Trinket (Reverse Harem)

Cat-Bird Special

"Oh," I said with understanding. "Oh."

If he's trying to make me feel better, he's not.

Eaon nodded. "The gods gave you five consorts. Maybe more you just haven't found. Five consorts that wouldn't even friends if they had any choice about it, but since your idea of happiness isn't watching males fight over you every single day, then they'll all eventually find a way to get along. You are special, whether you like it or not, and whether you or not you're ever able to prove it to yourself or anyone else. Perhaps that's for the best."

"You mean if nobody ever knows what I am, there's nothing for them to find," I said, feeling colder and colder.

Another nod. "But you are special, whether you like it or not. The proof is all around you. Please stop trying to convince everyone and yourself that you aren't. You are."

"Ormiss would be very happy if I agreed to just stay here and have his babies," I said under my breath.

"The Lord-Regent would be delighted if you would present him with an array of offspring, yes."

I glanced at Itek. He'd been listening the whole time. He blinked once, slowly, but didn't seem to have much of an opinion on what the Healer had said. It was a lot to take in. Maybe all this chasing around trying to figure out who—or what—I was was pointless and dangerous. Maybe the answer was to just settle down and have a baby and see what I gave birth to.

"Think on it," Eaon said.

I stroked Korr's feverish shoulder, then drew my knees up to my chest and leaned back against Ethat. My precious silks were all dirty at this point, and a couple of seams tore, but I didn't care. Too much to think about. Eaon finished what he was doing and left with his assistants.

"You don't have to stay over there," I told Itek. He hadn't moved. Only the tip of his tail twitched. "I mean, if you want to. I get if you're still angry at me. I get if you're all still angry at me and wish I'd just go away. Guess I'm just not smart enough to know how to stay away."

Itek nibbled on his ruff.

"Stop that," I said shortly.

He stopped.

"So... are you still in gryphon form because you don't want to talk to me, or because you don't know what to say?" I asked. "I just want to know."

He rocked back and forth once, twice, then shifted down into human form. "I just keep thinking Korr would know something witty to say."

I smile. "Yeah, he would. I thought you were an Ambassador too."

He shifted his shoulders. Tawny hair slid around his him. He said, quietly. "I am. Doesn't mean I was raised for it like Korr. I've been hoping Korr would come around, and he would know what to say."

"Well, he's sick, and Ethat is a murder dragon, so... but we don't have to talk if you don't want to talk. I get it. I made a mistake."

He shifted his weight again. He was so beautiful standing there, bright and tawny in the dungeon-y ambiance, with just that leather thong dangling over his body. His amber eyes seemed very bright, almost like they glowed. The thorn trinket remained around his neck, a single sliver against his skin.

"You didn't do anything wrong," he finally said.

"You can tell me if I hurt your feelings."

He didn't blink. Tension made the muscles of his shoulders taunt against his bronzed skin. "You didn't."

"Stop lying, Itek."