Page 2 of The Gargoyle's Glade
“They’re sweet,” I said with a sigh as images of my sisters and brother danced across my mind.
“I’m sure you miss them.” Hailon patted the hand I’d left resting on the fence. Jacks, bored with us, as we had no treats, wandered back toward the other horses, tail flicking as he went. At least he was settled in well, that was one less worry on my end.
“Yes.” A lump formed in my throat. “So silly. I spent my whole life trying to get away from my bratty, needy siblings, and now I miss all the whining. Their sticky hands. Someone always tugging on my skirt. Makes no sense.” A large cat approached and wound its way between my ankles, rubbing its cheeks against my legs. “Hello, there. Aren’t you friendly.” I reached down to give its head a scratch. I could have sworn when it slowly blinked up at me, I heard a voice say hello back, which was disconcerting but foolish. The creature purred at me for a moment before trotting off into the grass.
I glanced up to see the brothers exchange an amused look.
“No, that makes perfect sense,” Hailon assured me, giving my hand another squeeze.
“Indeed,” Rylan agreed. He and Vassago stood to the side, watching us. For such large figures, I didn’t find them intimidating. It probably helped that I’d first met them with their wives, and literally everyone had been so welcoming it was hard to see them as anything other than kind.
“Shall we apologize to Grace ourselves?” Vassago asked. “She’ll likely bless us with tea and snacks if we do.”
“I’ll never refuse Grace’s snacks.” Hailon linked her arm in mine again, enthusiasm shining in her eyes.
“Nor would she let you,” Rylan chuckled.
My friend looked healthy, happy. Like she’d truly found herself here. It was so different to how she’d been in Ravenglen. My chest squeezed tight with the hope of doing the same for myself.
The stone school building was cool inside, the difference in temperature abrupt from the moment we crossed over the threshold. The late afternoon sun had been keeping me plenty warm, but I suppressed a shiver as we walked down the main hallway and through a wide set of doors.
The expansive dining room made me pause to take a deep breath. Just standing there made my mouth water, the scents coming from the kitchen promising a delicious meal. It was hard to pin down why, especially given the size of it, but the whole space felt like the best parts of coming home after a long day.
The tension in my shoulders eased as the others spoke to one another around me, and I took in the details of the room. Each of the stout wooden posts had a different animal carved into it. The massive hearths at either side of the room kept it the perfect temperature, and I could almost hear the echoes of the students talking as we passed long rows of tables and benches.
“Why’s our table clear over there?” Vassago asked. I turned to find him frowning, pointing to a round table and chairs shoved off to the furthest corner of the room.
Grace, a force of a woman who reminded me of my mother in many ways, burst from the kitchen door as though she’d sensed our presence. I’d met her twice already, and both times the energy about her was exactly the same.
“Ah! Yes, there you two are. The little helpers you finally returned to me for their chores are assembling your tea. Care to lend a hand?” Without waiting for a response, she quickly vanished again out the doorway we’d just entered through.
Rylan and Vassago looked at one another curiously, then followed her out.
“Should we…” I started, but Hailon shook her head.
“No, I’m sure they’ve got it. Grace would have given us a task. I’ve learned it’s best to stay out of her way unless she specifically asks.”
Moments later, the men reappeared along with two others, a giant upside-down table and several chairs carried between them. I blinked and my face grew hot as I took in the familiar broad forms. One was Coltor, a stone kin man I’d met at Ophelia’s house shortly after I’d arrived in Revalia.
He was Hailon’s friend, and I couldn’t seem to avoid seeing him no matter where I went in this expansive city. His father, Magnus, was likely the other set of broad shoulders under the huge slab of wood they were carrying. Grace directed them tidily around corners and between benches, and Hailon and I scuttled out of the way as the table was flipped legs down and set near where we’d been standing. We collected the chairs from the round table and slid them into the empty spots around the new large rectangular one.
Grace stood back once everything was settled where she wanted it, a pleased smile on her face. She pulled a rag from her apron pocket and polished a spot on the wood to a glossy shine. “I’ll miss the old one,” she gestured vaguely to the round one in the corner, “but this one has plenty of room to grow.” Her twinkling eyes grazed mine as she turned, and Magnus tucked her under his arm, pressing a kiss to her hair as they went into the kitchen.
Rylan smiled as he ran one finger along the surface. “Calla will be pleased. I wasn’t sure when she told me which one she’d decided on, but I shouldn’t have doubted her.”
Vassago chuffed. “We should all know by now not to doubt them, but we can’t seem to help ourselves, can we?”
The brothers looked dreamy, gazes far away as they commiserated about their wives. Hailon smothered a laugh asshe looked my way. She was fooling herself though; I’d met her man, and he was their brother. He was just as besotted with her.
“Well, I’ll be on my way.” Coltor glanced at me, then turned to leave as Grace and Magnus returned, arms full of plates and cups.
“You will not. Sit.” Magnus grinned at his son, the expression on his face softening the tone with which the words were delivered.
Grace distributed teacups and started to pour. “Please,” she added. “We so rarely see you. Can’t you at least stay for some tea?”
Coltor glanced around, discomfort obvious, but he selected a seat. The one directly across from me.
Chapter 2
