Page 1 of The Gargoyle’s Glade (The Gargoyle Knights #3)

Merry

“ H ave I said thank you for telling me about this place yet today?” I teased my friend Hailon as we made our way away from the bustling city market, arms full of her purchases.

“Only once or twice.” She smiled broadly.

Hailon and I had known one another all our lives, though our friendship had truly blossomed in the last couple of years.

Ravenglen was home to us both, but she’d traveled here to Revalia with her man not all that long ago, and I could see very plainly that coming here had done infinite good for her.

They’d mentioned the city to me before leaving Ravenglen behind, providing an invitation I hadn’t initially considered accepting.

In fact, many hours had been spent debating before I’d decided on leaving my entire life behind.

My horse, Jacks, aside of course. He would never have let me—he’d have chased me down on the road, stamped his hooves, and told me off about my audacity.

Compared to this sophisticated, thriving city, my hometown seemed incredibly provincial and lacking in every way.

I had no regrets about my decision—Revalia had already far surpassed any dreams I could have had about it in the few short weeks I’d been in residence.

“Well, I mean it just as much as I did an hour ago. Maybe more.”

“An hour ago, you were eating a muffin the size of a small melon and drinking some of the most decadent hot chocolate I’ve ever seen.”

I closed my eyes, still tasting the velvety drink on my tongue. “My point stands.”

Hailon laughed and linked her arm through mine as we made the final turn toward d’Arcan. The main stone building of the magical academy was already majestic, but the tower reaching into the sky with an observatory atop it was an excellent navigational point from anywhere in the city.

I was still reeling in many ways from simply how much I’d learned since my arrival.

Back home, magic was a fleeting concept talked about in hushed conversations when it might be of benefit or cursed when it was being blamed for a problem.

Here, it was an integral part of life, though still largely a secret to most of the city’s residents.

D’Arcan was a place those with magical talent could go to learn about their gifts and other related skills and was run by several members of my friend’s new extended family.

“Let’s see how Jacks made out with the other horses.” Hailon smiled as she opened the iron gate for us at the edge of the collegium’s property.

Since our arrival, Jacks and I had been staying with Ophelia, a kind old woman who lived in the forest outside the city gates.

Jacks had taken us directly to her house when we’d first arrived, unwilling to change course no matter how hard I’d tried.

I’d quickly learned that she was far more than an old woman who liked her privacy.

Indeed, Ophelia was a stone kin sorceress.

My horse seemed reluctant to leave her hut, but I was feeling as though we’d overstayed our welcome despite assurances from her she didn’t mind our company.

The last thing I wanted was to abuse her hospitality, and I was ready to move along—I just wasn’t sure where I was moving along to yet.

We walked through the courtyard and past the main building as well as a small section of garden.

Off to one side of the campus, a large section of forested land had been cordoned off.

There were wide swaths where the trees had been cut down and construction of several new structures was well underway; the division between the existing grounds and the new stark.

The air smelled familiar, like freshly turned earth, but unlike back home, it wasn’t because it was planting or harvest season.

There were two girls playing near the horse paddock, chasing one another with little wooden swords while a pair of men who could not have been more opposite from one another watched on, occasionally giving instruction.

“Sara, mind your elbow,” Vassago, the one with white hair and silver clothing, said.

“Jana, don’t be afraid to strike upward.

She’s taller, but that doesn’t mean she’s always got the advantage,” the one with dark clothes and black hair added.

His name was Rylan, and he was the headmaster of the school.

“Ladies, welcome back.” The corner of his mouth tilted in a gentle smile.

He inclined his head as we approached in greeting.

“Did Jacks behave himself?” I asked, unable to keep myself from smiling as I watched the girls smack their swords together and shout “Ya!” over and over until they collapsed into giggles.

“He was a perfect gentleman,” Vassago assured me.

Having spotted me, Jacks ambled over, snorting amicably as he approached the split rail fencing. The other two beasts paid us no attention, too consumed by their grazing.

“Glad to hear it,” I replied as I scratched my horse’s nose.

“I very much appreciate you offering to stable him. I’ll admit I hadn’t quite thought all the details through when I decided to come here.

” That was an understatement. I’d left home with only Jacks, a few clothes, a regrettably light purse, and the hope of a fresh start.

“It’s our pleasure.” Rylan’s eyes turned briefly to the sky, where a large black-feathered owl and a raven chattered and played on the breeze.

“The other horses could use some company, and there are plenty of empty stalls besides.” He turned away from me and waved a hand.

“That’s enough for today, girls. Bring us your weapons, please. ”

“Awww,” they whined. “Can’t we keep them in our room?”

“We could practice after we’re done with our schoolwork and chores if we had them in our room!” The younger one turned on every bit of charm she had in her adorable little face.

I exchanged a look with Hailon. Her mouth was quirked into an amused smile. She’d been an only child, but I’d heard that same tone day in and day out with my younger siblings.

“You’ll have to discuss that with your sisters,” Rylan said, hand held out for his student’s sword. “Until then, practice blades stay in the stable if you please.”

“But they’ll say no!” the older girl protested, a mighty frown on her face.

“Can’t imagine why,” Vassago muttered with a smirk.

“Then the answer is no, I’m afraid. At least for now.

Perhaps when you no longer share, hmm? Stella will be getting her own apartment soon, and Bridget won’t be far behind.

” Rylan patted the girl on her head and gestured toward the main building.

“Go on, I’m sure Grace is waiting for you by now.

Be sure to tell her it’s our fault you’re late. ”

“She doesn’t say naughty things as much when we do that.” The younger girl nodded sagely, her serious expression forcing me to hold in a laugh.

“Precisely.” Rylan winked at the girl and they took off running, giggles floating on the wind.

“They’re sweet,” I said with a sigh as images of my sisters and brother danced across my mind.

“I’m sure you miss them.” Hailon patted the hand I’d left resting on the fence. Jacks, bored with us, as we had no treats, wandered back toward the other horses, tail flicking as he went. At least he was settled in well, that was one less worry on my end.

“Yes.” A lump formed in my throat. “So silly. I spent my whole life trying to get away from my bratty, needy siblings, and now I miss all the whining. Their sticky hands. Someone always tugging on my skirt. Makes no sense.” A large cat approached and wound its way between my ankles, rubbing its cheeks against my legs.

“Hello, there. Aren’t you friendly.” I reached down to give its head a scratch.

I could have sworn when it slowly blinked up at me, I heard a voice say hello back, which was disconcerting but foolish.

The creature purred at me for a moment before trotting off into the grass.

I glanced up to see the brothers exchange an amused look.

“No, that makes perfect sense,” Hailon assured me, giving my hand another squeeze.

“Indeed,” Rylan agreed. He and Vassago stood to the side, watching us. For such large figures, I didn’t find them intimidating. It probably helped that I’d first met them with their wives, and literally everyone had been so welcoming it was hard to see them as anything other than kind.

“Shall we apologize to Grace ourselves?” Vassago asked. “She’ll likely bless us with tea and snacks if we do.”

“I’ll never refuse Grace’s snacks.” Hailon linked her arm in mine again, enthusiasm shining in her eyes.

“Nor would she let you,” Rylan chuckled.

My friend looked healthy, happy. Like she’d truly found herself here. It was so different to how she’d been in Ravenglen. My chest squeezed tight with the hope of doing the same for myself.

The stone school building was cool inside, the difference in temperature abrupt from the moment we crossed over the threshold. The late afternoon sun had been keeping me plenty warm, but I suppressed a shiver as we walked down the main hallway and through a wide set of doors.

The expansive dining room made me pause to take a deep breath.

Just standing there made my mouth water, the scents coming from the kitchen promising a delicious meal.

It was hard to pin down why, especially given the size of it, but the whole space felt like the best parts of coming home after a long day.

The tension in my shoulders eased as the others spoke to one another around me, and I took in the details of the room.

Each of the stout wooden posts had a different animal carved into it.

The massive hearths at either side of the room kept it the perfect temperature, and I could almost hear the echoes of the students talking as we passed long rows of tables and benches.

“Why’s our table clear over there?” Vassago asked. I turned to find him frowning, pointing to a round table and chairs shoved off to the furthest corner of the room.

Grace, a force of a woman who reminded me of my mother in many ways, burst from the kitchen door as though she’d sensed our presence. I’d met her twice already, and both times the energy about her was exactly the same.

“Ah! Yes, there you two are. The little helpers you finally returned to me for their chores are assembling your tea. Care to lend a hand?” Without waiting for a response, she quickly vanished again out the doorway we’d just entered through.

Rylan and Vassago looked at one another curiously, then followed her out.

“Should we…” I started, but Hailon shook her head.

“No, I’m sure they’ve got it. Grace would have given us a task. I’ve learned it’s best to stay out of her way unless she specifically asks.”

Moments later, the men reappeared along with two others, a giant upside-down table and several chairs carried between them. I blinked and my face grew hot as I took in the familiar broad forms. One was Coltor, a stone kin man I’d met at Ophelia’s house shortly after I’d arrived in Revalia.

He was Hailon’s friend, and I couldn’t seem to avoid seeing him no matter where I went in this expansive city.

His father, Magnus, was likely the other set of broad shoulders under the huge slab of wood they were carrying.

Grace directed them tidily around corners and between benches, and Hailon and I scuttled out of the way as the table was flipped legs down and set near where we’d been standing.

We collected the chairs from the round table and slid them into the empty spots around the new large rectangular one.

Grace stood back once everything was settled where she wanted it, a pleased smile on her face.

She pulled a rag from her apron pocket and polished a spot on the wood to a glossy shine.

“I’ll miss the old one,” she gestured vaguely to the round one in the corner, “but this one has plenty of room to grow.” Her twinkling eyes grazed mine as she turned, and Magnus tucked her under his arm, pressing a kiss to her hair as they went into the kitchen.

Rylan smiled as he ran one finger along the surface. “Calla will be pleased. I wasn’t sure when she told me which one she’d decided on, but I shouldn’t have doubted her.”

Vassago chuffed. “We should all know by now not to doubt them, but we can’t seem to help ourselves, can we?”

The brothers looked dreamy, gazes far away as they commiserated about their wives. Hailon smothered a laugh as she looked my way. She was fooling herself though; I’d met her man, and he was their brother. He was just as besotted with her.

“Well, I’ll be on my way.” Coltor glanced at me, then turned to leave as Grace and Magnus returned, arms full of plates and cups.

“You will not. Sit.” Magnus grinned at his son, the expression on his face softening the tone with which the words were delivered.

Grace distributed teacups and started to pour. “Please,” she added. “We so rarely see you. Can’t you at least stay for some tea?”

Coltor glanced around, discomfort obvious, but he selected a seat. The one directly across from me.