by Dawn, Autumn
She gently touched the foot of the gargoyle closest to her, felt the stone flex under her hand. She gasped and pulled her hand back. The stone subsided.
Griffin grinned. “It's all right. They're close to waking. No doubt you startled him.”
She sent him a wide eyed glance and went back to watching the silent gargoyles. As the sun dipped below the horizon, stone flexed slowly, moved like a living thing. All around her, chests expanded, drew in air. Color bloomed over the stone, turned it to onyx, jade, carnelian, quartz....
Jordan paced backward, the better to view the change. As stone slowly became flesh, a powerful joy seized her, and with it, a sense of helpless fear. She didn't know these beings. She had no cause for joy. What was happening to her?
She still felt awkward at dinner. By then she suspected that part of what she was feeling came from the house itself. All day it had seemed as if it were whispering to her, subtle thoughts that just brushed her mind. That was odd enough, but the reality of sitting across from seven mythical beings was almost overwhelming.
Griffin sat on her left, as a griffin the size of a horse. A handsome, gleaming brown with golden beak and claws, he was rather intimidating in that form. It was difficult to convince herself that he was also the man she'd spent the day with, and much of last night.
The gargoyles were able to sit, though Jordan thought they would have been more comfortable on stools than in high-backed chairs, for their wings draped uncomfortably behind them, and none of them seemed to rest their spines against the upholstery. She speculated that the pressure on their wings was uncomfortable.
Sage and Samhain stood at the table, though the stallion's food and water was actually on the floor. Jordan wasn't terribly shocked when Sage was brought a couple of whole, raw chickens. He was a giant white owl, after all, easily the height of a man. It did cause her some consternation when a bowl of freshly butchered rabbit was placed before Samhain's stallion form, along with a bucket of strong black coffee. She didn't comment, of course, but she did pour herself a little more wine. Unfortunately, her excellent meal was going mostly untouched. She was too tense to really enjoy it. Though they were on their best behavior, she was just not used to such extraordinary company.
She studied them carefully, trying to be subtle. In return they eyed her boldly back as they shoved food into their maws. There was very little talking. Eating was serious business.
After a few minutes, Jordan left off picking at her soup. When she saw Griffin eyeing it, she shoved it his way. “It's good, but I'm not very hungry.”
He drank it carefully, making the bowl look dainty as a teacup. “Very nice.” It was odd to hear his voice coming from a griffin's beak.
She cleared her throat. “Do you often eat human food when you're a griffin, or is meat better for your body?”
“I prefer meat, though cheese makes a nice snack. Bread is pretty tasty, too.”
“But no vegetables,” she said, smiling a little.
“Definitely not.”
She accepted the next course from a freckle faced boy. She doubted he was as human as he appeared. Jordan couldn't imagine too many Victorian citizens would take the sight of her present company in stride. It wasn't too many years past the time when a supposed witch would have been burned at the stake. She assumed the same would happen to gargoyles and such, should they be caught.
She lowered her eyes to her salmon and buttery fried parsnips. She noticed the gargoyles were served the same, and plenty of it. Unlike her, they didn't seem to be as careful of bones. “Mrs. Y is a good cook,” she said, trying to make small talk. “You're lucky to have her.”
Rook coughed, amused. “The local farmers are lucky we have her! Happy for them, not all of us enjoy raw meat.” Like the others, he didn't bother with tableware, deeming his fingers utensil enough.
“And the farmers frown on missing sheep,” a sharp edged gargoyle called Vicious said between bites. He had black hair, blue skin and wings. Chuckles followed his statement.
“They wouldn't really steal,” Sage said calmly. “The estate provides for all of us. As night guardians, they hardly have to beg for food.”
“I thought you said you were naturally nocturnal,” Jordan said, looking at Griffin for confirmation. “If you're both awake at night, who guards the place when you're all asleep?”
“Unlike them, we can be awake in the daylight. We need little sleep,” Griffin explained.
The blue gargoyle grinned a sharp white grin. “It gives him more time to cat around. The ladies like his company.”
Griffin growled in warning, and Vic lost his smile. “What?”
The wolf-like one next to him, Howl, snickered. He had roast beef stuck in his teeth. “Don't mind him. He's not too sharp.”
“Vic's barely thirty,” the thin purple one across the table from him spoke up, cutting across the brewing fight. She thought his name was Lance. “He probably didn't notice what's happening between you two.”
Jordan stiffened, set down her fork. “I wasn't aware there was anything happening,” she said with strained calm. She didn't like to think of the relationship between her and Griff as public, not when she barely knew what to make of it.
Lance stared at her. Cornered, he shot a glance at Griffin, and quickly changed the subject. “I'm the best flier. Howl tracks like a wolf.”
“Better,” Howl shot back. He crammed a whole boiled potato in his mouth.
Jordan let them change the subject, but her appetite was completely gone. What was she doing, sitting here like this? She should be trying to convince the house to take her home. She didn't belong here. “Excuse me. I don't feel well,” she said. Avoiding Griffin's eyes, she quickly stood and left the table, praying he wouldn't follow her. She was quite sure she would start wigging out if she had to sit still one more minute and pretend that everything was normal.
Everything was not normal! She was trapped in a living house, out of her time, and slightly drunk. She stumbled on her skirt as she was climbing the stairs and upgraded that to “definitely drunk”.
Since it was either that or climb the walls, screaming, she thought she'd made the right choice.
She didn't even try to reach her room. Tonight she rather wanted to be lost. She didn't want Griffin to find her too soon, not when she felt so confused. She needed time to think.
That was how she found the balcony. Stumbling through dark rooms until she found one lit by moonlight, she followed the white path to a double French door. It swung silently open to reveal a cozy balcony overlooking the front lawns. A brisk wind ran at her, perfect for clearing her head.
Jordan closed the doors and leaned on the rail. As long as no one went for a flight, she'd have her privacy. She smiled a bitter smile and closed her eyes. Ah! How did things get so complicated? This had all happened much too fast. Was there a way to prepare for something like this?
“Take me back,” she told the house, putting her heart into it. “I’m not a good match for him. You know it, too. I'm no good for him.”
“Is he good for you?”
Jordan blinked. The quiet thought hung there, as if waiting for a response.
She didn't have one. Was Griffin good for her? Jordan broke it down, simplified it. Was Griffin good? Of course. Though she hadn't known him long, she felt sure of that. Was he good for her? She bit her lip and stared over the shadowed lawns. Though she wrestled with the question for a long time, she couldn't find an answer.
The chill finally forced her inside. Somehow she was not surprised to find him waiting there, and in his human form. At least he was dressed.
He bowed, very formal. “This place can be confusing. I thought you might have gotten turned around. May I lead you back?”
She sighed. “I wish someone would.”
They were silent as he escorted her back to her room. When they had reached the door, he looked down at her solemnly. “Am I invited tonight?”
Part of her was tempted. She would have loved to
be held. Instead she shook her head. “It's no good, Griff. I'm not good company tonight.”
He nodded soberly, reached for her chin. He hesitated just before touching her. When he spoke, there was unhappiness in his voice. “May I kiss you goodnight?”
His pain made her heart ache. She nodded softly....
She recognized it for the mistake it was an hour later, when she'd had time to think. Griffin was a ruthless seducer. Only now, draped naked over his drowsing form, did she have time to acknowledge it.
He'd worn her out. She closed her eyes, promising she'd deal better with him tomorrow....
At first she didn't realize she dreamed. She was twined with Griffin, but there was another presence in the room; the shadow man.
He studied the pair critically. “Well, that was quick! I see my sister has gotten her way again.”
“Naturu,” she whispered, barely able to speak, to move. She felt as if the air had become a pressure, holding her down. “G'way.”
“I'm afraid not.” He examined his cane, his tone off hand. “You realize I don't approve. We'd whittled the numbers down to seven, my friends and I. I've no interest in seeing a population explosion.” He looked at her with regret. “I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you.” He took a brisk step forward, raising his cane that now sported a barbed tip. His eyes were locked on Griffin's chest.
“No!” she shouted as the paralysis abruptly lifted. She sat up, threw a pillow to deflect his aim. “I won't let you kill him!”
He took aim again...
To her surprise, Griffin was shaking her, telling her sharply to wake. Her eyes flew open, and she looked wildly around. “He tried to kill you!”
Griffin's jaw tensed. He put a calming hand on her shoulder and looked to the spot where she’d last seen Naturu. “Come out. I can smell you.”
Naturu's voice came out of the air, bored, as if he hadn't just tried his hand at murder. “What would be the point in that? I find it's much easier to kill you this way.”
Griffin smiled grimly. “Brave fae! Noble foe, to come at your prey in the dark. I heard that you'd become craven over the years, O hero.”
“One does not require chivalry to slay an animal.” Naturu's voice had a distinct edge.
Griffin smiled as he baited him. “And in your sister's house no less. She'll certainly forgive that.”
“What is it you want? Shall I give you a sporting chance?” Naturu spat. “Very well. Tomorrow at dawn I will meet you before the house. Winner gets the girl...and any monsters she might be breeding.” The voice held sinister promise.
They waited in tense silence. Finally Griffin said, “He's gone.”
“Was he really here?” she whispered, still shaken. “He was in my dreams....”
He tucked the blanket around her shoulders and held her close. “He's fae. They do that.” He nuzzled her temple. “This one won't bother you again, however. I'll take care of it tomorrow.”
She jerked her head up, nearly clipping his chin. “What? You're going to fight him? That's what he meant, isn't it? No! I don't want―”
He shushed her, first with his voice, then with gently persuasive kisses. “I'll be careful. I promise. All will be well.”
She tried to argue, but his lips stilled every argument, until she finally just pushed him back. “Look. There has to be a better way.”
He took her hand in his, kissed it. Then he slowly coaxed her to lie against his chest. “Very well. I'll talk to him tomorrow. We'll sort this out.”
Her breathing slowly began to calm. “You will? You think he'll listen?”
“I can be very persuasive,” he said reasonably, stroking her hair. “I'll have my brothers with me, too.”
That calmed her. It wasn't as if he'd be alone. She didn't know what she could do against Naturu, but she would be there, too, of course. She'd talk to the house if she had to, get her to intervene.
As her pulse slowed, her eyes got heavy. Promising herself she'd sleep lightly, Jordan drifted off to sleep.
A bone jarring thud woke her the next morning. She opened her eyes, stared out the window with bleary eyes. An angry groan came from somewhere far below her window.
She glanced at the lightening sky and gasped. Dawn! Grabbing her dress, she dashed for the window. She was just in time to see her Griffin climb to his feet and launch himself at the giant black griffin snarling on the lawn.
Jordan bolted for the door, struggling into her dress as she went. The hall seemed endless; the stairs a dangerous slope as she flew down them barefoot. The front door was ajar, and she threw it open, skidding to a stop on the landing. The griffins were locked in unequal battle, the brown biting and feinting viciously at the monster twice his size.
“He allowed Griff to chose the form,” Sage said calmly as she stared, appalled. He didn't seem surprised to see her barefoot, with the back of her gown hanging loose. He did hold out an arm to block her as she tried to run past. “He doesn't need your help.”
“He needs someone's!” she cried, trying to get past. “Why are you just standing here? Help him!”
Sam moved to block her way as well, shifting sideways with his back to her. He barely spared her a glance. “What? You want the fae to continue pestering you? Griff told us he was haunting your dreams.”
Jordan opened her mouth to answer, then stiffened as Sage moved behind her and began to efficiently fasten the back of her gown. She watched the battle, wincing from time to time. Naturu was fast for such a big monster. It was fortunate Griff was faster.
“You need a ladies maid,” Sage murmured, fastening the last hook.
“I need an Uzi,” Jordan shot back, twitching with the urge to help Griff. She needed a weapon!
The sound of a meaty smack made her look back at the battle. Griffin flew through the air and smashed into an oak trunk. There was a cracking sound, and he was still.
When he didn't move, Naturu relaxed. He stood on the lawn in a watchful, but not aggressive, stance.
Jordan feared the worse when the men stood back and let her through. She ran to Griffin, checked as gently as she could for a pulse. She couldn't tell if he was breathing. “Griff, please wake up! Can you hear me? Please.” There was blood, but she wasn't sure how much of it was his. For all she knew his worst injuries were internal.
Panic threatened, but she fought it down. The grief was harder. How could she care so much in such a short time? “Griff? Please. I don't want you to go.” Did he stir? Hoping her words were reaching him, she pleaded, “Please live for me. I'll stay here for you. It's not so bad, really, even if it is stuffed full of were-guys and gargoyles. I don't mind if you're feathery once in a while.”
He actually laughed, though it was weak. “You hated dinner. You're afraid.”
She drew a shaky breath. “I'm afraid of losing you. There! Are you happy now? I admitted it.”
His body heaved as if he were trying to get to his feet. “I need to finish him.” He groaned and flopped back down.
“You need a doctor, or a vet,” she said severely, trying to push him back down. Remembering Naturu, she turned around, but the griffin hadn't moved. There seemed to be some kind of force field surrounding her and Griffin. “What is this?”
Abruptly, Naturu was his fae self once again. He smiled bitterly. “My sister has decided to take a hand in things, it seems. She has no sense of fair play.” He considered Jordan broodingly. “I've half a mind to claim my prize anyway. I've clearly won.”
Abruptly Griffin was on his feet, looking far too hale for a creature near death. “Not today, foul one. Why don't you take yourself off?”
Naturu's eyes sparked, but then he looked at the house. “Ah, sister! Very well. I'll humor you for now. There are other ways we can settle this matter.” With an enigmatic glance at Jordan, he disappeared in a swirl of black smoke.
Jordan stared at the place where he'd been, and then she turned to glower at Griffin. “You were playing possum.”
He took a step tow
ard her and winced. “Mostly.”
She bit her lip, unsure if he were truly hurt. “It might help if you turned back. I can't see your injuries through your feathers.”
Abruptly he was a naked man, covered in gore. He smiled ruefully as she started. “You'll have to get used to it, darling. After all, you did promise to stay here with me.”
She pursed her lips. She had said that. It was startling to realize that she'd meant it, too. She really did want to be with him. “I didn't say how long I'd stay.”
He smiled and pulled her close, ignoring the way she squirmed away from the blood. “Finicky, tricky woman. Just try and leave.” He kissed her temple, smiling to himself. “You'll have to wait until the dressmaker finishes your clothes, at least. This one is ruined.”
Though she suspected he'd ruined it on purpose, Jordan did stay until she had new clothes. She remained through the summer, in fact, and on into the fall. By then the babe she carried was obvious to all.
Griffin had only let her go two days after the duel before presenting her with a ring. “We're married,” he said flatly. “We'll have a ceremony here and do things the human way so that there's no doubt. You're staying with me, though.”
She frowned at the ring and squinted up at the ceiling, which was now blessedly free of cobwebs. The new maids had been busy. “I don't know. There are a lot of things about my time that I might miss. Good coffee―”
“Mrs. Yuimen makes excellent coffee,” he said sternly.
“Books―”
“I'll give you the library. We'll kick Sage out,” he promised.
She looked at him and smiled softly. “You. If I went back, I would definitely miss you.” His expression then made her heart go soft.
There were many things about her new home that were strange to Jordan, and none stranger than her new husband. She loved him though, this knight who had saved her from a bad end. If she must live in a faerie tale, at least she would get a happily ever after. That was something even a modern girl could appreciate.
