Page 24 of Rock of Stages
I closed my eyes to keep my anger in check, lest he think I was protesting like a toddler having a tantrum. That would do little to convince him I was able to take care of myself, out from his oppressive control.
Caleb flashed in my mind—strong and steady as stone—stirring my courage. Opening my eyes, I declared, “I’m not going to marry Tarel.”
My father stared at me, then narrowed his eyes. Silence between us deepened like a trench.
“How dare you?” he lashed out with a meaty forefinger pointed in my direction. “After all I’ve done to secure this. Yourfuture.”
“No.” I shook my head. “A future you planned for me—one I don’t want.”
He motioned to the surface above. “Where have you been, off gallivanting with the land-walkers again?”
“Yes,” I agreed, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I’ve been happy with them. And safe. You have no need to worry or fear about that.” My pulse raced as I anticipated his reaction and I pushed myself to keep going before he cut in. “In fact, I came back to say goodbye. I’ll be leaving for good in a week to go—” I paused and reassured myself that I could do this. “—to live above. I’ll be onboard a ship.”
His eyes widened. “You—no—you can’t… This is your home.”
I took a deep breath and admitted. “I never truly fit in here. But…I found somewhere where I belong. Where I can live in both worlds, land and sea.” I let out a shaky sigh. “It’s time for me to leave the pod and find my happiness.”
He stared at me, pain and disappointment etched across his face. His gaze dropped to the mating mark near my shoulder—and he winced, as though it lanced him. Without another word, he turned and swam away, turning his massive tail on me.
A hollow ache bloomed in my chest. His silence hurt worse than any scolding.
But I wouldn’t chase after him. It was time I stood up for myself and what I wanted, so I held firm—anchored by the choice I’d made.
I wasn’t turning away from my past. I was building a path to my future.
CHAPTER 15
CALEB
“Enough pacing,” Van muttered as he dropped tonight’s set list on the table. “You’re going to wear a trench through the deck and sink the ship!”
“Oh.” I grunted and plopped into a seat in the Nocturnal Lounge. We’d met up for practice, but I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying about the set tonight. The phantom scent of sea and orchids haunted me. I sensed her from afar and longed to be with her again. “I’ve been putting every good word I can to help get Naiya hired. Nudging Carina just about every damn day. And now it’s just waiting, waiting, waiting.”
Gargoyles had patience acquired generations of sitting still in stone, but this wait for Naiya to return was killing me.
“Well, what can we do to hurry this process along?” Damien asked with an exasperated huff, running his hand through his dark hair. “Otherwise you might as well headline your own tragic play—The Brooding Gargoyle: A Shakespearean Misery.”
Van’s eyes gleamed and he shot Damien a conspiratorial grin. “Act One: The Stone Man Waits.”
“Act Two,” Damien continued. “He Sulks in Shadows.”
“Act Three,” Rex chimed in. “He Growls under the Moon.”
“Even you, new guy?” I scowled at the three of them. “And the tragic ending: The gargoyle brandishes a sword and murders his entire band.”
Van chuckled. “That’s better than dealing with your sullen ass stomping around here on those concrete feet.”
“We’re afraid you’re going to start throwing drums and tossing amps.” Damien shook his head. “They're expensive and not built for gargoyle-level angst.”
They were right, and I hated it. I sagged into the chair. “This sucks.”
Silence fell like the aftermath of a cymbal crash.
They knew. I could see the certainty in their eyes.
“She’s your mate, isn’t she?” Rex asked quietly, putting a voice to that epic life change.
I nodded, then slumped over the table, pressing my fingers to my temples. “Yeah. And I can’t escape this pressure in here.” I tapped my chest. “Flight used to clear my head, but now that doesn’t even help. I take to the skies every damn night, hoping the air on my wings will soothe the ache, but…no. They feel heavy.” I leaned back and groaned. “Fuuuuck.”
