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Lulabelle’s wide grin softened into something more understanding. “I am pleased to hear it. As you know, Keir, the gryphon hierarchy will not be so pleased, but they’re stuffy and their ideas are antiquated. Good on you for following your heart.”
Cheeks stained red and head slightly bent, Keir answered a muffled “thank you.”
Turning her attention back to Eldon and his two self-appointed protectors, Lulabelle held her hands in front of her, palms up. “I mean him no harm, young ones, and thank you for protecting him when I could not.”
Lulabelle’s words appeared to take the wind out of Vi and Blu’s wings. Settling, they twittered before easing into positions of quiet attentiveness. That settled, Lulabelle turned her attention back to Eldon. “Now, cousin, tell me what really happened to Aunt Lavinia.”
Eldon’s eyes glistened before fat tears rolled down his cheeks. Stretching her neck, Vi licked the tears closest to her, cooing softly. Blu took up the sound as well. A quiet rumbling that sounded similar to a cat’s purr.
With a deep inhale, Eldon spoke, revealing the true events that lead to their mother’s death. Lulabelle quietly sat, her hands clenched and knuckles white. Jaw tight and eyes narrowed, the quiet fury filling Lulabelle’s expression would indeed add fuel to her grandmother’s ire. Eldon’s words placed the target of the wrath fully on the individuals who deserved it most—Jaakobah and Hunapo. Keir’s father could claim disease as the culprit. Jaakobah had no one and nothing to blame but selfish greed.
Eldon received another less crushing hug when he finished speaking. Placing a chaste kiss on Eldon’s forehead, Lulabelle stood on wooden legs. “It’s time to return,” she said, her voice having lost any of its former jovial qualities.
The journey back to the surface was far more silent than the descent into the compound had been. When we reached the reception room on the surface, Lulabelle checked the time before turning to Keir. “Whatever you decide, we’ll support you. Grandmother has to be careful, so it may not always appear that way, but I assure you, when you need us, we’ll be there, fighting for you.” Stepping closer, Lulabelle glanced at me before taking Keir’s hands in hers. “I have a couple more minutes.” Drawing in a deep breath, Lulabelle said, “I have no qualms with your relationship with Lazarus. Others will not be so understanding. We may not have spoken of it directly, but I know that you plan on taking him with you.” Lulabelle gave a wry grin. “In fact, I do not believe Lazarus will allow you out of his sight, let alone go to Europe on your own to face Jaakobah.”
“I plan to challenge him for leadership,” Keir said, placing our cards on the table. “He’ll claim I have no right because I am exiled.”
Lulabelle shook her head, her grin turning a little wicked. “He’s already claimed he wants to bond with you. Jaakobah’s so confident that he’s already sent out notifications to different flights that you’ve accepted.”
Fire filled my belly, exiting my mouth as smoke. A low growl rumbled up from deep below earning me a wink from Lulabelle. “Just as I thought,” she said on a note of laughter that quickly died. “Given that Jaakobah has accepted you back into the flight already, he will have no basis to deny your claim of combat.” Lulabelle tilted her head to the side, eyes sharp. “But you already knew that didn’t you, cousin?”
“I was unaware that Jaakobah had already alerted the other flights. For the record, I have not accepted his proposal, however, I plan to do so on the condition that he can defeat me in the challenge circle.”
Lulabelle sucked in a harsh breath. “That is a dangerous path.”
“I won’t argue the point. But it is the only path I can see that keeps Phina safe.”
Lulabelle agreed with a reluctant nod. Patting their joined hands, Lulabelle pulled away. “Lazarus, you will be welcome at our flight should you need somewhere to lie low yet be nearby. I will tell Grandmother all I’ve learned. As I said, when you need us, we’ll be there. It may be difficult to believe considering what happened when you left your flight, but you are not alone, Keir.”
“Thank you, Lulabelle. It was good to see you again.”
“And you, cousin,” Lulabelle answered as she went to grasp the doorhandle. When the door opened of its own accord, Lulabelle released a hushed gasp. “This is indeed an unusual place, Keir.”
“You have no idea,” Keir softly answered as we watched the door close, encasing us in safety.
“That didn’t go as expected,” I said after several seconds of quiet.
“Thank the Goddess for that,” Keir answered. I followed Keir’s tongue as he licked his lips. “I’m scared to hope, but…”
“But you hope anyway.”
“I do,” Keir answered.
Coming from behind, I wrapped Keir in my arms, tugging him close. “That’s the beauty of hope. It’s just as stubbornly tenacious as all the negative emotions filling our daily lives. Maybe more so.”
“That doesn’t make it any less dangerous,” Keir quietly argued.
“No, but it does light up the darkest night.”
Keir grunted. “Is that what Jaakobah has done? Turned day to night?”
“It’s what he’s attempting to do,” I answered. “Jaakobah uses the darkness to hide within, to keep those around him from properly seeing what his true objectives and motivations are. Together, we will build a bonfire, lighting that darkness and exposing Jaakobah for what he is.”
A full body shiver ran through Keir, and I hugged him all the tighter. “Some will remain blind.”
“There are always those that refuse to see, those that would rather believe the lies that suit them best. It is a curse every species is afflicted by. Some are more easily swayed than others, but it is a disease all the same.”
Releasing a heavy sigh, Keir leaned into me, allowing my body to bear his weight. “Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I think I’ve always wondered if it would come to this. I’d hoped not. I’d hoped my flight would see reason—that my father would discover the truth. I never expected an apology. I would have been happy simply knowing that Jaakobah had been exiled, that he had no further sway over the ones I loved. That seems a foolish hope now.”
