Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 269: Identity Confusion II

Chapter 269: Identity Confusion II

His face was mere inches apart, hovering just a short distance away from her. They hadn’t stood so close since the day of the dragon’s attack and now that they were, Daphne realized just how tiny she was in comparison to the baby griffin that she had cared for.

"What are you doing?" she asked, frowning as she struggled to get out of his vice-like grip. "Zephyr, don’t be brat. Let me go."

"I’m not a brat nor a child," he said, scowling.

"I didn’t mean―"

"You did," he insisted. "Don’t lie. You said so yourself, I’m just a kid that magically grew up. I’m just a brat to you."

Daphne swallowed audibly as she met his eyes.

"It’s true," she said. "You were just a hatchling one moment and the other, you had turned into a grown adult. I don’t know what to make of you. In my eyes, you are like my son."

"Your husband seems to treat me like a grown man," Zephyr pointed out. "Maybe you should take a leaf out of his book."

"I practically raised you," muttered Daphne as memories of the time she spent with Zephyr as a chick surfaced in her mind. "I groomed you, fed you, cuddled you, tried to teach you letters, stopped you from flinging yourself from the window..."

She knew more than anyone how confusing it was. While she knew how other people might view Zephyr, she was also unable to make peace with the fact that the baby griffin she had taken care of was now all grown up - and into a human form, nonetheless, in just one afternoon.

If he had grown up into a gigantic adult griffin, like the ones Daphne had seen in the maze, she would have found it easier to accept.

A sad chuckle escaped Zephyr’s lips, a brief, rueful sound that held a mixture of bitterness and resignation. Daphne’s eyes widened at the uncharacteristic behavior. Zephyr’s laughter devoid of mirth, a fleeting moment of ironic amusement that couldn’t mask the underlying sorrow in his eyes.

He laughed like his heart was breaking, and Daphne didn’t know how to fix it.

"You really don’t understand how griffins age, do you?" he stated. "Our lifespan is much longer than a human. Fully grown griffins are typically over three hundred years old. Daphne, I’ve been alive for a century longer than you have been."

"So you’ve been a baby for... around fifty years?" Daphne hazarded a guess. Zephyr nodded, and her mind reeled. She couldn’t imagine staying as a helpless infant for so long. "You’re over twice my age," Daphne marveled.

He merely nodded again, observing her go through a mental breakdown.

"In that case, how did you even take the form of a young adult man? Shouldn’t you be an adult griffin? Or an old man?"

Zephyr sighed. Daphne was now focusing on the wrong things, most likely to redirect the uncomfortable conversation.

"Never mind. I don’t know either. Perhaps it has something to do with dragonfire, but I’m not going to use myself as a test subject," Zephyr said. He then clutched Daphne’s hands more tightly, causing her to wince in pain. "But more importantly, you shouldn’t go to see the kelpie. He is dangerous."

"So are you," Daphne couldn’t help but point out, "but I still spend time with you."

"That’s not the same!" Zephyr burst out in protest. "I would never hurt you! He makes you sick!"

"You’re hurting me right now!" Daphne’s hands and wrists began to heat up, a wordless warning for Zephyr to let go, but Zephyr was unfazed by her powers. He leaned closer and growled at her.

Daphne had enough of his attempts at intimidation. With one sharp headbutt to the chin and one quick stomp on his foot, Zephyr squawked in pain. In that moment of distraction, she pried her arms free from his hold and shoved him aside.

"Zephyr, I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself," Daphne said while rubbing her wrists. "If you’re so concerned, how about you come with me then?"

"Fine!" Zephyr scowled mulishly, upset that he had gotten such treatment. "If he tries something, I’ll fly off with you!"

Daphne agreed, and the both of them made their way to the lake. She glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Nereus in the crystalline waters. He was not on the shoreline.

"Oh look, he’s not here. Let’s just go," Zephyr urged, tugging at Daphne’s arm.

"No, let’s wait, I’m sure he will arrive."

The waters bubbled, and eventually, Nereus emerged through the depths of the lake. His eyes widened as he caught sight of Daphne waiting by the shoreline, and he eagerly approached her with hopeful eyes.

Surprisingly enough, his clothes were dry and neatly pressed despite staying inside the pool of water. Not even a strand of hair was out of place.

"Nereus, how nice to see you again." Daphne smiled.

Meanwhile, Zephyr sniffed disdainfully, not liking the smell of kelp in the air. Stupid seahorse.

"Daphne," Nereus said.

He came a little closer, halting his steps only when Zephyr let out a protective growl. The griffin stepped forward, keeping Daphne half shielded behind him. Even though Nereus frowned, he made no comment on Zephyr’s actions. Only children would pick fights with children.

Instead, Nereus turned his attention back to the lady. "Do you remember now?" he asked.

Daphne shook her head, hating the brief look of disappointment that crossed his face.

"You’ve made it seem like there’s more than meets the eye," Daphne said, her voice a murmur. "But I can’t remember anything. There was nothing I could find either."

"The king and queen of Reaweth have been keeping your memories hostage," Nereus cryptically commented. "It’s no wonder you can’t find anything to help."

He reached into his pockets, fishing for something.

"But it’s alright. Perhaps this will jog your memory," Nereus said.

Zephyr immediately tensed, flinging a protective arm out in front of Daphne. His wings spread out behind him, entirely covering Daphne behind his feathers. If this damned horse was to try anything, they would be able to protect her and immediately take flight.

"Daphne, be careful!"