Page 44 of The Gargoyle's Glade
“I will take her as often as she wants,” Coltor promised, his hand coming to rest warmly on my shoulder.
There was a bit more conversation around me, explanations of magic and warding and things my tired mind was too mushy to grasp. I focused on the table before me, trying to digest all of the things I’d learned in such a short time. Before I realized, the place had emptied out.
Coltor squatted in front of me, concern etched in his sharp features. “You okay?”
I nodded. “I think so. Just tired.”
“I was going to go out for a bit with Ophelia, work on the wards. But it can wait.” He reached out and took one of my hands into his.
“No, you go. I’ll be fine. I’m going to take a nap.”
“You could rest in the heart while we work. Take in more magic.”
I smiled at him, the earnest expression in his wide eyes. “No, that’s alright. I’d rather use the comfortable bed here if you’ll be busy doing other things.” Coltor’s mouth dropped open, his cheeks grew pink and he huffed a breath.
“If you’re sure.” His brows drew together. “But maybe you should?—”
“I’m really fine, I promise. Just tired.” I chuckled. “When did you start being this worried about me?”
“Since I met you.” The answer was immediate, the look in his eyes sincere.
“Oh.” My whole body flared with heat. For all my surety about not needing a man, that I could do it all by myself… his version of partnership sure was tempting. I inhaled, pulling up my bravery to broach a topic that had been quietly itching at the back of my thoughts. “Can we talk later?”
His eyes turned sad, and he let go of my hand, like he was bracing for something devastating. “Of course.”
“It’s nothing bad. Just about some of the things you told me out there.” He swallowed, and I could see fear in his dark eyes. I didn’t want him to leave so upset, so I blurted, “Coltor, do you want to be my mate?”
“Yes.”
“That simple? No hesitation?”
“Nothing in my life has ever been simpler, even when it’s quite possibly the most unexpected, messy, beautiful thing I’ve ever been faced with.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
He warred with himself for a moment, then surprised me by grabbing my face with both hands and kissing me. His lips were firm at first, like he was worried I’d pull away. I covered one of his hands with mine and leaned in, encouraging him with small swipes of my tongue, a tilt of my head. It didn’t take much before we were tasting one another’s breath and mapping each other’s mouths with teeth and tongues.
Coltor pulled away on a groan and got to his feet. “If I don’t go now, I won’t at all, but we will talk about this as much as you want later.”
“Alright. It’s definitely wise not to keep Ophelia waiting. I hear she’s pretty dangerous.”
“You are too, Firebird,” he said, ducking down for one final kiss.
Then he was out the door, leaving me steeped in his scent and feeling more alive than I’d felt in a very long time.
Chapter 18
Coltor
“Why is she here?” Ophelia complained, crossing her arms as another gargoyle, one that looked quite a lot like her, crossed the glade.
“Euphemia is the mistress of ceremonies,” Lovette said, clucking her tongue. “You know that as well as I do.”
Ophelia tsked and tried to turn away, but Lovette and Imogen flanked her. “It’s only for the ceremony,” Imogen said calmly.
My sisters were bolder than anyone else dared to be with our elder, and she tolerated it from them for some reason the rest of us weren’t aware of.
“Hello, Ophelia,” the woman greeted her from a safe distance.
