“No!Of course not.But–”
“Then do not ask me to leave you on the ground while I do battle.”His eyes bore into mine, unwavering as he spoke.“How do you expect me to focus on the fight while worrying about your safety?My focus is jeopardized as it is because of the raw mate bond.It makes it impossible for me to keep you off my thoughts and not long to be next to you every second I draw breath, now that I have just found you.Do not make my fall more certain, little blessing.”
For heaven’s sake.He wouldn’t let me off this cloud, fine; hehadn’t said no to assisting my people.But to end up dying because of a made-up connection between us?“Enough with this mate crap,” I snapped.“You’ll be perfectly focused on the battlefield once you realize there is no mate bond.Whoever made it up wanted to manipulate naïve gargoyles like yourself to ensure the continuation of your species.”
Chest heaving, I stared up at him.Had I gone too far?Pissed him off?How would a gargoyle act when angered?
Xaniban drew his wings away from me, lifted his tail in the air and… smiled.
Huh?
He stepped back, never breaking eye contact.“We will see who is naïve when I return.I, who believe in our mate bond, or you, who deny its very existence.And I promise to return to you, skeptical little human, if only to see your reaction upon our reunion.I shall not fall in wait for that exact moment.”
“Ha.”I crossed my arms over my chest.“And what reaction would that be?”
“You will see.”His smile grew smug.
I scoffed.“Whatever.You just come back in one piece, you hear me?”
“Yes, my Queen.”His smile faded while his gaze lingered on me, as if he was committing me to memory.Then he took to the air.
“Whoa, you’re leaving already?”
“My warriors await,” he said halfway to the upper door without looking back.As if having read my thoughts, he added, “No need for goodbyes,anima.I keep my promises.”
And with that, he was gone.
– 20 –
Queen
Splendid.What was I to do now?I couldn’t just sit around waiting for Xaniban.I didn’t even know when he would return.Ifhe would return–
No.No thinking like that.Hewascoming back.And until he did, I would learn as much about his world as I could.
With newfound determination, I headed for the door, only to get tangled in the bedsheet and trip.Ugh.I had to find something else to wear, unless I wanted to faceplant outside or accidentally flash someone.
I glanced back at the flashy outfit on the chaise.If Xaniban saw me wearing it, he would think I had accepted the role.Me, a queen?Please.If anyone was fit to become queen, that was my friend Alyson.
She was one of the four soldiers who had saved me and many of my current community after the third apocalypse.She had brought us to the abandoned military air base and the bunker hidden underneath.She had thought us how to use a gun.Yes, Alyson would rock the queenly robe and the duties that went with ruling.
What should I wear, then?I looked around in search of something I could work with, and my gaze was drawn to the wall of swords.Hmm.I hoped Samuin would forgive me.
Some ten minutes later, I was on my way to the door in a beach wrap dress fashioned out of cut sheets.Hair tied into a bun atop my head, relieved–always pee before a mission!–and armed, I was ready to explore.
I swung the door open, only to stop short.One more step, and I would smash my face into Samuin’s back.
He turned around and gave me a light bow.“My lady.”
“Hi.”My surprise at seeing him quickly morphed into suspicion.He was clearly stationed at the door; the question was why.To assist me if needed?To guard me from harm?Or to keep me from leaving?
He took in my sword and home-made dress without batting an eye–or wing.“Can I get you anything to eat?Drink?New bedsheets, perhaps?”
I winced.“Sorry about that.I needed a change of clothes to go for a walk.Can I pass, please?”
He remained where he was, blocking my way out.“Forgive me, but your attire is inappropriate.”
I raised a brow at him.I was covered from chest to mid-calf, while women here wore something off the set of a film about ancient Egypt–the porn version.And he called myattireinappropriate?“Will you bring me my old clothes back?”
