Nothing like a rich bureaucrat to be annoyed with general good-practice procedures, so I best play it up.
The gargoyle nods, looking more and more abashed. “Of course, of course, Earl. Just a few questions.”
I grumble an answer and the Admiral looks to Fern and clears his throat. “Bride, have you left the house of your chime?”
She looks her big liquid gold eyes at him and blinks calmly. “No, sir.”
Wily little creature.Bold as brass, lying to his face with not a single damn tell.
Shit, this is probably not a good thing for us being able to tell if she’s giving us the truth.
“And you’ve not seen another gargoyle since you were brought here?”
I cross my arms over my chest and look annoyed.
“No, sir.” She answers again, looking right into his eyes.
“And you are well? Settling in?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Very good, very good,” he mumbles.
I usher him out, to his many heartfelt apologies. I nod, annoyed and letting it show, mentioning speaking with the Senate regarding this visit predicated on not more than rumors. I stand on the balcony and watch them fly off before returning to my bedroom.
Ben and Theo are gingerly petting our bride, but she again has that distant look upon her face.
I sit on the end of the bed. “Little one, we need to talk.”
She limply meets my eyes. “Yes, Sir.”
A pang hits my chest.Where is my little firebrand?
“While you do need consequences for running off, I think it best if we table that for the moment. I have many questions for you.” I look at Ben and Theo, “I think we all do.”
She rolls onto her belly, hiding her face, as I hear her answer, muffled by the pillow, “If you wish it, sir.”
I frown. I need my bondeds’ opinions. “Stay, little one. Sleep or rest. We’ll be right outside the—open—door.”
I stand and Ben and Theo follow me out. We stand on the far side of the hallway.
“What is wrong with her?” I ask quietly.
Theo snorts. “Seriously, Arch?” He raises his eyebrows.
My eyes flick between them. “Yes?”
“Stones dammit, I never realized how emotionally stupid you are. You’re worse than Ben.”
“Hey,” protests Ben softly, frowning.
I cross my arms over my chest.
Theo continues, unperturbed, “She just chanced her life to run from us. She had to kill two young, strong gargoyles who threatened her body. She ran and hid her tracks. She got captured by three errant alphas. We saw her destroy the wing of the one who was about to rape her. Shit, she might havekilledhim, if we hadn’t been there.Been there to drag her back here.She wasn’t headed for her home, she was justrunning. Just trying to get the fuck away from us.” Theo is practically panting, his chest heaving, and his face darkened with emotion.
I blink, rolling that around.
Ben makes a noise. “She hates us, doesn’t she?”
