Page 20 of Seduced by Moonlight (Gargoyles of San DeLain #1)

C HAPTER TWENTY – WARD

THE MOMENT the sun released him, Ward quickly left the rooftop. The restlessness that he had been suffering from—and had disappeared lately—was suddenly back.

But the need to roam the forest wasn’t what was riding him hard. It was the need and eagerness to see Kayden. More than eager, it was an urgency.

As the sun rose, there hadn’t been enough time to assess Kayden’s injuries, and the lack of knowledge had bothered Ward. The long hours spent under the sun’s curse were always torturous when there was unfinished business, especially when it was personal.

Ward descended the stairs, his steps quick with anxiety. He maneuvered through the winding corridors, making his way to the infirmary where he’d last seen Kayden.

As soon as he walked inside, Celine shook her head. “He’s not here. I put him in the blue room.”

“Thank you.” Turning, he started back out the door.

“Ward? You should know that most of Kayden’s crew left this morning,” Celine added. “They weren’t comfortable staying here.”

Ward turned away from the door. “That’s unfortunate. And where did you say you put Kayden?”

“Blue room.”

A wave of relief washed over Ward. Kayden was there. He hadn’t left. A gentle, warm fluttering began in his belly, like the soft rustle of butterfly wings. Kayden was there . Close by too. In his castle. He’d be sleeping in Ward’s castle. He found he liked the thought.

“Mika and Lance are here too. But Matt left. He was the second truck through the ward that was attacked.”

“Where are the rest staying?”

“They’re all on the same floor. I put Lance in what I call the forest room. Mika is in the room with the armoire.”

“Got it. How are Lance and Mika?”

“Lance had bumps and bruises. Shifting solved a lot of his problems. Mika was just shaky,” Celine said.

“That’s good.”

“Kayden was the worst—the concussion was pretty severe, but like I said, I healed that. He’s still a little headachy. Last I saw, he was resting in his room.”

“Thank you. I’m going to check on him.” Ward hurried out of the infirmary.

Was it his imagination or did it seem as if the hallways were endless? Each turn reminded him of the distance between them. The anticipation built with each step.

It was a mixture of concern and that eagerness he’d felt when he woke to be near Kayden again. Ward’s pulse quickened. It was an unfamiliar sensation, this blend of protective instinct and personal attachment.

Finally, he arrived at the blue room. He hesitated at the door, hand poised above the handle. Busting in there would probably not win him any popularity points. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he knocked softly.

There was no response, so he tried again.

Finally, the third time he knocked, he heard a soft groan and finally the sound of feet hitting the floor. Damn. It sounded as if he’d woken Kayden up. A few seconds later, the door opened.

“Hey,” Ward said. “Sorry I woke you. May I come in? I’d like to speak to you.”

Kayden moved out of the way. “Sure, come on in. Just keep in mind I just got up. As long as you’re not expecting me to make decisions right this second, I’m good,” he joked.

“I understand.” Ward stepped into the room. There was a little seating area, an attached bath, and a large window that overlooked the mountains.

It was called the blue room because everything in it was some shade of blue, from the delicate sky hues of the bedspread to the deep ocean tones of the draperies. The colors were soothing, thoughtfully put together to provide comfort and a sense of calm.

Ward sat, observing Kayden for a moment as he closed the door behind him. He looked better than Ward had anticipated, though there was still a paleness to his skin that spoke of his recent ordeal. That was bothersome, considering how tanned Kayden normally appeared. That plus the bandage near his hairline concerned Ward.

“How are you feeling?” Ward asked.

“Better.” Kayden ran his hand through his messy hair. He grunted when he hit the bandage. “Shit. Forgot that was there. Ah, let me use the restroom before we get started. And man, I’d kill for some caffeine.”

That was something Ward could absolutely help with. “Hey, Kayden? There are toiletries under the bathroom sink.”

“Oh, awesome.”

“While you freshen up, I’ll duck downstairs and get you some coffee. Give me about ten minutes and I’ll be back. How does that sound?”

“Like heaven. Thanks.”

Ward made a quick pit stop by his room, brushed his own teeth, then hurried downstairs to the kitchen. Since he was there, he grabbed himself some coffee as well. After fixing two to-go cups, he rushed back to Kayden’s room.

He found Kayden at the window. He could smell the toothpaste Kayden had used to brush his teeth.

“The view from here is one of the best in the castle,” Ward began, hoping to ease into conversation casually as he moved toward the window. He gestured toward the landscape outside. And his damn tail wrapped around Kayden’s thigh.

Kayden looked down.

“Sorry.”

“It seems to like me.”

“It does.” Ward sighed as his tail finally let go of Kayden.

Kayden glanced outside. “It’s beautiful.”

You’re beautiful. “So how are you really?” Ward asked instead, handing Kayden his coffee.

“I’m good. Really,” Kayden responded, turning away from the window. He took a seat and Ward followed him. “The headache’s mostly gone, thanks to Celine. Still a bit groggy, though.”

Ward nodded, his eyes never leaving Kayden as he rubbed his temple lightly.

Kayden took a sip of his coffee, and his eyes widened. “Oh my God, this is good.”

“I’ll tell Manny. He’s the chef here.”

“Is he the one who made the doughnuts that night?”

Ward chuckled. “He was, actually.”

“Lucky you. He’s good.”

“Yes, he is.” Ward cleared his throat. He was sitting close enough to Kayden that he could smell his natural scent. It was a combination of fresh-cut grass, blooming flowers, the salty scent of the ocean, sunscreen, ripe fruits like citrus, and berries.

Summer. It reminded him of summer.And he loved it.

“I’m glad you stayed,” Ward finally said. The words felt… well, heavy, and loaded with meaning he wasn’t fully ready to explore.

“So am I,” Kayden replied softly, taking a bigger gulp of his coffee. “But most of my crew did not stay.”

“I know. Before I came to see you, I spoke to Celine. I wish they had, but I understand their reluctance. But let them know that if they change their mind, they are certainly welcome back,” Ward said.

“I will. Did Celine tell you that Mika and Lance stayed?”

“She did.”

Silence fell between them for a moment. Was it Ward’s imagination or had Kayden scooted a little closer toward him? It still surprised him Kayden didn’t seem to mind that Ward was in his true form. He never reacted.

Well, that wasn’t necessarily true. Kayden reacted—it just wasn’t a negative response. Ward could certainly hear when Kayden’s heart rate kicked up slightly whenever he was around. And it wasn’t from fear.

“I hated having to leave you like that, but I didn’t have a choice, unfortunately. When the sun rises, we turn to stone. There’s no getting around it.”

“I know that. I didn’t blame you for leaving. There’s really not anything you can do about stopping a bodily function.”

Sighing, Ward put his coffee down and took Kayden’s hand. “Still, I hated it. I hated not knowing. I was worried.”

That was an oversimplification if he’d ever heard one. He had been frantic, but why split hairs, right? He toyed with Kayden’s fingers, staring at the tattoos on them and on the back of his hand.

“Ah, Ward?”

“Hmm?” The first time he’d seen those tattoos, he’d wondered about them. He had a feeling they meant something, especially because of the wording.

“Um, can I ask why it bothered you so much? Me being injured?”

Kayden’s question broke Ward out of his musings. Horrified, he realized he was basically holding Kayden’s hand. When he went to untangle their fingers, Kayden tightened his grip. Surprised, Ward glanced up. Kayden’s expression was curious, yet cautious.

Ward hesitated, searching for the right words. “I suppose it’s because I value your presence more than I initially expected. And not just as someone who worked for me. There’s something more….”

He was unsure how much to reveal. Hell, he wasn’t exactly sure what was going on here, but there were definitely feelings on his side. He thought Kayden had them too. His physical response showed that something was there.

“You know, you no longer work for me. I, ah, have this unwritten rule about getting involved with someone if I’m in a business relationship with them.”

“Same. It’s never a good idea,” Kayden agreed.

“Right.” Ward huffed. Why was this so hard? He was stumbling around like some wet behind the ears gargoyle. “I’m attracted to you, Kayden.”

Kayden watched him with an intensity that made Ward slightly uncomfortable. It was rare he found himself at a loss for words or felt so exposed.

“It just so happens I’m attracted to you also,” Kayden said, smiling slightly. “And why don’t we leave it at that? We don’t have to define everything this second.”

Ward returned the smile, relieved yet still stirred by the depth of his own emotions.

Kayden gently set his steaming coffee mug on the table, the clink of ceramic against wood barely audible in the quiet room. He leaned in closer to Ward, the warmth of his breath mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

The unexpected eye contact caught Ward off guard, sending an electrifying tingle coursing through his body. As Kayden leaned in closer, Ward instinctively closed his eyes, surrendering to the moment.

Kayden’s lips, gentle and warm, softly brushed against his own. The world around them faded away, leaving only the intimate moment that lingered like a whispered promise. The initial touch was hesitant, careful, as if testing the waters.

Ward’s wings shivered in anticipation as their mouths moved together. The kiss deepened, becoming more intense and passionate. The warmth spread between them, each touch adding to Ward’s growing excitement. Their breaths mingled, creating a shared rhythm as they lost themselves, the world around them fading away.

Ward’s tail coiled around Kayden’s ankle like a living bracelet, and Kayden let out a deep, muffled groan into Ward’s mouth.

Then Ward released a throaty groan of his own when Kayden’s fingertips lightly brushed along the edge of one of Ward’s outstretched wings.

The touch sent a shiver of pleasure cascading through Ward, as if Kayden’s fingers were tracing lines of sensual fire across his skin. The world around him slowed down as the passion between them grew stronger.

Ward’s breath hitched as Kayden’s hand dipped lower, stroking the hardness between Ward’s thighs with a confident touch. The sensations electrified Ward, each movement sending waves of pleasure rippling through him, urging him to abandon all reservation.

Kayden pressed closer, the friction between them tantalizingly unbearable and deliciously irresistible.

Kissing gave way to gasps and moans, mouths exploring each other’s necks and shoulders in search of sensitive spots. They moved together with growing desire, bodies tangled in an intimate dance.

Kayden finally ended the kiss, and both of them were breathless.

“That was….”

“Unexpected?” Ward offered, his voice a rough whisper.

“In the best way,” Kayden finished.

He took Kayden’s hand again and slowly turned it over so he would see the tattoo on the back that said MIND OVER MATTER. “I take it there’s a meaning behind this?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Tell me?”

Kayden settled back. “Do you know what telekinesis is?”

“Sort of.”

“Right. Crash course time. Telekinesis is the ability to manipulate matter with the user’s mind, allowing him or her to touch, hold, move, and otherwise interact with a target through their psychic ability.”

“That sounds very textbook-ish.”

“Prepare yourself because it’s going to get even more so. Now, for a sufficiently skilled and powerful practitioner, the size, weight, distance, and mass of a targeted object should seldom hinder their ability to influence it.”

“Okay.”

“But the user must convince their mind of that first. Doubts and lack of belief in self can influence ability. Thus the ‘mind over matter’ tattoo on my hand. It’s a reminder.”

“Ahhh. How interesting.”

“Confidence and belief in one’s abilities play a significant role in our kind of ability. ” Kayden showed his other hand, the one that had a tattoo across all ten of his fingers that said OVERCOME. “Sometimes we have to overcome our beliefs in order to use our power fully.”

Ward kissed Kayden’s fingers. “And you had these done to remind you of that. You’re amazing.”

“I’m glad you think so. Too bad not all paranormals agree with you.”

Ward grimaced. “I know how some think, but they’re wrong. Just so you know, I don’t think like they do. You are as much a paranormal as any of us.”

“Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“I mean it,” Ward said. “Now—” Suddenly Kayden’s stomach growled. “And now I think it’s time to have breakfast. Let’s swing by your friends’ rooms and get them. We’ll all go together. How does that sound?”

“Like a fabulous plan,” Kayden said, coffee in hand.

Once they gathered Mika and Lance, Ward guided the group down to the kitchen for a meal. Fortunately, they arrived early enough to avoid the crowd.

However, Rihanna and Celine were already present, which reminded Ward of an important matter he still needed to discuss with Kayden and his friends.

Ward intentionally walked over to the women and asked if he could share who and what Rihanna was with Kayden and his friends. She agreed.

After everyone sat down, Ward made the introductions. Of course, the two shifters of the group had already been eyeing Rihanna before they even sat down. He bet it was because of her odd scent.

Then he dropped the bomb about what Rihanna was, the Power of Three, and Mariana’s involvement in the whole mess, along with why he thought she had targeted them.

Of course, he was guessing, but it made the most sense. Or as much sense as any of it made. Then Kayden filled the group in about how Mariana had approached Lance, and then the three of them again later at the same club.

As the implications of Rihanna, the Power of Three, and Mariana’s connection to it all sank in, silence filled the room.