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would. He’d make a point of it before she got too near the little one.
    He thought Miss understood the use of her claws a little better now, but he still doubted she’d know when and how to use them effectively. For now, Hugh had to be her defender no matter what. His honor demanded no less. He’d taken her in. Placed her under his protection. He would defend her against all comers.
    Even pretty ones with flowing hair and luminous eyes that refused to meet his.
    The woman walked closer and Hugh could see her eyes were a lovely shade of light hazel brown. He noted something else as well. Something that set his teeth on edge. As she reached out one hand toward the gryphlet, she was gathering her power. Magical power. And she intended to direct it toward Miss. Her actions could brook no other interpretation.
    “What is your name, little one?” she asked even as her hand rose and her power released.
    Hugh stood abruptly, placing himself between the woman’s outstretched hand and the baby gryphon. He took in the strange flavor of her magic and absorbed it. His dragon strength allowed not one smidgen of the questioning magic to return to its owner.
    For that’s what it had been, he realized now. A magical summons. A question. A request for compliance.
    No way was he going to let this strange woman—fine lady or not—use such a thing on Miss. She was only a baby and didn’t understand much about magic. She’d most likely give the woman anything she wanted, including her obedience.
    Hugh believed such a thing should be earned. Not coerced by magical means. Or any other means, come to that.
    “She does not have a proper name yet, milady.” Hugh’s tone was polite but firm. “We simply call her Miss.”
    The shy gryphlet rubbed against his leg, her head peeping around his thigh so she could gaze up at the woman. Miss was trembling again, probably picking up on Hugh’s tension. He reached downward with one hand and stroked her neck, trying to ease her nerves. She was very highly strung after the ordeal she’d been through, though she was bouncing back bit by bit with the ease of the very young. Hugh would be damned if he’d let this woman scare the gryphlet back into the state she’d been in when he’d found her.
    “What did you just do?” The woman’s unguarded words betrayed her shock as her wide hazel eyes sought his gaze.
    “I will allow no harm to come to this child. She is under my protection.” His words were pitched low so that only the woman could hear him.
    “I intend her no harm.” She drew herself up with indignation, though she was still a head shorter than him.
    “Then you will not touch her with your magic. I do not know its origins or intent and I will not allow it to influence her one way or the other.” His words challenged her authority and he could see by the fire in her gaze that she didn’t like it. Highborn as she was, she probably wasn’t used to it.
    “And what of you? Are you not influencing her? You are an outlander here. What right have you to one of our citizens?”
    “Outlander I may be, but I recognize an outcast when I see one. Your people did not help her when they should have. You do not deserve her.”
    Something in her deflated at his words. For a split second he almost regretted the harsh truth he’d just spoken. Then Miss’s intensified trembling got through to him and he bent to lift her into his arms. Let them see how easily he could carry her. Let them realize he could protect her from all comers.
    It was an irrational thought but one that would not be denied. His brother Nico could send another spy to Helios to complete Hugh’s mission. One better suited to stealth than a lone dragon in a land dominated by feathered wings instead of scaled ones. Miss’s fate was more important at the moment.
    “Don’t fight,” Miss said as her clear eyes gazed up at him with fear in their depths.
    “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He crooned to the child, rocking her