Not wanting to hurt Daryna’s feelings, he didn’t shove her away. Instead, he turned his head and broke the kiss. He wouldn’t fool himself, if things had been normal and there wasn’t the awkward Lillian-Daryna dynamic, he might have been willing to toe the line and steal a few moments of passion as long as they didn’t take it so far as to endanger their sacred vows.
But this lifetime was different.
Lillian was different than any incarnation the Mother’s Sorceress had taken in previous lives. He had been seduced by her newness, her uncertainty. As much as he loved his sorceress of old, he loved his new, human-raised sorceress as well.
“We can’t do this.” He sat up slowly. It wasn’t fast enough to disturb Lillian’s sleep, but it had the desired effect of displacing Daryna’s caressing fingers. He grasped her hands before she could distract him again.
She blinked at him, surprise and confusion in her gaze.
“My beloved gargoyle, I would never do anything to dishonor you or our vows. I was just going to play some of the games like we used to.” Daryna fell silent. “I see now that it was not well-planned on my part. Forgive me.”
Gregory huffed softly. “It’s all right. I, too, have done things that have not been well-planned. We are one. Nothing can change that fact. I would just ask that you have a care about how Lillian will perceive things. She is young, innocent, never having known a mate until me.”
“Perhaps you are correct. Already she is confused by her purpose and mine. I will do nothing to bring her or our child further stress.” Daryna shrugged. “And however self-serving it might sound, I do have her best interests at heart.”
Standing beside him was the Sorceress of old. She did nothing they hadn’t done a great many times before. There was nothing nefarious in her actions. It was this world, and all that had happened to him here, that had him out of sorts.
Never had there been secrets between them in their past lives. They were one being in two bodies. Daryna wasn’t intentionally trying to unsettle him or upset Lillian. Gregory huffed at his own silliness.
To reassure his other half that all was well between them, he coiled his tail along her legs, the blade-tipped tail tapping playfully against her thigh.
“Forgive me my insecurities, my Sorceress.”
“There is nothing to forgive, my gargoyle.” Daryna smiled. “However, this body needs rest, and I have never been particular to sleeping on the ground. I’ll bid you good night and claim that big bed for myself.”
Daryna unwound his tail and gave the end a hard stroke that had his body jerking to attention. “However, should Lillian wake in the middle of the night in the mood for,” she paused, the light of challenge in her look as she lazily took in his naked chest and farther down to where the blanket rested low on his hips, “Something only you can give, be assured I will enjoy watching you, my gargoyle.”
With that parting verbal gauntlet toss, Daryna turned and made her way over to the bed while Gregory was too surprised to reply.
Her words almost sounded like a challenge. And while Gregory loved a good challenge, this thing between Daryna and Lillian was becoming a distraction none of them could afford.
Inaction on his part wouldn’t work if Daryna acted contrary to her word and continued her attempts to enflame him. He hoped it wouldn’t come to it, but he would set some ground rules to protect Lillian’s feelings and his own honor if he had to.
Gregory settled back and looked up at the ceiling. The position put pressure on his wing joints, but he liked how Lillian snuggled against his side and curved an arm around his waist.
As if his manhood had a mind of its own, it reared to life again. But this time, it felt right. There was no awkwardness or uncertainty. Lillian was his mate. Desiring her was the most natural thing in the world.
Gregory relaxed and shifted closer to her warmth.
While some males might like being pursued by two females, he wasn’t one of them. He preferred his life without drama. Sadly, Fate and the Divine Ones delighted in enlivening his existence in such...creative ways.
As sleep drifted closer, Gregory mulled over the worrisome idea that one day he might have to choose between his mate and the other half of his soul. He prayed it would never come to that.
Chapter 13
THE NEXT MORNING GREGORY awoke feeling refreshed and content for the first time in three days. It likely had something to do with waking up with Lillian in his arms and Daryna still close enough to protect. And all the better, neither female viewed him as a prize to be fought over this morning.
He wondered if he’d missed a conversation between the two while he’d slept. That likely should have troubled him, but he couldn’t rally the concern at the moment.
Even Resnick’s arrival before breakfast hadn’t encroached upon Gregory’s feelings of goodwill this morning. Resnick had come to ensure that they were going to keep their promises about doing a demonstration.
Gregory was looking forward to this hunt. It didn’t matter that it was a game or training session. He was going to hunt down some humans and teach the other younglings the art of stalking prey. All in good fun, of course.
Now, a little over an hour after Resnick had come to collect him. Gregory stood in a clearing surrounded by forest just an hour north of the military camp. They had chosen this place because it was well away from any human civilians.
Lillian stood at his shoulder and watched Shadowlight with a bemused expression. The youngest gargoyle was presently trying to intimidate the other human soldiers gathered around Anna. Resnick and a few other senior officers were likely too close to Shadowlight’s ‘pet’ human for the youngling’s peace of mind.
Gregory doubted the gargoyle child even knew he was being too possessive of his new ‘toy’ and was threatening to test the limits of even Anna’s tolerance. Luckily, up until this point, the human had proven very tolerant toward a gargoyle’s tendency toward overprotectiveness.
“Should we call off Shadowlight?” Lillian asked with a grin in her tone. “Anna’s looking a little frazzled. She’s been doing the lion’s share of the babysitting.”
The original simple plan to field test the new spell-warded weapons had grown into a more complicated affair. Glancing toward Anna, Gregory decided ‘frazzled’ wasn’t the word he would have picked for her darkening expression. Interestingly, it wasn’t directed at the gargoyle child. No, Anna’s death glare was for three scientists where they were hovering nearby, waiting next to some crates that soldiers were unpacking from the backs of trucks.
One scientist was having an animated conversation with Resnick, while Anna’s expression turned even more sour. But the scientists were undaunted by Anna’s dark looks and began adhering what he’d learned were some kind of sensors used to record the wearer's life-signs.
While he and Lillian watched the other group, the new, overly optimistic research team leader approached, holding out some of the same patches toward him. By the time the human reached Gregory, he had drudged up the mortal’s name. Fleming, or Doctor Fleming as the human insisted on being called.
“If you would be willing to wear these,” the male began, “we’d appreciate the chance to collect some data on you to compare to the young one.”
Gregory sniffed at the offered bits of metallic patches with their strong adhesive scent and curled his lips back from his sharp fangs. “No.”
The scientist paused but held his ground. He turned toward Lillian next, a dogged expression on his face. “Then I’ll just...”
Lillian laughed, but there was a sarcastic bark to her tone she’d learned from Anna Mackenzie. “Hell no. I’ve already had your science team’s premium package deal.”
With that, she sidestepped the scientist and started toward where the two Fae equines were waiting at the edge of the forest, well away from the humans. Gregory followed, leaving the scientist to mutter under his breath.
They were half way to the unicorn and pooka when Gregory’s long strides o
vertook Lillian’s shorter ones. Presently, she was still dryad, although she would need to shapeshift into her gargoyle form for this new game. Gregory would be lying to himself if he didn’t admit he was looking forward to spending time with gargoyle Lillian. Perhaps after this hunt, he and Lillian could split away from the others.
But first things first. Gregory followed Lillian to where the unicorn and pooka waited.
“Are the humans done talking yet?” The pooka’s familiar surly tones reached deep into Gregory’s mind. “I’m looking forward to this hunt.”
“This is a wargame, not a hunt. You know that, yes?”
The pooka snorted, lifted his muzzle and curled his lips back to catch some scent. “If you say so.”
“I do. There will be no hostilities during this hunt. The humans are our friends.” Even Gregory could hear the sour note in his voice. The humans might be allies, but it would be a very long time before he called any of them friends. There was too much hate and bigotry. Or simple fear and misunderstanding. They had a long way to achieve enlightenment. Gregory narrowed his eyes, so too did many of the Fae, he supposed.
“I thought the Avatars didn’t lie,” the pooka continued. “You like the humans no better than I.”
“I’m willing to like the humans. Well, after they prove themselves trustworthy.” Gregory eyed the pooka from the end of his muzzle to the tip of his tail. “You, on the other hand, have a hearty disdain for all other creatures.”
“True,” the pooka agreed, his yellow eyes glowing with humor.
Lillian reached out and scratched the black pony’s neck. Gregory grinned at the equine’s sudden goofy look. Maybe the pooka didn’t hate everyone. Perhaps he’d even trust Lillian enough to share his true name with her one day.
As an Avatar, Gregory could use spirit magic and read everything about the pooka, but to do so would be a violation in the eyes of the Divine Ones. Both mortals and immortals were granted free will at their creation. To know an immortal’s true name was to hold power over them, power that could be used to curtail their free will. Hence, why Gregory would never force any Fae to share their true names.
Some Fae were so suspicious, like the pooka, that they wouldn’t even take a secondary name for fear that the name could be used to bind them.
Gregory wasn’t overly worried about the pooka, though. Of all the Fae, he was the most honest about his motives. He loved the hunt. And he would kill an enemy without a twinge of guilt marring his conscience later.
“I know a secluded glade that isn’t far from here.” The pooka’s mental statement was meant for Lillian alone, but Gregory picked up on it. After last night, her mind was open to him again.
Their time of intimacy had strengthened the blood bond between Lillian and himself once more. Her thoughts were ever present in the back of his mind. All he had to do was reach for them. His were the same for her to read if she so chose.
He’d missed their closeness and didn’t plan to allow anything to come between them again.
Not even a black, evil tempered little pony.
“Nice try, but my mate isn’t going to be stripping down in front of you.”
The pooka snorted in surprise. “Lillian is lovely, but she is not my type.”
Gregory’s mind was just starting to speculate on the pooka’s type when his yellow eyes locked on Gran as she approached.
Ah. So that was the way of it. Not that it was really a surprise. Even though everyone called Vivian by the nickname Gran, she was still an elegant looking woman in the prime of life.
“I should shift,” Lillian said, drawing his attention back to her. “I see Daryna headed this way. I think the impromptu meeting is over.”
At her words, the pooka glanced up at the newcomers.
“That’s too many humans for me. I’m out. But I will meet you deeper in the forest.” The pooka started away then paused and turned his head to glance back at Gregory. “Beware gargoyle. I think this wargame might be more of a hunt than a game.”
With that ambiguous warning, the yellow-eyed pony turned and trotted off, his tail flagged out behind him.
Unease penetrated Gregory’s earlier enthusiasm. Yet he wasn’t so naïve as to fully trust the humans. Still, he would heed the pooka’s warning.
Daryna joined them, her power as the Mother’s Sorceress washing along his senses even before she’d stopped at his side.
“I think the humans are almost ready.”
Again there was that mild note of disdain for the mortals. Gregory couldn’t pass judgment, though. In his darker moments, he’d had similar emotions regarding this modern world.
“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Lillian said and gestured toward the path the pooka had taken. Gregory dropped to all fours and loped alongside Lillian. Daryna fell in on his other side.
“The pooka knows a small clearing where Lillian can shapeshift away from the scientists,” Gregory explained to Daryna.
“Good. Those scientists seem...eager.”
Gregory huffed in humor and Lillian echoed his thoughts for him. “You’re too polite.”
They made the rest of the short journey in silence and soon reached the spot the pooka had scouted out earlier. It was blessedly free of the noise and strange scents of technology. Here the forest creatures still went about their business, undisturbed by the humans he could still hear in the distance.
“This will do,” Lillian said as she tugged off her outer clothing. Underneath she was wearing the ward-spelled garments he’d created to shapeshift with her.
She dropped to all fours as magic flickered along her body. The familiar power shimmered brighter, and then wings emerged from her back. Moments after, horns thrust up from her hairline. Then in a blur too fast to follow, his dryad beloved vanished, replaced by gargoyle Lillian.
She gave her wings and tail a shake and then straightened, her muzzle curling back as she caught his scent.
“Hmmm, you still smell far too good,” Lillian said with a hiss. “Am I ever going to get used to that?”
Gregory gave her a toothy gargoyle grin. “I hope not.”
Bounding across the small distance, he bumped his muzzle under her hand as he dragged in a deeper breath of her scent.
“Our gargoyle form is magnificent,” Daryna said as she looked Lillian over. “While I do not enjoy the Battle Goddess’s manipulations, I cannot fault her taste in design. You make a beautiful gargoyle.”
Lillian studied Daryna silently and then glanced at Gregory. He sensed some unknown emotion flowed between the two women, but they were both now shielding their thoughts. Before he could dig deeper, Anna came tromping up to them. Shadowlight was running circles around her in a playful abandon, and the one-horned fool was bringing up the rear of their little caravan.
“All teams are in place. We are ready to start,” Anna announced to the group at large and then she glanced pointedly at Daryna. “Gran and Resnick said you were going to watch from the sidelines, showing them some magic real-time surveillance spell thing.”
“I did. And now that I’ve seen my new gargoyle self with my own eyes, I’ll return to Vivian and Resnick,” Daryna said with a placid nod of her head. “And if the unicorn would be so gallant as to offer me a ride, it would save some time.”
The unicorn danced in place, his body language saying he’d rather take part in the hunt than act the part of faithful mount, but he obeyed Daryna’s request and sidled up beside her to offer his back.
With a gracious nod, Daryna grabbed a fistful of the unicorn’s mane and leaped up onto his back. Once she was astride, the unicorn arched his neck and neighed a challenge at the other males before he galloped away.
Gregory glowered at the flashing hooves as they retreated down the game trail.
“What was that all about?” Lillian asked with an arched brow.
“Male posturing,” Gregory answered honestly.
Anna cleared her throat. “Unicorn posturing? Alrighty. On that note...let’
s get to work.”
Gregory nodded sharply, and Anna’s expression turned serious.
“The name of the game is to run through a simulated warzone and reach the extraction point fifty kilometers due north of here. All without getting detected.”
“Fifty kilometers? Are we running an Ironman?” Lillian asked.
“Not even close,” Anna laughed. “Think of this as a BFT.”
Lillian’s ears pinned to her mane and Gregory bumped her flank. A moment later, they relaxed, and she snorted with humor. “Let me guess. A BFT isn’t a sandwich. I’d be all kinds of down with a sandwich...”
“Gargoyles.” Anna rolled her eyes. “BFT...battle fitness test. Major Resnick wants to know exactly what you’re capable of.”
Shadowlight shoved his nose against Anna’s rucksack. “She does have food in here. I can smell it.”
“Rations are for later.” The human shooed the young gargoyle away. “If you care to know, you have Gran and Greenborrow’s input to thank for the length of the run. They said anything less would be an insult to a gargoyle’s speed and stamina. For the record, I’m totally going to have to ride some of the way. There’s no way I can keep up with you lot.”
Gregory dropped to all fours, stretching and limbering up for the run. “Gran and Greenborrow spoke the truth. Anything less would be an insult.”
“Well, you’re going to like the next part then, too. There are teams of humans with the prototype weapons all along the trail. To make things more interesting, Greenborrow ward-spelled some of their scopes as well. So don’t assume the human teams won’t be able to see past your shadow magic.”
“This hunt shall be fun,” Gregory rumbled happily.
Anna snorted. “If the enemy teams pinpoint our location, we have to try to neutralize the threat with nonlethal force before they tag us. Close combat will be hand to hand.”
“They aren’t using real bullets, are they?” Lillian asked, although her voice didn’t sound concerned, more curious.
The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9) Page 86
