Page 10
Story: A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star (Tales from the Tarot)
Chapter ten
Elryk
Gargoyles are known for being stoic and stalwart when it comes to protecting others. We do not know precisely why most gargoyles are born with an inherent desire to use their natural strength to protect those more vulnerable than themselves, but the legacy of this appears deeply ingrained in their species. It is rare to come across a gargoyle who does not possess this instinct. Many who are not born as Guardians still pursue professions that allow them to safeguard the wellbeing of others. When it comes to Guardians and their fated mates, this natural instinct becomes even more pronounced. Guardians are said to be downright deadly and almost feral in their need to keep their mates safe. Given the nature of the bond between them, this is quite understandable.
—Guardians of the Line: A Hidden History , by Dr. Targan Wildethorne
N oah gets off the couch and stands, crossing his arms as he stares me down with a stubborn but determined glint in his eyes. Despite his wee stature, he’s actually a bit intimidating right now.
I try not to squirm under his heavy gaze.
“Use your words, Elryk. Am I your fated mate or not?”
I swallow thickly. “Aye.” My voice is hoarse as I say it.
He frowns. “Why aren’t you happy about that? I thought this was a big deal for you guys, something that means a whole lot.” He takes a step back,
a look of horror on his face. “Oh, God, am I not your type?”
My heart starts pounding as if it’s trying to jump out of my chest. I don’t want him to think I don’t desire him.
“You’re exactly my type,” I growl. “In fact, I never even knew I had a type until I met you. You’re all I can think about, and you’re driving me bloody mad.”
“You could have fooled me.” His eyes dart away. “Well, at least until we sat next to each other on the couch.” He smirks at me with renewed confidence. “That was the first time I really felt like this sexual chemistry I’ve been experiencing wasn’t one-sided.”
“It’s not one-sided,” I agree.
It’s just… complicated .
Noah shifts awkwardly on his feet. “I’ll admit, I’ve never felt such intense desire or need like this toward anyone, and I wasn’t sure what was going on. But when the Oracle said we were fated mates, I couldn’t deny it. In fact, it made a lot of fucking sense.” He takes a step toward me. “Is it supposed to feel like this? So all-consuming?”
“Aye.”
“You feel it too?” His voice comes out in a soft, hopeful whisper that produces an aching sensation deep in my chest.
“I do.” I close the distance between us. “I burn for you, Noah.”
His beautiful eyes widen, and then he gets a mischievous twinkle in them and his lips quirk. “They say you should see a doctor if you experience a burning sensation.”
A deep rumble I can’t control bubbles up from within my chest.
My mate is too adorable for his own good.
Noah’s eyes flutter closed and for a moment, I think he might swoon right there on the spot. “Fuck, I love it when you do that.” His eyes snap open. “You only make that noise for me, right?”
“Aye.”
He nods to himself. “Good. You better only do it for me.”
“Of course. You’re my fated mate,” I tell him, uttering the words aloud for the first time. Something settles inside me with a profound sense of rightness. “There are many things that I will do only for you.” My voice deepens. “And to you.”
He gives a full-body shiver before reaching down and cupping his crotch. “Tone down the sexy vibes. We need to talk before we fuck.”
Part of me wants to grab him and kiss him senseless so we can forget about the talking and get straight to the fucking. But I know he’s right.
I just have to resist pulling him into my arms and laying him down on the couch like I yearn to do. Surely I can restrain myself, right? In time to at least get to a bedroom.
My cock throbs in violent disagreement.
I cross my arms and grip my biceps as I strive to remain in control. “Ask me whatever you wish to know.”
“Why don’t you seem thrilled about us being fated mates?”
I knew he wouldn’t let this go, and I don’t blame him.
“I told myself a long time ago that such a thing would probably never happen for me—and that it might be better if it didn’t.”
His eyes fill with sadness. “Why not?”
“Being a Guardian’s mate isn’t always easy. I face danger on a regular basis, and because I’m the Barrier Master of this clan, I need your ability as a Conduit in a way that would require you to join me in defending the castle more often than I would like. Putting you in danger too isn’t something I can bear to think about.”
“But if my power enhances yours in the way the Oracle told us it should, doesn’t that mean we can better protect each other and ensure that everyone else stays safe too?”
He’s right, but my entire being revolts at the thought of him being harmed in any way. We hardly know one another, but already he’s become precious to me. The power of the bond between us continues to grow with every passing moment.
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing mind and focus on
what the Oracle told me, that the Goddess chose Noah as my mate for a reason. If he wasn’t capable of what we need him to do, he never would have been destined to be with me.
I decide to express my other fear. “You might be right, but I’m also scared that you won’t want to stay here with me. You mentioned the destiny of Guardians being like a prison sentence—and you weren’t entirely wrong. I’m stuck here, more than most, because I uphold the barrier. While I can leave for short periods of time, like when I came to rescue you, I’ll never be able to go on long vacations or extended trips anywhere. My life is bound to the land here.” I search his eyes. “Could you be happy being tied down with me in such an isolated location? What if you become lonely? It’s far from your home, your friends and family. There also aren’t many humans that live on our lands, and while my clan is ready and willing to welcome you with open arms, you still might feel like an outsider amongst us.”
Looking slightly stunned, Noah slowly lowers himself back down on the sofa. “I hadn’t really thought about all of that, all the implications, especially when you’re bound to this place.”
My shoulders slump, but then Noah surprises me.
“But I don’t think it would be terrible to live here with you.” He grins. “I mean, this is a freaking castle . How many people get to live in a castle, and in the Highlands of Scotland, no less? I’ve read books about that, but never imagined I might actually do it myself. From the little I’ve seen, your home is truly amazing. I’ll admit, I want to see more of your beautiful country, but we could take the occasional short trip to Inverness or maybe even Edinburgh or Glasgow, right?”
I stare at him a little dazed. “Aye, and you could travel some without me. We just couldn’t be apart for too long. The bond won’t allow it once we’ve tied the magical knot, so to speak.”
Noah considers this. “That would make it hard for me to see my family back home.”
“It would,” I acknowledge.
He brightens. “But the castle’s got plenty of space, right? I mean, surely you’ve got another guest room or two so that, if my parents wanted to come for a visit, they’d have somewhere to stay?”
Hope and cynicism war inside me as Noah continues to speak. “Of course, we’d be more than happy to welcome them to the castle.”
“My parents are retired, so they have quite a bit of free time.” He chuckles. “I was their late-in-life surprise baby, born when they were already in their forties. Right now, they’re traveling around North America in their RV and living their best retirement lives, but I have no doubt they’d happily hop on a plane to come over here and visit.”
“I would do everything in my power to help make that happen as often as possible,” I promise him.
He reaches out a hand and pats the seat beside him. “Come and sit with me.”
More nervous than I think I’ve ever been in my entire life, I do as he asks.
He turns slightly to face me.
“All of this is really fucking wild, and I don’t know that I’ve entirely processed it all, but being fated mates is probably the least intimidating part. It’s actually super fucking cool.”
I stare at him in wonder and marvel at how different Noah is from anyone I’ve ever met. He’s so brave and bold—and honest.
More honest with himself and his feelings than I am with mine. I could stand to learn a thing or two from him, I suspect.
And I will if he’ll have me as his mate.
Hope surges anew inside me.
If he accepts me, I’ll strive to be the best partner for him that I can be. He deserves no less.
“I thought for certain you’d be horrified when we revealed the truth of the situation to you.”
His lips twitch. “Sweet Elryk, I’m getting the impression you’re maybe a bit more of a pessimist than I am. One of my greatest strengths is my unrelenting optimism.” He waves a hand in the air. “Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments when even I get down. Case in point, before I came here, I went through a pretty rough patch that had me questioning what the fuck I was doing with my life. But then I stopped in this magic shop and got a free tarot card reading that told me my life was going to change. As long as I followed my heart’s desires, I would find what I’ve been looking for. I decided to heed that advice, and now I’m here. I don’t think that’s mere coincidence. Not by a long shot.”
Slowly, he reaches over and takes hold of my hand. His is so much smaller and more delicate than mine. Humans tend to be more fragile in general than most Otherkind species.
But still, I want to protect this kind man whose spirit is far stronger than some of the most powerful gargoyles I know.
“I realized one of my heart’s desires was to come here to Scotland. I’ve dreamed of it ever since I was a child.” A sheepish look spreads across his face. “I used to sneak my mom’s Highlander romance novels and read them under the covers in my room. Even though I knew I had some distant relatives who’d been from here, I never learned much about them. But now I’m starting to think my fascination with this country and its people may be tied to the fact that we are fated mates. I don’t know much about this goddess you believe in, but if she foresaw that we were meant to be together, then maybe she somehow guided me to you at precisely the right time in both of our lives, when you needed my power and I needed a new path in life.” He shrugs. “It sort of seems like destiny, doesn’t it?”
I swallow convulsively. “The Goddess does not make mistakes when it comes to these matters. I do believe that.”
“Well, there you go,” he says, his lips curving up in an amused smile.
He squeezes my hand and I squeeze back, cherishing the soft warmth of him and our magical resonance as mates swirls between us. I’m not sure if he’s even fully aware of it, but we’ve already started to connect on the most fundamental of magical levels.
It bodes well for a future together.
“Do you think you could live here with me and be happy?”
My heart hammers, and I feel lightheaded as I wait for his answer.
“I don’t know for sure, but my gut instinct tells me this is where I’m meant to be and you’re who I’m meant to be with. For now, I think that’s enough. Besides, it’s not like I have a job or anything particular drawing me back to Chicago. Even my parents don’t have a set home where they stay anymore beyond their RV. Their travels take them all over. I do have some friends that I’ll miss, but I’m more than willing to uproot my life and move here with you. Are you willing to commit to me as your mate and stop being grumpy about it?” He arches a challenging eyebrow at me.
That, on top of his words, causes something to snap inside me, and with a growl, I yank him into my arms and take his mouth in the searing hot kiss I’ve dreamed of giving him ever since that moment I rescued him.
His compact, tight body feels perfect in my arms, and he immediately straddles my lap with enthusiasm.
Our mouths devour each other like we’re starving men.
Before I know it, I’m flipping him under me and laying him back on the couch, my body pressing down on top of his. I’m careful not to rest my full weight on him though.
Noah moans, and his hips rock up into mine.
“Fuck, you feel amazing,” he whispers breathlessly. “Kiss me more,” he demands, pulling my head down to his again.
I nip and lick at his swollen lips and suck on his slick tongue while he moans and shudders beneath me. When I finally pull back, panting, I’m nearly ready to blow.
Noah’s pupils are blown wide, and he looks a flushed, wanton mess—all because of me.
“You’re bloody gorgeous.”
“So are you.” He reaches his hand down between us, questing under my kilt until he grabs hold of the base of my rock-hard shaft. I have to bite my bottom lip.
“Holy shit, you’re huge.” He pauses for a second, tracing my length. “And ridged for my pleasure?”
I can’t help but grin. “Have you never been with a gargoyle before?”
“You’re my first.”
And only .
“I’ll be careful with you,” I promise.
“That’s nice, but I want to see you. Let me get a gander at what I’m working with.” He rubs his hands together in anticipation and I have to fight back a laugh.
By the Light, when was the last time someone made me laugh like Noah does?
Never .
A sticky-sweet warmth starts to spread inside me at that realization.
Thank you, my Goddess, for sending this wonderful, wee man to me.
“A ha!” Noah cries triumphantly.
In my moment of distraction, he manages to undo my kilt and toss it to the floor, leaving me bare-arsed on top of him.
I blink down at myself and then glance toward the door. “We shouldn’t really be doing this here,” I protest weakly.
“We’ll be fast. We won’t fuck here, but we can indulge in some very pleasurable frotting to scratch this motherfucking itch.” He licks his lips. “How’s that sound?”
“It sounds like you’re trying to tempt me, my darling.”
He grins impishly. “Is it working?”
In answer, I use my claws to rip open his jeans and yank them down his thighs and off his legs.
“That should not be so fucking sexy. Especially since I only brought a few pairs of jeans with me. But holy hell, I’m going to get off to this memory a lot .”
I stare down at the pair of black boxer briefs he’s still wearing, the word “Nice” and an image of a rooster in white on the front. Even in the haze of lust overwhelming me, I let out a sharp bark of laughter.
Noah is full of surprises.
“Hey! Don’t judge. I like funny novelty underwear.” He waggles his eyebrows at me. “There’s more where these came from.”
I already can’t wait to see what he’ll have on next time. I’ll be sure to admire the next pair as well before I take them off of him.
Deciding not to rip them, I carefully peel the briefs down to reveal his eager erection.
“Aye, it is a very nice cock,” I tell him, with a sultry purr.
“No false advertising here.”
Goddess, is he ever gorgeous. Every damn inch of him.
The firelight casts a golden glow on his skin that makes me want to lick him all over. But I especially want to suck his cock.
Moving back into a kneeling position, I take hold of his hips, and he squeaks as I lift his arse into the air and position both of his legs over my shoulders. Without warning, my mouth swallows his cock whole and his entire body jerks.
“Holy fucking shitballs!”
I move to pull back, thinking it’s too much, but then he yanks my head forward and fucks into my mouth. “Don’t you dare stop.”
Aye, my love.
It isn’t long before he’s moaning and writhing with pleasure.
My mate is wonderfully vocal and not quiet in his desires.
“Ahhhh, Elryk,” he groans.
I love the sound of my name on his lips, especially when he’s so passionate and needy.
Focusing my energies on using my mouth to bring him pleasure, I bob up and down on his cock while also using my very dexterous tongue, which is longer and more flexible than a human’s, to wrap around his shaft and squeeze.
It makes him whimper every time, and I can’t get enough of it.
Of him.
His thighs start to shake around my shoulders, and I revel in the salty taste of his pre-come on my tongue.
“Oh god. Oh god. Elryk, if you don’t stop, I’m gonna come real fucking fast.”
While the idea is deliciously tempting, my own cock demands attention. I want us to come together—especially this first time.
I release his now slick cock from my mouth and lay him back down before moving between his thighs.
His eyes drift down and go wide as he studies my cock. “Holy, fuck. So that Ryder St. James novel I read got it right.”
My lips quirk. He’s been reading my brother’s boyfriend’s books?
“Did it?”
He nods fervently. “I thought Gaga for the Gargoyle might have been exaggerating, but it was spot on in its detailed descriptions of gargoyle dicks.” He swallows. “I’ve never seen the real thing until now, but I have to say it’s even more impressive than I imagined.”
I know I’m a lot bigger than he is—in every possible way—so I hurry to assure him. “Dinnae worry, my mate. I’ll be gentle with you. We don’t have to rush anything. I willnae hurt you.”
To my surprise, Noah wraps his arms around my hips and yanks me forward until our groins meet and our cocks slide against each other.
We both groan from the pure bliss of the sensation.
Noah takes hold of my face, forcing me to look at him.
My mate’s a lot stronger than he looks—and I like it.
“Listen to me, Elryk DarkWing. Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I’m some delicate little gay-boy flower. I’m not scared of you or your massive cock. In fact, I can’t wait for you to fuck me with it good and hard.”
My hips thrust against his own without me even thinking about it.
He grins. “You like that idea?”
“Of course I do.”
By the Light, it’s all I’ll be able to think about now.
“Good. Because that’s going to happen very, very soon. Not right now though. ’Cuz we’re definitely going to need a lot of fucking lube, which we don’t have on hand in here. Also, I don’t care to ruin this amazing sofa.” He smirks. “Especially since we’re creating such wonderful memories on it.”
How can anyone be this sexy and amazing?
And how can he be all mine?
A strong possessive and protective instinct takes root deep inside my soul. Noah and I are mates, and we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives. All my earlier fears seem foolish, as if I’d missed the whole bloody point. But I get it now.
This bond between us is what I have to safeguard and nurture.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Noah continues talking. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna frot together until we both get off, okay? Consider it an amuse-bouche before the main course.”
I let out a relieved laugh. “So this is what you’re like in the bedroom?”
He smirks. “I’m a bottom who knows what he likes, and I’m not ashamed to tell you.”
“Sounds pretty perfect to me.” I nip his earlobe, and he shivers. “The Goddess chose well.”
Not intending to waste this opportunity, I’m more than happy to give him exactly what he wants.
My hips rock into his with a steady rhythm and he meets me every time, our cocks rubbing against each other with delicious friction.
“God, those ridges are amazing,” Noah gasps. “Can’t wait… to feel… ahh… them inside me.”
No one has ever driven me so wild. But Noah manages it with a few simple words.
Grunting and growling, I rut into him harder and faster, and he urges me on with eager encouragement.
When he reaches around me and gently takes hold of my tail, I yell. “Fuck!”
He releases it. “Did that hurt? I’m sorry.”
I grab both of his arms and pin them over his head. “You’re playing with fire, mo ghràidh.”
He shivers and grins. “Good to know touching your tail gets you all riled up and even sexier.”
I growl. “Just wait until I fuck you with it.”
The look of utter shock on his face is totally worth it.
Of course, it disappears in a flash to be replaced with an eager and curious one.
“You can do that?”
It’s my turn to grin. “Aye.”
“If my hands were free, I’d be fanning myself right now.”
Because I can, I extend my wings and flap them. “How’s that?”
“Pornographic Goliath fantasy activated,” he whispers.
“You’ll have to explain that to me later,” I murmur as I resume my thrusting.
“Eh. If you know you know.” He licks his lips. “Don’t worry. It’s a good thing.”
I silence him with a kiss, allowing my tongue to wrap around his and stroke it in a way no human could ever do for him.
He moans into my mouth and I savor every sound and vibration.
In no time, we’re both so close to the edge that it doesn’t take much for me to topple us over the other side.
“Ahhhh!” Noah cries out. Come shoots from his cock, up his chest, and onto the front of the shirt he’s still somehow wearing.
I let go of his arms and he scrambles to yank the shirt off and toss it to the floor.
His whole body is now gloriously bare to me, and I’m once again awe-struck by my good fortune in the Goddess’s choice of mate for me. I hope I can be worthy of him.
Noah reaches down between us with both hands, one coming to cup my balls and the other stroking my shaft. His molten honey-brown eyes fix on mine. “I want you to come all over me,” he murmurs, his voice going deep as he releases me and moves his hands to stroke his stomach and chest.
“Oh, fuck, Noah,” I grit out. After hurriedly moving into a kneeling position between his legs, I begin to stroke myself, fast and furious.
“That’s right, my sexy Scottish gargoyle,” he purrs, tweaking his right nipple. “You want to cover me with all your come. Soak me in it so everyone knows I’m yours and you’re mine.”
By the Light, I never knew I could enjoy dirty talk so much, but Noah is pushing buttons deep inside me I never even imagined existed.
“Fuck!” I yell as I finally find my release.
My body convulses as I give Noah a lot more than he was probably asking for.
I might have forgotten to mention to him that gargoyle orgasms are a bit different from human ones.
My ejaculation takes a full minute and is quite… plentiful as I coat his abdomen and chest in my come.
Noah’s mouth hangs open in shock as I continue to spurt in little aftershocks. Once done, I slump beside him on the wide couch.
He just continues to stare down at his body in disbelief. “It looks like I’ve been sprayed with a fucking fire extinguisher.”
That gets a chuckle out of me. “It’s not quite that bad.”
“I had no idea. Are your orgasms always so… copious?” he asks, arching an eyebrow.
I feel my cheeks warm. “Aye. Gargoyles are a bit different from humans.” I hesitate. “Do you not like it?”
He runs a finger through some of the mess on his chest, brings it to his mouth, and sucks it. I feel my own cock give another interested twitch.
“Mmm,” he murmurs around his finger. “You taste different, too. Earthier but nice,” he says, then flashes a crooked smile. “Not sure I could blow you and swallow without drowning, but we’ll figure it out.”
Feeling strangely shy but relieved he’s not disgusted by this difference in our species, I lean over and grab his discarded shirt on the floor. It’s already dirty, so I use it to wipe him clean.
“I should have warned you. Sorry.”
He reaches up a hand to cup my cheek. “I didn’t mind. Honest. In fact, it was seriously hot.”
I can’t look away. He’s flushed and his hair is mussed, and he smells like both of us. “We could take a nice bath together,” I offer, my mind already relishing the prospect of getting Noah naked in the tub with me and scrubbing every glorious inch of him.
With surprising strength, he shoves me back on the couch and lays his body on top of mine. “That sounds lovely, but I wanted to make sure you know that I don’t find your anatomical differences to be a problem.” He leans closer, ghosting his breath over my earlobe, then he moves up and licks the sensitive, slightly pointed ear tip.
I gasp.
“In fact,” he purrs, “I can’t wait for you to fill my ass full of your come until it’s dripping out of me. Then you can lick me clean with that magical tongue of yours.”
It’s my turn to give a whole-body shudder, then I take a firm hold of him and kiss him with everything I have in an effort to drive him as wild as he’s making me. As I delve and explore his mouth, I can taste a faint hint of myself on his tongue, and it fills me with deep satisfaction.
By the Light, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of this man.
Just when I’m about to throw him over my shoulder and fly us all the way to my room, everyone else be damned, there’s a loud pounding on the door.
“Sorry to interrupt you, two.” Braewyn’s voice comes through the thick wood. “We’ve got a bit of a situation. Raedyn’s almost back to the castle, and Kelwyn says he has urgent news.”