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hatchling. I could kill you with a single talon.”
    Oeka lowered her head and closed her eyes. An instant later, Aenae flinched and backed away, shaking his head dazedly.
    If griffins could smirk, Oeka would have done it now. “You have felt my power before, Oh Mighty Carved-From-Tree-Stumps. What you felt then was the slightest touch, and my magic increases by the day. Challenge me again, and you shall feel your own mind burn away from your skull.”
    Aenae had had enough. Defeated but still bristling with rage, he turned and loped after his human.
    Laela couldn’t find the enthusiasm to snigger at the big griffin’s humiliation. She slumped back onto the bench and rubbed her forehead. “Gods damn it. I knew she was gonna say no.”
    Oeka, still full of bravado, tore a deep hole in the ground with her talons. “They must be killed,” she said. “Both of them. And soon.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThe longer they live, the more trouble they will bring you, Laela. Kill them now, before it is too late.”
    â€œIt’s too risky. If she dies, everyone’ll know it was me. There’d be riots. An’ she’s got her son an’ daughter all ready an’ waitin’ to take revenge—she made sure I knew it, too.”
    â€œIf you do not kill her, she will kill you,” said Oeka.
    â€œIf I ain’t careful enough, maybe,” said Laela. “I need her around for now.”
    â€œYou do not,” said Oeka. “For now, she is a nuisance and a danger, and she is already beginning to stand in your way.”
    â€œDon’t worry about that, Oeka. I got a plan.” She turned to walk back into the Council Tower. “C’mon. I’m gonna go have a word with Inva.”
    T hat night, after dinner, Oeka and Laela retired to their quarters. Rather than go to bed, Laela followed her partner into the adjoining room that housed her nest and walked out onto the balcony. It had no railings and was meant as a platform for Oeka to take off from.
    Oeka accompanied her human into the open air. “Is something wrong?”
    Laela was looking out over the city. “Just came out here to see the view.”
    Oeka followed her gaze. “My vision is weak at night.”
    â€œBeautiful, though, ain’t it?” said Laela. She twined her fingers in her hair, looking almost dreamy. “My city. Look at them stars.”
    Oeka did. They didn’t look any different than usual. Bored, she sat on her haunches and began grooming her wings.
    â€œJust think,” said Laela. “Them stars are shinin’ on places I never been. Places that belong to me. My lands, from here all the way to the mountains.”
    Silence.
    â€œI never would’ve thought this could happen,” said Laela. “Me, a Queen. I was born a half-breed peasant who couldn’t read, an’ now look at me.” She chuckled. “Funny ole thing life, ain’t it?”
    â€œI would not have thought that I would have a human who was a Queen,” Oeka said eventually. “Though I knew I was destined for greatness. My powers would bring me nothing less.” She cocked her head toward Laela. “I feel them grow. Every day, I sense more and more. I scent thoughts, emotions, intentions. I learn to interpret those scents, and they tell me many things. Soon, I shall scent more than even that.”
    â€œWish I could do that,” said Laela.
    â€œYou do not need to,” said Oeka. “I shall tell you what I know.” She leant toward her human, air whistling through her nostrils. “I smell . . . uncertainty. But I smell another . . . something strong . . . you are pleased.” She stiffened. “Triumph. I smell it. It is growing stronger.”
    A slow grin had spread over Laela’s face, and she put a hand on her partner’s feathered shoulder. “Yeah. But yeh don’t need powers to guess