Page 58 of Wings of Ash & Flame
But this was the first time she’d seen one in person.
With the head and wings of an eagle, the rest of the griffin’s form gave way to the sleek, muscular build of a lion, complete with a tufted tail.
She was a goner.
“Careful,” Dawson warned. “He doesn’t take kindly to strangers.”
But Alaire didn’t feel threatened. She was still riding the high of discovery—of flame and power, of something impossible made real.
Emboldened, she stepped forward.
“His name is Beck,” Dawson said.
She reached out slowly, letting the creature decide. The griffin bowed his head in acceptance.
“How do you know?” she asked, not daring to take her eyes off the griffin.
“He’smine.”
Of course he was. Dark, dangerous, and undeniably lethal. Just like his flier.
But the way Dawson claimed him—with quiet ferocity—made her breath catch. A traitorous lick of desire slid down her spine.
For one reckless moment, she let herself wonder what it would be like to be claimed with that same intensity, like nothing and no one else in the world mattered.
Alaire’s fingers trailed through the fine feathers on Beck’s head as she murmured soft, cooing sounds he seemed to enjoy. Her movements were gentle, reverent.
Dawson watched—speechless. Alaire couldn’t help but smirk.
She found a spot just beneath Beck’s neck that he liked. He leaned into her touch, nails scraping the earth. The more she scratched, the more he arched into her. A low rumble vibrated through his chest.
“He likes you.” Dawson cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. He looked toward the windows of the atrium.
“Whatever body rub you’re giving him”—his voice dropped, rough and uneven, his gaze lingering on her a beat too long—“he’s… enjoying it.”
Why did he sound so pained? Surely, he wasn’t jealous of his griffin.
Beck’s tail wrapped around her ankles, tugging her closer. She had to clutch his feathers to keep from falling over.
“He’s spectacular.”
“He is,” Dawson agreed. “I wouldn’t have survived my first year—amongst other things—without him.”
“Other things?”
She tried to disentangle herself from Beck, but he swung his beak around her. Alaire froze, worried he might peck at her. Instead, he nudged her arm, clearly urging her to continue.
A giggle escaped her lips; she couldn’t help it. This magnificent creature was a big ol’ baby.
“Turns out, the human can laugh.”
Alaire flipped him off. “She can. Though not because of anything you’ve ever done. That would require you to have an actual personality.” Soon, she’d be able to singe off his gorgeous raven locks.
“Why haven’t I seen more creatures around?”
“Connected to the Versaille Labryinths is a designated space for the celestials called the Sanctuaries. Enchanted to adapt to each creature’s preferred environment, the space provides them with whatever they need. The celestials tend to make themselves scarce, emerging only for classes or when needed by their fliers.”
She still hadn’t met Hadrian. Kaia was going to freak out when she saw Alaire’s magic.
