Chapter Ten

"Fuck! They weren't kidding when they said this was the worst pain they'd ever experienced," Trynche grumbled, panting and trying to catch his breath as the residual tendrils of agony slowly seeped from his body. "Thank you for being here."

Sluggishly, his muscles exhausted as if he'd been fighting for three days straight, Trynche rubbed up and down Enrique's back. His mate lay sprawled over his chest, his body and limbs touching as much of him as possible with his slighter frame. Still, his presence and touch had soothed Trynche so damn much during the molting process.

"You're welcome."

Trynche sort of liked how uncertain and concerned Enrique sounded, but at the same time, he didn't like it either. His mate should never be upset.

"Um, so... does changing form always hurt that badly?"

Now Enrique sounded worried as he rubbed his palms up and down Trynche's sides, causing pleasure to slowly beat out the vestiges of pain. Too bad Trynche knew that he didn't have the energy to follow up on what his sluggish arousal was urging him to do. It still felt nice, but from Enrique's question, he knew there were still a few more conversations to be had, since they hadn't done much the prior evening.

After several rounds of sex, Enrique's long day had caught up to him. He'd conked out in Trynche's arms, and Trynche had been more than happy to relax beside him, even though he didn't need sleep, and hold him all night long. Trynche had managed to doze off here and there, and he'd had a couple of whispered conversations with his elder and Lludd.

Evidently, Nicholas had a skeleton key that opened all the doors everywhere... just in case... so Trynche hadn't needed to leave his sleeping Enrique's side except for the bathroom necessities.

Plus, with a paranormal's heightened hearing abilities, they'd been able to murmur through a crack in the door. That way, they didn't run the risk of waking Enrique.

"No," Trynche finally answered, doing his best to keep his fatigue from his voice. Molt was exhausting. "Only changing this first time hurts." Forcing open his eyes and tipping his chin down, he smiled at Enrique. "Thank you for lying with me. I know it seemed... scary." Trynche continued to rub over his gorgeous mate's strong bare back. "The touch of your skin against my own dulled the pain of molt."

"Molt?" Enrique slowly repeated. Then his eyes widened. "Wait. Jory mentioned that. It's the process you go through when you get your human form."

"Exactly." Trynche grinned at Enrique. "We bonded during the night, so it hits at first light." With a sigh, he relaxed on the bed, doing his best to ignore the sweat-dampened sheets. "I'm so grateful for your gift. I already care for you so damn much." Tracing his blunt-nailed fingertips along Enrique's jaw, Trynche held his mate's gaze as he murmured, "I know I'll love you soon, but don't worry. I know humans often take longer to return the feeling." Shrugging, he allowed his eyelids to slide closed once more as he whispered, "It's just the paranormal way. Please, don't be put off by it."

Enrique chuckled softly, rubbing his cheek against Trynche's pectoral, much like a cat would if he were marking him. It made Trynche's smile widen because he would bet that his mate didn't even realize he was doing it. Enrique's next words caused a flutter of pleasure to burn in his gut.

"I'm not put off by it, Trynche." Enrique turned his head and pecked a kiss to the flesh beneath his cheek. "Not at all. In fact, it's nice to be told that. Been a long time since I've heard words like that. Since my parents." His voice took on a wistful tone.

"What happened to them?" Trynche asked, keeping his own voice quiet so as not to disrupt the intimacy they shared.

"Ironically, died in a plane crash." Enrique scoffed. "You'd have thought that would put me off flying, right?"

"Hmmm," Trynche hummed with a smile. "Glad you like flying. Holding you while flying us back to the ranch the other night was amazing."

Enrique chuckled quietly. "Good. I'd like to do that again, Trynche." He skimmed his palm over Trynche's pectoral and down his side. "When I'm fully awake and aware next time, though."

"Deal." Trynche looked forward to it. Thinking back on Enrique's other words, he asked, "Was it a commercial plane? Or private?"

"Private. My dad's," Enrique revealed. "He was a pilot in the military, too. Although he flew planes, not choppers." After issuing a soft sound, his mate's voice dropped to a murmur. "Got my love of flying from him."

"Bet he was proud of you," Trynche stated, hoping to bring some happiness into the conversation.

"Yeah, he was."

With his eyes still closed, Trynche could hear Enrique's smile. There was just something in his tone.

Much better.

"So, uh, I was wondering if you could take me out to my Blackhawk today?" Enrique lifted up a little, so Trynche cracked open his eyelids to meet his gaze. His mate sported a slightly uncertain expression as he admitted, "I don't have any flights scheduled for today."

Trynche understood the silent question.

Could we spend the day together?

Grinning, Trynche told him, "I would be happy to take you out there." Sobering, he mused, "We'll probably have to bring a couple of guards with us. It's near the west edge of the ranch." He furrowed his brow ridges as he considered the logistics. "Rogues have always attacked at night, so we've surmised that only unmated gargoyles are involved, but there's always the chance that's not the case." Meeting Enrique's questioning look, Trynche told him, "I never want to see you in danger." Wincing as he thought of his mate's profession as well as how his parents had died, he quickly added, "Any more than necessary, anyway."

Enrique must have caught on to his thoughts, for he smirked at him. "Thanks." He slid off Trynche's torso, leaning his weight on his forearm. Wincing, he peered at the bedding. "Uh, you interested in a shower?"

Not a fan of the wet sheets under him either, and feeling quite a bit better, Trynche nodded. "Especially if it's with you."

"Showered with others in the military, obviously." Enrique slid from the bed and rose to his feet. A slight blush tinged the base of his neck as he continued, "But I kinda don't think that's the sort of shower you have in mind."

Trynche growled possessively as he slid to the side of the bed and paused to sit there. His muscles were still a little weak, and he wasn't certain he could stand just yet. Still, he reached for Enrique, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him between his knees.

Kissing Enrique's stomach, Trynche rumbled, "Definitely not."

Enrique threaded his fingers through Trynche's hair, gently massaging his scalp.

Trynche sighed and rested his forehead against Enrique's sternum, surprised at how much he enjoyed the innocent touch. It was soothing in a way he'd never before experienced. For several heartbeats, they rested that way—Enrique petting Trynche and accepting his weight. In a way, to Trynche, it felt even more intimate than all the sex they'd shared the prior evening.

"You know," Enrique began quietly, obviously catching on to the intimacy of the moment, too. "This white-blond hair is nice, but I miss the light-blue."

Upon hearing those words, Trynche tipped his chin up and peered up at his human.

Enrique grinned down at him while sliding his hands over Trynche's shoulders and down his spine to his shoulder blades. "And your wings." He chuckled ruefully, looking a little shy as he whispered, "Your wings are gorgeous, Trynche."

Without a thought, Trynche returned to his gargoyle form, allowing his wings to sprout from his shoulder blades and billow behind him. Satisfaction filled him when he saw Enrique's eyes widen, and his human sucked in a sharp breath. His mate hesitated just an instant before sliding his hands along Trynche's flesh.

Trynche shivered, pressing his forehead against Enrique's chest once more when he felt his mate's lightly calloused fingertips glide along where his wings extended from his shoulder blades. His mate gently explored along the tops of his wing bones for a few inches. Then Enrique traced along the leathery folds of his wings.

"So soft."

With the exquisite sensations prickling through Trynche's system, he barely registered Enrique's whispered words. He smiled to himself even as he struggled with the renewed arousal burning through his system. His cock thickened, not at all caring that his other muscles still trembled with fatigue from his molt.

As Enrique continued to explore, sliding his fingers along the bones of his wings and skimming his palms over their folds, Trynche began to pant. His erection throbbed and twitched. Trynche tightened his arms around Enrique's waist and moaned quietly.

"Trynche?" Enrique murmured. Resting one hand on his shoulder and threading the other back into his hair, his mate urged him to tip his head back. "Are you okay?" Enrique asked worriedly. Then his attention slipped south, and his eyes widened. "Aaahhh, you weren't kidding."

"Definitely not kidding." Trynche's voice came out deep and gruff, but there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. "Love your touch, my mate."

Enrique's smile turned a little feral as his brown eyes took on a wicked gleam. "Come on, my gargoyle." He took a slow step backward, and Trynche allowed him, easing his grip. Enrique held out his hand, palm up. "Let's head to the shower, and I'll help you with that."

Willing to follow his mate anywhere, Trynche took Enrique's hand.

*

After the most relaxing shower of his life, Trynche slipped back into his human form. When he saw Enrique's arched brow, he explained, "I need to check in with Elder Bodb and let him know I've gone through molt." As Trynche spoke, he opened a couple of dresser drawers and located both of them a pair of sweatpants and t-shirts.

"Makes sense."

As Trynche handed them over, admiring Enrique's wiry, muscular physique, he heard his mate's stomach growl. When his own answered as if it were agreeing that it was time for food, Trynche laughed. He quickly donned his own clothes, then headed to the closet.

"We'll get something to eat, too," Trynche promised. Finding a pair of sandals, he slipped them on his feet. When he turned, he saw Enrique tugging his boots on his sock-clad feet and assumed he'd located the socks in the dresser. Just about everything else was in there except underwear. "Ready?"

Trynche held out his hand to Enrique, and pleasure filled him when his mate didn't hesitate to take it. He led the way out of the room and down the stairs. A couple of men remained in the bunkhouse's kitchenette.

Walsh leaned against the counter, a cup of coffee in hand. Upon him spotting them, his eyebrows shot up, and a wide grin creased his lips. Lifting his mug in salute, Walsh waggled his eyebrows.

"Congrats, guys," Walsh offered as he swept his gaze over Trynche. "Not a bad look for you, Trynche." Then he smirked. "It is Trynche, right?"

Trynche snorted. "Yep. It's me." Sliding his arm around Enrique's waist possessively, he growled, "As if I'd let anyone else touch my mate."

Keith snorted, tossing the cap of whatever coffee drink he was enjoying at Walsh. "Stop given'em shit, Walsh," the older ranch hand ordered with a shake of his head. With a smile curving his lined face, Keith eyed Trynche and Enrique. "Congrats, guys. Findin' your soul mate's a fine thing."

"Thanks, Keith." Trynche nodded at them. "Walsh." Tipping his head to the side, he asked, "What are you doing here so late?"

Trynche knew that he and Enrique weren't getting an early start.

Walsh smirked. "I'm waiting on you guys." After taking a sip of his coffee, he pointed at Keith. "And he's taking it easy because he tweaked his ankle yesterday."

That was when Trynche noticed that the aging human had his left foot propped up on a second chair. It was bandaged with an ace wrap, and a melting ice pack rested on the table next to the guy's drink. Perhaps the human had just finished icing it.

"Why are you waiting on us?" Enrique asked what Trynche was wondering.

Walsh grinned as he headed toward the front door. "To remind Trynche to be in human form before leaving the bunkhouse." Scoffing, he admitted, "I didn't think he would need the reminder, but orders are orders." Pausing before opening the door, Walsh added, "We have customers in the horse barn."

Trynche nodded. "Thanks."

With a wave, Walsh headed out the door.

"Come on," Trynche urged, guiding Enrique after Walsh. "Hope you feel better, Keith."

Keith lifted his bottle in salute before returning his attention to a paperback he appeared to be reading.

*

After meeting with Elder Bodb and several others—and receiving many hearty congratulations—they settled at the table and ate a hearty breakfast. Then they were joined by the gargoyle enforcers Biscane and Gladstone. They all piled into one of the ranch Jeeps, and Trynche drove them along dirt roads and through pastures. The last couple of miles had to be done on foot.

Finally, Trynche spotted the Blackhawk in a clearing through the trees. "It's so much easier to fly here," he mumbled, shaking his head.

Biscane chuckled while nodding as Gladstone patted his shoulder and stated, "But you know why we can't."

Trynche nodded, even if he didn't like it. He watched and followed as Enrique slowly rounded his bird. While Trynche had no idea what his mate was actually looking for, his expressions gave him away. A couple of times, Enrique winced, and once he blew out a breath of obvious relief.

Finally, Enrique turned and smiled at Trynche. "Thank you for your help landing her." He glanced at his Blackhawk fondly. "She could have ended up a lot worse." Wincing, Enrique admitted, "We both could have."

Grimacing, Trynche shrugged. "To be honest, I thought you were a bunch of military guys." He shook his head as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Guys like that getting hurt or dying near the ranch could cause real problems for us."

Enrique's brows furrowed, and confusion wafted from him.

Gladstone answered. "Can't have a bunch of military stooges out here running investigations into what caused their chopper to crash."

"Makes sense," Enrique replied with a nod. "Well, there's a few pieces I'll need to remove and take back to my shop to fix, and I'll need to come back with some new hoses and wires." Smiling, Enrique crossed his arms over his chest and stared fondly at the helicopter. "But all in all, it won't take me too much work to fix her, and it probably won't cost too much, either."

"Well, let's get to work." Biscane clapped his hands together and grinned. "How can we help?"

After rummaging through the tool bags that both Biscane and Trynche had carried through the forest, Enrique put them to work. They'd managed to remove over half the parts his mate needed to fix when the trill of a cell phone filled the air. Enrique groaned and knocked his head on the ground once, considering he was lying under the Blackhawk taking off... something.

With a growl, Enrique grabbed his phone from his pocket and answered the call. "I'm a little busy at the moment, Sheldon," he stated by way of greeting and telling everyone who called. "I'm working on my bird. Can I call you back in a couple of hours?"

When Enrique's face began to pale, Trynche exchanged looks with the other gargoyles. He stopped what he was doing and hurried toward his mate, hoping to be able to overhear the rest of his call.