Page 24 of Guardian of Shadows

“You’re not funny,” Elle groused, pushing against his shoulder.

“Hey, I’m damned funny.” Before she could argue further, Tony kissed her. It started off with soft pecks but quickly turned heated when his dick began getting hard again. Since he was still buried inside, he rocked back and forth, so painfully slow until Elle couldn’t take it any longer. She hooked her legs behind his butt, digging her heels into his cheeks, and urging him to move faster. When he ignored her nonverbal request, she whispered, “Please.” Her mate grinned against her mouth and complied.

After round two, Tony went into the attached bathroom and wet a washcloth, cleaning their combined release from her legs and in between. He pulled on his briefs while she dug fresh underwear out of her bag since he had shredded the others. They climbed under the covers, and Elle snuggled against her mate’s chest. Elle had a mate. She sighed happily and closed her eyes. Between the time difference and the explosive sex, it didn’t take long for sleep to claim her.

Chapter 9

Anthony’s mind buzzed as he held Elle while she slept. What a difference a day could make. He, Antonio Andrew Stone, had a mate. Making love to her eclipsed all the sex he’d had up until that point, and now he understood why the others insisted having a mate was everything. He should have known it would be the best feeling in the world after seeing his parents together all these years. He prayed Queen Zarina found a way to remove the sigil, because no matter that he told Elle differently, Anthony wasn’t ready for either of their lives to be over. He was a mere pup in the scheme of a Gargoyle’s life, and he and Elle had lots of living to do. Together. Anthony couldn’t wait to introduce her to his parents and Tabitha. Andy too, although he was too young to understand the significance of his big brother having a mate. He wanted Elle to meet Luna and Solara so they could compare magic. He wanted Bas and Dakota to meet the newest member of their Clan.

His phone vibrated just as his head tingled with Tabitha’s emotions. Shit. He had been so intent on claiming Elle, he’d forgotten to close off their connection. Since Elle was sleeping, he didn’t want to disturb her to find his phone, so he sent a wave of happiness to his twin, hoping once she found out he was mated, she would be glad for him.

A door downstairs opened, and voices carried up to the second floor. If he hadn’t been claiming Elle, he never would have had sex in Travis and Brynna’s house, but being mated themselves, he knew they would understand. Yari had complained earlier when Brent asked her and Cassi to go with him for a walk, but the younger Goyle had been giving them privacy, and Tony appreciated it. Footsteps approached the door after treading up the stairs. Anthony pulled the comforter higher to shield Elle’s shoulder as someone knocked softly.

“Come in,” he called out.

Yari opened the door far enough to stick her head in. “I have news from the Queen, and it isn’t good.”

“Then it can wait another hour or two while Elle rests.” She hadn’t been asleep for long.

“I’m awake.” Elle rubbed her face against Anthony’s chest and blew out a breath.

“I’ll let you get dressed and meet you downstairs.” Yari closed the door behind her.

“Dammit,” Elle fussed, and Tony agreed.

“You should rest a little longer.”

“I won’t be able to go back to sleep knowing bad news is waiting.” Elle pushed up to sitting and tossed the covers back. She slid her legs over the side of the bed, but didn’t get to her feet.

Anthony sat up, easing his legs to either side of hers so he was sitting behind her. With his arms around her middle, he placed his chin on her shoulder. “We’ll face this together.”

Elle leaned back, giving him her weight. He pressed his lips to her temple, leaving them there while inhaling her scent and ignoring the fact that she was naked. A couple of purple fireballs danced along Elle’s palms. They reminded him of the way her hands had branded his ass cheeks right before her orgasm. Now that would be a story to tell if it weren’t so personal.

Elle extinguished the flames and slid off the bed. She dragged some clothes out of her duffel, so Anthony rose and redressed in the clothes he’d been wearing. Elle chose jeans and a sweater with a pair of worn boots. The first thing he was going to do after getting this meeting over with was taking his mate shopping. She deserved new clothes, not something from a secondhand store. Anthony wasn’t being classist because he knew that’s all a lot of folks could afford. Life wasn’t always fair as to the family you were born into or the cards life dealt. It was one reason he made anonymous donations to various schools in the Atlanta area. Kids shouldn’t be picked on for not having proper clothing.

Once Elle was dressed, she waved her hand, and her braids were changed to a high ponytail. There was no glitter or sparkles on her face, only her natural beauty. Anthony shoved his feet in his boots, ran his fingers through his short hair, and called it done. When they got downstairs, Yari, Cassi, and Brent were waiting. Yari paced the living room in front of the fireplace while everyone else sat watching. Yari stopped when they entered the room, threw up her hands, and started the circuit again. Now that she no longer wore a coat, her arms were visible, and on the left was a vibrant tattoo.

“Just spit it out, Yari,” Elle insisted.

“It’s fucking bullshit,” she seethed, and Elle winced as if she were afraid of her sister. Anthony tugged Elle into his side with his arm around her shoulder. “The Queen approached the elders who said they couldn’t begin to remove the sigil without you there. She explained how you couldn’t go through the portal and requested one of them come here, but they refused, saying they wouldn’t go against the goddess’s wishes.”

“What about getting an Und?nthú here?” Elle asked. “They’re all under Zarina’s rule now that Melisandra’s dead, right?”

“Yes, but the goddess put a ban on using portals anywhere other than the realm where Zarina’s brother has the dark fae imprisoned. D?nthú doesn’t want the fae – light or dark – finding their way to Earth and causing chaos.”

Elle gestured at her sister with her hand. “But you’re using one.”

“And that’s only so that Cassi can go back and forth. Since I’m her guardian, it applies to me as well, but I can’t use it whenever I feel like it. I have to request permission.” She gestured at the pendant around her neck. “The goddess did it as a favor to Mórdrake seeing as he’s Cassi’s great-grandfather. Prince Rhoan and Thran are able to visit too. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t allow it.”

Elle’s shoulders slumped, and Tony sensed her despondence through the bond. “Fae aren’t the only magic users. Let’s call Luna and Solara. Maybe they can figure something out.”

Cassi stood and approached Elle. “Don’t give up, Elle. Let Anthony call these females, and while he does that, I’m going to visit my parents. I’m not above begging my great-grandfather for another favor.”

Elle shook her head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

Cassi cupped Elle’s cheek. “You’re not asking. If it weren’t for you, the dragons might have perished. I think this is the least we can do to repay you.”

“Then why doesn’t the goddess see it that way?”

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