Page 37 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
When I slip from the tent, the crisp morning air greets me. Fighting back a yawn, I stretch, rolling my shoulders and flexing my talons against the earth. Dark Elf magic is powerful. The pain from my injuries is gone. When I unfurl my wings, I note the torn membrane is already healed.
Movement catches my eye. Across the way, I can see Auren through the open flap of his tent. Quietly, he tucks the furs around his sleeping wife, brushing a stray curl from her face before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead.
I shake my head. He is a patient male; I’ll give him that.
A slow grin spreads across his face as he straightens and walks over to me, whispering, “Shall we make breakfast for our mates?”
“Mates?” I arch a brow as I pointedly glance at his sleeping human bride. “You seem awfully confident in that word.”
Auren chuckles, clearly not bothered in the slightest. “Come, my friend. Let’s prepare breakfast before they wake up and Vivienne finds new reasons to scold me.”
I huff a laugh but follow him as he makes a campfire.
He is generous with his supplies, preparing a spread of cooked meats, cheese, bread, and fruit. “Thank you,” I tell him. “We appreciate all you have done for us.”
Auren lifts a brow, tearing a piece of bread. “I must thank you as well.” His grin turns smug. “Vivienne insisted I sleep in the tent with her last night.”
I blink, surprised.
Auren gestures over his shoulder, where his wife still sleeps soundly, curled into the blankets. “She even rolled into me in her sleep. Snuggled, actually.” He sighs like a lovesick fool. “She trusts me to protect her now.”
I don’t know what surprises me more: the fact that she voluntarily allowed him near her or the look of pure adoration on his face as he gazes at her.
Auren turns back to me, a faint smile cresting his lips. “She’ll love me soon. I’m quite confident of it.”
I shake my head slowly. “You’re a glutton for punishment, my friend.”
Auren grins. “No, I’m just persistent.”
I believe him.
“Which way are you traveling?” he asks. “We’re headed east. Perhaps we could travel together for a while.”
Auren is a Dark Elf and their magic is powerful. He could help me keep Auri safe. As much as I wish we could travel with them, it’s not feasible. “We’re going west.”
Auren nods and hands me a leather satchel filled with a small pouch of gold coins, along with extra food and supplies. “For your journey,” he says. “I hope it’s enough.”
I nod, gripping the pouch. It’s far more than I expected. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, then moves to wake Vivienne, who immediately begins launching a series of complaints about their situation, demanding they find a proper inn to stay at this evening because she refuses to sleep on the ground like an animal for another night.
“Of course,mellimë,” Auren says soothingly. “We’ll find one today.”
I shake my head to myself. Auren is truly a patient male.
Behind me, Aurora steps out of the tent, stretching with a sleepy yawn. She freezes mid-stretch when she hears Vivienne listing off a series of demands to her husband.
Aurora bites her lip, trying to hold back laughter as she takes a seat beside me. “He must truly be in love,” she whispers, grinning.
I bite back a laugh as well.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Auren and Vivienne.
Auren smiles. “Safe journey, my friend.”
“To you as well,” I reply.
Despite Vivienne’s fiery temper, I’m sorry to see them go. Auren was obviously a skilled soldier and his Elf magic would have been great to have at our side for our travels.
