Page 72 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
CHAPTER 48
AURORA
The storm outside beats against the castle like a living thing, rain hissing against the stone. I sit by the dying fire, the flames nothing but embers now, my hands curled in my lap. I can’t sleep.
The painful memory of Thalric’s rejection in his cave resurfaces in my mind.My heart is stone. I will be your guard and nothing more.
The memory cuts deeper than the sharpest blade. I press a trembling hand to my chest, as if I can hold the broken pieces together before they crumble to dust.
Unbidden tears stream down my face as the thunder outside muffles the sounds of my quiet sobs.
The balcony doors rattle once, then swing open. Wind rushes in, scattering ash across the floor.
I inhale sharply as Thalric alights on the railing. Lightning fingers across the sky, illuminating his powerful form. Rain streams off his wings and shoulders, his golden eyes fierce yet haunted as they meet mine.
“Why are you here?” My voice quavers. “Haven’t you hurt me enough?”
He steps inside, water dripping onto the rug. “I needed to make sure you were safe.”
Safe. Alwayssafe.Neverloved.
Anger sparks in my chest, overriding my sadness. “You say you don’t love me, yet you come flying through my window in the middle of the night to check on me?” I shake my head. “Why, Thalric?”
“You know why,” he says hesitantly.
“Why can’t you say it?” I challenge.
His jaw tightens. “Because the truth would destroy you.”
“It’s destroying me anyway,” I say accusingly. “I know you love me. I see it every time you look at me. So why can’t you just admit it?”
His wings twitch, and his tail lashes behind him in agitation. “Because if I choose you, you die. And I can’t—” He cuts himself off, pain flashing across his face.
“You’re choosing duty over love.”
“I’m choosingyouover your death.”
The words hang between us, heavy and final.
“No.” I shake my head. “You’re just afraid.” Tears stream down my face. “You swore you’d never hurt me, but you’re breaking my heart.”
He flinches as if I struck him.
I start toward him, but he steps back, just out of reach. “No, Auri,” he states firmly. “We can’t do this.”
His words are a sharp blade straight through my chest. “Then, go.” I barely manage. “Please. Just go.”
He hesitates a moment before he turns toward the balcony. The wind catches his wings as he leaps into the storm and disappears into the night.
The silence he leaves behind is deafening.
I sink to the floor beside the cold hearth, hugging my knees to my chest. Tears burn my cheeks until exhaustion drags at my bones. I don’t remember closing my eyes, but the world shifts around me. The warmth fades, replaced by cool air that smells faintly of roses and smoke.
When I look up, I’m no longer in my chamber. The hallway stretches before me, bathed in silver light. A shadow moves at the end of the corridor—broad shoulders, the sweep of wings, molten gold eyes gleaming faintly in the dark.
Relief floods through me. “Thalric, you came back.”
He doesn’t answer, but his hand lifts, beckoning. I move toward him, every step slow and dreamlike.
