Page 16 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
We walk toward our friends and the castle ruins. I’ve always been fascinated by this place. Much of the structure is crumbling, but the ancient stone towers still stand tall and majestic, ivy climbing up the outer walls.
A small fire burns in a dug-out pit in the middle of what once was a grand courtyard, shadows dancing wildly around our gathered group.
Reid grins, lifting a flask. “Glad you two made it.”
I hold up the basket of cupcakes. “We brought sweets.”
The group cheers, reaching eagerly for treats as Reid presses a goblet into my hand. “It’s honeyed mead.”
Thalric scowls.
Ignoring his grumbling, I take a cautious sip. Golden sweetness floods my mouth, warm and smooth and delightful. Glancing up, I meet Thalric’s fierce, watchful gaze and try not to grin.
Tonight, I feel wild and daring and free.
CHAPTER 8
THALRIC
Firelight dances across the courtyard, casting flickering shadows against the towering ruins. I’m perched on a rough log beside Aurora, wings tucked close. Woodsmoke, damp earth, and the sugary sweetness of honeyed mead curl through the cool night air, stirring something restless in my gut.
Aurora is drinking her mead. Thankfully, she’s only taking small sips. Father always drilled into me that alcohol dulls the senses, makes you vulnerable. I’ve never touched it. Never will.
I’ll simply watch her closely and ensure she doesn’t consume too much. Gods help us if she were to become drunk. There’s no way we’d be able to explain that to her guardians without getting in serious trouble.
Aurora lifts the goblet again, eyes sparkling as she laughs at something Raina says. Watching her relaxed, smiling, and happy eases something inside me.
Across from us, Reid gestures dramatically, weaving some tale about the ruins. “This castle,” he says, “is haunted by the tragic spirits of a princess and her knight.”
Aurora leans forward, captivated, and I suppress a growl.
Reid continues, pacing theatrically. “Princess Evelyne fell deeply in love with her knight—sworn to protect her but forbidden to touch her.” He pauses for effect. “But she chose love, running away with him the night before her marriage to a cruel prince.”
A murmur rises from our small audience.
Reid’s voice drops lower. “In a rage, the prince stormed the castle, burning it down. The lovers fought together until their last breath.”
“I thought you said they ran away,” someone points out.
“Yeah,” another says. “So, why would they still have been here when the prince came?”
“Ummm,” Reid scratches the back of his head. “Maybe I got a few of the details wrong.”
“You’ve definitely got the story all mixed up.” Someone else scoffs. “It was a mad king who ruled here. He burned the place himself after hearing whispers in his head.”
A few others offer different stories about why the ruins are haunted, each of them vastly different.
Aurora’s eyes shimmer with fascination. “Which one is true?”
Reid grins and shrugs. “It seems no one knows.”
The group soon loses interest and people go back to their individual conversations. Aurora turns to Raina and a few of the others gathered around, eager to discuss the different versions of the stories. Auri has always loved haunted tales.
I grit my fangs as Reid and three more males join their conversation. It doesn’t escape my notice how their gazes are locked upon Auri.
I know I shouldn’t look at her like this. Shouldn’t watch the way her smile enchants every male that is near her.
She doesn’t know what she does to me. Every laugh, every glance… it ruins me a little more. I’m supposed to be her friendand look out for her, not crave her. But I’ve never known an obsession so deep it feels like worship.
