I must be scaring this innocent creature.
That cannot truly be my fate, to bed a virgin sister?While I would certainly enjoy it, the fear tainting her lovely scent tells me she would not.I would never disregard her wants in the face of my own desire.It is enough to just be close to her.She has freed me from my curse, and for that I will always be grateful.
There has to be more to this—I am certain of it.
Another whimper puffs from between her full pink lips.Her dark eyes are wide as she stares up at me.Long tendrils of damp hair cling to her chest.Raindrops collect in the hollow of her collarbone.My mouth waters at the urge to drink from there.I clench my muscles and snarl at myself to get a grip.
Opening my mouth, I find I cannot make a sound.The small human curls more in on herself, bracing as if she expects me to strike her.Whoever has harmed this fragile woman will pay for such atrocities.Swallowing against my dry throat, trying again.
When still no sound comes out, she flattens herself as far against the wall as she can.As my silence persists, I grow impatient.Snapping my wings back, my feet leave the ground, and I float back towards the dais.She whimpers again, eyes snapping shut.I don’t like the scent of her fear.Maybe this will help her see that I am not a threat.
Snatching up a discarded sheet covering one of the altar tables, I hold it out in front of me and approach slowly.The material is rough—not at all good enough to touch her perfect skin.Vowing to get her something warmer later, I pray she takes the covering.Hopefully, this will help her relax.
My steps are slow as I approach.The only sound is my claws clicking against the wooden floorboards.I try not to crowd her as I get closer.Blinking open her dark eyes, she stares up at me.She is far too pale for my liking.Extending the sheet towards her, she eyes it warily.
Raising a small hand, she takes the corner of the sheet in her trembling grasp.I let the material flutter to the ground and watch as she quickly wraps it around herself, covering her skin from neck to ankle.She snuggles into the fabric as if it were silk and not threadbare cotton.
Swallowing thickly, her eyes connect with mine.The scent of fear is slowly receding, though not disappearing altogether.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Her voice is a hymn—sweeter than any melody.It is the sound of a chorus of angels reaching from the heavens and pulling me into their warm embrace.The soft sound washes over me and settles into my heart, solidifying the fact that she is my fate.She is meant to be mine—in whatever capacity she deems me worthy.
Those two words have bound us together, whether she realizes it or not.I will do anything for her—she will never have cause to feel afraid again.I will honor and protect her until the world around us crumbles into dust.
Silence stretches, and she grows apprehensive again.I lick my dry lips, still feeling remnants of stone clinging to my dry skin.I must speak before I lose this first opportunity to earn her trust.
“Ba…Ba…”
I press a claw into my chest, hoping she understands.Her dark brows lower as her full lips twist downward.
“Bad?”she offers.
I huff, shaking my head.My wings flap behind me in irritation.
“Ba…Bae…Baezal.”
Pointing at myself again, her eyes travel up the plains of my chest back towards my face.
“Baezal,” she repeats, and pleasure tickles the base of my spine.“Your name?”
I nod.
Untucking her hand from the sheet, she holds it against her own chest.Her brown eyes sparkle in the dim light.
“Willow.”
The word washes over me.
“Willow,” I say back.The word is sweeter than wine.“Beau—beautiful.”
Color blooms high on her cheeks, and though it seems impossible, she is even lovelier than before.Ducking her head, dark hair falls forward and covers her face.I want to reach out and tip her chin up, but that would be unwise.Her fear is beginning to leave her, and I don’t want it to come rearing back.
“Thank you, again, Baezal.”She holds up a corner of the sheet.“I’m—I’m sorry about how I reacted.I’ve just never seen a—a?—”
“Gargoyle?”The hoarseness of my voice is beginning to lessen.
“Yes.I’ve only heard the stories of how, um, dangerous you can be.”
