I would laugh at the absurdity of her statement, but that seems unwise.Given our history, if there is anyone to fear here, I should be scared of her.Still, her words give me pause.Admitting to me that she has been taught to fear me is a step in the right direction.I at least hope it is.In time, she will see she has nothing to be afraid of.
“Do you believe these stories?”
Willow bites her lip.Emotions flit through her dark eyes so quickly I can hardly keep track.With a sigh, she rises from the floor, tucking the sheet around her.Have ankles ever been described as beautiful before?Willow’s certainly are.She’s been handcrafted by angels into perfection.
“Honestly,” she says.“I’m not sure what to believe anymore.”
Taking a small step towards me, her head barely reaches the center of my chest.She cranes her neck back all the way to keep our gazes locked.
“Father Knoll has remanded me here to sit in humble prayer to repent for what I’ve done.”Her words give me pause, but I don’t dare interrupt her.“He will return for me in three days, or at least so he says.I wouldn’t be too shocked if he left me here to die.”
“Never,” I growl.“I will protect you—keep you safe.It’s my job.”
Willow blinks at me, stunned at my declaration.Silence stretches between us for a moment before a small smile curves her lips.My first smile from Willow, I will do everything I can to earn more of them while she is in my care.
The sound of her stomach growling echoes throughout the church.My gaze turns sharp as Willow looks away.
“Is there a place I could lie down?”
With only a terse nod, I lead her towards the door behind the altar.There is a short staircase that tapers down to where the former Father used to reside.The air is dank, and I make sure to light the torches along the wall as we pass to scare off any small rodents who have made their homes down here.
The room is in poor shape once we reach it.
The stone doorframe is crumbling—the door hangs from two old iron hinges.Pushing it open, it makes a loud creak before coming to rest against the wall.The bed—more like a cot—has seen better days, but the sheets and pillows are new.I’m glad I had the foresight to use my magic to ready this area before leading Willow down here.
She’s been through enough today, watching a gargoyle use magic might just throw her over the edge.
Stepping into the room, she surveys the bare walls.Sitting down on the mattress’s edge, it creaks but holds her weight.I linger in the doorway, afraid to leave her but knowing I must.She looks unsure as her gaze finally reconnects with mine.
“I wouldn’t mind getting some rest,” she says.“Alone.If that’s alright.”
I nod, but make no moves to leave.Her eyes trail along my body, lingering on my claws and the wings along my back.Under her stare, I feel naked even if I’m dressed in a simple pair of cotton pants.
“Are you going to kill me?”
The question is asked so quietly I barely hear it.My blood freezes into ice as I rear back.Gripping the doorframe to keep from stumbling, I shake my head quickly.
“No.Never.”
Willow nods as if mulling over my words.After a moment, her shoulders slump.
“I want to believe you.”
My heart seems to stop beating for a moment.Willow laughs softly, but there is no humor in it.Shaking her head, a sad smile dances on her lips.
“Even if you’re lying, there’s nothing I could do to stop you.”
Gliding like a wraith along the stone floors, the edge of her sheet brushes me as she takes the door in her hand.It groans shut on its worn hinges, and the latch catches.I stand there for a moment, unsure what to do with myself.A draft comes and opens the door just a fraction as I hear Willow settle onto the bed.
She’s just inside there—on the other side of the door.Hungry, alone, and afraid, I wish I could offer her comfort, and I wish she would accept it.What I desire more than anything is to make her feel safe and cared for.
It all makes sense to me now.I was not awoken from my curse to be her lover—though if she asked me to bed her this instant, I would be unable to resist.No, my purpose in her life is more important than an evening of pleasure.I have been tasked with protecting her.Just as I had watched over monasteries full of Sisters for decades, she is my true purpose—in need of my singular attention and focus.
My fate is to uphold the vow made at my creation.To protect and serve those most vulnerable.She is a Sister who has clearly been neglected by the One True Faith.We have both been harmed by the cruelty masquerading as pious devotion.
The only way we can truly break free of it is together—our fates woven as one that will lead us to true salvation.My future is tied to the woman lying on the threadbare cot.
I will do everything I can to provide for her, and that starts now.I have a lot of work to do to prove myself a worthy protector.
