Page 26 of The Gargoyle’s Glade (The Gargoyle Knights #3)

Hailon and Seir had arrived as quickly as they could after seeing Jacks trotting through the glade.

Seir had propped a small mirror up on the low sofa table, and inside the glass were the residents of d’Arcan minus Magnus, who had shown up shortly after Hailon and Seir.

Coltor’s sisters, Imogen and Lovette, had knocked on my door not long after him.

All we were missing was Tap. There was truly no space at all for more company should any arrive—we’d be serving tea out of bowls and off plates to guests seated on my bed if they did.

Everyone had insisted I sit, so Ophelia, Hailon, and I were cozied up on the little sofa with Magnus and Coltor standing at our backs. Seir was sitting on the floor so he could see into the mirror, and Imogen and Lovette were at my little dining table.

“Your bracelet,” Rylan said through the glass, “acted as a protective charm. The stone itself?—”

“What kind of stone?” Imogen asked, leaning so she could see the mirror.

“Red jasper,” I supplied. She nodded as though this in itself was an explanation, then settled back into her seat. Imogen and I had shared only a brief greeting, but she seemed very kind. She strongly resembled both Coltor and Magnus.

“Yes, that stone has protective properties, but there was also magic woven in. The hair in the band.” He tilted his head. “Where did it come from?”

“Everyone,” I said, my voice improved by the tea, which Ophelia had splashed with whiskey for me after Coltor handed over the bottle to her and turned his back.

“I don’t know exactly how far back, but there were strands from most of my father’s family line, his included, and mine.

There’s even some from Jacks. The bracelet always passed to the eldest child. ”

He nodded in understanding. “The inclusion of each owner’s hair likely provided its own kind of magic, but I’m guessing part of the inheritance tradition included a blessing.

Even with some distance from the original witch in the line, or perhaps with new additions along the way, that many contributors layering a spell made it quite powerful. ”

As I processed that, Ophelia perked up beside me. “Powerful enough to make it so she can’t feel my wards?”

Rylan nodded thoughtfully. “Hard to say without knowing exactly what incantation was used, but it’s possible.” Ophelia grumbled.

“Is that why I could read the book after I lost it? Why I heard all the animals so loudly? They truly didn’t mean to hurt me.” I was likely repeating myself on that point, but it felt necessary. “It was just that everything was magnified and I couldn’t tolerate it.”

“Yes, that’s likely. Removing that protective charm, and whatever spells were embedded in it, allowed you to feel the full force of your gift. The muffled, slow trickle became a flood.”

Ophelia frowned. “All this trouble because nobody could read the blasted book?” When that was confirmed, she huffed irritably, then turned to me all sugar sweet and patted my hand. “Apologies, Merry. I didn’t know only conduits could read it.”

“It’s not your fault.” I was reminded of her comment from that day in her hut, that my magic would need training and support. I’d done nothing to train, and the bracelet blocking much out was not as helpful as actual support.

“Any idea what changed that allowed Merry to awaken?” Vassago asked.

“She was certainly fighting on her own already, but I took her to the heart,” Coltor said quietly.

“The heart?” Rylan queried.

“Castle Emankor,” I supplied, realizing that the warm wash of bubbly tingles I’d felt while held in his arms under the stars that night had been from more than his confessions and affection.

“The magic there is quite potent. I didn’t know whether or not it would do anything to help, but I had to try.”

Ophelia startled everyone by clapping her hands together loudly. “Well done, lad.”

“Perhaps regular visits are a good idea?” Rylan suggested.

“Yes, yes. That would certainly be good to help you recover after using your ability, Merry. Especially until you learn to manage it.” Ophelia nodded enthusiastically, barely avoiding spilling some of her freshly-poured tea.

“I will take her as often as she wants,” Coltor promised, his hand coming to rest warmly on my shoulder.

There was a bit more conversation around me, explanations of magic and warding and things my tired mind was too mushy to grasp. I focused on the table before me, trying to digest all of the things I’d learned in such a short time. Before I realized, the place had emptied out.

Coltor squatted in front of me, concern etched in his sharp features. “You okay?”

I nodded. “I think so. Just tired.”

“I was going to go out for a bit with Ophelia, work on the wards. But it can wait.” He reached out and took one of my hands into his.

“No, you go. I’ll be fine. I’m going to take a nap.”

“You could rest in the heart while we work. Take in more magic.”

I smiled at him, the earnest expression in his wide eyes. “No, that’s alright. I’d rather use the comfortable bed here if you’ll be busy doing other things.” Coltor’s mouth dropped open, his cheeks grew pink and he huffed a breath.

“If you’re sure.” His brows drew together. “But maybe you should?—”

“I’m really fine, I promise. Just tired.” I chuckled. “When did you start being this worried about me?”

“Since I met you.” The answer was immediate, the look in his eyes sincere.

“Oh.” My whole body flared with heat. For all my surety about not needing a man, that I could do it all by myself… his version of partnership sure was tempting. I inhaled, pulling up my bravery to broach a topic that had been quietly itching at the back of my thoughts. “Can we talk later?”

His eyes turned sad, and he let go of my hand, like he was bracing for something devastating. “Of course.”

“It’s nothing bad. Just about some of the things you told me out there.” He swallowed, and I could see fear in his dark eyes. I didn’t want him to leave so upset, so I blurted, “Coltor, do you want to be my mate?”

“Yes.”

“That simple? No hesitation?”

“Nothing in my life has ever been simpler, even when it’s quite possibly the most unexpected, messy, beautiful thing I’ve ever been faced with.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

He warred with himself for a moment, then surprised me by grabbing my face with both hands and kissing me.

His lips were firm at first, like he was worried I’d pull away.

I covered one of his hands with mine and leaned in, encouraging him with small swipes of my tongue, a tilt of my head.

It didn’t take much before we were tasting one another’s breath and mapping each other’s mouths with teeth and tongues.

Coltor pulled away on a groan and got to his feet. “If I don’t go now, I won’t at all, but we will talk about this as much as you want later.”

“Alright. It’s definitely wise not to keep Ophelia waiting. I hear she’s pretty dangerous.”

“You are too, Firebird,” he said, ducking down for one final kiss.

Then he was out the door, leaving me steeped in his scent and feeling more alive than I’d felt in a very long time.