As an added insurance, I instructed him to lie if anyone saw us and tell them he was locking me up in the cell under Blaze’s orders. And if Blaze himself saw, then he was to tell him that my final wish was to see Noro one last time before I gave up my freedom to be Blaze’s breeding slave for all eternity.
Yeah, maybe that was a little dramatic, but I think I earned it.
Chapter 18
Noro hung his head as Torin led him down towards the cells in the basement. They were old and archaic, and he didn’t know if a gryphon from his own pride had ever been jailed there.
Maybe I’ll be the first,he thought with grim amusement.
But his mind was on Matheson. Without Noro there to protect him, would be be okay? Would he be safe?
He knew logically that Blaze wouldn’t hurt him. Even in a rage, Blaze wouldn’t do something that stupid, not to hispreciousasset.
Noro’s blood boiled thinking about it.
As Torin led him through the dark, dank halls of the underground prison, the guard sighed. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. Locking up the magic Keeper.”
“Then don’t,” Noro muttered.
Torin was grabbing the keys. “I have to. Blaze’s orders. He’ll have me as a rug if I don’t listen to him.”
Noro sensed a link of weakness in his words. He didn’t seem towantto imprison Noro, but he couldn’t go against the direct command of his king.
“I disobeyed Blaze,” Noro said, “and I’m still alive.”
“Yeah, but you’re about to be locked up, and who knows what he’ll do to you now.” Torin gestured into the cell, which was just barely gryphon sized. But Noro didn’t want to assume his human form, his weaker form. He curled his wings tightly and crawled inside.
But Torin didn’t shut the door yet. The other gryphon furrowed his brow at him. “Uh, Noro… Why aren’t you fighting back?”
“I don’t want to fight you,” Noro said honestly. “It’s Blaze I have a problem with. Not you, Torin.”
Torin frowned. “Why’d you do it? Have sex with the omega?”
Noro exhaled a sigh, fed up with the crass way everybody spoke about Matheson. “Because I love him.”
The guard watched him for a moment, his tail slowly swaying back and forth in curiosity. “Was it true, what that wolf said? That you two knew each other from before? That you protected him?”
“Torin.” Noro met his eyes. “I was there when you abducted Matheson.”
“Huh?” Torin’s mane fluffed up in surprise. “No, you weren’t. I didn’t see any gryphons there.”
“I was in my human form.” Noro assumed it now to show it to him and opened up his arms. “You were too busy with your task, and too consumed with your excitement, to notice me. But I was there.”
Noro shifted back, ignoring the cramped quarters, as Torin blinked in confusion.
“But… Why?”
“Because I knew what Blaze wanted from him.” Noro’s eyes hardened, like two golden daggers. “Do you think that’s a fair life, Torin? To be locked up against your will and bred until you die?”
Torin shuffled on his paws. “But he’s an omega.”
“Yes. And you’re an alpha. Alpha, omega… They’re words used to describepeople.Not objects.” Noro shook his head. “An alpha’s purpose is to protect. To give, rather than take.”
“Do you really care about him more than us? More than your own pride?” Torin asked, and Noro thought there was an edge of real hurt in his voice.
“If the choice comes down to lying to my pride to protect the man I love? Then yes,” Noro said sharply. “A thousand times over.”
Their conversation was cut short as a loud stomping came echoing from further up the hall. Torin quickly shut the cell door. Noro glared at Blaze as the king marched up to him, practically glowing with satisfaction.
