His reaction?A playful slap on the woman’s rear.The woman gave him another kiss, this one longer and passionate, after which they sat down, their backs to me.I saw him break the sandwich in two and hand her one half of it, which earned him a smack upside the head.The woman then pulled a second sandwich out of the basket, this one for her.He rubbed the smacked spot, threw his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her closer until her head rested onhis shoulder.They began their dinner, the whole city at their feet.
I stepped away from the balcony door.They deserved their privacy.Besides, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing.Such happiness couldn’t be found on the ground.Not anymore.There wasn’t time for carefree tenderness, because any moment of distraction could mean death.Love wasn’t impossible; it was simply deadly.
I suddenly felt so tired that I couldn’t stand on my feet any longer.I went to sit on the edge of the chaise, pushing the robe aside.What was the point of surviving the apocalypses if we weren’t truly living?Why fight to stay alive in this new, nightmarish world?
Hope.That was what kept me going, I suppose.Hope that things might get better, that they could go back to normal and I’d get to find my friends from before civilization’s fall.It was silly, but I held on to hope.
And now, though I had my hand around the sword handle, I felt hopeful that I wouldn’t have to use it.That the gargoyle who had brought me to safety wouldn’t hurt me.Instead, he would tell me why the apocalypses had occurred and whether he planned to do more about them once his zombie enemy was defeated.Perhaps, he would not only take me back to my community but also help us survive.
So, I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
My back began to hurt from sitting on the edge, so I shifted until I was resting on the elevated end of the chaise.For a moment there, I imagined myself as an Ancient Roman at a feast, with grapes between my fingers instead of a sword handle.
Who knew, maybe this furniture was as ancient as the Roman Empire.How long had Gargoyles existed as a species?What was the average life expectancy of a gargoyle?So many questions to ask–I felt dizzy just thinking about it.
Hand still on the sword handle, I got more comfortable, withmy head on the backrest and bare feet up on the chaise.Its fabric was so soft against my skin, like a velvety caress.So nice and warm.Cozy, too… And safe from creatures trying to eat me…
I could let myself relax… for just a few… more seconds… No harm… done… in enjoying… the feel… of…
Warmth… at my back… and belly… Cloud-like pillow… under my cheek–
Pillow?
My eyes shot open.Where was I lying?When had I closed my eyes?
The last thing I remembered was looking at the bed at the opposite side of the room.Now I was on that bed, facing the wall of swords.Hanging there was the blade I had been holding what felt like a second ago.And the very person I needed that sword to protect myself from?He was spooning me.
– 13 –
Best First Night Ever
The gargoyle king had a hand splayed over my belly and a tail draped across my hip.He had disarmed me, carried me to the bed, gotten comfortable as my big spoon, and I’d slept through it all!How could I let this happen?
“Mmm.”His warm breath tickled the top of my hair.“The best first night with a female in my bed ever,” he murmured huskily.“Thank you.”
I hadn’t moved a muscle, but Xaniban must have felt me stiffen upon waking up.Of course he had.My body was pressed against every hot and hard inch of his.Pretending I was still asleep was pointless.Talking him out of whatever he planned for us was my only option left.
“Why are you thanking me?”I asked tentatively.
“For surprising me like no other before you.”His voice carried a smile.“I expected to find you still in the bathtub, or dressed and enjoying the view from the balcony.Or wearing nothing but your alluring self whilst splayed on the bed.Perhaps pleasuring yourself, having lost patience in my return.”
“Someone actually did that?”How sex-crazed were the women he brought here?Or was it all him and some sex pheromones at work?
“Never did I expect to find you curled like an unbornpipon the chaise, sword in hand.My great-great-grandfather’s sword, to be exact.”
“Can I have it back?”
“You do not have to sleep armed anymore,” Xaniban rumbled.“You are safe in my palace and in my arms.”As he said it, his tail around me tightened, bringing us even closer.
His chest was so warm against my back that I wouldn’t need a blanket in his arms, either.Just his naked skin against mine, our bodies intertwined–
Down, Sue!No thinking about how nice it was to be held like this.No wondering about the very long and very hard rod I could feel against the small of my back.That way lay danger.
“I needed the sword and knife to protect myself fromyou,” I spoke firmly.“Since you kept ignoring my nos, I was hoping a blade to the groin would curb your enthusiasm.”
