Page 14 of The Stones for It
Neiron beamed, full wattage. “For good reason.”
I rolled my eyes, and they landed on Vrath as he adjusted the material at his hips, finally covering his monster meat.
Do. Not. Laugh.
“Is… is that a…loincloth?” My lips twitched.
I tried desperately to hold in the laugh that demanded freedom.
My focus dropped back to the scrap of hide he’d secured around his hips and the lickable ‘V’ of muscles that pointed down towards it.
He huffed. “It’s comfortable. This section of the Night Forest gets warm, and I’m used to cooler climates.”
The peal that escaped me was far too loud for the situation, but it was like all the insanity of the last few hours was catching up to me. The sounds bubbled up my throat with unexpected force until I could hardly breathe through the outpouring. Until moisture leaked from the corner of my eye.
Neiron flashed me a bemused quirk of his lips, before shooting Vrath a look. “I think you broke my human.”
Predictably, the gargoyle grunted in return, opening his big mouth. “All humans are broken creatures.”
His ridiculousness sharpened the budding hysteria into something more useful. I didn’t have time for a mental breakdown. I’d been stolen from my life and thrust into a magical realm fraught with danger and dickheads.
I couldn’t believe I’d let agargoyle, of all fae, get into my panties, even if it was just his tail tip.
I tapped my chin with a hum. “I didn’t know they made arseholes for statues, let alone create one made entirely from them.”
Neiron squished his hands to his fuzzy cheeks. “Awwww, you two are just adorable together.”
“Hey, focus.” I swatted his arm, lips twitching at his antics. “Why did you bring me to meet this prickly pigeon perch?” I tried again.
“I told you; for good reason.” He nodded.
My eyes narrowed on the infuriating fluffball.
“Yeesh, and here I thought my knot might spare me your wrath. You came so sweetly for me, squealing like such pretty prey.”
“Knot?” The gargoyle frowned, before raking over me with a scoff. “This little scrap of human is yourmate?”
My brows shot up. “Little scrap?”
I was already reaching for my blade.
Neiron caught me around the waist, pinning my arms before I could pull it. He hugged me to his warm chest, spinning us with a dreamy sigh. “I’m the luckiest male in all the realms, aren’t I?”
“Fluffles!” I wriggled an arm free and tugged on the end of his ear tuft. “Put me down.”
He winced, lowering me to slide deliciously down the hard planes of his silky-furred chest with a dramatic whine.
“Neiron…” I hissed, battling to rein in my temper, and pushed at his chest.
He let me create space with a huff and turned to his friend. “Myperfectmate is looking for someone. The Royal Hunter sent to fetch her turned traitor and has been taken by his own. Where would they hold him?”
I had to bite my tongue at him calling Rattle atraitor, but I supposed to them he was.
Vrath was already shaking his head, drawing my eye to his ridged horns. “He’s dead.”
It was like being shot.
His words slammed into my chest and my heart kicked back painfully.
