Page 4 of The Gargoyle's Glade
“Is she… prepared for that?” I asked.
“Prepared?” Hailon tilted her head in confusion. “As prepared as I was, you mean?” Her eyebrow raised. She never hesitated to ask questions that had me biting back knee-jerk responses. I appreciated and was frustrated by that in equal measure.
“Yes. Something like that.” If she wasn’t, we’d all have to manage the inevitable consequences of having to educate her about a great number of alarming things.
“We’ve discussed plenty,” Hailon confirmed.
“I’m sure she’s trustworthy. You should know that well enough as she’s been staying with Ophelia all this time.” My father’s words rolled over me as he sat back in his chair, gaze heavy. I couldn’t help the ingrained flash of shame that came as he crossed his arms over his chest. It was the pose he used either when he was gearing up for a lecture or disappointed in one of us. “You’ve managed your post well all this time on your own, son. I can understand why you’d be possessive of it.”
“I’m notpossessive,” I argued, anger rising quickly in my blood, “but there are reasons it’s guarded from outsiders. Or have you forgotten?”
My father grew serious and affirmed that he did indeed remember, which assuaged the heat in my veins.
Merry’s cheeks were rosy with embarrassment as she glanced between the faces at the table, clearly unsure what she’d gotten herself in the middle of.
“We live there too, now,” Hailon put in, quickly turning a smile on me. “And there will be others, sooner or later. We can all help her understand if there’s something she needs to learn. She’s taken quite well to all I’ve explained to her already.” Hailon raised an eyebrow, conveying very clearly she’d been busy getting her friend educated about the unique residents of this city and beyond. “Besides, another set of eyes is always good, right? If strangers wander through, there’s someone else to raise the alarm. Think of it, between us and her for neighbors, you’ll likely never be hungry or bored ever again.” Her multicolor eyes danced with mirth.
I glanced from the pair of friends to the demons and even my father, who all sat grinning quietly, like they knew a secret. Or perhaps like this was all well planned, and I was simply the last to find out.
Merry’s mouth opened, but it took a moment for her to find her voice. Her deep-brown eyes held mine from across the table. “It’s okay to say no. I can continue staying with Ophelia. She told me it was fine, I just?—”
“You’re also welcome to a room here at d’Arcan, Merry. We’ve a spare staff apartment available,” Rylan offered.
“Thank you, that’s very generous.” She swallowed before continuing. “I’m not above sleeping on a sofa if it came to that. Goodness knows I survived far worse back home. There were more of us than there were beds.” She gave a short, self-deprecating laugh and started nervously braiding a little section of her hair. “I’ve never had a place to myself, though. I’ll admit there is a certain appeal to that.” Merry’s blush deepened, turning her whole face and even the upper part of her chest pink. I tensed, the color strangely tantalizing. “What I mean to say is, there are plenty of alternatives if this arrangement isn’t going to work for you.”
My breath stalled, and I fought a rising wave of frustration. I would look cruel if I didn’t say yes. But I couldn’t blame them for that, not really. Yes, I was annoyed, but mostly I was nervous. Until very recently, I’d spent a whole lot of time alone. Socializing was difficult at best. Being in close proximity with a woman that tied both my tongue and chest in knots was going to be a challenge. I inhaled slowly through my nose, willing my thoughts to settle.
“I’ll explain anything that comes up,” Hailon promised. “And we’ll be here most days, besides. You probably won’t see her any more than you see us.”
That was likely true. I was out in the ruins most nights on patrol and either rested or stone slept during the day. The completed cabin not far from my hut had a furnished bedroom available whereas Hailon and Seir only had a sofa to offer. It did make sense, even if it was the most terrifying option.
“I suppose that would be fine.”
“Perfect,” Hailon said, clapping her hands together and breaking the tension that had formed. “Thank you, Coltor.”
Merry turned grateful eyes my way, one of her hands resting briefly over the fingers I was gripping the little teacup handle with. She gestured for me to lean forward and when I did, she stood and leaned over the table. Confused, I just sat there, blinded by her smile as she planted a light kiss on my cheek. “Thank you very much. You’ll hardly know I’m there.”
That was impossible.
Lightning flashed through my veins in response to her touch and my heart squeezed like it had been gripped by a fist as visions went off behind my eyes.
The conversation resumed around us, but I could only stare at her. The blood drained from my face, nausea tangling in my gut.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice, as she’d turned sideways to discuss something with Hailon as they piled Grace’s honey cakes and fruit onto their plates.
I’d learned plenty about Merry in the short time since her arrival. She was sunshine incarnate, with a mind—and tongue, if so prompted—as sharp as my best blade. She was organized, efficient. As far as I could tell, she was good with children and animals. To my vexation, she was also beautiful beyond all reasonable measure. All of this made her a potential weakness, one I hadn’t been expecting and wasn’t at all prepared for.
And when she’d touched me, I’d seen a glimpse of her future, just as I had when I’d shaken her hand when we first met.
Except this time, in the future I saw, Merry would soon be dead.
Chapter 3
Merry
Hailon bounced from market stall to market stall, asking me my opinion on towels, linens, countertop baskets that were pretty but wouldn’t serve any decent functionality at all. It was funny to me, because the day I’d arrived in Revalia, she’d dragged me to this very spot so she could pick out some things for herself, and she hadn’t shown half the enthusiasm.
“I don’t have money for any of this,” I laughed. “I’m not sure why we’re even here.”
