AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My legs wobbled from the explosive passion belonging to a man who loved hard and fierce. One touch, and I was his.
When he broke away, a chill found me. Outdoors, Gage kept the beast at bay, so I told Reed everything I’d seen and experienced in that place—about the panthers, the magic, and Faye, who’d locked me up in the tower.
His face went blank and despair filled his hooded eyes. “It’s my fault. I should have never asked you to go to the house.” His gaze dipped, but his grip embraced me. “I was desperate and angry, but putting you in danger was me being a fucking idiot. I promise you—I will spend the rest of my life freeing you from this tower.” His eyes grew wide with terror, and I’d never wish for anyone to carry such a burden, to believe they owed me.
“I made that decision myself.” Too many emotions thrummed through me, from worry for Gage and Kahlo to affection for Reed to how they’d risked their safety for me.
“If Faye is coming back for you, we need to do something now,” he insisted, his brow pinched. “Tell me where Vanore lives and I’ll visit her. I knew a few people in Tritonia who’ll guide me.”
“She might not be so eager, as I almost got her killed—assuming she survived that night to begin with. Plus, I still haven’t paid her for the first spell. I’d visited her twice but she wasn’t there.”
He kissed my nose. “Just tell me where she lives and any other details about her.”
A thread of hope pulsed through me that this might work, or was I being foolish in letting myself believe again? But I didn’t waste a moment longer, not when Gage was outside keeping the gargoyle distracted. I ran to the set of drawers in the bedroom and retrieved a black pouch. “I hope she’s still alive, and maybe you can use this to pay for a new spell, since the last one didn’t work correctly.” I handed him the bag of gold coins. “Try to find a carriage with dragon horses, as that will be the quickest way to get to Tritonia.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve recently made friends with a dragon shifter.” He winked, and I smiled, surprising even myself that one, Reed now called Gage a friend, and two, I could express joy in the face of dread.
“You sure about this?” I reiterated, still not convinced he’d find Vanore so easily, let alone persuade her to give me another spell.
“I owe you everything for risking your life for my pride. Few people would gamble their lives for someone they’ve just met.” His chest heaved, and he stared into me as if he searched deep in my soul. “I meant what I said the other day about you and me.”
“I know.” No doubts existed anymore, but the problem didn’t lie with his sincerity, but my indecision about having more than one man. Damn, I wanted them but it felt as if dreamed the whole thing and I’d wake up alone again.
The flap of wings caught my attention, and I turned to see the gargoyle swooping past the window. “You better go,” I said. “I’m not sure how much longer Gage can outfly the creature.”
“Stay safe, my princess.” He leaned in and kissed me like he had nothing left to lose. For the first time, it didn’t bother me that he called me “princess.” I pressed myself closer, chest to chest, needing him, inhaling his scent. In his presence, my body and mind responded to him like an addiction.
In an instant, he drew away, blew me a kiss, and darted to the window. His eyes did a quick scan, and he scrambled outside. I rushed after him, my gaze shifting between him climbing down the wall and to Gage, who steered the gargoyle across the ruins with the stone creature mere inches from capturing him.
My pulse drummed my skull.
Help them!
I darted into the kitchen, tripping over my hair. Catching myself, I snatched a bag of dried bread from the pantry and scrambled back to the window.
“Hey! Over here.” I tossed handfuls of food into the air, unable to see any birds in the vicinity. “Here birdie, birdie. I got food for you.” I threw more morsels into the air when a long-necked crane flew out from the woodland to my right.
Another followed, and I threw the remains of food onto the ground.
Below, Reed had careened around the back of the tower and vanished out of sight.
Then Gage glided back toward me, bringing the gargoyle closer. The creature’s face twisted as it eyed the birds.
“Go! Now!” I screamed.
He waved before swinging left and skimming over the tops of the trees, putting distance between him and the field. Damn, he was fast.
The birds fluttered out of reach as the gargoyle dove for them. They were well-practiced at ditching him, and I sagged against the wall. My heartbeat banged in my chest. For years, I’d wished for the universe to send someone to rescue me.
Now I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d listened and delivered Gage and Reed.
