Chapter 6
THALRIC
The village square buzzes with life beneath the warm glow of the afternoon sun, a vibrant tapestry of noise and color unfolding around us. Aromas of roasted nuts, spiced cider, and freshly baked bread swirl in the crisp, autumn air.
Merchants shout cheerful greetings from the market stalls overflowing with goods such as bundles of dried herbs, baskets filled with ripe apples and pears, thick woolen cloaks dyed rich jewel tones, while families and children walk along the cobblestone paths.
But it’s not the bustle of the market that captures my attention. It’s the couples—the mixed-species pairings that seem to be everywhere I turn.
I see an Orc tenderly guiding a human woman through the crowd, his massive hand gentle around hers.
Another human woman laughs warmly at a Wolf Shifter as he wraps an arm protectively around her shoulders.
Even a Dwarf and a Fae stand close, lost in quiet conversation, their intimacy clear and unbothered by the busy marketplace.
My chest tightens because I want that with Aurora. I want it fiercely.
Unable to stop myself, my gaze slides to her. She is radiant in the golden sunlight. Her honey-brown eyes are bright with curiosity as she examines the wares at one of the stalls.
Something shifts deep within as possessive need claws at my chest. Gods, how I want to touch her. To hold her hand openly, to tuck her close against my side and let everyone know she is mine and mine alone.
But my father’s harsh words haunt me, whispering cold reminders that tighten like iron bands around my heart. She is human, Thalric. Humans and gargoyles do not mix. She is not meant for you.
I grit my teeth, forcing down my frustration as Aurora pays for two bundles of dried lavender and tucks them carefully into her basket.
We move through the square, gathering flour and fresh fruit that Maribel requested. But I notice the instant Aurora’s attention drifts.
She gazes longingly at the pastries in the bakery window. Auri has what her guardians refer to as a ‘sweet tooth.’ Every time we come to the village square, she stops in for a treat; sometimes two.
“Come on,” she urges brightly, tugging on my arm. “Just a quick stop.”
My lips twitch as she guides me to the bakery. When we step inside, we’re immediately enveloped in warmth and the scent of cinnamon, honey, and fresh bread.
The space feels impossibly small and cramped for my large frame, and I have to carefully duck beneath the low doorway, wings tight against my back.
Aurora moves with ease, her eyes sparkling at the array of pastries—berry tarts, sugared buns, cream-filled sweets, and lemon cakes dusted with powdered sugar.
And of course—there he is.
Reid, the baker’s son. Tall, blond, and far too charming, he smiles brightly the moment he sees Aurora.
“Aurora, it’s good to see you again,” Reid greets her warmly. He grins. “You too, Thalric.”
Reid is not a bad person. We grew up with him. In fact, I consider him a friend. The problem is that he’s handsome. For a human, that is. So much so that he has the reputation of being a heartbreaker with a wandering eye.
And lately his gaze has begun to linger upon Aurora. So even if I like him, I cannot help but respond to him as I would a rival male trying to steal my mate.
“Hi, Reid,” I reply, making sure to flash my sharp fangs as I smile at him in return.
“Just give me a moment.” He grins at Auri. “Your usual table is empty, but I need to clean it.”
As he walks away, Aurora elbows me subtly. “Be nice,” she whispers. “He’s your friend.”
“I know.” I sigh. “I just… don’t like the way he looks at you.”
She frowns. “How does he look at me?”
“Like he did at Nyra before he eventually broke her heart.”
She purses her lips. “Reid and I are just friends, and he knows that, Thalric.”
I bite back a groan as her “friend” returns. “Right this way.” He smiles brightly, extending his hand as if to rest it on the small of her back, but my wing snaps out before I can stop it, knocking it away.
“Ow!” He jerks back, shaking his hand as he scowls up at me. “What was that?”
“Wing twitch.” I shrug. “Involuntary. It happens sometimes.”
When we take a seat at the table, my tail winds possessively around her ankle before I even realize I’ve done it. Thankfully, Aurora doesn’t pull away. She never does.
Something fiercely possessive stirs inside me at the realization.
She orders lemon cake—a surprising change from her usual berry tart. Her first bite draws a soft hum of pleasure from her lips, a blissful sound that nearly undoes me completely.
My heart stutters in my chest, warmth and desire rushing through my veins.
“You didn’t get your usual,” I remark. “Why?”
“Fiora told me lemon cake is one dessert Gargoyles actually enjoy. Thought I’d see if she was right.”
She thought of me?
Auri spears a piece with her fork and holds it out to me. “Want to try it?”
The knowledge that I’ll be eating from a utensil that passed her lips is enough to quell any hesitation. Seven hells, she could offer me raw snails at this moment and I’d try them anyway, just to taste something that has been in her delicate mouth.
It’s even better that she feeds it to me, the same way a Gargoyle would do when wooing a mate. The flavor is surprisingly tart with only a hint of sweetness. “It’s delicious.”
“See?” she beams triumphantly. “I found something we can share.”
My heart squeezes. I long more than anything to take her as my mate.
The moment is interrupted as Reid walks up to us. “We’re gathering at the ruins tomorrow night. Bonfire, drinks. You both should come.”
Aurora immediately brightens.
I scowl. Before I can refuse, Reid adds, “It’s a farewell for Geralt. He’s leaving for the capital soon.” Then he’s gone, called away by his mother.
Aurora turns to me expectantly.
“No,” I say firmly.
She raises a brow. “No?”
“Fiora, Lyria, and Maribel will never approve,” I reply.
“It’s ridiculous, Thalric,” she counters. “We’re both technically adults… old enough now to get an apprenticeship somewhere if we wanted.”
“I could,” I point out. “But you’re not twenty-three yet.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, tipping up her chin. “Well, I will be soon.”
I purse my lips, already knowing how this is going to go. “We’ve already gotten into trouble once this week, Auri.”
“So we’ll just have to be careful.” She leans closer, eyes glittering with mischief. “Just trust me.”
A heavy sigh leaves my mouth. I have a strong feeling I’m going to regret this. But when it comes to Auri, I find it nearly impossible to say no.