Chapter 32: A King's Resolve

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue across the palace gardens. Laila stood quietly near a marble fountain, deep in thought, watching the sunlight reflect off the water’s surface. Her five griffins—Azeer, Calista, Venari, Zephyr, and Drakon—rested nearby, their immense forms creating long shadows on the ground. Each of them radiated a sense of calm power. They communicated with Laila telepathically, a bond she had come to rely on as she navigated the complex political world that surrounded her.

You are restless, Azeer, the fire griffin, noted, his fiery gaze fixed on her. Speak your thoughts, and we will guide you.