AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She wanted thegargoyle?
11
Did a gargoyle just wink at me?
ARADIA
Iwake to a ray of light slanting into the closet, followed by heavy breath.
I startle, tensing until I recognize the stony arms sweeping me from the floor and the familiar obsidian chest against my cheek. That primal, divine energy. The smoldering dark abyss eyes that arrest mine and send my heart somersaulting in my chest.
He carries me back into the main suite, where the first thing I notice is the breakfast at the table.
“Oooh, does this mean you’re not putting me back in the dungeon?” I practically lilt while swinging my head to him.
“Don’t tempt me, Butterfly,” he warns in a lowered voice. I almost slide my arms around his neck. But I’m too hungry.
Indignation rears within me when I notice the bed and the blankets pulled back, evidence of last night. I also notice the imprint of a male shape on one side. He must have slept there. Ugh, I can still smell the sweet scent of the roses curling in the air.
Before the gargoyle lowers me to my chair, I snap. And stab a finger at him. “You left me.” A feminine snarl rises in my throat, and I tighten all my muscles while glaring.
“I see you still haven’t learned to curb your tempestuous tongue.” He sneers and sets me down, but I don’t sit yet.
I don’t care if he’s two heads taller than me. I ball my hands into fists at my side and jut my chin up at him. “Youleftme. You kissed me, and then you just left. And then I was in here, alone, with…him.”
“I assure you, Butterfly, those who share his bed are never dissatisfied when he leaves the next morning.” He snorts, grabs a chair on the opposite end of the table, a chair that reminds me more of an iron throne, and shoves into it.
At first, I tap the edge of mine, rebelling, but the food looks so good, and my growling belly gets the better of me. I reach for the glass holding a glowing concoction. But it smells fresh and sweet like lush fruit. Once I take a sip, I widen my eyes, almost moaning in appreciation, before consuming more of the tart and honey-like drink.
“Berries are grown under the light of the fractured dawn at the edge of my realm,” the gargoyle explains between sipping his. “Try the toast, little one. The nectar comes from the same region, but its flowers grow at midnight. If you enjoyed the smoothie, you will find it most appealing.”
Eldritch symbols etch the toast, which makes it more intriguing, but I don’t hesitate to try it, finding the nectar spread as delicious as he referenced.
No sense in tiptoeing around the elephant in the room. After I finish the toast and move on to the omelet, I gesture to the bed and ask the gargoyle, “Did you send him to me?”
He leans back, flexing his powerful wings, slightly lifting them. His gaze doesn’t stray from mine as he shakes his head.“Not exactly, but I knew he would likely pursue you. He comes and goes as he pleases.”
“I thought you were the ruler here.” I’m aware of the bite in my voice as I size him up.
He deadpans. “I am.”
He offers nothing but that deep, conversation-sealing response. A ghostly chill sweeps up my spine, but the subtle smirk on his face, wicked and playful, hints at something else.
Silence competes with the strained tension as I concentrate on my food and not on the asshole from the previous night. Part of me wonders if he’ll try again, prompting fear to tug at my nerve endings.
“A-are you still planning to eat me?” I hesitantly ask while biting my lower lip.
He grunts and jabs his fork into a stack of pancakes, adding them to his plate. Something about a monstrous gargoyle eating pancakes is both peculiar and bizarre but also amusing and adorable. Especially with his horns casting crescent shadows over the table, and his enormous wings throwing greater ones across the room. Tendrils of warmth curl into my body.
“I have not yet decided,” he says before shoving a large chunk of pancakes into his mouth.
My stomach twists, but only a little. At least he didn’t say a flat “yes”. And he’s feeding me breakfast, isn’t he? He didn’t stick me back in the dungeon. That’s progress.
“Hmm…” I twiddle my anxious thumbs and squeeze my shoulders while eyeing him. “Maybe I can persuade you otherwise?”
“Doubtful, but I’m listening, Butterfly…” He winks and returns to eating.
Did a gargoyle justwinkat me? What is up with this guy?
