The Gryphon King's Consort by Jenn Burke

Author:Jenn Burke [Burke, Jenn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-920-8
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

THE next day found the marketplace of Soladoro surprisingly busy, given that it was Mating Day. The majority of Soladoro’s inhabitants were gryphons, and therefore observing or involved in the mating flights happening in the foothills near the mountain at the center of the island. But Soladoro was home to many other mythos of the kingdom as well.

It was still odd to know exactly what a person was at a single glance—that shopkeeper, a nature spirit, that café owner, a centaur. Luca had survived for two centuries without that knowledge, and he wished Arran had given him some warning that it would crowd his perceptions.

Eirian walked beside him. He wasn’t bouncing, but the energy pouring off him suggested he wanted to. Luca could appreciate his excitement. There was nothing quite like Soladoro’s market, where mythos culture and creativity were celebrated and displayed proudly, rather than subdued, as they were in predominantly human markets. Oh, mythos artisans were in human cities, but they held back and didn’t shout their existence too loudly. Mother knew what sort of reaction it would bring. Despite the power of mythos, they were few in number, and humans were as populous as rabbits.

“You’re scowling.” Eirian bumped his shoulder against Luca’s.

“Am I? I don’t mean to be.” And truly he didn’t. Though the past few days had been trying in various ways, he was content—happy, even. He’d edged toward ecstatic at Eirian’s giggles the day before, but thankfully that ridiculous emotion ebbed quickly.

A gryphon’s cry echoed faintly through the market, and all noise dimmed for a moment as the crowd waited and seemed to hold its collective breath. Then there was the answering scream of victory. Another successful mating dance. Luca noted the wistful look on Eirian’s face, and for the first time since his husband had broached the topic of mating, he felt regret.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

Eirian started and came back to himself. “For what?”

Luca sighed and waved a hand ineffectually. “For the fact that you won’t get to experience that.”

“What’s it like?”

“Honestly it’s a blur. I think it is for everyone. Instinct takes over, and your human mind is pushed farther aside than ever before. You’re you, yet not.” Luca grimaced. “It’s difficult to explain.”

“One of those things you have to live in order to understand.”

“Yes. I’m—”

“Don’t apologize again,” Eirian said with a smile. “It is what it is. I don’t think I could have withstood the rigors of the flight anyway after my fall. It can be violent, yes?”

“It’s a battle,” Luca confirmed. “And you’ve healed well, but you’re still tender. It would have been difficult to be successful.”

“Mostly I wanted to know I helped to further our people. I feel like….” Eirian looked down. “Like I’m not worthy of standing beside you if I don’t.”

They made their way more slowly down the sloped street, caught up in their own heads. It struck Luca how much Eirian had given up to rush to Montréal on little more than a moment’s notice—his livelihood, his dreams.

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