Page 34 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
“Steady, Vaelen,” the Elf tells his Wolf as he searches the forest.
“What is it, Auren?” the woman whispers urgently to her husband, fear easily read in her features. “Do you see anything?”
“The scent of iron,” he replies in a low voice. “I smell blood.”
The woman stiffens. “Are we walking into a trap?”
Instead of answering, his gaze shifts toward our shelter, his fingers flexing over the reins. “Stay here, Vivienne,” he says as he swings down from the saddle, drawing his sword from its sheath.
“Auren, don’t you dare!” She lunges for him, catching his arm as he dismounts. “Don’t go! This could be an ambush!”
He turns back and cups her cheek, his thumb brushing absently along her jaw. “I will keep you safe,mellimë.”
Her cheeks flare red instantly. “I told you not to call me that!”
“You did,” he agrees, entirely unbothered.
“Stay here.” Her fingers tighten in his cloak. “I mean it. This could be dangerous.”
“I’ll be fine.” He smirks, voice dropping to something low and teasing. “If I didn’t know better,wife,I’d think you actually care about my safety.”
“Of course I do.” She snaps her head away, lifting her chin. “You’re the only one who knows where we are. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to find my way out of these woods?”
His smile lingers, as if he doesn’t quite believe her, but he says nothing as he turns back toward my shelter.
“Whoever is there,” he calls out, “I mean no harm. But I smell blood. Someone is hurt.”
I hesitate, still clutching my pathetic branch, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
His eyes travel over our lean-to and his gaze locks onto mine through a gap in the branches.
“Come out,” he says, voice gentler now. “If you are injured, I can help.”
I swallow hard. I glance at Thalric, still unconscious. He’s injured, and I have no choice but to trust these strangers. Slowly, I crawl out from our shelter and push myself up to standing.
Auren’s gaze sweeps over my torn dress and the dried blood on my hands before his eyes shift toward the shelter again. “Who is injured?”
“My friend.”
His brows lift slightly, but he doesn’t press for details. Instead, he cautiously steps forward. When he sees Thalric’s unconscious form, surprise flickers across his face.
“A gargoyle,” he murmurs, kneeling beside him. “That explains the scent.” His glowing blue gaze sharpens as he takes his wounds and sees the arrow lying nearby. “Silver-tipped. Nasty things.”
I step closer, wringing my hands. “Can you help him?”
He exhales, considering. “I learned battlefield healing. It’s not as strong as a proper healer’s magic, but it will work. He’ll need to rest all day and night before he’s fully healed.”
Tears burn behind my eyes, but I swallow them back. “Please. Do what you can.”
Auren nods. He lifts his hands, and a soft, glowing blue light blooms from his palms. The moment he presses his magic to the wounds, Thalric’s eyes snap open.
I gasp, dropping to my knees, my hands flying to his face. “Thalric!”
His golden gaze finds mine. “Auri?”
I throw my arms around him, burying my face against his neck, pressing frantic kisses to his cheek, his jaw, his brow. “Thank the gods you’re awake.”
CHAPTER 20
