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“I’m sure we can work it out,” Keir breathlessly answered. “And if not, I’m the leader of the damn Magical Usage Council. I’ll assign someone to the task if needed.”

Rumbled laughter filled my chest. “I like the way you think.” I also liked that Keir was no longer referring to himself as the acting head of the Magical Usage Council. For good or ill, the job was most certainly his and his alone.

Well, not so alone now. After all, Keir had me and I wasn’t planning on going anywhere. Keir was mine and I was his. My baggage was two small wyvern—Vi and Blu. Keir’s baggage was the Magical Usage Council and all its past trauma. I’m sure both would challenge us in the future, but the point was that it was both of us now. Alone, the burden would be heavy. Together, those burdens no longer carried as much weight.

That was the beauty of finding one’s mate. I was one lucky wyvern indeed.

Twenty-Eight

Keir

Was it possible to look completely exhausted and yet completely satisfied at the same time? If my grandmother was any indication, the answer was a resounding yes.

“Lulabelle and I will handle your old flight,” Grandmother confidently said. “Had you wanted it, I would have supported you. I also support your choice to decline leadership. In fact, I believe that might be for the best in the long run.” Grandmother’s eyes narrowed, her cup of tea halfway to her lips before she set it back down. “There is much discontent there and it will take weeks, maybe even years, to fully discover the depth of treachery.”

I wasn’t certain treachery was the word I would choose, but I also didn’t argue. “Lulabelle offered to stay with your flight and begin sorting things out. She is not its heir, but I believe Lulabelle is more than capable of filling that roll for now. Do you believe Eldon will want to return and take over?”

I started to answer but was uncertain. Lazarus had briefly spoken with Martin last night. Martin and Grayson had been relieved with the outcome and to hear that we would head home soon. There was still no sign of Verona or her brother, Axios. Lazarus and I were on edge after learning that bit of information. We’d both been so certain Verona would come after Lazarus, or perhaps me, while we were in Europe. Could it be that they were off licking their wounds somewhere else? Had Verona had an epiphany of mental clarity and realized the severe error of her ways?

Doubtful. And that meant she was out there somewhere, scheming. Verona and Axios were loose threads that could come back to strangle us. Or, in their case, liquefy us with their acid.

I shivered at the thought.

“Are you cold?” Grandmother asked, already rising to get me a blanket.

“No,” I answered while placing a halting hand on her arm and gently pushing her back down into her seat. I managed a weak smile. “Just thinking about some unpleasant things.”

Grandmother’s nose scrunched. “Yes. Well, there have certainly been enough of those hanging around. Perhaps now that Jaakobah is well and truly gone, we can begin the process of healing.”

I swallowed hard and asked, “Do you really think so?”

Grandmother stared at her tea, her hands wrapped around the small cup. “I am uncertain. All I know is that it would have been impossible before Jaakobah’s death. Now that he is gone…who knows? I am willing to try. Lavinia deserves that much.”

I swallowed down my grief. Mother and I hadn’t parted on good terms, but from what Eldon said, Mother had come around. Before the end, she understood and accepted the error of her ways and attempted to correct them by sacrificing her own life to free her son. I wanted to speak with her again.

After mentioning my regrets last night, Jima reminded me that, through Warlock Holland, we actually knew a capable necromancer. I still wasn’t certain if I truly wanted to contact Erasmus Boone and ask if he could bring my mother’s soul back. Add it to the list of issues currently muddling my brain.

“Saraphina wants to stay here,” Grandmother said. “She’s afraid to tell you.”

“Afraid? Why?” The last thing I wanted was for my sister to fear me.

Grandmother held up a halting hand. “Forgive me. I phrased that wrong. Saraphina isn’t physically afraid of you, Keir. She is afraid of hurting your feelings. Saraphina has agreed to stay here, with me.”

“Oh.” That made more sense. “She doesn’t need to be. I mean, I’d love for Phina to come back home with me, but I also understand her reluctance to do so. Europe is her home. This is where she feels comfortable and feeling safe and cared for is exactly what Phina needs right now. I’m grateful you’ve agreed to watch over her.”

“No gratitude needed. I’m happy to have her.” Swallowing hard, Grandmother stared into the distance. “She looks so much like Lavinia. I know Saraphina isn’t her mother, but it eases something inside me when I look at her and realize all of Lavinia’s children are safe. I couldn’t protect my daughter, but I can make sure her offspring are well. I’m afraid I was slow to realize that obligation was needed. Now that I am aware, I will make certain I never waver again.”

My grandmother’s words were rooted with a spine of steel. Clearing her throat and dashing the tears from her eyes, Grandmother asked, “And what of you and Eldon? Do you think he’ll want to stay with you for a bit?”

“If so, then he’s welcome.” Once he was well enough, we’d need to find him his own space. Given how sparse the Magical Usage Council’s residents were and how large the compound was, that wouldn’t be a problem. “I also won’t try and keep him with me if Eldon wishes to return.”

Grandmother nodded. “As it should be.” Taking another sip of her tea, Grandmother’s eyes narrowed but there was a twinkle of something mischievous behind her stare. “And what of you and that fine wyvern? When will you make it official?”

Fire raced up my neck, heating my cheeks. Lazarus’s promises filled my mind, but I couldn’t tell my grandmother those lascivious thoughts. “He… Ugh… Lazarus wants to wait until we’re back in Minnesota. I do too.”

“Hmm… I see,” Grandmother said with a wink that increased my blush and made her cackle with delight. “That scale sitting along your throat means more than any pompous bonding ceremony.”

My fingers traced the edges of the scale. “Lazarus wasn’t certain it would integrate into my skin when he gave it to me.”