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17. Amber

Chapter 17

Amber

I stumbled, my foot catching on a tree root. As I hit the ground, I heard Kevin's triumphant yell behind me. This was it. He was going to catch me. And I knew this time, he wouldn't just kidnap me. He would kill me.

Suddenly, a blur of motion crashed into Kevin. Two figures went tumbling back into the forest. Xavier stood, his fist raised, then lowered. The wet thud of him hitting Kevin echoed in the space. Kevin grunted and thrashed, moaning as Xavier hit him again. The sickening sound of breaking bones cracked in the night. I cried out, and Xavier turned to me.

"Do you want me to spare him?"

I remembered what Xavier said about gargoyles being heavier and stronger than humans. I doubted Kevin would survive the fight that had already occurred, anyway. I also knew that if Kevin lived, he would continue to pursue me until one of us was dead. I thought for a moment of the potential mate bond that may have drawn Kevin here, but I couldn't imagine that was true. I knew the kind of man Kevin was and I didn't want to tie him to someone else, not with his control issues. Slowly, I shook my head and turned away.

Kevin's moans turned to a wet gurgle, then silence. I felt nothing, not sadness, not fear, not regret. Not even relief that my ordeal was over. My heart pounded as I waited, frozen in place. After what felt like an eternity, a figure emerged from the trees. It was Xavier, his clothes torn and bloody, but otherwise unharmed.

"He will never bother you again," Xavier said, his voice low and intense.

Finally, a mix of emotions cascaded over me—shock, sadness, but overwhelming relief. Without thinking, I raced towards Xavier and threw my arms around him, not caring about the blood.

Xavier wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, the strength of his body a solid reassurance that I was safe, protected, and free. Tears broke free, shaking my body in heavy, shuddering sobs, and I clung to Xavier. He rubbed his hands up and down my back in soothing motions until I calmed. I lifted my head and looked at him through watery eyes.

He wiped my eyes with his thumbs. "You're safe now, Amber."

"I can't believe you saved me. You came for me. Thank you."

His expression was uncharacteristically sober as he studied me. "I swore I would always keep you safe as long as you were here. I have kept my word."

I couldn't resist any longer. I pulled his head down to me, capturing his lips with mine, pouring all the love I felt for him into that kiss. Initially, he was unresponsive, stiff and unyielding and I feared I had lost him. Then, his lips softened and opened under mine, and he took over the kiss in an instant, his tongue sweeping into my mouth to tangle with mine. Heat flooded me, replacing the cold terror with arousal and joy at being alive. His hands slid down my back and cupped my butt, lifting me higher against him, until I felt the iron length of his cock pressing against me.

I wrapped my legs around him, rubbing my core against him, my pulse pounding hot and heavy in my veins. He continued to kiss me as if it was our last kiss, and I shifted on his thigh, realizing his leg didn't move with me and it seemed harder than usual.

I broke the kiss, our breathing heavy in the clearing. He studied me with sad eyes. "I'm sorry, Amber. You will be safe now, no matter where you go. Be happy, please."

He dropped his hands but didn't step away. And I realized I was still seated on him, sort of. His thighs formed a seat of a sort, since he was in kind of a crouch. I slid down and realized his legs were stone and the granite was slowly creeping higher up his body.

"What's happening? What's going on?"

Sunlight broke through the forest canopy, shining on his face, and he tilted his head up, closing his eyes for a moment, a look of bliss on his face. "I forgot what sunlight felt like. I only ever felt it as a youngling."

He opened his eyes and faced me, the stone creeping ever higher on his stomach. He gave me a wistful smile. "I would have liked to have spent the rest of our lives together. But I am content knowing you will be safe and happy from now on. Remember me fondly, Amber."

The tightness in my chest intensified as the stone crept ever higher, tendrils streaking his neck and arms. Tears coursed down my cheeks and my throat hurt from crying. I threw my arms around his neck as if I could stop the progression. "You can't turn to stone. Not now. Not when we've found each other."

A realization dawned on me. "Wait! It's daylight. You'll turn back tonight, right? I'll wait for you, right here. I'll be here. Always."

He tried to shake his head, but the stone was overtaking his neck. "No, Amber. I will be stone forever now. This is my curse. I cannot avoid it now. It's over."

His face slowly turned gray and my heart broke. I sobbed, tears falling freely now. I fell to my hands and knees, at an utter loss for how to even go on without Xavier. I had found my courage too late and lost the best man that I could have ever hoped to find. And now I doomed both of us to a cold hell with no rescue.

"I love you, Xavier. Stay with me. Be my mate."

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