Page 66 of Guarded By the Gargoyle

“Of course you can, Willow my love. You just rest and relax and let Pop-pop handle everything.”

And then he was gone, as suddenly as he had appeared. But maybe that’s not the right word since I never saw him in the flesh—maybe it’s more accurate to say his spirit left and I no longer sensed him or heard his voice.

I opened my eyes to see Sarah staring at me with awe.

“I’ve never seen anyone communicate with the other side before,” she murmured. “That was amazing, Willow!”

“Er, thanks.” I shrugged, feeling suddenly shy. “It’s just a family gift, you know?”

“Well, you’re lucky to have it. From what I heard, it sounds like your grandfather is going to go find Kael and tell him you miss him—right?”

“Right.” I nodded and for the first time in weeks, I began to feel hope. “I wonder if he’s able to come back to Earth for a few minutes? Or even if he could just talk to me like Pop-pop did—I miss hearing his voice somuch.”

“Of course you do.” Sara pressed my hand sympathetically. “Do you want to stay for some cake I made? Or would you rather go home and wait to see what happens?”

I felt grateful that she knew I would need privacy to talk to Kael—if he showed up.

“Normally I’d do anything to get a slice of one of your cakes,” I told her. She really was an excellent baker. “But I think for tonight, I just need to get home.”

“Of course. Then I’ll wrap up a slice you can take with you for later,” she said, rising.

A moment later she was seeing me off in the deepening twilight with a container holding a huge slice of chocolate cake. Before I left, she gave me a quick hug.

“I’m so glad you came to settle in Hidden Hollow,” she told me. “And I hope you get your Heartmate back.”

“I hope so too,” I told her.

Then I turned my face towards home, hoping that maybe I might have a chance to see the man I loved one last time.

38

WILLOW

But after waiting around the Flower Bower for two long, silent hours it didn’t seem like Kael was going to make an appearance. I had fed Miss Sassy her nightly dinner of wet food and taken a shower. Then I put on a silky red robe the cottage had provided for me and paced around the house for an hour. Finally I parked myself on the couch and I had been sitting by the fire waiting, but I was feeling more and more sure he wasn’t going to show.

Maybe he’s not allowed to leave Heaven,I thought sadly, as I looked into the crackling flames. I thought about calling Pop-pop again, but I didn’t like to bother him twice in one night. I knew he would do his best for me. If he couldn’t get Kael to contact me, then it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…

Then suddenly the golden glow of the fire was eclipsed by a much brighter light. I gasped and threw up a hand to shield my eyes—what was happening?

The brilliant white pillar of light shimmered in front of me for a moment…and then someone came out of it. After a moment of blinking I realized who it was.

“Kael!” I started to jump up to greet him, but he had already gone to his knees before me.

“Willow,” he murmured and his deep voice was filled with pain.

The brilliant column of light that had brought him had disappeared by now, so I was able to see his face without being blinded. My heart nearly stopped in my chest when I saw how unhappy he was. His silvery eyes were filled with sadness and regret and his mouth was set in lines of sorrow.

“Oh no—I shouldn’t have sent my Pop-pop after you, should I?” I blurted, feeling terrible. “You want to stay in Heaven—ofcourseyou do. Why would anyone want to come back to a place where they endured years of punishment? Kael, I’m so,sosorry!”

“Willow, please!” Leaning forward, he captured my hands in his. “I am the one who should be saying these things—I am the one who is sorry,” he said, looking at me earnestly.

“Sorry for what?” I asked blankly. “For leaving me? Because you couldn’t help that—I turned the key in the lock and set you free. But I only did it to keep you from getting sucked back through the portal to Hell,” I added quickly.

Kael shook his head.

“Do you really not understand? I am sorry for taking you against your will—for forcing you when I was in my demonic form.”

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