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“And we will do so…together.” I’d rarely been more certain of anything in my life. I would fight beside this brave, wise, sexy, just gryphon. Only death could pull me from his side, and Death would have a hell of a fight on their hand if they wished to do so.

Hand reaching back, Keir’s fingers traced their way up my neck, sliding through my hair and skimming my scalp. “I felt so dead inside before I met you. It was like my spark had gone out and I needed your fire to relight it. You’re my beautiful fire, Lazarus Azure.”

Kissing Keir’s temple, I promised, “There is no greater honor, my lovely mate. No greater honor on earth.”

My fingers slid to Keir’s neck, dipping a little lower and tracing my heart scale embedded within his skin. My once wasteful life had purpose again, and I knew better than to squander the gifts I’d been given. I would happily spend all my years being my gryphon’s fire.

Epilogue

Helios

“I do not understand this fascination you have with the ferret.”

Aurelia and I were sitting within one of Peaches’s apple trees. Fuzzy Britches’s offspring were climbing within the branches. The one known as Blanche was hanging by her tail, swinging back and forth. The scuttlebutts were interesting, and I could see the appeal.

“I do not understand it either,” I answered. Most of my attention remained on Blanche. It was fascinating watching the little scuttlebutt’s joy in such a simple activity. “Why do you think she does that?” I asked, motioning toward Blanche.

Aurelia shrugged. “I am unaware. I have attempted something similar using my legs and hooking my knees over a branch. The feeling was interesting at first but soon became uncomfortable. I did not enjoy it.”

I glanced at Fuzzy Britches sitting atop Aurelia’s head, her tail wrapped around my fellow djinn’s neck. The position often disturbed our current master, Peaches. But Peaches seemed an excitable individual at times. He was prone to dramatics. Then again, he was a pixie. Most pixies were reactive creatures.

Fuzzy Britches appeared completely content as she allowed her offspring to wander about within the tree. Given that the orchard was part of Peaches’s land and was protected by a barrier none could get through without his express permission, Fuzzy Britches’s ease was understandable.

I vaguely wondered if Jima would enjoy climbing the tree in his ferret form. Did ferrets climb trees? I didn’t know and felt the need to ask. “Do ferrets climb trees?”

“I am unaware,” Aurelia answered.

“I will need to investigate.”

Aurelia was quiet for a moment before she repeated a version of her earlier question. “You are thinking of the ferret shifter.” When I nodded, Aurelia made a tsk sound. “You are often thinking of that creature.”

She wasn’t wrong. “I will not argue that point.”

“Why?” There was no malice or judgment, simply curiosity.

“I do not know.” I shifted my weight and the dog tags hanging around my neck clinked together. “It is…frustrating. I am concerned about his well-being. Jima is far too fragile. How does such a creature survive?” I found it unbelievable that something so defenseless and fragile could live to adulthood.

“Unknown,” Aurelia answered. “If you are concerned, then it is a good thing you obtained the summoning charm from Warlock Kines. He seems a capable individual for his species.”

“The charm worked,” I agreed, my voice rough with my simmering anger. “Jima was damaged.” I wasn’t certain if I could feel regret or not. I certainly did not feel regret over the wyvern deaths I’d caused.

I knew Aurelia would understand my actions. I’d been uncertain regarding Peaches. The pixie seemed the moral type, and I assumed he’d take issue with the wyvern deaths. I’d silently dared him to punish me, to tighten the reigns and start pushing his will upon me. Oddly, Peaches had done no such thing. He’d cocked his head, stared at me with a small frown, and said, “I need to investigate the situation.” A day later he came to me and thanked me for protecting Jima and the others.

I do not believe Peaches is a creature who enjoys violence, but surprisingly, he does not shy away from its necessity.

“Have you visited the ferret shifter recently?” Aurelia asked.

“Once. It is difficult. The barrier is a hindrance.” One of my tattoos flared to life, lighting up the evening sky. Frustration filled me. “I must keep my emotions tightly controlled if I desire to see him within the confines of the barrier.” While I did not hold any ill will toward Jima, it was difficult to keep such thoughts under control when I considered the others who had not protected him.

“Understandable,” Aurelia calmly answered while stroking Fuzzy Britches’s tail.

I did not like the uncertainty thoughts of Jima created within me nor did I understand this overwhelming desire to protect him. It was, at best, vexing. Aurelia had been out of her object of attachment longer than me. She’d gained more experience as well, and so I asked, “Do you have any advice?”

Aurelia’s quiet contemplation was interrupted by the scuttlebutts’ play. “You must spend more time with this Jima. Perhaps then, your interest will be clarified.”

The idea held more appeal than I would like to admit. “The barrier is a problem.”

For the first time, Aurelia turned her head ever so slightly, her Caribbean blue eyes alight from within. “Work the problem. We are djinn. There is no force on earth we cannot eventually overcome.”

An odd sense of peace filled me. Or perhaps it was simply the absence of confusion. Aurelia was right. I was djinn and djinn always got what they wanted in the end. Now, I just needed to figure out what that want was.