Page 15 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
Thalric swallows hard. “Of—of course not.”
Outside, the night air is crisp and cool, lanterns illuminating the path to the village. Thalric walks quietly beside me, a thoughtful silence hanging between us until he murmurs, “I don’t like lying to them.”
“It’s only a tiny lie,” I insist.
His eyes narrow, clearly not convinced. “You’re too good at this,” he rumbles, shaking his head. “Makes me wonder what other trouble you’re capable of.”
I laugh, bumping my shoulder against his solid arm. “Afraid I’ll get into some serious mischief?”
“No,” he says quietly, stopping me in my tracks with the intensity in his gaze. “I’m afraid you’ll get into trouble evenIcan’t get you out of.”
A warm flutter dances in my chest at his concern, but I roll my eyes in mock irritation. “You’re worrying over nothing.”
He sighs, clearly unconvinced.
After a beat, I tease gently, “How will you watch over me when you’re away at the capital?”
He frowns slightly, confused. “We’re going together.”
“I’m not talking about my birthday trip. I mean when you start your training for the royal guard.”
It’s his dream to follow in his family’s steps.
“Aurora—” His wings shift uneasily, eyes shadowed. “They might not even accept me.”
“Of course they will.” I nudge him. “You’re strong, smart, brave, and your family has a legacy. Your grandfather was the personal guard of the previous king.
“According to Fiora, the nobility love Gargoyle protectors. She even said Gargoyles have always been chosen over the past three hundred years for the coveted positions of personal guards for the members of the royal family.”
I smile. “And who knows? You might even be picked to guard the princess when she finally returns from hiding in that Temple of Amara everyone always whispers about.”
He squirms beneath the praise, as though he doesn’t quite know what to do with my words, yet something in his gaze lingers on me in a way that makes my face heat.
Quickly, he redirects the question to me. “And you?”
I chew my lip, gripping the basket tighter. “I love Fiora, Lyria, and Maribel. And I love our small village, but… I want more. I want to live in the capital, maybe work as an apothecary’s apprentice. My guardians have taught me well. I know herbs. I’m sure I could learn fast.”
Concern darkens his features. “The capital is huge, Aurora. Dangerous, crowded. Not everyone is kind.”
In truth, I would love to become an apothecary, but I could easily learn that skill here. As much as I want to visit the capital, the only reason I really want to live there is because that’s where Thalric will be once he becomes a royal guard.
I lift my chin, heart thumping nervously as I gather the courage to ask the question I’ve been thinking about for a while now. “Maybe… we could go together. What do you think?”
He halts abruptly and turns to me, something between surprise and regret in his features. “But my training means I’d have to stay in the castle barracks.”
I’ve already considered this. “I could rent a small room nearby, and we’d see each other when you’re free.”
Hope sparks in my chest as I await his reply. He looks torn, visibly battling something in his mind. “The training is intense. My father says they don’t allow candidates outside of the castle grounds for at least the first two months. You’d be alone during that time.”
“Oh.” My voice falters, disappointment stinging sharply. Maybe he doesn’t want me so close after all. Maybe he doesn’t—
“There’s… another option,” he says, pulling me back from my tumbling thoughts.
“What is it?”
He rubs the back of his neck, the tips of his pointed ears flushing dark. “Youcouldstay in the barracks… if we were to—”
“Aurora! Thalric!” Reid calls out, and I hate that he interrupted what Thalric was about to say, but it can’t be helped now. Whatever it was, we’ll have to talk about it later.
