Cuckoo birds intent to do none of the work but cause as much pain as they could.
A month later, his mother would marry the King of Luscinia.
It would also be the day the games began.
Present Day – Catastro Sea
Griffin anxiously held the dress and robe in his arms as he fell back into the present. He knew Raven wasn’t going to be happy with it, that she was going to be even less enthused with the plan. And he wondered how Julian would react.
But they didn’t have a choice. He already heard the news.
The High Priestess was awaiting their arrival on the shores of Grypheem. It wouldn’t be long before Luscinia caught wind. They already knew of Raven, the live stream from the games had ensured that, but it would be solidified.
And then there were the Creators to contend with. Their trial, he doubted, would be an easy affair.
Walking down the passageway, his anger increased with every step. At the fact that his future wife had spent the night away from him. With another man. Othermen.
Levi was outside her room, leveling out some of his rage, but when Griffin went to open the door, Levi attempted to stop him.
“I wouldn’t—”
Griffin ignored him, shouldering past.
And there she was.
His future wife.
In bed with another man.
Naked.
Their limbs tangled, the evidence of their actions clear as day.
His rage clouded his vision for several beats, and he had to force it out. His upbringing had convoluted his mindset, enforcing the belief that if he found a woman, he must claim her before another could or she would be pilfered away.
It tore into him at that moment, stole his breath, clouded his judgment.
“Griffin, get out,” Raven snapped, covering herself in the blanket.
But it was too little.
Griffin’s cock was hard as steel. His two heads at war with what he wanted.
Too late.
The loudest part of him implored him to march into that room, to fill her with his cum, to imprint into her that she would be his.
To claim her.
That thought was not his own, but one placed there from years of indoctrination and he shook it free. It was what brought him out of his spiraling.
“You need to wear this. Both of you. Be ready in thirty minutes on deck. We are landing.” He threw the clothes on the bed and then turned on his heel, marching away. Each step felt as if he were stomping through thick mud. As if it weren’t mud at all, but quick sand that didn’t want him to escape. He did not stop until he was leaning out over the banister, watching his country get bigger and bigger.
Except it didn’t feel like his country.
Violencia had become his home long ago, and now he was a practical stranger to where he grew up.
This time he heard his brother’s approach. “Player 32, Amelia, she’s awake, but she can’t appear to speak. The acid damaged her face further than originally estimated. They’re keeping it mostly covered in bandages for the next month while it heals. But she won’t allow the doctor near her to do much else. Felix is still on guard as requested.”
