CHAPTER 14
T he snow fell and fell. It piled on Uzoth’s wings and legs until it slid off under its own weight. It covered his tail and talons that rested on the tiled roof. And it kept falling harder and heavier.
A snowstorm.
Uzoth kept an eye out, watching Grady and his siblings moving around throughout the day, trying to keep aware of their movements. A short while ago, he’d seen Grady head in the direction of the Christmas markets.
The man had looked up and waved at Uzoth but then continued at a brisker pace than usual. No doubt the snow worried him.
Should I have followed and made sure he was safe?
A snowstorm could mean death to a vulnerable human.
Soon after, he spotted Grady’s brothers Trent, Jasper, and Leo returning from the Christmas markets. It was not yet dark. But he supposed with all the snow, they might need to close the markets early. That was good. They would be safe in the warmth of their home.
The twins, Jasper and Leo, ran up the stairs. Trent popped his head into the bakery but then continued in the direction of Ordelia’s home. Uzoth wished to remain here and wait for Grady to see him return safely home. He often returned after the others. So there was no reason to worry yet. But he knew Grady would wish to know Trent reached Ordelia’s safely.
Uzoth’s wings unfurled, and he took off into the sky, following Trent from above until Trent reached Ordelia’s door and entered. Then Uzoth circled back towards the bakery. He landed on the roof. Soon after, the bakery door opened. Ordelia, holding Ruthie, came out and headed in the same direction Trent had gone.
Uzoth followed her, and once he’d seen her safely home, he returned. A couple of djinns made their way down the alley. A moment later, Lacy, Cas, and Lachlan exited the bakery. Cas and Lachlan went upstairs.
“I’m going to Orim’s,” Lacy called out to them as she headed off through the snow.
Uzoth followed her to make sure she arrived safely. When he returned, a warm glow remained in the bakery window downstairs as well as in the apartment window.
Had Grady arrived home whilst Uzoth had been away?
If he had arrived whilst Uzoth followed Trent, Ordelia, or Lacy, Grady would be in the apartment right now and Uzoth would not know.
But if he had not arrived home…
Uzoth stared down the alley at the snow that kept coming. What if Grady were out in this? His poor human, so fragile, so frail, so mortal. The idea of harm befalling Grady tore at Uzoth’s guts. His taloned claws scratched at the tiles.
But Grady could also just be inside the apartment, safe and sound. Then he spotted a dark figure moving down the alley.
Immediately, Uzoth took flight. As he grew closer, the outline became clearer through the fat snowflakes. The tension around his bones released.
Grady. It is Grady. He is safe.
Uzoth dived and landed beside him, opening his wing to protect Grady from the snow.
“Thanks.” Grady laughed. He had his arms wrapped around himself. He trembled.
“You’re cold.” Uzoth’s gaze flicked over Grady as alarm flared in his chest.
“I’ll be fine. We’re almost home, and then I’ll get changed.”
They walked silently. They passed the bakery window and spotted Jack inside.
“Oh, good.” Grady’s teeth chattered. “Jack is packing up. Looks like they closed early for the day. No point staying open in this weather.”
They walked up the stairs. The door to the apartment swung open, and they entered.
“Everyone here and safe?” Grady’s eyes darted around.
Lachlan sat on a chair with his familiar, Kit, in his lap. Briar sat beside Wulfric. Archimedes, Briar’s familiar, perched on the back of a chair, preening himself. Cas knelt by the fire.
“The twins are in their room.” Lachlan pointed at the door.
“So that leaves…” Grady frowned.
“I saw Ordelia, Ruthie, and Trent reach Ordelia’s home.” Uzoth tucked his wings behind him. “And Lacy went to Orim’s. I saw her safely enter the apartment building.”
“You saw them?” Grady asked.
Uzoth nodded.
Grady’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, Uzoth. Thank you so much.” Grady licked his pink lips. “And Jack is downstairs. So everyone is safe and accounted for.”
Lachlan, who was the only sibling present he’d not officially met, stared at Uzoth.
“I am Uzoth.” He inclined his head in greeting.
“I’m Lachlan.” He waved. “Nice to meet you. And this is Kit.” He patted his sleeping familiar.
Then Uzoth turned to Grady. “You should change. You are too cold.” Uzoth did not like the sight of Grady shivering.
“Right.” Grady took off his boots and coat.
Then Grady walked towards his room. After a moment, he glanced back at Uzoth. He paused. Uzoth realised Grady wanted him to follow him. So he did. In his room, with his back to Uzoth, Grady immediately began to undress, casting his wet clothes aside.
“It’s been a fucking day,” Grady groused.
Uzoth stared at the sight of all Grady’s tantalising skin being revealed until Grady wore only his undershorts. Uzoth’s heartbeat picked up. He watched the muscles moving in Grady’s back. Grady bent over to remove his trousers. His plump arse stretched the fabric of his underpants.
“At least everyone is safe. Thank you so much for ensuring everyone got where they needed to all right.” Grady turned towards him. He froze.
Uzoth realised he had been caught ogling Grady. He tried to think of what to say. But no words formed. They stared at each other.
An apology sprang to Uzoth’s lips.
But before he could speak, Grady stepped towards him. “Fuck it,” Grady muttered. Then Grady lifted his hands, cupping Uzoth’s cheeks.
All Uzoth’s words fled his brain. Grady lifted and pressed his soft lips to Uzoth’s. Uzoth held completely still, so aware of the gentle pressure of Grady’s lips against his.
A knock sounded on the door.
Grady jumped back, staring up at Uzoth with wide eyes.
“One second.” Scrambling, Grady quickly tugged on some dry clothes.
Meanwhile, Uzoth’s brain failed to function.
Grady kissed me. He kissed me.
Grady opened the door. “What is it?”
Cas stood before him, holding a note. “Jack has gone to Avery’s to give him scones.”
Grady took the note.
“Should we do anything?” Lachlan called out from the other room.
Grady stared at the note. After a moment, Grady shook his head. “He should be all right. He should be able to get there, at least. He can stay until the snow stops. And even if they’ve ended things, Avery doesn’t seem like the sort of twat who would force Jack out into this snow.”
Grady paused, and Uzoth could sense the tension radiating from his body, revealing he was more worried than he let on.
“And it isn’t like we can do anything other than wait and see. We don’t know where Avery lives.” Grady lifted his head and looked at his brothers. “Jack isn’t an idiot. He will get cold, but he should be fine.” He gave the note to Cas. “I wouldn’t worry.”
“You’re right.” Cas smiled. “Jack can handle some snow.”
Grady nodded and closed the door. Grady didn’t move for a second, his hand on the door-knob. Then his hand tensed, gripping the door-knob tight before releasing it. Grady paced back and forth in the small room.
“Clitweasels and cockmonkeys!” Grady whispered. “What the fuck is Jack playing at? He’s meant to be responsible. Normally I don’t have to worry about him. But now he’s out running off after some dragon in this bullshit snow.” Grady strode to the window and stared out at the white beyond. “Fuck!”
“I will go check on him.” Uzoth stepped towards him.
“What?” Grady turned to him. “But we don’t know where Avery lives.”
“I followed him home once,” Uzoth said. “After he and Jack went on their date.”
“Really?” Grady sagged. “Thank you. I really don’t know what I would do without you.”
The words warmed Uzoth to the core. “I will go now.” He turned to the door but stopped when Grady grabbed his wrist. He looked back.
“And when you get back, we’ll talk, yeah?”
Uzoth gazed down into Grady’s intense grey eyes, uncertain what Grady meant. “We always talk.”
Grady laughed. “I mean about this.” Then Grady kissed Uzoth’s lips, just a quick brush of lips before pulling back.
Uzoth felt the urge to touch his lips. “Yes. Yes, we will talk about…that.” Because Grady had kissed him. Not once. But twice.
They would talk. And Uzoth also hoped there would be more kissing.