Chapter 8
“Okay, so it’s like… a family thing,” Natasha said, as she sat on the threadbare sofa in the sitting room of the house, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. “You grandparents were griffins, your parents are griffins,you’rea griffin. I think I get it.”
Kieran had insisted on getting her something to eat and drink after everything that had happened – and, sure enough, as soon as the adrenaline had worn off, Natasha had found that she needed it. Her hands had started shaking, her knees wobbling, and Kieran had had to catch her as she made her way up the front stairs of the house.
He still hadn’t forgotten the feel of her body pressed against his as he’d helped her up to the front door – but he pushed the sensation from his mind before he could linger too long on it. Right now, he needed to concentrate,notbe thinking about just how much he wanted to take Natasha in his arms and show her just how grateful he was that she believed him – and how relieved he was that she wassafe, here with him in his house.
We protected our mate,his griffin crooned, flexing its wings.We mustalwaysprotect our mate. She must never leave our side again!
Well, it’s nice that you’re saying thatnow,Kieran told it, trying to keep the grimace off his face in case Natasha thought he was grimacing ather. He didn’t need to cause any more problems.Why did you make things so difficult?
The griffindidseem a little contrite, he supposed, but he waited to see if it had anything more to say for itself.
I am… sorry,it eventually managed to get out, but then, Kieran supposed apologies didn’t come naturally to enormous mythical creatures.I wanted to know if you were serious about your promises. I wanted to keep us here. This place is… our home. The city isn’t that for us at all.
Kieran clenched his fists.But how was keeping us from Natasha going to convince me of anything?
I am sorry for that too,the griffin said.I was fearful. Fearful that you wouldn’t take our bond with her seriously, just as you haven’t taken the bond we share seriously. I have been ignored, told my needs were not important. I needed to know that you would see the bond with our mate as the most important thing in our lives, and never give it up.
So… you were intentionally testing me?Kieran asked it, which was at least an explanation that made some kind of sense. Even if it had nearly blown things between them.
I hope you can forgive me,the griffin said after a moment.But I have been neglected for so long. I did not know how else to bring your attention to the seriousness of the situation. I needed to know you wouldn’t simply return to the city and forget.
Swallowing, Kieran felt guilt pierce through his heart. He understood now – both what the griffin had been doing, and his own role in having made it so unhappy in the first place.
I’m sorry too,he told it.I was wrong, and I have definitely neglected you. I promise it won’t happen again. And I promise I understand how important Natasha is.
Thatwas a slight understatement, Kieran thought as he looked at Natasha where she sat on the couch, drinking her coffee and munching on the food he’d brought her. His chest flooded with love at the sight of her, and relief at the fact she was safe.
Then… you will stay by her side, protect her, never leaving her even for a moment?the griffin asked him.
That might have been a bit too much to ask, Kieran thought, but he hoped that Natashawouldlet him protect her from now on. Not that she needed it necessarily, but hewoulddo everything in his power to always keep her safe from harm – that is, if she accepted him as her mate.
Which he still hadn’t actually told her that shewas.
So far, all he’d said to her was to explain more about shifters, and how he’d come to be one; how the world of shifters worked, and how no, he hadn’t been bitten by a were-griffin on a full moon, he’d been born a shifter because his parents – his entire family, in fact – were shifters.
She’d listened to him attentively, her eyes widening at times, but she hadn’t interrupted him, and she clearly wanted to learn more.
But before I say anything else, I really have to tell her the truth about what we are to each other. I have to ask if she’ll accept me as her mate.
He wasn’t really sure how to start that conversation, however – until, unexpectedly, Natasha provided him with the answer herself.
“So… you said that your griffin, uh, sensed that I was in trouble, and that was how you were able to fly to me so quickly and rescue me,” she said contemplatively, looking into her coffee mug. “Which, by the way, I really can’t thank you enough for. But… is that something you can do with everyone? You just sense when people are in trouble and you come to give them a hand?”
Kieran shook his head, swallowing. Well, he guessed, it was now or never.
“No. I can’t sense whenever anyone, anywhere in the world is in trouble and come flying to their rescue,” he said. “Though obviously if Isawsomeone in trouble and they could only be saved by me in griffin form, I’d find a way to do it, even if it meant revealing myself. Butsensingsomeone in trouble… no. That was only you.”
Natasha’s head shot up, her eyes widening. “Oh?” she said, blinking. “Uh, is there, um, a reason for that?”
Nodding, Kieran leaned forward. He wanted very badly to take Natasha’s hand, but he restrained himself. So far she’d taken everything he had to tell her in stride. But who knew how she’d react to finding out she was a griffin’s mate?
“Yes, there is. And it might sound a little bit crazy at first, but I promise you, it’s true.”
Natasha let out a shaky laugh. “Well, okay. But to be honest, I’ve had enough of doubting your word. So whatever it is, I can tell you now I’ll probably believe it.”
Well,Kieran thought,let’s hope so. And more than that, let’s hope youlikeit.
