Page 55 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
THALRIC
Igrit my teeth so hard my jaw aches, forcing myself to remain perfectly still even as my tail flicks angrily behind me, slapping against the marble floor with rhythmic frustration. My wings twitch restlessly, betraying the violent possessiveness simmering beneath my carefully constructed façade.
Aurora walks along the garden path, her hand resting lightly on Ryllen’s arm, the two of them smiling as they speak in hushed tones. My throat tightens, claws curling into my palms as I fight back the urge to storm over, tear her away from him, and growl that she’s mine.
Except she’s not.
And Ryllen—god’s curse him—looks perfect beside her. He’s everything a prince should be: charming smile, silver hair glinting in the sunlight, broad shoulders, easy laughter. Even I must grudgingly admit he looks better with Aurora than I ever could. My chest aches with the bitterness of that thought, and I strain to hear their quiet conversation, leaning slightly forward as if it’ll somehow help.
“You’re Thalric, right?” a cheerful voice interrupts, startling me out of my focus.
I turn sharply, scowling into the bright green eyes of Ryllen’s personal guard. He offers me a wide grin, entirely oblivious to my irritation.
“I’m Lorys,” he says brightly, green wings fluttering behind him. “Guess we’re going to get to know each other pretty well, guarding them. I’ve heard incredible things about gargoyles—strength, bravery, all that.”
“Hmm,” I grunt noncommittally. My attention immediately snaps back to Aurora, who laughs at something Ryllen says. The sound twists inside me, jealousy like acid in my veins.
Lorys chatters on, entirely unaware he’s interrupting my silent torment. “Maybe we can spar together sometime. I hear your kind are exceptional warriors.”
“Maybe,” I murmur absently, still desperately trying to catch snippets of Aurora’s conversation. Ryllen says something that makes her cheeks flush, and my tail lashes so violently it nearly knocks over a nearby plant.
“The prince has been eagerly looking forward to meeting the princess,” Lorys says. “I imagine he is already quite taken with her. The princess is rather lovely, and I have no doubt she’ll be happy with the prince.”
My tail smacks the ground hard, cracking the stone paver, causing Lorys to raise an eyebrow. “Are you… alright, my friend?”
“Fine,” I grit through my fangs, trying desperately not to glare openly at Ryllen’s irritatingly handsome face.
“If you’re worried about the princess,” Lorys says, his voice annoyingly comforting, “Ryllen is a good male. She’ll be well taken care of.”
I exhale sharply, nostrils flaring. “I’m not worried about Ryllen.” Because if he’s not a good mate to Aurora, I will simply end him.
“Good,” Lorys says cheerfully. “Do you have a mate?”
“No,” I reply, eyes glued to Aurora as she tilts her head, listening to Ryllen with rapt attention. “I do not.”
Lorys chuckles sympathetically. “Don’t worry, friend. With your status as personal guard to the heir, I’m sure plenty of lovely Gargoyle females—”
“I don’t want a Gargoyle female,” I snap before I can stop myself.
His eyes widen with sudden understanding, mouth forming a knowing grin. “Ahh, human women, then? I don’t blame you. They’re quite lovely. But—” He pauses, looking me up and down critically. “If you want to attract one, you might consider smiling every now and then. Females love a handsome smile.”
I scowl at him, my tail practically beating a rhythm of agitation behind me.
“Or perhaps not,” Lorys amends, noticing my dark expression. “I mean, brooding can also be attractive. I’ve heard that—”
I growl, and Lorys immediately raises his hands in apology, chuckling. “Alright, alright. No smiling. Got it.”
He falls silent, and I realize how unfriendly I’ve been. “Forgive me,” I tell him, rubbing the back of my neck. “I do not mean to come across so”—I search for the right words before finally saying—“grumpy.”
Lorys’s lips tug up in a smile. “No harm done, my friend. You’re simply guarding your princess.”
My princess. The words are a blade through my heart. “Yes.”
He smiles. “Well, I believe between the two of us, they’ll be well guarded.”
Drawing in a slow, controlled breath, I force my wings to still, pulling my turbulent emotions behind a mask of calm. Aurora must marry the Fae prince. There is no other choice. “I agree.” I do my best to offer Lorys a faint smile. “I believe we will work well together.”
Lorys practically lights up at my compliment as I do my best to hide the maelstrom of emotions deep within.
