7. Xavier

Chapter 7

Xavier

T he moment the doors slammed shut, I felt the mating bond pulse deep inside. It had only grown over the day time, not weakened, so any thoughts that the bond might not be true, were eradicated. All day, even in my stone form, I had been acutely aware of Amber's presence in town, the mate bond creating a pull between us that I was constantly aware of. Unable to sink into my usual dormant state, I had remained focused on her, feeling the sun's warmth on my granite body as if I were truly coming to life again. Now it appeared the library itself was conspiring to bring us together, a matchmaker of sorts.

Hope blossomed within me, a dangerous, fragile thing I dared not fully embrace. The fear of rejection still loomed large, but it seemed the library itself was conspiring to give us time to explore this connection.

Yet when I saw the flicker of panic in Amber's eyes at being trapped, my heart sank. Something in her past had clearly left its mark, making her terrified of being confined with a male without an escape route. Every instinct screamed at me to pull her close, to comfort and protect her, but I knew that wasn't what she needed right now.

I contented myself with a calming hand on her, and was pleased to feel her emotions settle through the bond. We may not have been fully linked, not yet, but she was responding to me as if we were mated. I feared the completion of the bond was a mere formality at this point, that she was my mate and there would be no other if she decided to forsake me.

Needing some time with my thoughts, I took a step back, giving her space. "I will continue reading that book you recommended. If you need anything, call my name. I will hear you."

I neglected to mention that I could now feel her through the bond and would respond to any change in her emotions. I sensed she wasn't ready for that. Amber nodded and headed for the desk, sorting through books and the task list Anya had left for her. Once I was satisfied that she was settled, I ventured further into the library to see if Rook had arranged my surprise. Once the area was set up for my specifications, I went searching for my mate.

I found Amber in the stacks, shelving books. "I have a surprise for you. Come with me," I said, holding out my hand.

She hesitated a moment, eyeing me with some suspicion, but none of the panic or stress I sensed earlier. Then she placed her soft hand in mine. I led her to the center of the study area, where I had prepared a picnic earlier with the items Rook had gathered and left for me. Knowing most of the town's inhabitants would be occupied with the full moon, I had hoped to create a moment of peace for us, away from prying eyes, and Rook had been my willing accomplice .

I had spread a red and white checkered tablecloth on the floor, possibly a little trite, but I didn't mind. We had a large wicker picnic basket filled with food from the Growling Bean café—charcuterie, a variety of cheeses and meat and assorted crackers, finger sandwiches I hoped Amber would like, fruit including grapes and strawberries, and wine from one of our vineyards. I also had a tray that doubled as a small table and some pillows for us to sit on, since I knew from experience that the library floor was not the most comfortable.

When she saw the picnic laid out, her face lit up with delight, and the sight sent a wave of satisfaction through me. It soothed my soul, my male half, to see her happy, to know I had provided for her in some small way.

"You did this for me?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

I nodded, suddenly feeling almost shy. "I thought you might enjoy a break from the usual routine."

"But what if patrons come in?"

I pointed to the full moon shining through the windows. "I doubt we'll see anyone tonight. They're out enjoying the full moon celebrations. You'll have a calm night. In previous months, during the full moon, we used to close the library to let everyone enjoy the evening. Some of us don't celebrate the moon, but that's a small group."

Satisfied by my answer, we settled onto the blanket and chatted about the rest of Pride and Prejudice. Even though I hadn't finished, Amber had many thoughts and was eager to share them. I was more than happy to listen to her speak. The soft library light played across her features, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the warmth in her eyes. The mating bond hummed between us, a constant reminder of what could be, and I itched to sink into it and bind her closer to me.

But I held myself in check. Amber had been hurt before. That much was clear. She needed time, and I would give her all the time in the world if it meant earning her trust. Though I feared I didn't have much time before nature demanded we solidify the bond.

"Xavier, tell me about yourself. Your family, your time here in Beastly Falls. Are you a gargoyle?"

Amber's question surprised me, broke the casual conversation we'd been enjoying up to this point. But I knew it had only been a matter of time before she asked for more about me. I hesitated before speaking, trying to find the words to share.

She laid a hand on my arm. "You don't have to share if you don't want to. I'm sorry if I pried."

I shook my head. "No, it's okay. Yes, I am the gargoyle on the library roof. My job, my purpose is to protect the library and the contents. Gargoyles are often tasked with a job, usually protection, which suits us well since we're strong and we have tough exteriors, able to handle challenges particularly well."

I flexed my arm and Amber touched me, feeling the rough skin that was harder than human skin when I was in my human form.

Amber ran her hands along my skin and squeezed my muscles. I braced myself for the hint of fear, but I saw none of that. "Your skin is rough, almost like stone. And it feels hard. But it's warmer than I expected."

I nodded. "I turn to stone during the day and, at night, I am more human-like, but my skin is still harder than yours, harder to damage. I also weigh more than you or another human of the same size, and can inflict more damage when I want to."

She continued to stroke me, her touch inflaming my senses. "You would be a formidable enemy. Do the library patrons require that much enforcement? Not returning books on time? Refusing to pay fines?"

Her comments were accompanied by a teasing grin and I knew she meant well, but it was a sore subject for me. "Most gargoyles protect towns or something more important, like Asa Graywing. My father was Beastly Falls protector before Asa."

"Why aren't you the Beastly Falls protector? Wouldn't you inherit the role from your father? Or does it not work like that?"

I shook my head. "My father abdicated his role before his death. He felt he could no longer serve in that role. I took on the role of library protector when the library benefactor, a minotaur named Jazan Gartus, asked me to do so. I have remained its guardian ever since."

"I think it's a worthy task. You have so many valuable books in the collection here. Someone might try to steal them," Amber said.

How could I explain the shame I felt? Gargoyles were strong protectors, meant for greater things, yet I could only protect a building since my father had failed to protect the ill-fated couple who caused the town's curse. His failure was mine, and my mother never let either of us forget it.

"What happened to your mother? Is she still alive?"

"She died ten years ago. My father shortly after her," I replied shortly, not knowing how to explain the relief I felt at their passing, even as it left me alone in the world.

Amber made a sound of sympathy. "I'm so sorry for your loss. Did you have any brothers or sisters? "

"No, I was an only hatchling. My mother's clan came from another town, and my father was clanless. They fell in love and moved here many years ago."

Had that been the root of my mother's discontent? Even as a child, I remember her being unhappy, never pleased with anything my father did. He had been a protector for the town, much like Asa Graywing was now. She resented how much time he spent guarding the town, but she never liked when he was home either. Then, when he failed to protect the star-crossed couple and the curse struck, she found herself trapped in Beastly Falls, trapped with a failure for a mate and a child of that bloodline, as she often reminded me.

How could I share that with Amber? How could I share I was the reason she was trapped here in Beastly Falls, even before the curse? If she hadn't had offspring, she could have left. But once I came along, she remained, only to become a victim of the curse.

"That's so romantic," Amber breathed.

Amber was a good female, kind and gentle. But she didn't understand. "It was not like one of your novels, Amber. They should have never mated or had a hatchling. My mother resented my father, resented me, and once the curse trapped her here, her anger and bitterness poisoned her and everyone around her until she finally died from it. Not every story has a happy ending. I know that, more than most."

I couldn't help but wonder if I was doomed to not have a happy ending too, or was I being teased with the possibility, with Amber right in front of me? Would she be taken from me, my happiness snatched away at the last moment?

She was quiet for a moment, her hand still on my arm, warm and soothing. "I understand why you avoid romance novels, Xavier. I think I would too, with a history like that. But I can't imagine your mother resenting you. And, if she did, she was wrong. You're a wonderful male, a good male. Shame on her for not seeing that."

Warmth spread through me at her words, and I cleared my throat through the burn of tears long unshed. I reached for the bottle of wine to top off our glasses. As I poured her a glass of wine, I allowed myself a moment of hope. Perhaps this evening, trapped together in the library, would be the beginning of something beautiful. Perhaps, just maybe, we could break not only my curse but hers as well, showing her that males can be trusted.