Page 38 of The Gargoyle's Glade
Ophelia had told me that I would understand, that I would figure things out. She hadn’t been wrong—clarity had hit me square in the chest, just not at all in the way I expected.
My gift was mostly a mystery still, as were the animals invading the glade. But Merry? I understood clearly now why I couldn’t get a handle on my thoughts or feelings where she was involved. Why I wanted to consume her.
Merry was mine. Mymate.
Such a gift was not something to scoff at, no matter how ill-timed it might seem, and it seemed terribly obvious once the realization struck me. I’d stood there, heel of my palm pressed into my chest and stared into the wall for a worrisome number of minutes once I’d finally figured out the truth.
So now I had two significant things to explain to Merry, and I didn’t even know if she was still fully present behind those pretty brown eyes.
Gratitude had me steeped in emotion as I lay there in the dark, listening to Merry’s soft breathing. Nobody had hesitated when I reached out for help. Seir had used that fascinating little mirror to contact his brothers, and before I knew what washappening, I was talking to them about the animals’ behavior, how I’d found her near the pools. Then Greta had appeared in the glass to speak to me about an elixir, and Lovette had arrived in person to examine Merry alongside Hailon.
For once, I welcomed the noise. It brought relief. It meant I was not alone in this, and Merry would be well cared for.
On his way to take my post for the night, my father had gone to check on Ophelia. He reported that when he was leaving d’Arcan, Jacks had jumped the paddock fence. The horse followed him all the way through the city and into the Dread Forest. He was currently stationed outside Ophelia’s hut.
“Demanded the colored glass window be opened, as well as the one in her room,” he’d reported with a grin as we discussed my nightly route. “At least she’ll have company when she wakes up.”
I’d slept for a while, unreasonably comfortable next to Merry. When I woke, she’d rolled to her back, by all appearances resting peacefully. As she hadn’t seemed able to move at all since I found her, this felt positive. I tried to settle down again, sure the next several days would be trying, but it was as though I’d grabbed onto a lightning bolt and the power was still lingering in my veins. I was raw, anxious.
I refused to leave Merry alone, but there was not enough space inside my little hut for the energy I had coursing through me. I slid off the bed carefully, so as not to disturb her, and went outside. The cool night air helped a bit as I dragged several deep breaths into my lungs. Then the creatures began to raise their heads, glowing eyes blinking at me from the darkness.
“You,” I groused. “You did this. This is your fault.” Several of the smaller animals ducked their heads as though they knew exactly what I was saying. “What is it that you want from her? Can’t you go to someone else?” I could only growl to myself asthey kept their silence. I walked over to my pile of carving wood and made a few selections, then sat on the steps to work.
As I scraped shavings into the dirt, creatures began cautiously approaching. A rabbit left a berry near my boot, a raccoon a half-eaten apple. Soon I had a small pile that included nuts and stones. There was even a coin from one of the birds.
“An apology, then?” I asked, their body language and gesture clear. Heads ducked and they settled in quietly while I continued to work.
By the time my father appeared at dawn, I’d finished a decent rendering of a spring star flower and had started the form of a bear, all while checking on Merry periodically and starting a stew for later. Anything to keep myself distracted, busy.
“Your post is enviable, son.” My father wore a broad smile as he approached. “I don’t think I’ve had such a nice night flight in quite some time.”
“I enjoy it, mostly.”
He glanced at the door. “Any change?”
“No.” To my disappointment, Merry remained how I’d left her, breathing steadily, eyes closed.
“Should I send someone to relieve you? Give you a chance to rest?” His eyebrow raised, as though he’d already predicted my response.
“I’m fine.”
My father nodded, glancing around at the animals who had dispersed a bit, and the pile of offerings.
“That’s friendly,” he muttered, nudging one of the stones with his toe. “Greta was working on medicines when I left, and Imogen was going to check on Ophelia today. Shall I come back tonight?”
I hesitated, deep guilt for not doing my own job, for interrupting the routines of everyone around me setting in. But I wasn’t leaving her side, so there wasn’t another choice.
“If you don’t mind.”
“Of course.”
“I’ve got stew on,” I offered after a painfully long silence. I got to my feet, but he just shook his head.
“I’ll pass for now but appreciate the offer. I’m headed back to d’Arcan. Grace will likely have a meal ready and a list of chores for me to accomplish before I get a chance to sleep.” The broad grin on his face told me he did not find any of this to be a hardship.
“Thank you, Father.”
He bowed, then pulled me in for a hug that made me feel as though I were a child again despite the fact that I was as tall as him. “Anytime, my son. Anytime.” His eyes met mine, the compassion and sincerity there battering at my already raw emotions.
