Page 40 of Queen's Griffon

Laughter boomed from Kreed. “It needs a little polishing.”

“Little?” Griff replied, but he also grinned.

“When are you going to tell the queen?” Kreed asked as they neared the castle.

“Soon. First, I want to make sure the ship is ready and loaded, and that Koonis is long gone.”

“Worried he’ll come after us?”

“Something like that.”

“Given they’ll be setting sail either today or tomorrow, I should hustle back to the pier and see about getting us ready to go.”

“Don’t tell anyone about our destination,” Griff warned.

“You’re not going to keep it secret from the crew, are you?” Kreed frowned with disapproval.

“I plan to tell them but not until we’re ready to leave. Any who don’t want to come can disembark.”

“Ain’t no one letting you sail to Verlora alone,” Kreed predicted.

“Does that mean you won’t be forcing Simhi to stay behind?”

“I wish,” Kreed sighed. “But any attempt to coddle my little sister will be met with a painful shot to the balls.”

“She’ll make a great first mate.”

Kreed shoved Griff. “Don’t even say it! First, you’re not croaking. Second, we both know she’d sweet talk me into making her captain while I’d be swabbing the deck.”

A grin tugged Griff’s lips. “Kind of reminds me of how she convinced me to let her join the crew.”

“After stowing away on board.” Kreed shook his head. “If she ever finds a husband, he’ll need the patience of a sand spider.” A creature that could spend days lying still, waiting for their prey.

“I pity more your future wife. Simhi won’t let just anyone marry her brother.”

“Don’t I know it. She told that lovely lass that popped in on that freighter a few months ago to keep her grubby paws off me because I deserved better.” Kreed’s said mournfully.

They all deserved the best, and Griff wasn’t so stuck up his own arse that he didn’t recognize the fact they’d never achieve that on Saarpira.

Odd how the decision to possibly unalive himself in a futile quest left his step lighter than it had been in forever. It might have something to do with the kiss as well. A kiss that made him panic. A kiss that exploded the senses. A kiss that changed everything.

And who cared if his mother predicted calamity. What was the point of living if he couldn’t have some pleasure?

Chapter 13

Avera

The kiss proved morepleasant than Avera could have imagined.

Unexpected, as well.

She’d been so intent on verbally sparring with the captain that when he swooped down to press his lips against hers, she’d not thought to slap or shove or even stop the embrace. Why would she when it made her toes curl?

In the past, she’d assumed the flowery descriptions and the ladies fanning themselves as they discussed the more intimate aspects of love to be exaggerated. After all, the mashing of lips with spit and all, and in some cases bad breath, didn’t appear appetizing.

Then Griff did it and now Avera wondered what else might feel pleasurable. Her friend, Josslyn, had straight out said she enjoyed lovemaking and sought out lovers. Perhaps Avera should think of doing the same, sooner than later. After all, she would eventually find a way off Saarpira, and if she did make it to Verlora, there was no guarantee she’d ever leave. Did she want to die untouched? She knew who she’d like to be her first—and possibly only. However, Griff had stormed off as if she mightgive him the plague. She could never tell what went through that man’s head, although the term overprotective came to mind.

The way he acted proved to be kind of novel given she’d been left to her devices for so long. Other than Gustav, she couldn’t recall anyone who’d cared what happened to her. Now, she had Griffon, Garth, Kreed, Monty, and Simhi, speaking of whom…

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