“The way you and Mother talk, you make it sound like I’ve been chained up here.”
Ash regarded him seriously. “Not all chains are made of metal.”
Astar flushed, realizing his clumsy words might’ve seemed to hint at Ash’s past, when he’d lived in an actual prison. “I didn’t mean to—”
“You didn’t,” Ash interrupted kindly. “It’s not the life we would’ve picked for you is all. You were named heir to this throne before you were days old—a heavy burden for anyone, let alone a little kid. I always kind of hoped that would change.”
“Fortunately, you and Mom have seven more bratlings back at Windroven to train up for the throne of Avonlidgh,” Astar replied with a fond smile for his many half-siblings. Ami had more than lived up to the mother aspect of being Glorianna’s avatar.
“Aye, and your mother would love it to be you or Nilly to succeed her in Avonlidgh, but you’re for the high throne, and Nilly bears the mark of the Tala, wherever that will take her. Still, that’s not what I’m trying to say.” Ash paused, squinting at the sky. A man of few words, he still sometimes struggled to express himself. “Zephyr is a beautiful woman,” he said—and very little could’ve shocked Astar more. “A talented shapeshifter, too.”
Now Astar was the one to struggle for words. “Ah… You don’t need to be concerned. I know my duty to the high throne.”
Ash winced. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” He glanced at Ami, love and desire naked in his green eyes. “I’m going to give you the best piece of advice I know—a lesson it took me way too long to learn.”
“All right,” Astar replied cautiously.
Ash leaned in close, dropping his hoarse voice to a confiding whisper. “Fuck the rules.”
~ 10 ~
The triumphant thrill of her parting shot at Astar lasted about ten steps—before Zeph crashed into misery and remorse. She’d been so determined to be cool and poised with Astar, but one look at him had sent those noble ambitions scattering to the winds. He’d had the utter gall to stare at her like he wanted to kiss her—and more. If anyone else had looked at her with such naked desire, Zeph would have taken them by the hand and led them straight to bed.
But not Astar, nooo… He’d just torment them both with his stupid rules and ridiculous honor. So she’d gone and said those unforgivable things. She hadn’t planned to, but her temper had flown away from her. Probably it hadn’t been wise to spend so long in gríobhth form, flying instead of sleeping. The gríobhth had little patience for human vicissitudes, and some sleep might’ve been helpful to bring her down to earth again. Though she’d felt good until she saw him. Especially when he’d run so very hot on her when she’d been reconciled to cold indifference.
“Infuriating bear,” she snarled under her breath.
“I advised you to stop chasing Astar,” her mother said, putting an arm around her in an affectionate hug. “I believe I’ve predicted more than once that it would only bring you grief.”
“Yes, but I don’t listen to your advice, remember?” Zeph teased her mom, turning to give her a full hug, just to make sure Karyn knew it was a joke. The way Zeph’s day was going, she’d offend everyone before it was done. “It’s a Tala tradition to ignore our mothers to our peril.”
Karyn sighed, squeezing her, then letting her go so she could scrutinize her daughter’s appearance. “True, but that’s because so many Tala don’t grow up with mothers,” she replied sternly. “In Dasnarian tradition, you would’ve grown up surrounded by women giving you advice. Sisters, aunts, your father’s other wives, who would also want to mother you.”
“No wonder you escaped,” Zeph replied with a mock shudder. “Sounds horrifying.”
Her mother shook her head. “You are entirely too much like your father.”
“You love my father,” Zeph had to point out.
Karyn sighed, a dreamy sound to it. “I do love him.” She fixed that stern look on her daughter again. “But he is still irreverent, irresponsible, and prone to chasing after whatever shiny object—”
“Talking about me, gréine?” Zyr put his arms around Karyn’s waist from behind, pulling her against him and fastening his teeth on her ear, making nibbling sounds as he did.
“Oh, you,” she exclaimed, wriggling but not trying to escape. “The pair of you spent all night in gríobhth form, didn’t you?”
Zyr caught Zeph’s eye with a rueful smile. “It was a pretty moon. And technically the mossbacks kept us up most of the night with their rituals. In the end, it was only a few hours until dawn.” He winked at Zeph, since they’d kept flying well past dawn, enjoying the brilliant sunrise high above the winter weather.
“No one saw us,” Zeph assured her mother.
“I’m sure you were careful,” Karyn replied, putting her hands over Zyr’s and leaning her head back on his shoulder, craning her neck so she could see his face. “Weren’t you?”
“With our precious daughter, always,” he replied gravely.
She let out a breath and nodded, still looking unhappy as she fastened her intent gaze once again on Zeph. “I worry about you, being out there on your own. And for such a frivolous reason. Why this sudden trip?”
“Mother,” Zeph said in exasperation. “This is just for fun. I won’t get into any trouble. Besides, I’m an adult woman and—”
“Adult women can get into plenty of trouble,” Karyn argued.
“And besides,” Zeph repeated over her, “I won’t be on my own. I’ll be with six other people, including other shapeshifters capable of fighting forms, a couple of warriors, and two scary sorceresses. And I’m a gríobhth—no one messes with us.”
Zyr grinned at her, but Karyn’s expression hardened. “Don’t be overconfident. The high priestess of Deyrr took your father captive in gríobhth form, and he was—”
“I know, I know,” Zeph interrupted as her father looked pained. “I’ve heard the story countless times. But that priestess is dead, and the god laid to rest. We are going to be sightseeing and visiting fancy courts. You worry too much.”
Karyn drew herself up, managing to look down her nose at her taller daughter, fully the former imperial princess of Dasnaria now. “You be careful of that impertinent tongue you inherited from your father, too, young lady. You don’t know everything about the world. If you did, you’d know that gods are eternal. Deyrr may yet return. Even if He doesn’t, there are other dangers in the world, even greater ones than we know.”
Behind her, Zyr was silently flapping his lips, sobering instantly when Karyn pinned him with a glare. “You are not helping,” she hissed.
“Gréine,” he said on a sigh, turning her to face him—and not incidentally removing Karyn’s escalating worry-focus from her daughter, “Zephyr is capable of taking care of herself, and so are her friends. They’re going on a little jaunt is all.”
“Am I stopping her?” Karyn demanded.
Zyr lifted a brow at her in reply.
“Oh, stop that,” she told him irritably, pulling out of his hands and frowning at Astar a distance off, deep in conversation with Queen Amelia. “I know you’re not a virgin, Zeph, and—”
“Mother,” Zeph said warningly as Zyr clapped a hand over his mouth, eyes dancing with laughter.
Karyn put her hands on her hips. “And I don’t expect you to be. Times have changed, and I never tried to impose Dasnarian customs on you. But that boy is—”
“Which boy?” Zeph interrupted. “His Highness Crown Prince Astar, heir to the high throne?”
“Remarkable,” her mother said drily. “You do remember to use rank and titles when you want to. I certainly hope you’ll exercise that skill when you are in foreign courts representing Her Majesty High Queen Ursula.” Karyn slid a reproving look at Zyr, who beamed innocently, then turned her expectant glare on Zeph.
“Yes, ma’am,” Zeph replied, trying to sound meek.
Karyn huffed in exasperation and took Zeph’s hands in hers. “Astar will have to marry a highbo
rn princess for the good of the Thirteen Kingdoms.”
“Why does everyone keep mentioning this to me?” Zeph wondered aloud.
“Because you’re throwing yourself at a man you can never have,” her mother replied crisply.
“I am not throwing myself—”
“He will never marry you, Zephyr,” Karyn continued in an urgent tone.
Zeph yanked her hands away, throwing them in the air. “Why does everyone think I even want to marry Astar? I don’t! I would make a terrible high queen.”
“That’s right,” Karyn agreed triumphantly, “because you are far too much like your father.” She smiled sweetly at Zyr, who clutched his heart and fell into the snow as if dead.
Karyn nudged him with the toe of her boot. “Oh, get up.”
Zyr toyed with the hem of her skirt. “I don’t know… the view is lovely from down here.”
She groaned in exasperation and stepped away, Zyr uncoiling to his feet with a grin. He tapped her on the nose. “Zephyr understands the challenges of our unusual First Form.” He slid Zeph a sly smile.
“Exactly,” Karyn said, pouncing on that point. “The gríobhth nature is possessive, passionate, and hot-headed.”
“Ah, gréine,” he murmured, tugging a strand of her long golden hair, “you say the sweetest things.”
“‘Not easily controlled’ were your exact words, as I recall,” she replied, unmoved.
“Gorgeous and with a memory like an elephant.” He grinned as she rolled her eyes.
“My point,” she said to Zeph, “is that you need to be aware of these tendencies in yourself. This isn’t a game. And if you get yourself into trouble, we won’t be there to save you.”
“Have I ever asked to be saved?” Zeph demanded pointedly.
“No,” her mother fired back, “which is part of the problem. I’d feel better if I thought you’d ask for help when you needed it.” Her face crumpled. “I know you two think I’m silly, but you are my only child, and…” Her mouth wobbled, and she didn’t finish.
“Mom.” Zeph embraced her mother, who sniffled in her distress. “Here: I promise I’ll ask for help if I need it. All right?”
“Even if you think you don’t need it,” Karyn corrected, hugging her back.
Zeph laughed. “I’ll work on that.”
“And stop chasing Astar. He’s not for you.”
“I know, I know, I know.” Still laughing, Zeph let her mother go, then hugged her father. “Don’t worry. We’re not going all that far. It’s not like we’re going to the other side of the world.” As she said the words, she wondered if that was even true.
“All right, everyone!” Astar called. “Finish the goodbyes and let’s load up!”
Zeph sat in the carriage beside Stella, with Gen and Lena across from them. From her position riding backward, she could watch Ordnung receding in the distance as they headed north on the great trade road. Though the road was smooth enough, they bounced along at a painfully slow pace. Traveling like a mossback left a great deal to be desired, and she greatly missed the stretch of wings and crisp, fresh air. Plus, even annoyed as she was with Astar, it was galling that he was avoiding her to the extent of riding in the other carriage.
“Really?” she said. “Willy’s Moratorium dictates that boys ride with boys and girls with girls?” All she’d suggested was they keep Rhy and Lena apart for a bit, not… this.
Gen gave her a narrow look. “It’s your own fault. If you hadn’t been relentlessly hunting Willy, then—”
Zeph rolled her eyes. “I was not hunting him.” Was there anyone who didn’t have an opinion about this? Jak, maybe. But he was riding with Astar in the other carriage, while Rhy took first shift scouting.
“It’s my fault,” Lena said firmly. “I caused all of this by losing sight of the excruciatingly obvious truth that Rhyian and I can never, ever, ever be together. I shouldn’t have let things go so far last night.” She rubbed her forehead, wincing as if in pain. “Also, why did I drink so much?”
“You were keeping company with shapeshifters,” Zeph reminded her. “Your metabolism just isn’t the same.”
“Shapeshifters and Jak,” Stella put in, nodding wisely. “Though he isn’t a shapeshifter, he seems to be able to drink anyone under the table. He was downing mjed like water.”
Lena groaned, looking green. “Don’t say ‘mjed.’”
“Also you performed a major magic working, Lena,” Stella said, “and followed it up with contorting your usual magic to keep up with Aunt Andi and me. That alone will give anyone a headache. Let me…” Stella leaned across the space and brushed her fingers over Lena’s hand.
“You don’t have to—ohh.” Lena let out a long sigh of pure relief and dropped her head back against the padded seat.
One good aspect of pretending to be spoiled nobles on a pleasure jaunt—they were at least traveling in style. Ursula had provided her fanciest carriages along with excellent horses and servants to drive them. It would be wonderful—if Zeph liked being driven around like a helpless lump. Maybe she could take a turn as a horse sometime… Though, ugh, harnesses.
She’d just have to savor her shifts on scout duty.
“So,” Gen said, eyeing Lena speculatively, “there was more than the kiss we saw in the feast hall. Which looked nice, don’t get me wrong, but on the sweet side. What else happened?”
Lena cracked one eye open at Gen. “I told you, I don’t want to rehash the gory details.”
“You mean, I didn’t miss the rehash?” Zeph asked, pouncing with glee. “I figured you all discussed the Rhyian Situation while I was out flying.”
“Lena begged off,” Gen explained with an annoyed huff.
Stella smiled ruefully. “Lena was tired.”
“Lena was drunk, angry, and full of regret,” Lena corrected. “And she still doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, come on,” Gen begged. “Please? For those of us who enjoyed zero romance last night and need to live vicariously through our more beautiful and glamorous friends.”
“I’m hardly glamorous,” Lena countered. “I don’t understand why you’re always putting yourself down. I’m basically a boring weather scientist, not a multitalented shapeshifter like you are.”
“Shapeshifting isn’t all that spectacular,” Gen grumbled. “And I know that, while I’m not ugly, I am the least pretty of the four of us. I don’t kid myself otherwise.”
Zeph studied Gen, assessing the truth of that. Gen had always been more concerned with relative beauty, which wasn’t something Zeph thought about a lot. Of course, Gen would argue that was because Zeph didn’t have to. With her father’s dusty brown hair, along with his strong nose and stern jaw, Gen definitely looked more mossback than Tala. But that wasn’t a bad thing. To look at her, though, no one would guess her First Form was a hummingbird, like her mother, and Zeph privately thought Gen should worry less about looks and just enjoy life more. Her blue eyes were certainly striking, a depthless indigo unusual even among the Tala, where the shade of blue or gray indicated their shapeshifting and sorcerous abilities.
Rhy was a rare exception there. His eyes were all Tala blue, and yet he had only a few forms, mainly sticking to his raven First Form. But Zyr had told Zeph—and Rhy to his face—that it wasn’t lack of ability holding Rhy back. And Zyr would know, having taught generations of Tala shapeshifters.
Stella and Lena were busily pointing out Gen’s positive physical attributes, trying to cheer her up—but Gen cut them off and pinned Zeph with a pointed look. “Zeph won’t blow sunshine up my tail. What do you say?”
“I think to the right person we are all the most beautiful in the world,” Zeph replied honestly.
Stella gave her a radiant smile, Lena nodded, and Gen burst into tears. “Oh, Gen, don’t,” Lena said, putting her arm around their friend and giving Zeph an exasperated glare. “Couldn’t you just tell her she’s pretty?”
“Gen is pretty,” Zeph protested.
“Don’t… lie…” Gen sobbed.
“I am not lying,” Zeph retorted and kicked Gen lightly on the shin.
“Ow!” Gen stopped her weeping and glared.
“Baby,” Zeph taunted. “That didn’t hurt.”
“Then why did you kick me?” Gen demanded, proving Zeph’s point.
“Because you’re being a goofball. You’re the most talented living shapeshifter, besides your mother, and including me and my dad. You’ll probably get dragon form before I do, if I get it at all. Why are you spending a moment’s thought ranking who’s prettiest among the three women who are your best friends in all the world? Be who you are.”
Gen’s face went through a series of emotional transformations worthy of the many-faced goddess. Finally, she settled on resignation. “I just really hoped last night would be different. I felt pretty in that gown—and I thought someone would notice me.”
“Who were you hoping for—anyone I know?” Lena asked.
Gen threw up her hands. “No, because I don’t know him. Astar, Jak, and Rhy all treat me as just a friend.”
“We are all friends,” Zeph pointed out.
“If not siblings and cousins,” Stella added.
“Yes, but Jak watches Stella when she’s not looking. Astar is ripping himself up wanting Zeph. And Rhy has only ever wanted Lena, hard as he’s tried all these years to change that.”
Zeph worked really hard not to look pleased about Gen’s assessment of Astar. Good. Let him rip himself up wanting her, because that gríobhth had well and truly flown.
“Rhy told me last night that he was in love with me, back then,” Lena admitted softly.
Stella clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling silver with delight. “Lena, that’s the best news! All this time we thought you’d imagined he felt more than he did.”
Lena shook her head, her generous lips in a tight line. “It’s not good news. I mean—yes, it’s good to know I didn’t completely delude myself, but he did what he did even though he loved me.”
The Golden Gryphon and the Bear Prince: An Epic Fantasy Romance (Heirs of Magic Book 1) Page 9