Page 116 of Suncatcher

She reached for Pearl’s hips, sliding off the annoying fabric covering her perfect body.

Pearl parted her legs, knees falling wide. Her scent made Driz’s mouth and eyes water. She needed to feast on her.

And how Driz feasted, and would have been content to never eat anything else. Pearl lifted her hips up to meet her, one hand braced on the earth and the other gripping Driz’s horn. Somehow Driz’s own pleasure returned already. She ignored it, focused on Pearl, until Pearl was shaking and calling her name again in her scratchy voice, but there was no mournfulness in it. There was no sadness.

Driz could not leave her. She had tried, and she had failed. And Pearl loved her. Driz did not know why or how, but Pearl said it, and Driz believed her. She knew better now when Pearl lied.

Pearl tugged on her horns, and Driz reluctantly lifted her head. “Come here,” Pearl breathed, and Driz crawled up her body to rest over her, braced on her arms.

Pearl kissed her for long moments before pushing on her shoulder. Driz sat up and Pearl climbed into her lap, where she buried her face in Driz’s neck. Driz held her, running her hands up and down her back.

“I have never loved before,” Driz said, her gaze on the stars speckled in the sky, reminding her of Pearl’s freckles. They always would now. “But if love is not what I feel for you, I cannot fathom what it might be.”

Pearl chuckled, nuzzling Driz’s neck before tilting Driz’s face down to her, replacing the view of the stars with the much better one of Pearl’s face.

“I hope I can do it correctly,” Driz promised. “I will try my best.”

“You’re already excellent at loving me.”

They sat together, wrapped up in each other. When Pearl shivered, Driz closed her wings, not ready to let her go.

“Shall I take you home?” Driz asked. “Or nearer to your home? I do not want to get too close and frighten people.”

“I don’t really care if people are frightened. They’re gonna have to get used to you. Because I’m not giving you up.”

“What if I wake again?” Driz asked, afraid voicing the words might make them come true.

“What if you do?”

“I don’t think I can go far enough away. For some reason, I can always hear you.”

“Then don’t go far away. You were able to control yourself once you got to me. If I’m not in danger, everything will be fine. And if I am in danger, feel free to tear their throats out.”

Driz’s mind whirled. Could this truly work? Was this hope in her chest a false gift from her blight curse? Or was the old goyle right, and they were different from the original gargoyles, and the curse didn’t exist at all?

What did Driz believe? As he had said, there was no one to tell her for certain. So Driz would decide. And she couldn’t possibly be cursed when she held Pearl like this.

“What will your mother say?”

“Nothing. She finally understands. That what I feel for you isn’t a mistake, or a lie, or a passing fancy. Because it isn’t. I’ve never felt like this. We’re so different in so many ways, but I don’t care. Nothing in life is easy, and they won’t keep us apart. We are worth it.”

Driz’s heart beat too fast, overwhelmed by Pearl’s words.

Pearl brushed the tears away. “I called you my sweetheart, you know. But I never actually asked if you wanted to be. So do you, Driz? Will you be my sweetheart? My partner? My mate?”

“Yes.” Driz hauled Pearl against her. “Yes. Yes, yes—”

Pearl laughed, kissing her quiet. “Don’t run away again. Please. I can’t stand it.”

Driz pressed her forehead to Pearl’s. “I will not. I have tried to stay away, but I cannot. Not from you.”

“Good.” Pearl smiled. “And to answer your question, no. No, you may not take me home yet. I choose to be right here. Tonight, and every night. With you.”

33

Two Months Later

Pearl hurried toward home, a basket in her hand. It was almost sunset—her favorite time of day.