Page 92 of Consort's Dragon
While Griff had told him of his intent to rescue Avera, he’d not mentioned much else.He cleared his throat.“We will be transporting Her Highness and our two dignified dragon guests to Daerva.”
“You turning her in for the bounty?”exclaimed Peter.
“Of course not,” he huffed.“More like aiding her in reclaiming what is rightfully hers.”
To which Avera, looking ragged in her dirty white gown, added, “And once I am sitting upon my throne, I promise to richly reward each and every one of you.”
The cheering disgruntled Argent, who’d only gotten wide eyes and meekness.
With his talk to the crew done, Griff then had to deal with the cabin situation.Argent refused to part with or share his, leaving Starlight and Avera without a room to bunk.
Kreed stepped up.“You can have my space, your, um, dragoness,” he stuttered.“Just let me clean it up a bit first.”
“Aren’t you just the sweetest,” Starlight stated with a smile.
“It’s not big, but you’ll have privacy,” he added.
“It’s not the size that matters,” she purred.
Poor Kreed turned so red he almost exploded.
Griff glanced at Avera.“My room is big enough to share if you’re interested.”
“That would suit me fine,” Avera stated with a blush of her own.
Surprisingly enough, Simhi was the one who took issue with it.“You can’t be shacking up with the Queen of Daerva, Cap.What will her people think?”
His lips twisted.“Fair point.Guess I’m bunking in the hold.”
“Not necessarily.”Argent glanced between them before clapping his hands.“There is a solution.You shall marry.”
Avera’s jaw dropped almost as far as Griff’s.
“M-marry?”he stuttered.
“It’s obvious you are besotted with each other.You’re both royals.Both blooded.It’s the perfect match.”
Avera quickly murmured, “You don’t have to.”
“What if I want to?”Griff replied, the shock having already worn off.After all, Simhi had a point.Avera wasn’t some light skirt he could just bed.Nor was she someone he could see himself tiring of.On the contrary, he’d never been more attracted, intrigued, and… It hit him suddenly.
In love.
Her gaze met his.“You actually want to marry me?”Knowing her past, he could understand her doubtful query.
“I care for you.I don’t know how it happened, or why so fast, but from the moment we’ve met you’re always on my mind.It’s why I had to come for you.Why I’ll always find you.”
“I was bereft when I thought you’d died.”She cupped his cheek with her hand.
“So, shall we marry, Queen Avera Voxspira of Daerva?”
“If you’ll have me, Griffon Leif, Chancellor of Verlora and Pirate King of Saarpira.”
The crew couldn’t have been giddier.By sunset, the women on board had cobbled together a wedding gown for Avera that included a veil.The deck had been swabbed and cleared so that everyone could bear witness.Argent, who declared himself the highest-ranking person on board, married them.
If asked, Griff couldn’t have repeated what was said.He only had eyes for Avera, the little queen who’d stolen his heart, which pounded so hard he thought it might burst from his chest.He did hear the part, “I now declare you consort and consort because I am not about to decide whose title takes precedence.You may kiss, but not too long, please.I smell dinner.”
Griff would take as long as he damned well pleased.This was his wife.
