” he queried.

“I never doubted that part.”

“Why do I hear a but?” he grumbled.

“I still have to go.”

“Even after seeing what happened to Vinmo?”

“Knowing what to expect will help me avoid it. I hope.” At least she sounded somewhat uncertain.

He turned his glare on Simhi. “I would have expected you to talk some sense into her.”

“I tried, Cap, but the queen is determined.”

“You can’t seriously think she should go,” was his incredulous rejoinder.

“What else can she do? She can’t go back to Daerva, and no matter how good she is at tinkering the engine with Garth, she doesn’t belong here.” Simhi turned to Avera. “No offense, but it’s obvious this life ain’t meant for you.”

“So you’d rather see her die,” he said bluntly.

“Why do you assume I’ll be killed?” Avera huffed. “Did it ever occur to you that I’m meant to go? What if the stones Basil stole are the reason this dragon or monster has taken up residence? Could be their removal sends it back to sleep.”

“Or it relocates. Have you even stopped to think that if these rocks you seek attracted this beast, taking them will have it following you? To Daerva.”

Avera’s lips pinched. “There’s no way of knowing anything until I find them.”

“You’re so fucking stubborn,” he snapped. “I swear, I am almost tempted to take you there.”

Avera’s lips pursed. “I hear a but.”

“But then I’d have to live with the fact I didn’t prevent you from sacrificing yourself on a foolish quest,” he barked. For some reason, that mattered.

“My life is my business, not yours,” Avera yelled back.

“You’re under my care.”

“Only because you kidnapped me!”

“I think I’m going to see if the cook has some treats.” Simhi slipped away while they argued.

“I regret that choice every day,” he growled.

“There’s an easy fix. Drop me off in Verlora, then you won’t have to deal with me anymore.”

“No.”

“Why must you be so annoying about this?”

“Why must you ignore all the evidence?” They stood toe to toe, him leaning slightly down so as to better scowl in her face.

“Because I have no choice. My kingdom is besieged on two fronts. My family murdered. My life and well-being threatened. I have to do something.”

He heard and understood her frustration for it plagued him as well. A leader without a country. A son who felt as if he should have done more for his father. A man who wanted nothing more than to give his people back the home they’d lost.

Emotion seethed within him, boiled over, and what did he do?

He gave in to the urge inundating him since the first day when she’d stood up to him. He grabbed Avera and dragged her upwards, slanting his mouth against hers, a touch to electrify the senses.

It might have ended quickly had she reacted negatively. To his surprise, her arms curled around his neck, her lips softened against his, and she kissed him back.

He was kissing the one woman he shouldn’t.

“The little tiara will stick a knife in you.”

His mother’s words rose to haunt him, and he thrust Avera from him and stalked away. Kept stomping out of the castle and down into the town where his glower kept people from talking to him. He didn’t stop until he reached the pier and noticed a flurry of activity aboard Captain Koonis’ ship. They must be readying to depart.

Good. Of all the vessels docked, The Emperor’s Folly was the only one he worried about. With it gone, he knew those that remained, primarily owned and manned by residents of Saarpira, would never dare to steal his queen.

Yes, his. And he wasn’t about to question that feeling. Not now. Maybe not ever.

He boarded his nameless ship, whose previous identity was stripped as per tradition when one captain passed on their vessel to another. Despite convention, he’d never given it a proper name. The crew had. They called it The Griffon when he wasn’t in earshot. He, however, didn’t give in and agree because to give it a title would perversely affirm it belonged to him, that this would be his life. A pirate forever stealing. A privateer with no true home.

If only Avera could truly fix things. If he thought for a moment she could….

He’d kidnap her.

In that moment it occurred to him why he’d taken her. Why he’d wanted her in his care. Kreed was right. A tiny part of him did wonder if she could pull off a miracle. After all, she’d destroyed an object of evil in Seaserpent Bay with simply a few drops of blood. What if she was the key to getting Verlora back? It occurred to him then that his biggest objection to trying wasn’t because he thought she’d be killed—although that played a part—but because he feared having hope.

What if he let himself believe she could make a difference and he was wrong?

The epiphany followed him as he headed from the pier back through the town. As he passed various stalls, he noticed a vendor named Lonny unpacking a box of statues. Tiny crab figurines. There had to be a few dozen of them. A strange thing to bring to market, especially in such a great number.

“What are those?” he paused to ask.

“Trinkets,” Lonny said as he paused to talk to Griff.

“From whom?”

“Captain Koonis. Got them dirt cheap too. Apparently, the initial buyer who prepaid for them lost their life in a fire and so the captain wanted to get rid of them.”

As Griff left, he noticed Lonny’s stall wasn’t the only one selling miniature statues. Three others appeared to be setting up displays. He’d probably hear them all whining once they realized they’d all stocked the same item. A city their size wouldn’t have the buyers for so many frivolous items. When they came to complain, and they would—the part of leadership he despised most—he’d explain it was not his problem. Griff couldn’t control what people purchased, and whether or not another vendor sold the same thing.

Kreed caught up to Griff on his way to the castle.

“Hey, Cap.” Kreed slowed his stride to keep pace. “You’re looking serious. What’s preying on your mind?”

His friend knew him so well. “If I were to agree to take the little queen to Verlora and go ashore with her, would you promise to take care of the ship and Saarpira if I don’t return?”

Kreed tripped. Unusual for a man light on his feet. Griff waited while his friend picked himself off the ground.

“Clumsy. That’s not like you,” Griff remarked.

“Yeah, well, what do you expect when you throw a verbal smack at me,” Kreed groused.

“Hardly a punch. I’d have said it was an honor that you’re the first person I thought of to take over after me.”

“Let’s back up a second. You’re going to Verlora? Since when?”

“I might be.” Griff paused to better explain the sudden change of his mind. “It occurs to me that I’ve been in a holding pattern for far too long, waiting for something to change. Verlora isn’t going to fix itself, and the first person I met who claimed she might be able to effect change, I blew off.”

“Because going there is dangerous.”

“Yup, the excuse I’ve been using my whole life. But here’s the thing, it won’t stop being dangerous until someone acts. Just like I’ll never know the truth if I keep avoiding it.”

“So we’re going to Verlora.”

“Technically, only me and Avera. I’ll want everyone else to remain on the ship,” Griff insisted.

“You can’t be serious about going alone.”

“Avera’s a good fighter,” Griff reminded him.

“You’re just two people.”

“Exactly. I’m thinking a small group might be better able to sneak in.”

Kreed stared at him. “You’re fucking serious.”

“Very.”

“What happened to Verlora being a lost cause and anyone who goes will die?”

Griff rocked on his heels before answering. “Maybe it is false hope, and maybe I will meet death, hence why I asked you to take over if I don’t return. but you know what’s worse than dying? Not knowing. Not truly living. Being afraid of the truth. I want to find out what happened to my father. What caused Mount Etna to blow. What’s hiding on the isle, killing those who dare walk its shores. I just can’t believe it took a ballsy little queen for me to realize I needed closure.”

“I know as your friend I should tell you to give your head a shake, but honestly, I agree. You ain’t happy, Cap. I mean, you’re good at the pirate thing and all, but this isn’t the life you were supposed to have.”

“But it is a life. Doing this might very well end it.”

“Or you’ll do something so epic they’ll be singing about you for centuries.”

“That’s not exactly a selling point.” Griff grimaced.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the ballad is wildly inappropriate.”

“Not helping.”

“It will be great. Maybe we’ll have a verse along the lines of, ‘He swung his very big weapon, and felled the mighty beast. The queen was so happy, she gave his sword a squeeze.’”

Griff winced. “Really rethinking my decision.”

Laughter boomed from Kreed. “It needs a little polishing.”

“Little?” Griff replied, but he also grinned.

“When are you going to tell the queen?” Kreed asked as they neared the castle.

“Soon. First, I want to make sure the ship is ready and loaded, and that Koonis is long gone.”

“Worried he’ll come after us?”

“Something like that.”

“Given they’ll be setting sail either today or tomorrow, I should hustle back to the pier and see about getting us ready to go.”

“Don’t tell anyone about our destination,” Griff warned.

“You’re not going to keep it secret from the crew, are you?” Kreed frowned with disapproval.

“I plan to tell them but not until we’re ready to leave. Any who don’t want to come can disembark.”

“Ain’t no one letting you sail to Verlora alone,” Kreed predicted.

“Does that mean you won’t be forcing Simhi to stay behind?”

“I wish,” Kreed sighed. “But any attempt to coddle my little sister will be met with a painful shot to the balls.”

“She’ll make a great first mate.”

Kreed shoved Griff. “Don’t even say it! First, you’re not croaking. Second, we both know she’d sweet talk me into making her captain while I’d be swabbing the deck.”

A grin tugged Griff’s lips. “Kind of reminds me of how she convinced me to let her join the crew.”

“After stowing away on board.” Kreed shook his head. “If she ever finds a husband, he’ll need the patience of a sand spider.” A creature that could spend days lying still, waiting for their prey.

“I pity more your future wife. Simhi won’t let just anyone marry her brother.”

“Don’t I know it. She told that lovely lass that popped in on that freighter a few months ago to keep her grubby paws off me because I deserved better.” Kreed’s said mournfully.

They all deserved the best, and Griff wasn’t so stuck up his own arse that he didn’t recognize the fact they’d never achieve that on Saarpira.

Odd how the decision to possibly unalive himself in a futile quest left his step lighter than it had been in forever. It might have something to do with the kiss as well. A kiss that made him panic. A kiss that exploded the senses. A kiss that changed everything.

And who cared if his mother predicted calamity. What was the point of living if he couldn’t have some pleasure?