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“Gideon,” I cried, but we were going so fast that the wind carried away my voice. I glanced down, and the campus was gone, the town was gone. I had no idea where he was taking me.
I tried again. “Gideon!”
He glanced down at me, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before shaking his head and continuing on.
Sagging against him, I sighed. There was nothing I could do until we stopped. Damn witch rules that didn’t let me learn to fly. I ran my mind over the confrontation with Jules, and there were so many times I hesitated, and I didn’t know why. Did I somehow still have feelings for him? Jules had always been the handsomest and most talented male witch in the coven. Before, I’d thought I’d been lucky to be his intended. But I’d been devastated when he’d taken my virginity and then rejected me. It wasn’t something I could forgive him for. Ever.
Yet, I’d been frozen when he’d been hurt. I worried at my lip. There must be something, deep down inside of me, that still cared for Jules, right? I had known him my whole life, and I’d only just met Gideon. Sure, we’d shared a magical night, but that was all. I rubbed my chest. But I’d been worried about Gideon in the fight. Jules could take care of himself. So why hadn’t I gone to him? I’d wanted to, but it had been like I couldn’t move.
Some time later, we were landing in a small meadow. After Gideon set me on my feet, I took a deep breath. I didn’t know how to feel. I was so mixed up about the fight and the flight and what I should do, it was overwhelming. Instead of facing Gideon, I turned and gazed at the forest around us, and beyond the trees, the mountain peaks. How far had we come? Where were we?
The meadow itself was dotted with spring wildflowers in blue, white, and orange. At the end, nearest the trees, stood a large cabin. It looked a bit rustic, with walls made of a weathered tapestry of rugged wooden planks, and a sloping tin roof that glistened in the sunlight. A porch wrapped around it and vines weaved through the rough posts.
“Come on,” Gideon said, tugging me toward the log cabin.
“Wait,” I said, taking in the crisp mountain air. It was heavy with the scent of pine trees and earth. I shook my head. “I need to go back.”
He shook his head firmly, and took my hand.
I blinked. “No, you don’t get to decide for me.”
Gideon stopped and gazed at me. His gray eyes were conflicted. “I need to keep you safe, my mate.”
“I’m fine. I need to get to class—” I stumbled back a step. “What did you call me?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Gideon sighed and looked away. “It wasn’t supposed to come out like that. Let’s go inside, and I can explain.”
My thoughts were racing. Gargoyles had fated mates? I’d heard of shifters and werewolves having them of course, but weren’t they at least supposed to be the same species? I was a witch. I couldn’t be a mate.
“Please,” he begged, holding out his hand. “I can get you some breakfast.”
“I’m not hung—” My stomach gave a large growl.
“I promise I’ll explain everything.”
“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. I refused to take his hand, but followed him to the cabin. We headed up the steps to the small porch where Gideon opened the door with a strained smile.
Despite the rough exterior, the inside of the cabin was surprisingly modern. One half of the big room was a sparkling stainless steel kitchen with a large island and bar stools; the other side hosted a large black leather couch and two armchairs around a fireplace. Gideon quickly crossed over to it and started building a fire.
The morning still had a chill, especially as far up in the mountains as I assumed we were. Pulling a patchwork throw off the couch, I wrapped it around myself. My short skirt and sweater combo was more appropriate for campus than here. I walked around the room slowly, noting the steps leading upstairs to what I assumed was the bedroom and a small bathroom situated under them. The place didn’t have much decoration, at least anything personal—a couple of paintings of bears in a forest graced the walls.
After he started the fire, Gideon headed to the kitchen and cleaned up. It seemed like his nose had already started healing from Jules’ blow. Then he started pulling ingredients out of the fridge. “Do you like eggs and toast? Bacon?”
“No to bacon, yes to eggs and toast,” I said, as I slid onto one of the bar stools and watched him work. “Do you have any coffee?”
He nodded, and paused his cooking to start a pot brewing. He put a sugar bowl and a creamer on the counter. Then he started making eggs.
Who knew that watching a healthy male cook for me would be such a turn on? He hadn’t put his glamour back on, and the muscles in his arms and chest were on full display. When he swiped a hand across his brow, I sighed. He was gorgeous. I wondered idly if the bedroom was as nice as the downstairs. I squeezed my legs together and scolded myself mentally. I had questions first. I shouldn’t let my hormones distract me.
He put a large cup of coffee in front of me, next to the creamer and sugar. I started fixing it the way I liked. Gideon popped two thick pieces of homemade bread in the oven to warm while he finished up the eggs. The smell soon filled the space, and I was basically drooling by the time he put a plate in front of me.
I took a bite then moaned. I hadn’t had a real home-cooked meal like this in a long time. The cafeterias on campus certainly didn’t compare.
Gideon grinned. Just as it had before, his smile totally transformed his face. I could fall for that smile. “Good eh?”
“Mmmmhum,” I said, between mouthfuls. The coffee had been fantastic, but the food was something else. “Thank you.”
He filled a plate for himself and slid onto a stool across from me. He took his coffee black I noticed, and he ate slower than I did, watching me all the while.
