The Gargoyle Gets His Girl

by Kristen Painter

  “Right behind you.” Willa shot Nick a look that plainly said she was sorry for leaving him alone with her father. He waved her off.

  Then Jarrel stepped into Nick’s line of sight, his jaw set firmly but his eyes filled with unease. “You and I need to talk.”

  Nick nodded. “Agreed.”

  But if the man thought he was going to persuade Nick to leave Willa alone, it wasn’t going to happen. Nick knew without hesitation that the answer to Shay’s question was yes. He was going to marry Willa.

  And there wasn’t a man or fae alive who could change Nick’s mind.

  Willa followed her mother into the kitchen, but her mother ignored the cold storage and went straight to the table. Maybe her mother didn’t plan on feeding them after all. Melinna sat in one of the carved chairs and put her hand over her mouth as if the whole thing had suddenly become too much.

  A moment later, a young woman Willa didn’t recognize came in. “Can I get you or your guest something, my lady?”

  Melinna looked up. “No, thank you, Vellana.” Melinna paused. “But you can run down to the market. We have guests for dinner. Enough food for five.”

  “Better make it six,” Willa said as she sat. “We’re really hungry.”

  “Very well.” Melinna nodded at the serving girl. “Six.”

  “Yes, my lady.” The girl took a basket off a wall hook and left.

  Willa’s brows shot up. “You have servants?”

  Melinna frowned. “Another gift from Kyanna, but it’s safe to talk with her gone. I don’t know if Kyanna makes the girl report in on us but we never talk about sensitive things in front of her just in case.”

  “Do you think Kyanna knows anything about Shay’s gifts?”

  “No.” Melinna sighed. “We took great pains to make sure Shay knew exactly how to fail the testing.” She scrubbed at her face with her hands. “This is such a mess.”

  Willa crossed her arms, a little put off by her mother’s declaration. “You think I should have done something differently? Like actually joined Kyanna?”

  “No.” Melinna shook her head. “What you did was…brave. Maybe a little foolish, but terribly brave. We’re the mess. Your father and I.” She stared out one of the windows. It overlooked the sprawling kingdom and offered a glorious view of the mountains beyond.

  “We spoiled Kyanna. And Zane, but Kyanna…after you left, we did whatever she wanted. Whatever we had to to keep her happy.”

  “You overcompensated.”

  “We were scared we’d lose another child. And we didn’t realize how short-sighted and greedy we were being. We had too much ambition ourselves in those days.”

  Her mother was saying the right things, but Willa still had questions. “But you put Kyanna into training.”

  “Yes, but she had no notion of returning the kingdom the old ways at that age. And it was her decision to stay. She was the opposite of you when it came to the training. She loved it. Thrived on it. The attention, the privilege, the idea of serving the kingdom, the whole thing. It changed her. Turned her into something…” Melinna closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath. When she opened them, they shone with the hard light of truth. “We’re well aware of what she’s become. Which is why we’re doing what we can to protect Shay from the same path.”

  “Like helping her fail the testing.”

  Melinna nodded. “Exactly like that.”

  Something inside Willa cracked, the hard seal she’d put in place to keep herself from feeling the loss of her parents maybe. She reached out and took her mother’s hand. “I’m not sorry for the reasons that I ran, but I’m sorry for the hurt it caused you.”

  Melinna sniffed and nodded and clutched Willa’s hand like a lifeline. “And I’m sorry we didn’t listen to you. Didn’t protect you. I’m sorry we didn’t understand what you were going through and that you felt your only choice was to run. I really am.”

  “Thank you for saying that.” Willa pulled her hand back.

  Melinna looked at her curiously. “How is your life now?”

  “It’s good.” She thought about Nick. “Really good.”

  “I’m happy about that.” Her mother sighed. “I love you, Willa. I always have. I always will. And I realize we’ve only begun to reconnect, but I must be honest with you. Your father and I don’t approve of your relationship with Nick.”

  The words hit Willa like a slap. She’d thought her parents had moved beyond that old prejudice, but apparently they hadn’t. “It doesn’t matter what you approve of or don’t, I’m not giving him up. Accept it or you’ll lose me again.”

  Her mother frowned. “I thought you disagreed with Kyanna’s stance on the old ways.”

  “I do. What are we talking about?”

  Melinna let out a long, exasperated breath. “You cannot keep that man for your…slave, sexual or otherwise. He has the same rights that you and I do. He deserves to be free.”

  Willa stared at her mother for a moment, then rolled her lips in to keep from laughing. Didn’t work, she laughed anyway. “Mother, I am not keeping Nick as a sex slave.”

  Although if she was going to entertain such a thing, he’d be her first choice.

  Melinna pointed toward the other room. “Then why is he wearing your bracelet? Why did he refuse to let your father take it off?”

  Willa shook her head. She couldn’t wait to tell Nick about this one. “Because Zane put a bracelet on him so he and Kyanna could control him. I took it off and replaced it with one I made. It gives Nick free will to do what he wants to do. Him wearing it is just a ruse to give us an advantage.”

  Her mother squinted. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Willa paused a beat. “He sleeps with me because he wants to. You can ask him.”

  “Willa.” Her mother shook her head, a reluctant half-smile bending her mouth. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m glad you’re happy. You are happy, aren’t you?”

  “Very.” The last of Willa’s ill will toward her mother disappeared. It was nice to know that despite their history, her mother still cared what happened to her and was a decent person, despite what Zane and Kyanna had turned into. “Can you tell me anything about the challenge tomorrow? Do you know what it will be?”

  Her mother shrugged. “I wish I could. There hasn’t been a challenge in over a hundred years. A king without a child to succeed him is a rare thing, although it does happen. Obviously.”

  “What happened to his children?”

  “He had three. His last child, a boy, was stillborn. That birth cost the queen her life. Of the two remaining children, the youngest girl drowned when she was only a few years old and the oldest girl, Tyrra, came down with a fever a year ago that almost killed her. Her body survived it, her mind did not. She’s unfit to rule. I can’t say I’m unhappy about that.”

  “That’s kind of cruel. Why do you feel that way?”

  Her mother glanced down at her hands. “Tyrra and Kyanna were great friends. Perhaps more than that.”

  Things started to click for Willa. “Is Tyrra the person of great power? Was she the one who influenced Kyanna?”

  Melinna nodded. “Tyrra was as ambitious as she was beautiful. She wanted to change things. Go back to the old ways. She filled Kyanna and Zane’s heads with promises of power and wealth. Kyanna became consumed with the idea. Consumed with Tyrra and the royal lifestyle.”

  “So really, this plan wasn’t Kyanna’s at all.”

  “Not to begin with. When Tyrra ascended the throne, she would have returned Rhoswynn to the ways of our ancestors, with Kyanna and Zane’s help.”

  “So why is Kyanna continuing with this when Tyrra has no chance of becoming queen? Kyanna could be queen without any of this nonsense.”

  “I’m not sure if it’s out of loyalty to Tyrra and some belief that Tyrra will wake up from the fog she’s in or because Kyanna’s own ambition has taken over. Maybe a little of all three.”

  “Could Tyrra wake up?�
�

  “No.” Melinna smiled sadly. “She’s like a toddler now. She’ll never be herself again. Kyanna refuses to believe that, however.”

  “And the king? Why doesn’t he challenge Kyanna?”

  “For one, he’s old and unwell and I don’t think he has the fight left in him. For another, the few times he’s tried, Kyanna tells him it’s what Tyrra would want. That he’s destroying the rightful queen’s vision for Rhoswynn. His grief over his daughter is enough to shut down any argument from him.”

  “I feel sorry for him.”

  Melinna nodded. “He’s been a decent king. Taken good care of the kingdom and its people, but his life has not been easy.”

  “But not so hard that it’s deterred Kyanna.”

  “No. I believe Kyanna sees being queen as the ultimate prize. She doesn’t understand that it’s more than just power. She will have to lead the kingdom. Protect it. Plan for the future. Although I guess in a way, that’s what she thinks she’s doing by trying to return us to the past.” Melinna’s fingertip traced the whorl of the table’s wood grain. “And having Zane as her steward will only make things worse.”

  “Agreed. What about the king’s steward, Gerard? Who does he side with, Tyrra or the king?”

  “He’s the king’s man, through and through. If Kyanna wins tomorrow, he’ll be ousted immediately and he knows it.”

  Willa took a breath. “I really need to make sure that doesn’t happen tomorrow.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “I wish you had some idea what the challenge will be.”

  “I can tell you it will be a test of your powers since you’re both lapidus. Beyond that, I can’t say.”

  Willa sat quietly while her mind raced. She yawned, and it struck her how tired she was. “Can I rest before we eat?”

  “Of course.” Her mother stood. “I’ll take you to one of the guest rooms.”

  Willa got up and followed her. On the way to the stairs, they met her father and Nick coming from another room. The look on Nick’s face was a mixture of happiness, amusement and disbelief. She couldn’t wait to hear what that was about. “My mother is showing me to the guest room,” she told him. “I’m exhausted and want to lie down before we eat.”

  Nick nodded. “That sounds good. I’ll follow you.”

  Jarrel clapped Nick on the shoulder. “Good talk.”

  She was dying to know what that was all about, but she waited until her mother had shut the guest room door and they were alone.

  Willa gave Nick a look. “How do you like that? Not a word about us sharing a room.”

  Nick’s odd expression returned. “Your father just tried to free me from you, telling me no creature should be subject to another’s whims. I explained that the bracelet was to protect me while throwing Kyanna off and how Zane had put one on me first and all that.”

  Willa snorted. “My mother had pretty much the same conversation with me, except she accused me of keeping you as a sex slave.”

  Nick barked out a laugh, then slapped his hand over his mouth, maybe at how loud the sound was. He shook his head as he dropped his hand. “Your parents are all right.”

  She nodded and looked at the door. “They’re not bad, are they? The years have changed them for the better, that’s for sure.”

  “I’m glad they’re willing to help.”

  She laced her arms around him. “I’m done talking about my parents.”

  “Is that so?”

  She nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

  “You want to talk about your plan for this challenge instead?”

  “Nothing to talk about. I’m going to go in there and win it. Whatever it is.”

  “Willa, there’s got to be something about it you could tell me. I know you have a plan.”

  She loosed her arms from around him and stepped back. “You’re right, I do have a plan. But I can’t tell you what it is. You’re just going to have to trust me.”

  “Why can’t you tell me?”

  “Because Kyanna could force you to tell her what my plans are and I can’t afford for her to know.”

  “How would that happen? I’m not wearing her bracelet anymore.”

  She stared at him for a second, then grabbed his wrist with a firm grip. “What was your worst childhood fear?”

  His eyes rounded for a second, then he blinked and spit out, “Daddy long legs.”

  She let go of him. “That’s why I can’t tell you. Bracelet or not, if Kyanna touches you, she can force you to tell her.”

  He rubbed his wrist and cursed softly. “You’re right. I sort of forgot you could do that. Damn it. Don’t tell me anything.”

  “So you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sure you don’t like it, but—”

  “I did plenty in the military just because I was ordered to. I’m fine with it.” He grinned and pulled her close again. “I’m also all out of subjects. Anything else we need to talk about?”

  “Nope. In fact, I don’t want to talk at all.”

  He nodded. “Time for that nap, huh?”

  She squinted at him. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

  He kissed her, soft and short. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we really should rest. We need to be prepared. We have no idea what tomorrow’s going to bring.”

  “Which is exactly why resting is the last thing I want to do.” She knew things could go wrong. And if they did, she didn’t want to have any regrets.

  His expression shifted to dead-on serious. “You want me to call your mother back here and tell her you’re trying to use me as a sex slave?”

  She laughed. “Okay, fine. I’ll rest. But that might mean I’m not sleepy tonight.”

  “I’ll take that risk.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the bed. “Come, let’s crash until it’s time to eat.”

  But after dinner, the weight of what was about to happen came tumbling down onto Willa like a house falling in on her. She stood in the middle of the guest room wearing one of her mother’s filmy silk sleeping gowns and stared out the window, her damp hair trailing down her back. The shower had felt amazing, but she hadn’t had the patience to dry her hair properly.

  Not with all that lay ahead. Outside, the mountainous horizon still held the dusty purple of twilight. Here and there a few bright stars shone through and the dark shapes of birds flitted across the sky.

  Nick came in behind her. She didn’t turn. Didn’t need to. She recognized his presence. It comforted her, but not enough to snap her out of the immobility brought on by her impending future.

  His hands rested on her shoulders. The faint scent of soap wafted off him, leftover from the shower he’d taken before her. “You okay?”

  “What if I fail?” she whispered. “What if I lose the challenge?”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  Her eyes were fixed on one bright, burning star. “They’ll probably kill me. Then, once they figure out you’re not under their control anymore, they’ll try to capture you and take you as a slave. Or kill you in the process. They’ll force Shay into a different kind of slavery. Who knows what will happen to my parents?”

  He turned her around and cupped her face in his big, solid hands, tipping it up toward him. “I know you’re scared. I would be, too. But you’re not alone in this. You have me and Shay and your parents.”

  “I don’t think my parents or Shay are going to be much help if I lose.”

  “Then I’ll do the heavy lifting. I’ll make a contingency plan for getting us out of here on the very rare, very slight chance things don’t go your way tomorrow.”

  “A contingency plan sounds great, and while I have no idea how this challenge is going to go, I can tell you that if Kyanna wins, there won’t be time for a contingency. She’ll probably have me executed on the spot.”

  “Then she’ll have to kill me too because she’s going to have to go through me to get to you.”

  “No. I don’t want t
hat. If I lose, I want you to protect Shay. Promise me.”

  “Willa—”

  “Please.”

  “Okay. But you’re not going to lose.”

  She didn’t want to spend what might be her last night arguing, so she just nodded. “I know.”

  He smiled and kissed her as he pulled her into his arms.

  She let him embrace her so she could close her eyes and lean on him and let him support her. Because otherwise, she was going to collapse.

  As if sensing her distress, he bent and caught her under the knees, lifting her into his arms. He carried her to the bed and set her down gently. Then he sat beside her and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “You’re a strong, capable woman, Willa. People love and respect you. A lot of Kyanna’s power comes from the fear she creates in others. Your power is real. Don’t forget that.”

  She took his hand, brought it to her lips and kissed his knuckles. “Thank you. I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I’m really glad you’re going to be with me.”

  He smiled, filling her with confidence. This warrior of a man believed in her. “I didn’t just tell your dad about the bracelet.”

  “You didn’t?”

  He shook his head. “I told him I had plans for you.” Nick’s gaze dropped to a spot on the quilt.

  “What kind of plans?”

  His gaze came back to her, his voice solid and sure. “Future plans.”

  She just stared up at him, trying to read his eyes in the dim light.

  “Permanent future plans.”

  She stilled, unsure what was happening. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  She shook her head, a small, simple back and forth. Suddenly the looming challenge was the furthest thing from her mind.

  His smile widened. “And if it helps, your father gives his blessing.”

  He was asking her to marry him. She couldn’t answer that. Couldn’t deal with that. Not now, not with all that lay before her and the chance that her future might be over tomorrow if she lost the challenge. But she had to say something. She couldn’t just leave him hanging. She tried to form a sentence that wouldn’t hurt his feelings or make him think she didn’t care. But, before she could say anything, Nick leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Go to sleep. Do your best to let go of your nerves and rest.”