Page 46 of Stone Heart
“Welcome. It’s safe here,” she called out. She turned to Rhodack with a small smile on her lips.
He ached to pull her back and claim those plump lips but now was not the time. Later, he’d tan her hide for not listening to him. Her safety was the utmost priority for him and his gargoyle.
The sound of Rina’s quick intake of breath had his attention going back to the portal. A few more royal soldiers entered before a tall, broad-shouldered Elf stalked through the opening.
The king of the Fae realm.
King Khantar Omaris stood, regal and bold as his sharp gaze roamed the rooftop. His stern eyes softened at the sight of Rina standing at the base of the stairs. His lips turned up into a smile, and he reached behind him and placed his hand back in the portal, guiding a mirror image of Rina through.
Queen Roshi Omaris smiled wide when her eyes met Rina’s. The queen was in a similar dress as Rina’s, displaying her curvy figure.
“Larina,” the queen breathed. “My baby. It’s really you.”
A sob broke through the air, and Rhodack looked Rina’s way.
Fuck.
He didn’t think he could take her tears. His stone heart cracked even further with the thought that she was in pain.
He didn’t know what to do.
He moved forward, but she stepped forward as well, and her mother flew down the stairs and met her for a tight embrace. The two females cried tears of what he hoped was joy.
He turned to Vikuth, who shrugged. Gargoyles weren’t a race that shed tears at all.
The king made his way down the stairs and pulled both women into his arms. If Rhodack didn’t know any better, he would have sworn the king’s eyes misted over.
“It’s okay, gargoyle. She’s fine. This is a homecoming that’s been a long overdue,” Solana murmured by his side.
He glanced over at her, and she must have seen the confusion in his eyes.
“If they’re happy to see each other, why the tears?”
“You have much to learn about Rina—hell, females in general if you don’t understand why they cry.” Solana chuckled and turned back to witness the reunited family.
Shaking his head, he stepped toward the royal family. The Fae guards moved to block him, but his growl vibrated through the air, pushing them back. He narrowed his eyes on them and bared his fangs.
No one will keep me from Rina.
“Let him through,” Khantar snapped. The king drew back from his wife and daughter.
Rhodack approached. He passed the guards and snorted. They wouldn’t be a match for him together.
“Rhodack Gahnoth.”
Rhodack clasped the king’s strong grip with his talon, careful not to scratch him. “Welcome.” He drifted his gaze to the queen and offered her a nod.
She smiled at him, holding Rina close to her.
“We have much to discuss.” The king was all business now. The emotional display was long gone.
Here before Rhodack stood the king of the Fae.
An ally.
“Let’s go to my office,” Rhodack suggested. He turned, catching the happiness beaming from Rina’s eyes.
The tension on the rooftop was thick as they walked to the elevator shaft, but something was off.
