“Gargoyles can’t be trusted,” the mean old woman from earlier mutters.
I snap into action. “Everyone,you’re being ridiculous. Leo is fine.” I lift a hand toward the jerk. “He was the one who started the aggression.”
Leo’s gaze whips around to focus on me. I don’t cower as he steps closer to me.
“The opinion of the one rolling around in the woods with him isn’t worth a second of our time.”
Tully stands beside me. “Eh, Leo, that’s not how this is going to go.” She raises her wand.
Snarling, he faces her. “Bespell me, and I’ll have you out on your arse alongside that gray monster.”
“Good evening, all!” Rustion’s strong, warm voice pushes through the tension.
From the smile on his face, I’d say he missed Rom’s accidental demonstration of power. One of his staff members whispers in his ear, and suddenly, it is too much for me. Rom has to be incredibly upset, and he’s all alone in his tower right now. What is he doing? Will he try to leave? Leo and his sidekicks are muttering and growling and spreading more venom into the crowd. Tully threatens them again, describing spells as she hisses into their faces. Snippets of the gossip around hit my ears.
“She’s so desperate that she gave up her body to a truly dangerous male.”
“Pathetic.”
“I don’t see how she even gained Romulus’s attention. He’s far better looking than her.”
Tully is at my elbow again in a flash of sparkling light. “Eh, don’t listen to Leo’s numpties. Most everyone here is just blabbing cute gossip about the two of you. Nothing bad. They’re not all stupid. And I am sorry for the tea trick and the moonpetal lie. I will never do that again. I swear it on my grandwitch’s memory.”
Her apology should shock me. I’ve never once heard her apologize for anything. But I’m drowning in all of this.
“I have to go.” I start pushing through the crowd, trying not to see the stares, the pointing fingers, the whispering lips.
“But what about the tapestry contest?” Tully calls out behind me.
I don’t even care right now. I just want to get to Rom. So what if he lost control a little? He didn’t hurt anyone, and he needs to be reassured of that. He is good; he isn’t a terrible monster. He is the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, and I need to tell him that now. He has to know.
Chapter 16
Romulus
In my tower, I briskly pack a satchel with a round of bread and a skin of watered wine. My skin feels too cold, even for a gargoyle. I swallow the bitter taste on the back of my tongue and wish I couldn’t still scent Laini on my clothing and my body. That arseface Leo isn’t dead, thank the gods, but next time, he will be. If I lost control that easily…
I have to leave. Let this whole thing cool down. Maybe I can return after the talk has died down and Laini’s feelings for me have cooled. I can’t be with her. She deserves safety, joy, and peace. I can’t provide any of those things.
I shake my head as I unroll a small blanket. I had been too proud of myself for not losing controlduring our lovemaking. It was careless. I loosened my hold on my magic, thinking all would be well. When the power snapped out of my hands, and the ground shook…
My stomach turns, and I drop into my chair, the blanket tumbling from the chair’s arm to the floor. Chest tight, I press my fingers into my closed eyelids and force myself to recall what exactly happened. I drew stone from the earth and threaded it around the shifter. If I’m honest with myself, I know at that moment I wanted to kill Leo.
A gentle rapping at the door cracks my thoughts open, and I stand.
“Come in,” I say automatically.
Laini enters and shuts the door with soft and careful movements. Like I might explode if she’s too loud or too quick. I hate this. She deserves better.
“Rom.”
She comes toward me, and I let her envelop me in a hug. Her scent cocoons me like a set of invisible wings.
“It’s all right, Rom. Leo is completely fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. He needed to be taken down.”
My chest constricts, and I ease her away, holding her at arm’s length. I look into her beautiful sky-blue eyes. Even now, when I know it’s impossible, I want to kiss her until those pretty eyes shutter closed with pleasure.
“Laini, you don’t understand. I could have killed him.”
