Page 86 of Never Been Gargoyled
A van pulled up to the gate, followed by another car. Then another. My stomach fluttered again.
“They're early,” I said.
“Good. That means they're excited.”
I watched Dorvak climb out of his vehicle and start unloading boxes of pastries. Behind him, a yeti emerged from a truck carrying enormous bundles of flowers.
“Who’s that…?” I squinted at the gargoyle—gargoyle! —getting out of the second vehicle.
“My brother.” Feydin's voice held a touch of surprise. “He said he might make it, but I wasn't sure if he’d come.”
This male was obviously related to Feydin, but where my gargoyle was all solid strength and protective intensity, this one moved like a panther. Taller than Feydin by a few inches, he had the same gray skin but darker hair and wings that seemed to shimmer with an almost metallic sheen. His features were sharper, more angular, and when he smiled, it was the kind of smile that probably made people forget their own names.
“Wow,” I breathed. “Your brother is…”
“Annoying?” Feydin suggested.
“I was going to say gorgeous, but sure. We’ll go with annoying.”
Feydin growled. “He doesn't need his ego stroked, but I might.”
“Relax. I'm already spoken for.” I squeezed his hand. “Besides, he doesn't have your charm.”
“I have charm?”
“Tons of it. In a grumpy, I'll-build-you-a-secret-garden-room sort of way.”
That earned me one of his full smiles, the kind that made his whole face light up and reminded me why I'd fallen so hard for him from the start.
The gorgeous brother approached us with fluid grace, and I could see the family resemblance more clearly as he got closer.
“Gavrel,” Feydin said, and there was warmth in his voice despite his earlier grumbling.
“Mon frère.” Gavrel's accent was thick, deep, and almost musical. “You look content.”
The two brothers embraced. I stepped back to give them space, watching the way their wings curved toward each other in what looked like an instinctive gesture of affection.
“This must be the famous Dazy,” Gavrel said, turning that devastating smile on me. “The woman who tamed my brother's wild heart.”
“Dazy?” Feydin said. “This is my brother, Gavrel. Gavrel? This is my mate, Dazy.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said. “But I don't think anyone can tame Feydin. At best, I convinced him I was worth keeping around.”
“Clever. And modest.” His gaze swept appreciatively over the gardens. “What you have created here is magnifique.”
“Thank you. Feydin helped with everything.”
“I am sure he did. My brother has always been good with things like this.”
More cars were arriving now, and I could see people beginning to gather at the entrance. The official opening wasn't for another hour, but folks seemed eager to tour.
“We should probably…” I gestured toward the growing crowd.
“Of course,” Gavrel said. “We’ll speak more later, oui?” He directed this to Feydin.
Feydin nodded. “I'd like that.”
“Bon. Now go, show off your beautiful gardens.”
