Page 9 of Seduced By Moonlight

“Ward? Am I to call you that or something else?” Rihanna asked.

“Ward’s fine. I don’t stand on ceremony.”

“I understand you want me to swear formally tomorrow evening, and I’m assuming it will be in front of your clan, but to reassure both of us, I, Rihanna Norwood, promise not to harm you, your clan, or to do damage to your property.”

Magic swirled in the air. Extremely strong magic, Ward noticed.

“I, King Hereward Tywyll, of Clan Tywyll and king of the San DeLain gargoyles, accept your vow and extend the same,” Ward answered formally. “Thank you.”

The vows intertwined and then solidified into a bond between him and Rihanna. Seeing such a strong link between the two of them reassured Ward greatly that he was not making a mistake or putting his clan in jeopardy.

Ward noticed a sense of resolve settled over Rihanna’s face, but there was also relief.

“There are many humans and other paranormals who’re part of my clan, so you’ll see many people out and about today if you’re still awake later. I’ll see you once the sun sets again,” Ward said.

“Thank you,” Rihanna murmured.

“Here. Let me show you where you can rest.” Celine escorted Rihanna back to a room.

As the door closed behind them, Ward stood in the corridor, his mind racing with possibilities and dangers alike. He turned and strolled back toward the stairwell that would lead to the roof, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders.

The ancient stone walls of the clan’s stronghold whispered with the echo of countless oaths taken over centuries. Each one was a reminder of the fragile balance he had to maintain.

Right before daylight broke over the land, Ward perched atop the tallest tower of his castle. A few others joined him as they prepared for their stone sleep.

The first rays of dawn seeped through the sky, casting a pale glow over Ward’s figure as his transformation began. His muscles tensed and strained, his bones cracking and twisting into new shapes as his human form gave way to that of a gargoyle.

A shudder ran through his body as his skin stretched and thickened, taking on a rough gray texture like that of stone. Great wings unfurled from his back, their leathery membrane shimmering in the dim light. His tail grew, his legs changed, while sharp claws sprouted from his feet.

Within moments, Ward had transformed into a fierce gargoyle, his body frozen into the stone that formed his daytime prison, as the sun peeked over the horizon.

AS DUSK settled across the sky, painting it in shades of deep purple and midnight blue, awareness crawled through Ward’s subconsciousness. The fading light finally slipped below the horizon, and with it, hisstony exterior crumbled away.

Each piece of rock broke off with a resounding crack, echoing through the stillness of the night. As more fragments fell away, then disappeared into nothingness, Ward’smassive wings stretched out to their full size as his body contorted and shifted.

A low, guttural growl emanated from his throat as his muscles adapted to his newly revealed self. His skin was now a smooth midnight blue instead of gray stone. He stretched, working the kinks out.

After greeting several of his clan members who shared the roof with him, he took the stone stairwell that led to his personal chambers. The steps creaked beneath his weight, a familiar sound that had become like music to his ears.

When he reached his floor, he turned down a dimly lit hallway and reached for the doorknob of his private quarters. The worn wooden handle was smooth in his hand, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity.

As he stepped inside, the scent of incense and candle wax enveloped him, creating a serene atmosphere that he cherished.

The same magic that allowed gargoyles to exist also granted them clothing that adapted to his needs in this form—like a hole for his tail—and thankfully prevented them from running around naked like the shifters.

The supple leather of his pants extended to his knees, but below that point, there was nothing remotely human about his legs. They were a frightening combination of animal and monster, with three-taloned toes and a sharp claw protruding from the back of each foot.

As he walked, the leather creaked and stretched. He always found the contrast between his human and gargoyle forms strange. As a gargoyle, he was massive and imposing, but in his human form, he had the lean physique of a swimmer.

Ward sat heavily in his leather chair, fingers tapping on the ancient wood of his desk as he thought about Rihanna. He knew he needed to discuss his actions with his council, if only to warn them of the potential consequences.

Should he have consulted with them first before inviting Rihanna to join their clan? Yes. Normally, he would’ve already discussed it with his council, then had the person vetted. But there had been nothing normal about this, and time had been of the essence.

Ward stood and walked over to a large, ornate mirror hanging on the wall. Speaking an incantation under his breath, the surface shimmered for several minutes before finally revealing the faces of his trusted council and friends. It was like a Zoom meeting but done in a mirror.

“Good evening,” he greeted them. Each face showed varying degrees of sleepiness and curiosity.

“Well, this can’t be good, if we’re barely up and you’re contacting us in this fashion,” Luna teased.

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