Page 32 of The Gargoyle's Glade
“Why not?”
“She’s stone sleeping. Has been for quite some time.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Is that unusual? To stone sleep for a long stretch?”
“It is. My kin and I are keeping an eye on her though.” Between myself, my father, and my sisters, someone had checked once every day or so since I first found her. Absolutely nothing had changed, but Lovette seemed certain she was just resting.
Merry swallowed, both of us taking in the swath of wildlife that surrounded her at all times. I was becoming concerned about the resources for them in the glade. So far, they all seemedto be peacefully co-existing, but if they depleted what the area could offer, that surely couldn’t last.
“Is she alright?” Merry asked, drawing my attention away from the animals.
“We don’t know,” I admitted. “She’s one of the oldest of us. The rules are not the same.”
Her face fell. “I hope she’s okay.”
“Me too.”
We stood there a long moment, the urge to hold her nearly overwhelming me. “You seem tired. Are you ill?”
She touched her temple. “Just a headache.”
“Another one?” After a brief hesitation, she nodded, but I could see she regretted the movement straightaway. “You should rest.”
Merry closed her eyes and let out a long breath. “I really need to speak with Ophelia.”
“Maybe someone else at the conclave can help?” I offered. “I could take you there. What did you need her for?” There was no escaping the sudden flush that lit up my whole body. I’d essentially offered to take her home, to introduce her to my whole extended family, and I hadn’t even hesitated. The words had tumbled off my tongue like it was the most natural thing in the world. My pulse tripled as I tried to figure out what that meant.
“It’s the book she gave me about hearing the animals, being a conduit. I can’t make any sense of it.” Her face dropped. “I thought by now, with the number of contracts I’ve sorted, the animals would be leaving in droves. Some have, but there are more. Always more.” The strain in her face was highlighted by the shadows cast when she turned her head. I ached to reach for her.
“Perhaps someone at d’Arcan then?”
She shook her head, then winced, a hand flying to her forehead. “Hailon and I went the other day. Whatever language or encoding it’s in, it’s not known to have origins with the stone kin, demons, witches, or fae. Tap tried to read it as well, as he’s the keeper of the contracts, and even he was perplexed. Ophelia had made it seem like it was a simple little guidebook. I’m so confused. This feels like some kind of test, and I’m failing miserably.” She sighed. “Could you please let me know when she’s ready for visitors again?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” Merry turned back down the path, steps intentionally slow, soft.
My chest ached. Evenwalkinghurt her.
“Should I fetch Hailon for you?”
Her curls bobbed as she shook her head, one hand twisting the bracelet on her wrist around and around. “She’s in the city today.”
I’d had enough.Iwas here.Icould help.
“I’ll see you home. They should not have left you like this.” I softened my tone. “I will not leave you like this.”
“I’m fi—” I stepped in front of her and scooped her up, then let out my wings so I could glide us back to her cabin. She’d squeaked but didn’t fight to be let down. Instead, she grabbed on tight, arms lashed around my neck and legs held snugly in the bend of my arm. The close contact had my whole body alight. I breathed her in, the scent of sunshine and berries flooding my senses. Something under my ribs gave a wild throb, and I had to cover my gasp with a grunt.
“Don’t lie to me. You’re not fine, Merry.”
I got her into the cabin in short order, settling her comfortably on the sofa. I fetched a glass of water from her kitchen and offered it to her with some of the shimmery elixir that was sitting by the sink. Greta’s work, by the looks of it.
“This is all very sweet but completely unnecessary, Coltor. Thank you though. And I can’t take any more of that until later, I had some before I left for the portal.” Her praise sent a bright thrill through me. “It should start working soon, honestly. I’ll be alright. I promise to rest.”
“Drink.” Her eyebrow raised, but she did as I asked. I paced, arms crossed as she sipped. “How bad?”
“How bad what?”
