“It’s Naho?—”
Saundeiah cut a glare at me so sharp it could make angelic flesh bleed. She narrowed her eyes to slits, effectively ending any protest. I pressed my mouth shut. Manmi used to silence me like this. I bit back my protest and yielded to the Nanmiess.
She came to my side and was gentle as she helped me from the bedcloud. Her sweetness towards me was almost motherly. Again I felt hot tears prickling my eyes, but I pushed them back. Saundeiah was patient, but quick and efficacious in helping me bathe and freshen up. She tended to my braids, which still looked freshly braided, before getting me dressed in a stunning gown of crimson red that beautifully clung to all of my curves. She laced golden sandals on my feet, sprayed me with a delicious-smelling perfume, before scooting me out of the bedchamber and into the hall. Straight into the care of Obsidian.
“Oh, my!” I gasped. “Obsidian!”
The gargoyle beamed. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that his smile was probably something I would have to relive in a nightmare soon. He was utterly terrifying in every way, but I wanted nothing more than to squeeze him in a tight hug. He stomped over, his clawed feet tearing at the plush carpet. I instinctively raised my arms. The gargoyle scooped me up and hugged me.
“Roièssa.” He bowed low after releasing me from our hug. “You fare well. It is the brightest spot of my dawn to see you lively once more.”
I beamed at him, my mouth wobbling.
“Thanks to you, sweet Gargorètti.” My throat bobbed. “I’m here thanks to you. And I’m eternally grateful.” I gestured towards the long, darkened hall. “Will you show me around my new home?”
I shocked myself with how true the words rang as they slipped from my tongue of their own volition. I caught the pleasant surprise in Obsidian’s eyes. The gargoyle grinned.
“Come with me, Roièssa.”
Chapter 15
Nahomie
Obsidian bowed regally,spreading his wings and flattening his spine. His movements were fluid, graceful, like a being who had been raised in court among the esteemed of his kind. I looked at him, still bowed, unsure of what he was doing... until I realized he wanted me to get on his back.
I opened my mouth to protest, but a flash of Saundeiah’s disapproval halted me. I shut my mouth and carefully climbed onto the gargoyle, settling between the columns of his wings. The effort left me panting and grinding my teeth against the incessant pain, breathing anew beneath my skin.
Obsidian’s wings, wide, membranous, and strong, curled around me with a gentleness I didn’t know gargoyles could possess. Everything I’d ever been taught about them was tied to their strength, viciousness, and savagery, but Obsidian proved otherwise.
Bones shuffled into the hall, his dark fur blending into the darkness. At some point, I would need to press Tassarion about this constant moodiness in the manor. If I were going to make it my home, I needed light! Bones lifted his nose, squinting up at me.
“Where are you going, Emie?”
I shrugged.
“Wherever Obsidian brings me.”
I looked between Bones and the Gargorètti. The cinderwolf was at ease, as if he were in the presence of an old friend. What had I missed in all those dawns I spent unconscious in this manor? Bones strutted to Obsidian’s side and shook out his fur, reaching the gargoyle’s hip.
“Well then, let’s go. I want to run.”
Obsidian laughed, then floated into the air.
“We’ll start with the East Wing of Everthorn Manor,” Obsidian said. “This is where we currently are. It is the residence wing for all Everthorns, family members, and closely trusted advisors and friends. It is an honor for anyone to frequent this wing who isn’t an Everthorn. Your present chambers specifically, Roièssa, once belonged to former Roièssa Clarèssa.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. It wasn’t lost on me how big a deal that was. Tassarion could have given me any of the guest rooms. Instead, he placed me in the chamber that once belonged to his Manmi. My hearts pricked at the thought.
“If we went down the hall in the opposite direction, we would be taken to former Princèssa Vitani’s chambers.”
“I’m... sorry.Former Princèssa?“ My jaw dropped. “Tassarion had a sister?” My voice rose three octaves in blatant shock mixed with growing grief for my new wingmate. Obsidian grunted. It was strange, but I could almost feel the gargoyle’s misery. His loss.
“Yes, our darling Princèssa. Along with Roièssa Clarèssa, she was the light of this manor. The light of our lives. All of Mortevain Island. We will not soon end grieving the loss of our Princèssa though it has been eight centuries.”
Eight. Centuries.
Something in my chest cracked.
Merciful Infinite.
