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Sunlight filtered gently through the windows of the King's private chambers, cascading its soft glow across the grandiose form of the royal beast in all his glory.

Sprawled out across his luxurious bed, King Talos was a true sight to behold: the largest gryphon in the entire Kingdom of Talbach. A curved, golden beak and foreclaws highlighted his rather simple honey-brown coat, and two deep, intelligent blue eyes. It was those eyes that directed his piercing gaze down to the human man kneeling at his hind paws, looking up at the King with evident reluctance.

"I do not recall requesting you to stop," the King rumbled as he looked up from the small stack of letters and books strewn before him.

"I... I'm sorry, my King," the man pleaded, bowing low apologetically, "I... I will continue..." The fear-stricken human brought his face down to the soft pads that dotted the avian's hind paws, extending his tongue to resume dutifully and obediently licking the surface of them clean. A small smirk crossed the gryphon's features, and his stomach gave a deep, perceptible grumble; the humans efforts increasing slightly.

Looking back to his papers, the gryphon King flicked through them idly with his claw. Financial reports, updates from his spies, foolish requests from the nobles...

"Robert Vaccus, from District 5, assault of a royal guard... that is a serious crime," Talos muttered, feeling that tongue hesitate briefly between his toes. Glancing down, his stare bored into the eyes of the human, that smirk still clearly etched on his features.

"I... I bumped into him, I swear, my King," Robert pleaded, "he... he arrested me just because of an accident..." He fell silent as the King raised a single claw.

"I have no doubt you were wrongly accused," the King replied bluntly, those human eyes widening in surprise, "but let us not distract from this moment. This is the second time you've stopped without my direct permission. Come, approach my beak." The command was absolute, and the nervous man slowly got back to his feet and walked quickly over to his King's head, leaving those heavy paws behind.

As he stood before the gryphon and his letters, a sudden realization came across the man's face as the King drew himself up a little, easily twice as tall as his prisoner without even getting to his feet.

"M... my King," he stammered, before that lethal claw pressed ever so gently to his lips.

"Silence, little one," the immense beast ordered in his rich, honeyed voice, "I no longer have need of your cleaning services. It is time for you to leave." A brief look of relief crossed Robert's face; he'd already been appalled at having to lick the gryphon's massive paws for the better part of an hour.

"T... thank you, my King," he quickly rolled, bowing slightly before turning to get himself away from the gryphon as fast as he could politely do so.

"One moment, please," came the rich avian voice from behind Robert, and he turned to see the King gazing at him without blinking, much like a hawk would a mouse.

"I did not say that you would be leaving here through my doors," the gryphon rumbled, lazily dragging his tongue over his beak before opening it slightly and gesturing up at it with his claw. Robert paled as he saw his greatest fear materialize before his eyes, the slimy interior of that oversized beak growing wider and wider as the beast showed it off. Thick stands of saliva stretched from that thick, plump tongue to the fleshy roof of that smooth, glistening interior, terror slowly gripping the man as he recognized what was happening.

Jumping from the bed quickly, Robert made a dash for the closed doors. He knew the King's guards stood behind them, but he wasn't about to let himself become gryphon food. The rumours were true after all... the old ways still existed inside the castle walls! He had to get out, to tell someone!

"Robert," came the calm, heavy voice again from behind him, just before he'd managed to reach the door, "before you attempt to leave, please consider what... what does it say here again?" The gryphon glanced down at one of the files in front of him, poking through the pages with his claws.

"What would your wife Sasha think?" Talos asked quietly as his gaze settled on a specific page, "and... your only son Erik? They already believe their father is a drunkard who attacked a guard... I could only imagine how much it would hurt them to find out you died trying to attack the King himself! The shame it would bring to your family..."

Robert froze, his fingers on the incredible oak handles that lined the edge of the chamber doors. To hear his family spoken about so clearly left him trembling as he slowly turned back to look at the immense gryphon sprawled lazily across that oversized bed.

"Not to mention," Talos continued, "how unfortunate it would be if your wife ended up in the dungeons as well. What would happen to little Erik?" His avian smirk was cruel and merciless as he gazed upon his prey, trapping him with the richest form of blackmail he knew how to deliver.

"Y... you can't..." Robert stammered, and Talos slowly curled his claw in a beckoning motion towards the man.

"I most certainly can," the gryphon purred, "my guards have provided me a nice little file on you and your family. Now, return to me, little one. It's time for you to serve your Kingdom, one last time." It was a truly horrifying command, and the man froze as he tried to consider all of his options. With the current balance of power... he did not have any.

"Your wife will be provided a small sack of gold," the hybrid added quietly, "compensation for your... tragic accident during your community service." The casual, practised manner in which the King was manipulating him left Robert filled with cold dread as he began to slowly turn back and walk towards the gryphon. He had to do it... for his son...

Talos didn't even bother to watch as the man struggled with his life and death decision, idly browsing his schedule with a wandering claw as his breakfast slowly returned to the bed.

"A meeting with Chief Pholus of the centaurs... Unveiling of the new hatchling centre... Half an hour with Soulrend..." the King muttered as he read through the list his attendants had prepared earlier. He paused on the next item, lingering on it with his gaze as he read over the comment left by one of his spies, with a confidential letter attached.

A lone human was spotted emerging from the residence of Lord Nightwing alive, accompanied by his son, Raal Nightwing. No further details at this stage. How do you wish to proceed?

Robert had already returned to the bed, and the King turned his attention back to the man swiftly.

"I have some important matters to attend to today, and you are not one of them," Talos remarked, "and so I am going to open my beak for you to climb in. Every five seconds you keep me waiting, I shall remove the compensation to your wife by a quarter." The sudden swiftness of the request left the man shaking as he watched that golden beak begin to open once more.

"W... Wait!" he begged, "don't I... get any last... last words?" That beak clicked closed slowly, and those blue eyes drilled until his own.

"You will speak many last words over the next few hours, each more unpleasant than the last. I suggest you save some of them until then. Digesting alive is... a slow process." What little colour that was left in Robert's face drained out of it as that beak finally stretched open wide before him, revealing the true extent of his fate.

With quiet defeat, the man climbed inside.

***

A loud knock on the door of the Nightwing residence caught the attention of all four inhabitants. With some pressing from Raal and eventually Lyra, Jason had been allowed to stay at the home of the King's right-hand man and his wife. Although unhappy about it at first, Uren eventually agreed that it would be best not to have Raal showing up in the poorer areas of District 9 any longer.

"I'll get it," Uren grunted, getting up from his spot on what Jason had thought was the largest sofa in existence to check on who was at the door. Lyra chuckled quietly as her husband plodded out into the hallway, glancing over at her son and his bondmate.

"I wonder who would be visiting so early," Raal commented, pulling Jason a little closer with his wing to snuggle up with him deeper. On such a cold morning, the human was glad for the additional warmth. Gryphons, it seemed, didn't really need fireplaces to keep warm. With the man tucked up in his grasp on their own, smaller sofa cushions, Raal lowered his beak to Jason's face as slowly pushed his tongue into the human's mouth.

Grunting in surprise as the young gryphon kissed him in that unusual, avian way in front of his mother, Jason did his best to try and kiss back as that slick, flexible tongue swirled around the inside of his mouth. Making out with a gryphon, Jason realized, was a messy affair. Lyra watched on in quiet amusement as Jason clutched her sons' mane and practically swallowed the eager bird's thick tongue.

Thick saliva from Raal's beak dripped onto his bondmate's face and into his mouth, sloppily sharing that intimate moment without much regard for how slimy he was making his lover.

"Try closing your beak a little more, my dear," Lyra advised from across the room, "you're going to drown the poor boy." Raal slowly pulled his tongue out of Jason's mouth, looking down to see the thick strands he'd left all over the human's visage.

"I don't need commentary, mother," Raal huffed, glancing over at her while she looked over the pair, evidently amused.

"I'm not the one who started kissing a human in the living room," she retorted playfully, "what would your father think?" Raal shook his head slowly, looking up and around the room. Uren hadn't yet returned.

"He'd probably tell me to keep going until Jason was nicely tucked away in my stomach," the young hybrid commented, and Lyra chuckled a little at that response.

"Jason would much rather be my food, wouldn't you, sweetheart?" Lyra asked lightly, turning her gaze to the man under her son's thick mane. Jason spluttered in surprise at the question, Raal's thick saliva still heavy in his throat.

"I... uh..." he stammered, unsure how to reply to that before he noticed she was smiling playfully. He still wasn't entirely sure how to react around a rather deadly predator like Lyra, and wondered how many humans before him had fallen victim to her stomach while listening to her kind, almost reassuring words.

"If anyone's going to eat him, it's me," Raal shot back with a smirk, and Jason thumped his knee into that heavy gryphon gut, doing absolutely nothing to the larger male.

"Sorry," Raal apologized, looking down at his mate, "you can't eat someone you're bonded to just like that... kind of defeats the purpose." Jason nodded slowly, snuggling up deeper under those warm feathered wings. If nothing else, he felt safe with his big, snuggly gryphon boyfriend.

"I trust you," he muttered, "I don't trust your parents though."

"I heard that," Lyra chuckled, ruffling her wings a little, "don't worry, I wouldn't eat you while Raal's still so smitten..." The young gryphon growled at the comment, but Jason felt the possessive beast hug him all the more firmly. He still found it hard to believe that Lyra, polite and motherly as she was, still ate humans. It was hard to reconcile her kind external attitude and yet that seemingly cruel interior.

"Why do you eat people at all?" he asked before his brain could stop him, and Raal grumbled at the bluntness of his query. Looking at the human intently, Lyra smiled and shook her head.

"The same reason any of us do," she replied more firmly, "humans are our natural prey. That does not mean I have to be unpleasant to you like my husband prefers to be, but that does not change the simple facts of the world." She lowered her head thoughtfully, while Raal clutched his lover closely.

"Think of it like this," she added quietly, "humans often keep chickens as pets, their children even befriend them. Yet, when times call for it, the chicken is consumed. Most humans give it little thought. It is the same with us... your kind are a relatively good meal, occasionally friends, and little else needs to be considered." The rather logical way she explained it only left Jason feeling more anxious; most humans in the Kingdom truly had no idea how little stood between them and a hungry avian stomach. It still left him with no real understanding of Lyra on a deeper level.

"Don't worry about it," Raal whispered in his ear, "you're more than food to me. You're everything." Jason blushed hotly as Lyra's ears twitched, but she didn't add anything further.

Suddenly, Uren returned, standing himself on the centre of the room with a concerned expression.

"That was the Royal Guard," the older male gryphon announced in a rather disgruntled voice, "apparently the King has heard about our resident human. A report got back to him about Jason and Raal sighted together leaving to go to District 9 last week." Lyra sat up quickly, throwing a glance at her son.

"You mean..." she began, and Uren nodded slowly as he looked over at the pair on the sofa.

"King Talos has requested to meet both Jason and Raal personally," Uren explained, "today, in fact, at 6pm. They are to be presented to his private chambers for a private meeting." Uren snarled, throwing Jason a dirty glare to which Raal clutched him tighter.

"Private?" Lyra inquired, "you cannot attend?" Uren shook his head, his glossy black mane bouncing from side to side.

"I... was not invited," Uren conceded, "the King has decided that until he can understand the nature of this situation, that I am... perhaps... unworthy of his immediate trust." Lyra got to her feet quickly, moving over to her husband's side and nuzzling up to his neck.

"Don't think too much of it, sweetheart," Lyra reassured him gently, "it's only because they were seen coming from our house. I can't believe the King has spies watching our home..."

"He has spies everywhere," Uren remarked, "I'm not surprised. That's not the issue here... I don't know what the King intends for them." He fell quiet, and even Lyra wasn't sure what to say. Neither of them had expected to have to deal with this situation quite so soon.

"I'll go to the King, father, with Jason," Raal piped up, slowly untangling himself from his human partner and standing as confidently as he could, "I don't want to affect your standing with the King." He was torn between two desires; to protect his parents, and his lover. Uren shook his head slowly, looking at his son with uncharacteristic uneasiness.

"You will have to regardless, it is an order from the King," the older male explained, "but... not that I don't respect the King, I have served him all my life, however... I cannot imagine him wanting anything from Jason other than a meal. If you visit him together, Raal, you may leave on your own. Blast... the one time I can't just ask him what he wants..." Uren grunted as he sat down on the floor and looked at his claws, and Lyra held him close as Jason felt himself growing incredibly anxious. He'd only just managed to get over the terrifying aura of one deadly gryphon, but the King... that was an entirely different story.

"You've served the King for decades," Lyra told her husband quietly, "he's not going to harm your son, and I doubt he's going to harm Jason either. I know the King too; he adores new and exciting things to capture his interest. He may just want to see the first gryphon/human couple for himself." Uren sighed, shaking his head slowly.

"I sure hope so, my love," the jet-black hybrid rumbled in response, before throwing a stern glare Jason's way.

"You are a right curse upon me, human," Uren growled, "do not go and make me regret letting you live. You will bow to the King, speak when spoken to, and answer his questions with respect and brevity. I will not have my place at the King's side put at risk because you couldn't get enough gryphon cock in your life." His eyes flashed dangerously and Lyra clutched her mate tighter with her claws.

"Relax," she cooed, "it's not their fault, you know how strong a real bond forged is. You would have fought the King for me yourself if he hadn't let me go.' Uren snorted, but slowly calmed himself, letting her tender words and touch soothe him.

"I'm going to the storeroom to... work off some steam. Be ready to leave by 3pm, I need to acquire the human a suitable outfit," Lord Nightwing huffed, drawing himself up to his full height. Raal groaned, and Jason looked at him in confusion. As the largest beast in the room slowly trudged out and into the hallway, Jason tried to process everything that had just transpired with a lingering sense of dread.

"Wha..."

"The storeroom is our basement," Raal commented flatly, he too showing visible signs of anxiety at being called up before the King.

"A human prisoner was transferred there from the castle last night, my dear," Lyra explained openly, "My husband was intending to have him for dinner tonight. I think he may have a few things he wants to get out of his system a little earlier than that..." Jason paled, and Lyra fixed him with a stern stare.

"You'll need to show a little spine if you're going to meet the King," she warned, waving a claw at him, "it's important you're not naive to the world you inhabit." Jason swallowed nervously, but nodded. He'd known this for a while, but the reality was daunting. The longer he dated Raal, the deeper he was uncovering the hidden world of the Kingdom of Talbach. He'd wanted to ignore it, to reap the rewards of being in love with a handsome young gryphon, but that gryphon belonged to a world far more intense than the one he'd believed he'd been living in these past eighteen years.

"You're right," he replied finally, getting up off the sofa and resting his hand on Raal's back. Looking at his mate, and then up at Lyra, he attempted to stiffen his resolve.

"I love Raal, and I'll stand beside him proudly before the King. I'll do everything I can to convince the King to let us continue with our lives together. I know that might fail but... that's just the way it is, isn't it? He clenched his fist and held it tight to his chest.

"Can you teach me how to bow how royalty would expect it, Lady Lyra?" he asked earnestly, "I need to make the best impression I can." Her ears perked up at the eager request, and she looked down at him with a pleased expression. He seemed to be taking it seriously.

"Me too," Raal added, "I've only gone with father a couple of times to the castle, and didn't have to meet anyone that important." Lyra nodded, and gestured to the hallway.

"Your father would be better at this," she remarked, "but..."

"He's busy torturing someone in the basement," Jason muttered darkly, and Lyra chuckled.

"Yes," she confirmed, "as is his job, after all. Although... I suspect he may not be entirely professional about it tonight, given his... mood." Jason tried not to think about what the already terrifying gryphon Captain was capable of when in a poor mood.

With concern etched on all their faces and beaks, the bowing lesson commenced.

***

"This is it," Uren muttered, gazing at the two burly armour-plated gryphon guards standing at attention outside the King's private chamber. They were Uren's subordinates, but he didn't dare try to pull rank on them in this unique situation.

"He's waiting for you," he added, looking down at his son and human partner. The latter was dressed in a smart looking suit, purchased hastily on the way to the castle after a detour to a rather refined gentleman's clothier in District 2. Some deep threats from the Captain himself to 'expedite' his tailoring queue sped things along nicely.

Jason and Raal looked at one another anxiously, before stepping away from Uren to face those huge twin oak doors that guarded the private home of the King of Gryphons. For Jason it was surreal; from a small apartment in District 9 to meeting the King a week later, and with the very real threat of being eaten lingering on his mind. It seemed to be a rather constant thing these days, he briefly mused.

The guards stepped forward and pushed on each door, parting them in the middle and opening them wide to allow the young couple to see the interior of the most lavish room in all of the Kingdom.

"Enter," one guard command bluntly, and the duo quickly stepped past them and into the room. A deep gasp escaped Jason's lips as he laid eyes upon the King of Gryphons for the first time. The room itself was incredible; expensive wooden furniture, ornate lighting, luxurious carpet and all manner of other items made from the Kingdom's most talented artisans, or gifts from foreign lands. Yet all of that paled in comparison to the golden-brown gryphon that lay across the edge of a bed that even put Uren's to shame.

King Talos was a true sight to behold.

Both Jason and Raal tried not to stare as they took in the beast sprawled before them. He was easily another three feet taller than Uren, and even laying down it was simple to tell that he was the largest gryphon in the entire Kingdom. With the sunlight cascading through the window and across his golden-grown coat, it was easy to make out that incredible muscle definition in his legs that hinted at how physically powerful the gigantic male truly was.

His large, padded gut was on prominent display, one that left no doubts as to just how much food he could put away. Despite his sheer size and build, the King of Gryphons was bare of any adornments, with no crown, or jewels tarnishing his naturally glorious appearance. What did catch their eye most, however, were those two rich blue eyes that were fixed upon them and seemed to pierce their very souls.

"Welcome," he greeted in a deep, bassy tone, and both Jason and Raal remembered themselves and bowed low in the manner that Lyra had instructed them. Not willing to say something foolish, the terrified pair simply watched quietly as the King extended a claw and beckoned them to approach.

"Come," he commanded with such power that it left both guests moving forward without hesitation. They didn't dare glance at one another, and instead simply walked until they were standing just outside of the King's reach, in front of that immense bed. Looking up slowly, they saw that their King now towered above them, his expression unreadable as he observed the human and small gryphon in his royal presence.

"I am King Talos," he introduced himself calmly, "and you are two of the most nervous looking guests I've ever laid eyes upon." He chuckled, a sound which felt like it was vibrating the entire room while his thick tail slapped down onto the bedding.

"Would it allay your fears if I told you that I don't intend to devour you?" the King inquired bluntly, causing Jason's eyes to widen. The King smirked slightly, clicking his claws over the edge of the bed.

"The humans who usually come to meet me are eager to meet their benevolent King," he added wryly, "so to see you looking so concerned only informs me that you are well aware of the situation. I can only assume that is the fault of Uren..." He scratched his beak slowly, pondering briefly if he should bring his trusted torturer in for an admonishment. Jason didn't feel entirely relieved, but he held out hope the King was telling the truth.

"I am going to ask you some questions," the King explained, "and you will answer them truthfully and without holding back important details. Do so, and my previous offer will be immediately rescinded. Am I understood?" Two clear nods met his words.

"Very well," Talos confirmed, "now, first of all, introduce yourselves as best you can." That caught Jason off guard, and Raal quickly piped up to respond.

"I'm Raal Nightwing, my King," he replied, a little more used to dealing with nobles than his human companion, "son of Uren and Lyra Nightwing. I attend school at Talbach High." The King didn't acknowledge his words, but turned his gaze to the human beside him.

"I'm Jason Ornfeld, my King," Jason introduced quickly, "I also attend Talbach High, and I live in an apartment in District 9." Nodding slowly, the gryphon slowly rose up a little and shook his head slowly.

"And why is it that a human from District 9 and a Lord's son from District 1 were spotted in the company of one another? Not to mention, the son of my loyal servant Uren?" The King's gaze was unrelenting, and Jason tried his best not to wilt under that imposing glare.

"I..." he began, and hesitated, only for Raal to swiftly cut across him.

"We... I have bonded with him, my King" the younger male explained, "and my father found out about it. He invited Jason to our home to gather more details, and decided not to eat him as the broken bond would distress me greatly. That is why we were seen together, as I was escorting him home." Talos listened quietly, and slowly began to drag himself up into a seated position. His impressive height only grew as he sat back on his haunches and looked over the edge of his bed at the curious couple standing before him.

"How interesting," the King remarked, "I had thought it might be something like this. I daresay no human entering the Nightwing household has ever been sighted again, and to find out his son has bonded to one... how delightful indeed." Both Jason and Raal looked up at their King in surprise at his words, and then looked at one another briefly.

"D... delightful, my King?" Raal asked quietly, and the King nodded. Leaning forward, the bulky beast lowered his head towards closer to his guests as he scrutinized them closely.

"What say you, human?" Talos inquired bluntly, ignoring Raal's question, "I know your kind does not feel such a primal connection to one another, how do you feel about young Raal here?" Jason paused briefly, looking at his lover who nodded supportively.

"I love him more than anything, my King," the man replied with respectful nod, "I understand what it means to him, to be bonded to me, and I want to reciprocate that as best I can, no... no matter how big he gets, or how different we are." A deep chuckle escaped the King's throat, and the warmth from his breath could be felt by both smaller males standing before him.

"How intriguing. Truly delightful, I must say," Talos mused, and before they could find out what he meant by it all, the King moved back on his bed and took a seat on the far side, in front of the swathe of huge pillows.

"Join me upon my bed," the King ordered firmly, "I wish to talk further, and on more level footing." Stunned at the request, Jason looked at Raal, having never expected to be allowed up on the King's private bed. It seemed almost... too casual for nobility. Seizing the moment, however, Raal took Jason's wrist with his tail and guided him over to that impressive mattress. Leaping up onto it, and looking back as Jason awkwardly climbed up, Raal seated himself opposite his ruler and waited for Jason to come sit down beside him, the human trying to look proper even as his suit shifted awkwardly from the climb up.

"Wonderful," the King remarked as he sat imposingly before his two guests. It was at this close distance that they could see how truly massive the King was, and it left Jason feeling uneasy. The King so far had been firm but reasonably non-threatening, although he had no illusions as to the danger that surrounded near limitless power like the royal gryphon possessed.

"Out of respect for your father, Raal, I shall be forthcoming with you," Talos told him firmly, his voice seemingly a little less grand and a little more business-like. Raal nodded quietly, and Jason watched silently, clinging to the King's words.

"The first human-gryphon bonding is a monumental accomplishment for the Kingdom of tolerance and respect between species that I have fostered for many long years now," the King explained, gazing out the window towards the gradually darkening sky above as he spoke.

"Long have I insisted that our Kingdom will flourish with the cooperation of humans and gryphons," he continued, "so many of which have their own unique talents and skills that can bring so much to our city. Humans dexterity for delicate work, gryphon power for the heavy lifting. Wings to reach high places. The size and flexibility of man to fit into the smallest ones. Together we can reach incredible heights, and foster an economy that benefits us all." His voice had become rather speech-like towards the end, snapping his attention back to the two in his presence.

"If the public were to hear that relationships could go beyond that of mere cooperation, that love and bonds could be fostered, then it would not only be a great boost to this dream of mine, but would bring in new visitors from all across the world." He leaned in, gazing at Jason and Raal in turn while running his claws over the bedding slowly.

"The two of you could assist me in taking my dream of a prosperous kingdom to new heights, with the right guiding claw, of course. Promotion is the key to acknowledgment, after all. Many may shun your relationship, but if it gains the approval of the King himself... just imagine!" He laughed, and slowly shook his head, letting that regal mane bounce from side to side as he reached out and gently placed one of those lethal talons right at Jason's feet.

"I'll cut to the chase," Talos added with a glint in his eyes, "I want to use both of you to advertise the great progress our Kingdom is making. You'll have a couple of public appearances with me, a few articles in the newspaper, and the protection of the King's Guard. Then you will both be free to enjoy life as you see fit." Jason wasn't sure how to respond, but it was Raal that spoke for them.

"Apologies, my King..." Raal interjected somewhat nervously, "but... I didn't think that you would be... so supportive. Is there... a catch?" The royal gryphon fixed him with an intense stare, and the younger male shrank back a little under the intensity of it.

"Smart as your father," the King purred, leaning back a little to ruffle his impressive wings, "yes, there is a catch. On top of the benefits of a flourishing economy, happy citizens and further improving my status as a great and benevolent ruler, word of this will spread to neighbouring lands. Tourism will increase, visitors will come from all over to experience the grandeur of Talbach..." His smirk widened, and he brought his beak down to Jason's level, fixing him with a penetrating stare of those deep blue eyes.

"It will lead thousands of humans to their demise," he rumbled menacingly, "countless eager travellers visiting the Kingdom only to end up in the bellies of myself and my nobles. An enriched supply of foreign meat, just enough to ensure suspicion is not aroused beyond the usual dangers of travel. I'm quite well practised in the art of ensuring that those devoured are not missed." He smirked wider and breathed his warm, predatory breath over the trembling human before him.

"Serve my Kingdom, and you will be looked after," Talos stated bluntly, "bring happiness and prosperity to the people, while ensuring that my stomach and that of my loyal servants are well-supplied. That's the deal, young Jason, young Raal. Assist me, and I will help you." Jason noticed that the King hadn't given an option for what would happen if they refused, and he realized the situation he was being put in. The King wanted him to trade their freedom and happiness for the lives of thousands of humans. It was a terrifying proposition, and one Jason knew he couldn't really easily turn down.

"Can I... please speak freely, my King?" Jason asked nervously, and the hybrid chuckled at the request.

"Certainly," the gryphon responded, "we are all being candid here."

"You want us to help you lure thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of people into being gryphon food," Jason explained carefully, "innocent visitors devoured, probably whole and alive, in exchange for us being able to live our lives together?" He clasped his hands together and squeezed, trying to calm his nerves as he spoke to the most powerful being in the Kingdom directly.

"That's exactly what I desire," the gryphon replied, "I already do this, it is a fact of life you cannot change. What I would prefer is a nice excess. It's been a while since I've been able to properly gorge myself on human prey... a situation that would be rectified with a slight increase in available meat." He chuckled, and Jason found himself chilled to the core at how terrifyingly casually the King could speak about such things.

"Look at me, young Jason," Talos commanded, slowly drawing himself up to his full height and letting his enormous paunch jut out on full display. It was even larger than Uren's healthy weight, and it didn't take much imagination to think about how many people had gone into making such a titanic beast over the last century.

"Humans are our natural prey," the King explained rubbing his claws over that furred underbelly, "there is nothing wrong with consuming that which is most compatible with your body. Come, place your hands upon my stomach, little one." Jason's eyes widened at the request, and he looked at Raal in a slight panic. Raal nodded reassuringly, trying to convince his mate silently to obey the King no matter what.

Stepping across the bedding, Jason moved forward until the gryphon was towering over him, gut on prominent display. He reached out and placed his shaky fingers on that softly furred underbelly, feeling the heat radiate through his digits as he touched the King of Gryphons. It was surreal, and he doubted many got the chance to do such a thing without the threat of that beak scoping them up immediately after.

His touch was reluctant and cautious, and the King growled a little as he made little effort to really feel.

"Push," he instructed, "use your palms, little one." Not wanting to disobey his ruler, the student swallowed nervously and leaned in, putting his weight behind it as he sank both hands into that luxuriously soft, padded paunch. Even with the added effort he barely moved that wall of fat and muscle, but it was enough for him to feel what came next.

A deep, reverberating grumble came from deep within the gryphon's core, vibrating through his fingers as he felt something inside that weighty gut shift. Something semi-solid. Falling back from that huge stomach with a look of shock in his eyes, Jason could hear a deep, disturbing gurgling sound emanating from that predatory belly. Looking up at those deep blue eyes, Jason paled as he realised what the King had wanted to show him.

"Eight hours ago, that was a human named Robert, from District 5," the King explained quietly, patting his gut slowly as he spoke, "now, however, there is little to differentiate him from any other meat you or I might have consumed these past few years." He laughed, thumping that avian tail down on the mattress as he slowly returned to a more neutral sitting position. Jason slowly shifted himself back closer to Raal; to hear about it from Uren was one thing, but to see a gryphon with a real human inside, still digesting...

"Terrifying, is it not?" the King inquired rhetorically, that smirk seated firmly on his beak, "to be faced with the reality that you're not on top of the food chain. Your kind rarely likes to accept that fact, but here I have made it quite evident for you." He lowered his head a little, looking back to Raal with a stern gaze.

"As for you," the King huffed, "your father has been a loyal subject for many years and as his son you will become a representative of the Kingdom, in time. I can guarantee you a place on the King's Guard, provided you spend a few years in the City Guard first to hone your skills. I can protect your bonded human, and ensure no harm comes to him from those unwilling to accept such a partnership. I can even ensure your human gets the best opportunities at whatever career he would wish to pursue here in my glorious Kingdom. That is well within my power. All I ask is that you assist me in promoting my progressive Kingdom to the masses." His regal voice had regained its honey-like properties, smooth and sweet to the ears as Raal looked over at his mate with concern. Was there even a choice? To his surprise, it was Jason this time who spoke up for them.

"And if we were to decide we didn't, my King?" the man asked with evident fear in his voice, hoping the beast wouldn't turn on him immediately. Instead he was rewarded with a deep chuckle from the immense avian.

"A wise question to ask," the King replied in amusement, "and to be honest, little one, I would likely do nothing at all. Uren's support is vital to me and my Kingdom, and to harm his son or his son's bondmate would surely cause me to lose his support." He sank his claws into that plump gut, feeling his breakfast slosh about under his firm push.

"I would not wish for this to become a divisive issue between the two of you," the King remarked, looking over his guests' expressions, "but as a gryphon and human couple, you will need to come to understand one another. Raal, you will find Jason to be reluctant once you are large enough to start consuming humans, and must show respect to his initial hesitation on the matter. Jason, you will need to comprehend that Raal is a predator, and to love him is to understand that it is natural for him to eat your kind. Since you have stepped into our world, the reality beyond the life you lived in previously, you will need to accept this or it will not work out between you." The King watched both males glance at one another quietly, and Jason nodded slowly. The King had put it so bluntly, what he'd eventually feared Raal might do, but Jason knew he couldn't back down now. He had accepted this bond, and everything that came with it.

"To show my gratitude, I would like to... sweeten the pot, so to speak," the King added with a wry smile, leaning in a little with a glint in his eyes.

"First of all, tell me... to be quite forward on the issue, have you been fucked by Raal?" the King asked, and Jason's cheeks turned bright red in embarrassed surprise. Quickly looking at Raal, the young gryphon nodded supportively.

"Y... yes, my King," Jason replied quietly.

"And did you take his knot?" Talos inquired further, deepening that blush on those human features.

"Y... yes, I did... my King," Jason told him honestly, wondering where the royal bird was going with this discussion. Leaning back a little, the King smirked and ruffled his feathers a little.

"A few years ago, a couple of human men came across my dinner table, young merchants who had been apprehended at the border by the guards there for possessing all manner of strange and unusual concoctions in their cart," Talos explained with a wave of his claws.

"They were brought before me to be consumed, but on occasion it is not wise to devour all that is placed before you. After a rather hurried conversation, I determined that the men were alchemists, and rather accomplished ones at that. One of them admitted that he had even slipped himself a specially designed poison that would cause me to grow fatally ill if I had eaten him, but bring no harm to himself. Impressed by his cleverness, I employed both. They work here in secret in the castle, under my watchful eye." The King chuckled to himself, and slapped his tail heavily on the bed.

"You may be wondering where I am going with this tale," the gryphon added, leaning in and lowering his voice a little, "and I would tell you that they have developed and perfected a rather interesting little concoction for me. One that I would be willing to give to you, along with a guarantee of more over the coming years."

"What does it do, my King?" Raal asked with interest, and Talos grinned widely.

"I'm glad you asked," the larger male told him proudly, "you see, whether you have thought about this or not, in a year or two you're going to be too big for your human lover here to have any chance of taking a knot your size. Eventually, he may not even be able to take your tip. However..." The gleam in his eye grew as he brought his beak down to their level

"The incredible potion they have crafted over the past year will allow the drinker to shrink to whatever size they choose; the more you drink, the smaller you get. It lasts a few hours, and would allow you to continue being the size that allows you to mount your human even once you have grown too large. In short, this potion will save your sex life together, and if you agree to my terms, I will ensure a large amount of it is produced for your private usage." Both Jason and Raal looked at the King in deep surprise; magic was rarely seen within the Kingdom anymore and to hear such a potion existed...

Looking at Raal briefly, Jason stepped forward and bowed to the King, replying, "We will accept your offer, my King. Raal and I will do as you ask, and in return... we will accept the rewards you have promised." He tried to sound confident, and felt the young gryphon's fur brush up against his as Raal sat beside him.

"Agreed, my King," Raal added, "we will serve you as you wish." Both smaller males knew that the King's offer was much more generous than they probably deserved from him, and could just as easily have forced them to obey without any reward at all. Neither was fool enough to refuse."

"Wonderful," the King announced with a pleased expression, "your father will be delighted Raal. I will make a fine guard out of you one day; you have my word." Raal bowed respectfully, and before he could reply the King gestured towards the door.

"Speaking of which, could you please go fetch him," the King added, looking at the smaller Nightwing, "I can smell him somewhere in the hallway." With one more quick bow Raal glanced at Jason briefly and reassuringly before hopping down from the bed and hurrying over to the exit. As soon as Raal's tail flicked out of sight, Talos clicked a claw and the guards outside locked the large oak door, sealing Jason inside with him.

"I wanted to speak to you alone for a moment," Talos growled, and Jason immediately felt nervous as he was faced with being in the company of the predatory King alone.

"Y... yes, my King?" he replied anxiously, trying not to give away how terrifying the situation had just become.

"Please, drop the formalities," the King grunted, splaying back out on his side and letting his belly flop back across the bedding. It felt like an earthquake to Jason, who kept his hands on the bed to steady himself as it shifted beneath him.

"It's a rather interesting position you've put me in, little one," the gryphon smirked, "you picked a rather complicated family to tie yourself to. Is Raal really that important to you?" The King's attitude seemed much more casual, and Jason tried his best to match it.

"He is," the student replied with a nod, "he's genuine, kind, intelligent and really... uh... attractive." He blushed a little, feeling foolish for discussing something so trivial with royalty.

"What about when he comes home with someone just like you in his stomach?" the King asked quietly, and Jason shook his head.

"I was against it at first... I thought he might turn... like... human-vegan, is that how you'd describe it... because he's bonded to me but... I think that's probably a bit selfish of me," Jason explained, and it was the King who laughed loudly at his response.

"Oh my..." Talos mused, "I wonder how well that will hold up when you witness it for yourself. Still... for now, I am satisfied. I do not wish to invest my time and money into you and have you break up with him the moment you finally watch your bondmate consume a human. Understand, little one? This is permanent, from now on. Give me any reason to doubt you and I will have no hesitation in grinding you down inside me." To his surprise, Jason met his gaze and managed to chuckle in return.

"I think Uren would eat me first," he replied flatly, and Talos laughed at that response.

"Very true," the gryphon remarked, "and for now, we shall bring him in." Another loud click of his claws and the guards outside unlocked them, followed by an immediate commotion as Uren forced his way through.

"My King, I..." The large black gryphon Lord began, before spotting Jason sitting unharmed at the King's feet. Raal was right behind him, looking similarly worried after having been locked out of the room. He looked visibly relieved as he strode around his father to see his mate upon the bed.

"Do not worry, Uren," Talos teased, "the human is safe. Were you concerned for his safety?" The large black gryphon composed himself, growling slightly at the barbing from his King.

"Hardly," Uren huffed, "my son was distressed at the thought of his bondmate being consumed." He didn't meet the piercing gaze of his ruler, ejecting to glare daggers at Jason instead. Raal looked like he wanted to dash right back up to his mate, but did not want to disrespect the King.

"I have made a deal with your son and his human," Talos announced, "and from this day forth it will be a capital crime to harm either one of them. My guards will announce this soon, and should any wish to contest my will on this matter I shall deal with them... personally." Uren hesitated for a moment; he'd seen that determined, dangerous look in the King's eyes before. Raal and Jason looked at one another from across the room, with the latter sneakily forming a thumbs up so that the young bird knew he was okay.

"As you wish it, my King," Uren rumbled, looking back at the door briefly, "on another note, you wished to see me?"

"Indeed I did," the King replied, raising a claw to point at the nearby sofa, "Jason, Raal, would you please be so kind as to take a seat on that sofa until I am finished with your father? Uren, please come join me on my bed." Looking at one another with confusion, both younger males made their way obediently to the luxurious sofa, one plodding over while the other climbed down quickly from the bed. Jason was quite glad to be out of eating distance from the powerful gryphon atop it.

Without showing any confusion if indeed he felt it, Uren approached the massive bed and stepped up onto it with ease, seating himself across from Talos with a heavy thump. The King did not often invite him to share bed space, and he looked at the larger male with silent contemplation.

"You have served me loyally for many years," Talos told him quietly, "and yet I have to find out from my spies that your household was hiding such a secret? I must admit, my dear friend, I am quite disappointed in you." Uren did not respond or attempt to justify himself; he knew full well the King did not tolerate a great deal of talking back.

"I allowed you the right to receive one of my own harem for a wife," he continued, getting up and moving forward until he was standing directly in front of Lord Nightwing. Jason was in awe; he couldn't believe there was a gryphon that could make the legendary Uren Nightwing look small like the King currently was.

"I shall make myself quite clear, Uren," Talos growled, "you knew full well I would be interested in this situation and deliberately did not tell me to protect your son. Yet, I have offered your whelp all the protections the Kingdom has to offer, out of respect to you. I must say, your lack of respect in return is a considerable blemish on your otherwise flawless record." Uren remained stoic in the face of the King's criticism, and the observing pair were shocked at seeing the large black gryphon in such a position.

"I will overlook this," Talos rumbled, reaching out and gently brushing his claws through that lush black mane, "but this meeting has caused me to miss my next. As such, I will require you as a substitute." It was then that Uren finally cracked, looking up at his ruler with concern.

"My King...?" he asked quietly, and Talos gently exhaled across his beak.

"You will crouch for me," Talos commanded, "I wish to spend myself inside you." Uren's feathers ruffled; the large bird evidently flustered by the request.

"M... my King," he protested, "my son is still here..."

"...and he shall watch his father get knotted by the King" Talos cut in over him, "this is not a request, Nightwing, this is a command. Turn around to face your son, raise your tail and present yourself to me. I will not ask again, or would you prefer I told young Raal over there what really happened the night he was conceived?" Uren blanched, throwing a nervous glance over his shoulder at the younger black gryphon sitting on the sofa. The King's commands were absolute, and he lowered his head submissive to the superior beast before him.

"A... as you wish, my King," he conceded, slowly turning away from the royal gryphon. Jason and Raal looked on in quiet shock; Raal had never seen his father humbled like that, and Jason was terrified by bearing witness to Uren getting dominated so easily. A single word of this to anyone and he knew Uren would torture him for weeks without mercy. Was he really about to see Captain Uren Nightwing, legendary Lord and right-hand man of the King, get mounted? He didn't dare say anything to attract attention to himself.

As Uren lowered his front and raised his rear, his tail flicking to the side to reveal his glossy black anus to the imposing King, Talos smirked and placed his claw on his subject's rump, giving it a firm squeeze. It was difficult to see what was going on, but Jason could see those heavy black testicles swaying beneath Uren's groin, each larger than his head, and wondered what kind of equipment the most renowned breeder in the land possessed behind him.

Even Raal could find nothing to say as he watched his father serve the King without complaint, presenting like a hen in heat. It was embarrassing for the young gryphon to watch, and he tried not to make eye contact with his sire as the King admired that rear.

"Delightful," Talos mused, "how many long years it's been since I buried myself inside you." Raal's ears perked up in deep surprise: has his father really been mounted by the King before? A glance at Uren's expression indicated that there was truth to the King's words. Noticing the young gryphon's gaze, Talos grinned as he focused his attention on Raal. Slowly stepping over Uren until his royal balls were resting on that muscular rump, the King licked his beak and began to rub his damp scrotum back and forth over Uren's tailhole to gradually arouse himself.

"There's no need to be ashamed, Uren," the larger gryphon practically purred, "or maybe you do feel just a little embarrassed by it. I was there the night your father impregnated your mother with you, young Raal." He chuckled deeply, planting his claws either side of Uren's neck and digging into the bedding firmly as his erection began to peek free from his plump royal sheath. Uren could feel the heat and wetness of that sizeable gryphon cock growing against his undertail, keeping his flustered gaze on the oak doors just past his son.

"I felt every shot of sperm he emptied into your mother," Talos added with a gleam in his eyes, "while I was blowing my load deep in his tailhole. Lyra was so incredible fertile with the two of us on top of her..." He chuckled deeply, and Raal couldn't believe what he was hearing. He'd never known his father had taken a cock before, and now he knew why the older male wasn't so willing to share.

" My King, please..." Uren huffed, only to find the King's left foreclaws gently closing around his beak.

"Quiet now," Talos huffed with terrifying authority, "no need to go spoiling a good story. Your son is old enough now to know how good his daddy takes a cock." Jason pressed up against Raal, holding his feathery lover closer as he watched the unbelievable sight. He could tell the young gryphon was similarly flustered at seeing his father in such an unusual position, and hearing about how he'd been conceived was certainly a tale he'd never been privy to.

The King lined himself up, letting Uren feel the shocking size of his royal spire as it slid down over his tailhole until the tip was prodding into the centre of that plush pucker. There was little doubt to any who witnessed it that Talos, King of Talbach, was the most impressive breeder in the land.

"Relax a little," he cooed into Uren's ear, flexing his cock tip against the rim of the smaller male's anus, "you wouldn't want your little one to see you squawk, would you?" It was evident the royal beast was toying with his subject, punishing Uren for his transgression in a lurid and dominant manner. Lowering himself until his underbelly was resting upon the curve of Uren' s spine, Talos let out a deep rumble as he pushed the first four inches of his tapered shaft into that tight, tense tailhole.

Uren let out a deep growl as his anus was spread open wide by that slick breeding organ, the King's cock lubricated by the natural oils brewed in the depths of his impressive sheath. Even still, the unpractised and usually dominant male beneath him felt like his pucker was being stretched more than usual to accommodate the King's insistent length.

"It seems I do not breed you enough," Talos smirked, "you're tighter than a freshly-of-age hen. It seems I'll have my work cut out for me this time." He chuckled, and Uren growled as the King's cock withdrew slightly, scraping his barbed glans over the sensitive nerves lining the drake's anal passage.

Relaxing his grip on Uren's beak, the King thrust back into the Lord beneath him, relishing in the feeling of that tight tailhole gripping his penis firmly, resisting his progress of sliding deeper within. A quiet huff escaped his royal beak while Uren groaned at the feeling of having his tailhole penetrated by an even larger male. He was not used to being the smaller one, the submissive one, and he'd never told his son about all the times he and his wife had raised his tail for the mighty King.

"Relax, my dear," Talos teased in delight, knowing how to press Uren's buttons, "you're much too tense. Don't want your little one knowing how bad his daddy likes crouching for the King?" Uren snarled, but didn't talk back to the superior beast; he knew the power dynamic at play, and would take his punishment as the King saw fit to deliver it.

Another firm thrust saw a few more inches slip inside, working nearly a third of his regal breeding spire into that fleshy hole. Thick, oozing pre-cum and sheath lubricants made the insertion easier, but Uren still found himself clutching the bed and gritting his beak as his rear was reminded just how impressive the bigger bird on his back truly was. He was glad his feathers were pure black; his son might have seen the blush he was sporting upon his features at being dominated in front of him.

Working up a slow but steady rhythm, Talos began to fuck his loyal subject. A talented and experienced breeder of males and females alike, the King showed little sign of effort as he mated with Lord Nightwing. Jason and Raal were unable to take their eyes off the sight of the King having his way with Raal's father, and by the confident smirks the royal beast threw their way, he was enjoying the voyeurs.

The King grew more and more impatient with the resistance from the gryphon below, pushing him down harder into the mattress while his thrusts increased in both force and swiftness. Uren groaned, his own thick cock heavily erect between his thighs, bouncing in time with the larger male's heavy pounding. There was little doubt who was in charge as Uren took over a foot and a half of powerful royal shaft inside him, feeling his innards stretching to accommodate the beast on his back.

"That's it, you're loosening up nicely now," the King purred, finally able to feel his heavy balls slapping against Uren's taint, "how does it feel to be taken by your King?" Uren didn't respond as his tailhole was hammered hard by that insistent spire, his intestines becoming hot and sloppy with those rich lubricants oozing from horny hybrid's urethra. Disappointed at the lack of response, Talos leaned in and nipped firmly at the back of that black-furred neck. Squawking at the bite, Uren growled with embarrassment as he tried not to look at his son.

"It... it feels wonderful, my King," he muttered, and Talos smirked, giving him a second hard nip. Growling harder, Uren looked back at the larger male briefly, knowing full well the older male wanted to humiliate him before their audience.

"I... I love it, my King," he huffed, louder this time, "I love being taken by you... I love being... *huff*... fucked hard by you... bred by you..." He buried his beak into the bedding in embarrassment, but his words weren't false; he'd forgotten how amazing it felt to have his prostate pounded by the talented and well-equipped King Talos. Jason could hardly believe it; he was watching Uren Nightwing beg like a hen in heat for the King's cock. Raal was flustered, watching his own sire be conquered by the royal gryphon, unable to look away from the King's pendulous testicles as they left large, sweaty impressions on his father's taint.

Both incredible beasts were so much larger than the two observing males; Talos and Uren's combined weight making the royal bed groan as they rutted passionately. It was clear that despite his protests Uren loved the treatment, that immense knot kissing his pucker firmly now that the royal bird was nearly all the way inside his well-stretched rear. Jason wondered how much truth there was to the King's words, whether he'd truly been on top of Uren while Uren was impregnating Lyra. The whole situation was shockingly lewd, and it was becoming clear to human just how much more sexually-driven these feral beasts truly were. Despite how surreal the situation appeared, Jason could feel his own erection prominently against the inside of his suit pants. Beside him, he couldn't quite see if Raal was sporting any arousal of his own.

It was hard not to be, with two powerful male gryphons enjoying rough, hard sex on the King's glorious bed, filling the room with the sounds of grunts, growls and the slapping of balls on rump. The King's testicles were unbelievably large, no doubt carrying one of the most virile and potent loads ever known to a living creature, and Jason could spot them briefly with each thrust, somewhat obscured by Uren's muscular thigh.

"I'm going to cum soon," the King announced matter-of-factly, "but only when you beg for it, Uren." The black gryphon grunted in response, his beak pressed down against the bed, tailhole taking a rigorous pounding from that healthy knot, so close to demanding entrance inside him. He would submit to his King in all ways, as he always had.

"Please, my King... Talos..." he huffed, his eyes pressed tightly closed in pleasure, "knot me. Finish in me. I want it... all of it." The King smirked at Uren's plea, and wrapped a claw around his beak, clamping it shut and stomping it down dominantly into the bedding. With the extra leverage and grip on his bitch, the King let out a deep snarl and drove his hips harder into the smaller male's rear.

Uren's eyes shot open as he felt that immense knot demand entrance into his rump, his tailhole stretching wide to try and accommodate such an incredible bulge of flesh. It reminded him of that time eighteen years prior, when the King's fat knot had locked deep inside his anus and stimulated one of the heaviest loads he'd ever released into the depths of Lyra's womb. The pleasurable memory came right to the front of his mind as Talos tied them together once more, and with a deep, muffled squawk of satisfaction and embarrassment he came hard on the King's bed.

As he sank himself in to the hilt in his trusted companion's tight tailhole, Talos grunted in pure delight as that tight tunnel clenched hard around his shaft, locking it firmly in place. The feeling of Uren cumming beneath him, fucked to orgasm by his perfect royal cock, was enough to push the bigger bird over the edge and unload himself in the depths of the black beast's bowels.

Jason and Raal watched in amazement as Talos ejaculated in Uren's rear, those heavy balls tensing and drawing up tighter in that loose sack as rope after rope of thick, virile gryphon cum flooded the normally dominant gryphon below. It was the first of many as the King emptied himself inside Raal's father, cramming two massive testicles worth of sperm-rich semen into the twisting tunnels of the predator he was claiming. It was an incredible sight to behold, two monstrous males huffing and grunting in climax, every deep, hidden throb from the King's cock matched with a visible one from Uren, saturating the bed in sloppy streams of the same rich batter that had brewed his son.

"Still as good a fuck as two decades ago," the King teased, panting a little as he continued to soak Uren's intestines with potent gushes of his seed. Still unable to bring himself to look at his son, Uren took the King's load with quiet pride; even though he were being punished, to receive the King's climax was an honour that few could claim. Despite the situation, were he female he would have proudly carried the King's clutch, such was his devotion.

As the royal gryphon's climax tapered off, fifteen seconds after the last of Uren's own load had splattered the bedding, Talos let go of his beak slowly and placed his claws back down on the bed, riding out those last few dribbles with a few gentle humps into that cum-stuffed anus. The smell of spent gryphons of their combined statute was incredibly potent, with both Jason and Raal able to smell the thick scent of sex, musk and sweat that filled the King's chambers.

"Raal," Talos spoke, snapping the young gryphon back to attention as he looked up at those piercing eyes, "take young Jason and return home, your father and I shall be here for another hour or two. Remember our deal; I shall send for you both when the time is right." Not wanting to stick around any longer than he had to, Raal quickly took Jason's wrist with his tail and dragged him off the sofa and back to his feet.

"Thank you, my King," Raal replied quickly, and Jason bowed briefly below they headed towards the door. Both would need some time to process everything that had happened. Just before they reached it, the King clicked his claws and time doors opened wide. This time, however, there was something else waiting for them.

A cage, with a human man and woman kneeling inside, was wheeled past the departing duo by a pair of gryphon guards. They were each naked save for a basic robe, and they stared at Jason and Raal as they walked by.

As the doors began to swing shut behind them, Jason could hear the King speak clearly before it sealed completely.

"Would you like to share a meal, Uren?" came the honeyed voice from the royal gryphon, and Jason paled slightly.

"Yes, my King."

What on earth had they agreed to?