Page 42 of The Stones for It
Vrath shrugged his wings. Only the lower half of them dipped in the shallow water. “You needed the rest, little mortal. Don’t worry, I finished cleaning us up and kept watch.”
I snorted. “We may have just met, but I didn’t think for a second that you’d leave us vulnerable.”
Vrath was a protector down to his core, and being one myself, I hadn’t realised how much I’d crave that in a partner. Being surrounded by his spikes and strength was comforting on a foundational level. Trusting him to have my back allowed me a moment to switch off. To feel precious and safe, and set down the weight I always carried.
If anyone stumbled across our little sex haven, they’d have to go through all of his vicious fury before I was forced to start cutting people up myself.
Pleasure lingered through my limbs, giving the world a soft glow beyond the otherworldly moss decorating the cave.
Vrath and I had created a blissful world of our own, and I was reluctant to move ever again.
“Little mate,” he murmured into my damp hair before curving lower to trace the shell of my ear. “If you keep wiggling like that, we’re never going to leave this cave…”
“If you’re trying to threaten me, Vrath Daddy, you’d better dish out your punishments with fewer orgasms,” I mumbled.
He chuckled against my neck and ran his nose along it like he was scenting me. “Hmm, I suppose it depends on whether you keep being a good girl for me or not.”
My lips peeled back into a lazy grin, but my eyes felt heavy as I basked in the afterglow with the Gargoyle King.
But reality seeped in at the edges.
Rain continued to fall outside, lighter than before, but that sense of urgency trickled back in.
It wasn’t the only thing I had to face.
With a controlled inhale, I scrounged up the strength to sit up on Vrath’s lap. He met my gaze and cautious neutrality slid into place like he sensed the change in my mood.
“So… we’re mates, huh?” I tried for casual, but even I could hear the tremble in my voice.
A smile conquered his features. “Yes, my little mortal. Gargoyles identify their fated mates with a kiss. I’ve finally found you, and I’m never letting you go.”
I swallowed down the thickness clogging my throat.
How did I get so lucky to find these amazing men who wanted to keep me, when everyone who’d held my loyalty before had thrown me away?
“You silly slate,” I rasped, blinking back the moisture gathering in my eyes. “You’re the one who’s never getting away.”
He chuckled, a low and alluring rumble that hit me like a landslide. “Such a brat, even after I’ve fucked you into submission.”
I pursed my lips, a smile threatening the edges. “Maybe you’d better try harder next time, Vrath Daddy.”
“Don’t tempt me, mortal.” His growl was almost a purr. His eyes flicked up, and a sigh left him. “Your next punishment will have to wait until we’ve retrieved your psychotic mate, though. It’s stopped raining.”
“I’m telling you,” I said, stalking beside the towering gargoyle. “We should bring him an actual heart.”
Vrath snorted, shooting me a wry smile. “And why would we do that? Seems impractical.”
I huffed. “Aye, well… it’s kind of an inside joke.”
He arched a pale brow. “Ripping out a heart is your idea of a joke, mortal?”
“No…” I chewed my lower lip, trying to puzzle out how best to explain it. “Maybe?” There probablywasn’ta good way to justify gifting bloody hearts. “You know how Neiron is…” I shrugged, offering him a sheepish grin.
We’d been hunting through the dusky-hued jungle for about half an hour after dressing and leaving the shelter of the cave,following the throwing star he’d turned into a tracker. Vrath had given me a crash course in boudas to fill the gaps in my fae knowledge while we’d walked, detailing their strengths and weaknesses, their mind-altering magic, and their shifting forms. He’d also briefed me on jackalopes and stags, in case some were still with the boudas when we caught up to them.
After the rains, fewer plants and vines glowed. Pools of water gathered on the wider leaves and little streams cut their way across the forest floor. The canopy continued to rain fat drops, but Vrath had assured me that contact with the flora neutralised the acidity. So, in theory, it was now safe for me to touch the liquid.
I still stepped over every trickling stream and leapt every puddle.
