Page 20 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
“That would be perfect.” I’m so excited, I can barely contain my joy. “After that, we could find an apartment somewhere in the city.”
He flashes one of his rare full smiles, and I cannot help but return it with one of my own. I can hardly wait to begin our future together.
Stretching up on my toes, I press my lips to his. “We can get our families together tomorrow and announce our intent to marry.”
He drops his forehead gently to mine. “I’ll come in the morning, mysavryl. We’ll tell them together.”
Unable to contain my curiosity, I ask. “What doessavrylmean?”
His gaze travels over my face like a gentle caress. “It is a sacred word in the ancient tongue that means: my wings—the one I shield. It is only spoken to one’s cherished bondmate.”
Thalric folds his wings around me, pulling me closer. “A gargoyle’s wings are their most vulnerable yet most powerful part. So calling someone ‘my wings’ means you are both my strength and what I will protect at all costs.”
Warmth blossoms inside me, and I press another lingering kiss to his lips.
When I pull back, he studies me intensely.
“What is it?” I frown. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because I want to remember every detail of this moment,” he murmurs. “When you first became mine.”
My heart flutters. “Oh, Thalric, I—”
A thunderous boom shakes the castle. Thalric’s head snaps up as dust rains from the arch above, followed by a cascade of rocks falling from overhead.
I barely have time to gasp before the wall gives way. The air explodes with noise and motion, stone grinding against stone, wind tearing through the shattered corridor.
“Auri!” Thalric pulls me into his arms as the ground crumbles beneath our feet, wrapping his wings around me as the floor and ceiling collapse.
Heavy blocks of stone and mortar crash down, scattering rocks and debris in thick plumes of dust.
Thalric curls his body protectively around mine, and I bury my face against his chest as the ruins cave in around us.
When the noise finally fades, it’s replaced by ringing silence. I open my eyes, but the air is still thick with debris and I can barely see anything.
Panic fills me as moonlight filters through the settling haze, catching the dark streak of blood along Thalric’s torso and left wing. “Thalric, your wing!”
“It’s fine.” He pulls back just enough to look at me, frantic as he scans my body for injury. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
I shake my head.
Lifting me into his strong arms, he carries me through the broken archway and into the cool night air. The moment we’re clear, he sets me on my feet.
“Help!” voices call out from the downed structure. “We’re trapped!”
“Reid and Sera are in there!” someone cries out.
“I’ll go,” Thalric says, already moving back toward the rubble. He glances over his shoulder. “Stay here where it’s safe, Auri. I’ll be back.”
Worry trips my heart as he disappears into the ruins, vanishing in the thick cloud of dust.
Fear and guilt twist deep within as I stand frozen, my heart pounding as I pray to every god I’ve ever heard of. The seconds stretch endlessly as the sounds of shifting stone and debris echo from the unstable structure.
This is all my fault. We wouldn’t even be here if not for me.
Through the haze, I see movement. Relief floods my veins as Thalric emerges, his arm around Reid, helping him walk as Sera limps beside him. Both are coughing but alive.
He helps them to a fallen log near the fire. “I’m fine,” Sera says as people gather around them.
