Page 4 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
Swallowing hard, I lower my gaze, about to admit that I snuck out, but Thalric thankfully saves me.
“We were just on our way home,” he says.
“Good idea.” Rhain nods. His sharp eyes sweep over the village square and the throng of people. “There’s a lot of outsiders here for the festival. Too many for my liking.” He looks at me again. “Tell Fiora, Lyria, and Maribel I said ‘hi.’”
“I will.” I offer him a friendly smile even as worry fills me.Gods, I hope they don’t find out I snuck out this evening.
Thalric curls his wing protectively around my left shoulder and guides me away from the crowd. When we pass by one of the stalls, he buys me a caramel apple. “Here.” His eyes sparkle with warmth. “You can eat this on our way back.”
I give him a beaming smile. He’s always so thoughtful. “Do you want to try it?” I hold it out to him. “They’re really good.”
His lips twist in a faint scowl. “You know Gargoyles dislike sweets.”
“How about just a taste?” I coax softly.
He eyes the apple suspiciously before taking a reluctant bite. “Gods above, Auri,” he groans, expression souring. “I swear you’re trying to kill me.”
I burst into laughter at his dramatic reaction, and a hint of a smile curves his mouth.
“Aurora! Thalric!” Our playful moment shatters as a stern, booming voice echoes through the crowd. “What in the seven hells do you think you’re doing?”
Dread twists in my stomach as we turn toward the sound and find Eldrin, Thalric’s imposing father, standing like a dark sentinel, his ember eyes blazing.
Beside him is Fiora, the strictest of my three Fae guardians, her expression furious.
Thalric stiffens, his wings instinctively flaring as if trying to shield me from their anger.
“It was my fault,” he says at the same time I blurt out, “It’s not Thalric’s fault.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Fiora snaps, her red, dragonfly-like wings buzzing agitatedly behind her. “You know better than to be out this late.”
“You’re both in trouble,” Eldrin grinds out.
I glance at Thalric and mouth, “I’m sorry.”
He gives me a look that says he doesn’t blame me. Then again, he never does. He’s far too good a person; I hate that I’ve gotten him into trouble yet again. And now, because of my reckless decision, we’ll both face the consequences.
CHAPTER 2
THALRIC
“Iswear, this was all my idea,” Aurora tells my father and Fiora. “Thalric didn’t want to come, but I forced him.”
“No,” I state firmly. “It was my fault, I—”
“I’ve heard enough,” my father growls, obviously done with our excuses. His gaze shifts to me. “We’ll speak when we get home.”
Aurora’s honey-brown eyes dart to mine, wide and apologetic. I recognize this look. It’s the one she always gives me when she’s pulled us into trouble and regrets it. Even when we were fledglings, when she would drag me through mischief, she was always sorry afterward but never quite enough to stop herself the next time.
I brush my wing against her shoulder, silently reassuring her I’m not angry. I could never truly be angry with her. Frustrated, yes. Exasperated, gods yes. But never angry.
She’s held my stone-born heart in the palms of her dainty human hands ever since we were seven years old.
“Come, Aurora,” Fiora says sharply. “We should get home. Lyria and Maribel are beside themselves with worry.”
With one final regretful glance at me, Aurora hurries to Fiora’s side.
My father turns to me, his eyes hard and glittering with disappointment. “Home. Now.”
