Page 30 of The Gargoyle's Glade
His mouth tightened. “I don’t mean to. But if I do, it’s not you. The glade has become very… noisy.”
Of all the things he could have said, that was not what I’d been expecting. “Sorry?”
He gestured with his hands, a grimace on his face. “The construction, the animals, the people. It makes it difficult to think. And people naturally want to talk, and I’m not so good with my words, as you well know. Or schooling my expression, clearly.” He scowled as though picturing several transgressions. “They trample the flowers when they go off the path and don’t take care of things like they should. They should respect it more because they don’t live here, because it’s not theirs, but they get careless sometimes. And it’s all…” His large arms flailed a bit, but he settled for gripping his hair for a brief moment, palms mostly covering his ears. “Loud.”
“Oh.” I understood Coltor much better in that moment, many missing pieces finally slotting into place.
“In truth, I didn’t want you to move in here, not at first,” he admitted, but quickly held up a hand, wide-eyed. The briefest ache of rejection stabbed through me. “But I didn’t really wantanyonehere. Like I said, I’m used to being alone. I was, for a very long time. My isolation here came with its own problems, I recognize that. But I don’t mind you here, Merry. I swear it. You’re welcome in the glade for as long as you want to stay.”
“Thank you.” The sting faded as quickly as it had come.
He dropped his chin to his chest, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. “The noisiest part of all the construction is finished, and you’re working with the crossroads demon aboutthe animals. There are no plans to move anyone else in right away that I know of. I’ll have some quiet again. It’ll be alright.”
A pang of guilt shot through me. I understood all too well how hard it was to adjust to so much change, the desire for some peace. A great many things had happened in his space after a long stretch by himself. It was no wonder he was short when dealing with others sometimes.
“That wasn’t so painful, was it?” I teased gently, seeing that the huge man was still incredibly out of sorts by having such a conversation.
He scowled. “Guess not.” I laughed, shocking him yet again. “What were you doing by the pools today? Why were you sleeping out on the stones?”
“I was worn out. The gardening, plus all the work I did at the crossroads.” I shook my head. “I think it just caught up to me. I had a headache?—”
“Do you need a remedy? I have some things.”
I flushed hot at his abrupt, genuinely concerned offer. “No, I’m fine, thanks. I took something before we went to plant at Hailon’s, and then after we were done, I soaked a bit. I didn’t intend to nap, but I laid down on the warm stones to dry off and closed my eyes.” His panicked tone, the terror on his face as he held my arm in his hand flashed through my mind. “Why were you so scared when you found me?”
He folded his arms over his chest, fingertips tapping on his upper arms. “Who said I was scared?”
I raised an eyebrow. “The tone of your voice when you called my name.”
Irritation crept into his words. “Well, it’s not every day I find a woman unconscious by the hot springs, is it?”
“I suppose not. For what it’s worth, I appreciate your concern.” I stood, and began to clear the table. “About the garden blade, my safety here alone, today. But I really can takecare of myself, Coltor. I’m no youngling. Haven’t been for a very long time.”
“So you’ve said.”
“Well, it’s true.”
A faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Oh? How many harvests have you seen, Merry?”
I appreciated how he phrased the question but couldn’t resist a tease. “Which one? Spring? Summer? Winter?”
He twitched a grin. “Lady’s choice.”
“Thirty-four. You?”
I was rewarded with a full, genuine smile. It stole my breath. He really was very, very handsome. High cheekbones, strong jawline. Expressive eyes and enviably long lashes. “One hundred and fifty-one.”
I blinked. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it still left me speechless. “Ah.”
Coltor chuckled, the sound vibrating into my bones. He looked toward the ceiling and sighed. “I know you can care for yourself, Merry. You and Hailon remind me quite a lot of my sisters in that way. All the women I know are impossibly independent and terribly capable.” His fisted hand rubbed lightly against his thigh. I couldn’t help but laugh in response.
“Lucky you.” He grunted. “Apology accepted.” He was fidgeting still, looking unsettled. “Is there something else?”
“I…” He shook his head, clearly at war with himself.
“You can tell me. I won’t be upset.”
“It’s just that I…” His face scrunched up. “Someone got hurt at the construction site. I had to take him to the conclave for healing.”
