Page 25 of Stone Heart
Chapter 9
The underground lair was in an uproar as word spread that Rina was the missing Faery princess who had disappeared all those years ago. Legend had it that the Faery princess had died escaping during the necromancer invasion to Faery.
Rhodack had touched base with one of his Fae contacts who would get the word out that he needed to speak to the king and queen. He stalked toward Rina’s suite to deliver the news that they would be able to speak with her parents soon.
It had been hours since he’d seen her. He’d been busy notifying the other gargoyle clans of the information he’d received. Now they knew what the misted figures were, they’d know how to deal with them. They’d hunt them down, because if they got their hands on Rina, they’d surely take her to the Forged realm.
That would never happen.
Rhodack would make sure of it.
He gripped Rina’s door when a voice called out to him. He turned to find Manga sashaying her way down the corridor toward him. Manga, a female in his harem, held a glimmer of concern in her light eyes. Her dark hair was held back from her face.
“Is it true?” she asked, her voice husky upon her approach.
He glared at her, not sure what she was asking.
“What Avalena is saying?” she said.
“What is she saying?” He pinned his gaze on her as she stopped in front of him.
She reached out and laid her hand on the middle of his chest. She glanced up to him with wide eyes before looking down.
“She’s saying you’ve brought another woman into the harem. We thought you were satisfied with the seven of us,” she murmured.
“I’ve never said I was dissatisfied with you seven,” he replied. He didn’t have to answer to them. If he wanted to add to his harem, then that was his right as clan leader. But Rina was not for the harem. She’d never be shared with his men or guests.
She belonged to him solely.
“But you are adding another woman? The Fae?”
He glared down at her and grabbed her hand in his. He brought it to his lips. Hers parted as he placed a small kiss to the back of her hand. He knew Manga was the more sensitive one in the group. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, and there was no way he was telling her anything at the moment.
He’d talk to all the women in his harem when the time came. He was sure rumors were already flying around.
“No.” He released her hand to move back toward the door. “I must speak to Rina.”
“She’s not in her suite.”
He whipped his head around at her announcement. “Where is she?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her, waiting for her to answer.
“She’s on the rooftop.” Manga gasped as he brushed past her.
He stalked down the hallway toward the elevator that would take him to the rooftop. Who had given her permission to go up there?
The sun would be rising soon, and all gargoyles would be taking cover beneath the ground.
He hit the elevator button. It opened immediately, allowing him to enter. He seethed with anger for leaving her alone in her suite. The necromancers were coming after her, and someone had let her out into he open. Whoever it was would answer to him. He growled, his animal wanting to burst forward.
Finally, the door to the elevator opened, displaying the roof. He stepped out and looked around. He stalked about, taking in the lightness of the sun. It would be up in less than two hours.
He strode to where the portal was and froze in place. His breath escaped from his chest as he took in her silent form standing at the base of the stairs. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back. She was dressed in a floor-length, flowing golden gown that was distinctive of Fae royalty.
Vikuth, in his gargoyle form, stood off to the side. Rhodack should have known his friend would be behind her going up to the roof. He nodded to Rhodack before stepping up on the ledge. He dove off, flying off into the sky without saying a word.
“Is this where the being that tried to take me entered?” she asked, not turning to face him.
He slowly made his way to her, refusing to move his gaze off her. His breaths came fast as he stood directly behind her. “Yes.”
