Page 36 of Never Been Gargoyled
“No, it's not that.” Well, it was partly that. The idea of being carried through the sky was both terrifying and thrilling. “I'm worried about the meeting.”
“Ah.” His shoulders relaxed. “I thought you were afraid of flying.”
“I am a bit nervous about that too. I've never flown before. Unless you count airplanes, which I don't think is the same thing.”
“It's not.” A smile tugged at his lips. “Flying with me will be much better.”
“How do you know?”
“No security lines. No cramped seats. And the view is spectacular.”
Despite my nerves, I found myself smiling back. “When you put it that way...”
“Trust me,” he said, his voice going soft.
Those two words hit me square in the chest. With Feydin, I wanted to. Very much.
“Okay,” I said. “But if you drop me, I'm haunting this estate forever.”
“I would never drop you.” The fierceness in his voice made my stomach flutter. “You're safe with me.”
He led me outside and around to the back lawn where there was more space. “I'll need to carry you. The easiest way is if you wrap your arms around my neck and let me support you.”
“Like a piggyback ride?”
“More like…” He paused, seeming to search for the right comparison. “Have you ever seen those old movies where the hero carries the woman away?”
My skin prickled. “You mean like, romantically?”
“Functionally,” he said quickly, though his cheeks had darkened. “For safety.”
“Alright. Let’s do it.” I stepped closer to him, catching that scent of whatever soap he’d used. “How, though?”
“Put your arms around my neck.” His voice came out rough, and he stooped down to my level.
“You’re tall.”
“Yes, I am. You’re not.”
I snorted. “You noticed that, huh?”
He frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Right.” I reached up and slipped my arms around his neck, needing to stand on my toes to do so. The moment my hands touched his skin, his wings snapped outward. I thought this was it, he’d leap off the ground and I’d dangle. Maybe fall.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “Reflex.”
“Does it tickle when I touch you?”
“Something like that.”
He slid one arm under my knees and the other around my back, lifting me against his chest. The world tilted and suddenly I was cradled against him, my face inches from his throat.
“Comfortable?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling in his chest.
Comfortable wasn't the word I'd use. Overwhelmed, maybe. Breathless, definitely. But I nodded anyway.
“Hold tight,” he said.
