Page 30 of The Gargoyle's Grace
Once I’d collected my demon-killing Light blade from my room, I returned to the dining hall. Grace was already prepared for us with tankards of coffee and plates full of food.
“Eat up. I don’t need to know the details, but I can tell bad news when I see it.” She dusted her hands across her apron and returned to the kitchen.
Vassago raised an eyebrow at me.
“Don’t start.”
“I said nothing, stone man.” He gave me time to begin eating, then added, “But it’s about time the two of you finally did something with all that chemistry boiling over between you.”
“About time?” I mocked. “You just got here, demon.”
“I know. And it was already driving me mad, so I can’t imagine how relieved everyone else will feel when they find out.”
I flicked a drop of hot coffee at his face, which earned me a foul hand gesture.
Grace usually had an innate sense for when people were finished eating and swooped in to take the plates away before we could think about it. When she didn’t come back, I gathered them up myself and started for the kitchen.
“I’ll be out in the courtyard,” Vago said.
I found her eating her own breakfast at the counter with her hair pulled up in a very utilitarian bun. I noticed a few marks from our escapades dotted the back of her neck.
“Do you need anything to take with you?” she asked softly.
“No, but thank you.”
“I…” She gave a self-deprecating smile and shook her head. “I don’t know how to do this part either, I guess.”
“Which part are we at now, Little Rabbit?”
“The part where you go off to be a soldier and I stay here and pretend I’m not worried about you. The part where people know about us and have questions, but I don’t have answers. The part—”
“Grace. Breathe.” I set my hands on her shoulders.
After a great big inhale, panic still rested on her face. “I’m not used to feeling like this.”
“Like what?”
“Vulnerable.”
I pulled her into my arms, squeezed her tightly for a long moment, then released her so I could kiss her lush mouth in hopes of relaxing her a little bit. “We’ll figure it out together, okay?”
She breathed again, then nodded. “Okay.”
“I’ve been a soldier for hundreds of years. This is my job, and I’m damn good at it. I’ll be fine. Vassago will be with me, and maybe Rylan. Gaius too.” She stiffened. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you to be his friend, Grace, but I would suggest you be open to the idea that he may be around sometimes. He’s going through something, and his affection for you seems to be tangled up in that. I don’t believe he ever meant to make you feel uncomfortable, though I know he did. It’s up to him to apologize for that, however.”
“You’ll be fine?”
“Yes, I will.” I smiled at her. My fierce Little Rabbit was a whole different person when she was concerned for my well-being instead of threatening it.
“Okay.” She nodded enthusiastically, and I saw the change happen on her face—it was fascinating. It was as though she’d managed to grapple her worries into submission and was ready to plow forward with her day. “I’ll be right here when you get back,” she promised. “I might even plan to have enough food around to feed you a good meal.”
Her teasing was a good sign that she’d come to an understanding with herself about things. It was also often my favorite part of our time together, though it had some very stiff competition now.
I planted a solid kiss on her mouth, drawing her in for one more firm hug before pulling away. “I take care of what’s mine, Grace. We have plans to make when I return.”
Without waiting for a response, I left the room before I could convince myself to delay any further. I was procrastinating because this time—for the first time in ages—when I left the grounds, I was leaving behind my future.
* * *
