Page 23 of Mated to the Gargoyle
“Iknow you can’t,LittleOne,” he replied slowly, as if trying to calm an upset child. “ButIcan andI’llbe holding you.Youhave nothing to fear.”
Askeptical sound escaped me.Thatwas easy for him to say.
“Areyou afraid?” he asked in a gentle tone.
“OfcourseI’mafraid,”Ireplied quickly. “I’venever even been on a plane.Butat least there would be something solid, something scientifically sound, surrounding me.”
Hugosnorted. “Somethingmechanical that can fail.”
Igrimaced.Theimage of a plane failing didn’t add any comfort to my fear of flying. “Nothelping.”
“AllI’msaying is that you’re safer flying with me than in a metal machine.”
Istared into his eyes, searching for answers.
Hetook a step closer. “Iwill keep you safe.”Heextended his hand. “Trustme,Anya.Comewith me.”
Hugo
Anyastared at me with questioning eyes, as if assessing whether she should trust me.AsIwaited with my arm outstretched, my heart thundered, sounding like the rumbling of a rising storm.
Sheswallowed and then stepped forward, taking my hand. “Don’tdrop me.”
“Never.”Thefeel of her tiny hand in mine shot tingles up my arm.Awarm fuzzy feeling spread inside, and with it grew my drive to protect her.She’dgone from gaping at me in terror earlier that evening to taking my hand in a gesture of trust.Asense of purpose stirred in me likeI’dnever felt before.I’ddo anything to shield this tiny human from any harm.
Afterensuring my shield to camouflage me from humans was in place,Iwrapped my arms around her waist asIheld her from behind. “Ready?”
“No,” she cried and turned instead to face me, the top of her head barely reaching my chest. “Butjust do it beforeIchange my mind.”
Iadmired how she faced her fear.ThenItook a few running steps forward beforeIsoared off the edge of the building.Asurprised sound escaped her, and she buried her head against my chest.Sheclung to my arms so tightly, her nails dug into my back.
AsIflapped my wings to ascend, a sob escaped her.
“It’sall right.Ihave you.”
“Don’tlet me go.”Hervoice trembled in fear.
“Never.”
AsIheld her for the first time, the wind ruffled her hair.Ibreathed in the fragrant scent of roses.Beyondthat aroma was her natural one, one that was uniquely hers.Itinvigorated me with an urge to care for and protect this human for all my days.I’dnever been so close to her before, had her body so close to mine.Thespace between us burned with an electrified heat despite the coolness of the night air.Nothinghad ever felt so right before.Beingable to hold her, protect her against anything that came our way filled me with a pride and sense of purpose unlike anythingI’dever experienced.Andalthough she felt so tiny and so fragile in my arms,I’dnever felt more vulnerable.
Thelights danced below us, twinkling under the magic of the dark. “LittleOne, look around us,”Iencouraged her. “Thecity is beautiful at night.”
“I—Ican’t,” she stuttered. “I’mtoo scared.
Ididn’t blame her.She’dhad one fright after another.Onesurprise and then one more.Yet, there was one secretIdidn’t know ifIcould ever reveal to her.Shewasn’t just a humanI’dbeen tasked to protect.Shewas my mate.
Withevery second thatIheld her, the certainty of that grew.I’dsuspected it for months, but it had never been so clear untilI’dkissed her.Andnow asIcarried her, vowing to protect her, it grew amazingly clear.I’ddo anything to keep her safe.Anythingto make her mine.
Butwas that a foolish fantasy?Toher,Iwas little more than a stranger.Asmall gasp escaped her and she shuddered, underlying our vast differences.WhenIflew,Irelaxed.Thenight air soothed me.Butto her—this experience was terrifying.
“Youhave nothing to fear when you’re with me,”Iassured her in a gentle tone. “I’llmake sure you’re safe.”
Shedidn’t say anything but adjusted slightly, pressing herself even tighter against my torso. “Yes, but we’re in the air.”
“AndI’mholding you.Iwon’t let you go.”Ever.
Aftera few seconds, she braved her fear enough to lift her head an inch away from my chest, but lowered it almost immediately. “Ican’t.It’stoo far down.”
