Page 93 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

“You look happy,” I whispered.

“I’m happier than I have ever been,” he murmured back, moving down to press his lips to mine in a soft kiss.

“I can feel it.” I sighed as contentment washed over me, this time, the emotion was my own.

Dax kissed the bite mark on my neck, making me shiver again. “Thank you,” he murmured.

“For what?” I asked, smiling a little.

He lifted his head, staring down at me. “For not giving up on me.”

I couldn’t stop the tears that welled in my eyes and trickled down my temples to my hair. “I won’t give up on you as long as you don’t give up on me.”

“Good, because I never want to be apart from you again.”

After he kissed me again, he asked, “Are you hungry?”

My tears had dried up and I smiled up at him, my right hand going to the handprint on his neck and pulling him down. I laughed a little when he shivered against me, his softening cock suddenly getting harder.

“Not for food,” I answered, nipping his bottom lip.

“But—”

“Later,” I said. “Kiss me.”

As he promised, he gave me what I wanted.

ChapterTwenty-One

As soon as I walked into Aunt Minerva’s living room the next afternoon, Dax’s fingers laced with mine, her eyes zeroed in on the mating mark on my neck and a huge smile spread across her face.

She jumped to her feet, clapping her hands. Little gold sparkles flew up into the air with each clap, her magic leaking due to her excitement.

“You’re mated!” she squealed.

She crossed the room and yanked me into her arms, hugging me so tightly that the breath left my lungs.

Dax released my hand so I could hug her back. Just as quickly as she grabbed me, Minerva released me and lunged toward Dax, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“I’m so happy!” she said.

More golden sparkles flew through the air, dancing around the living room like magical fireflies.

“I can tell,” Dax drawled.

She released him and smiled. “Your grumpy face won’t work on me anymore,” she said.

He sighed, his eyes sliding over to me as though he was put out.

“I see that you finally claimed her.”

We all looked toward the doorway to find Talant leaning against the entry, his arms crossed over his chest. His bare chest.

“Why aren’t you wearing a shirt?” I asked. “You aren’t a caveman anymore.”

He smirked at me and then at Minerva when she sighed. “As I told your aunt, I will wear clothes when I’m in public. As long as I’m somewhere private, I will be comfortable.”

Talant straightened, his arms dropping to his side, and came forward. He held his hand out to Dax, who stared down at it with a blank expression. It was the first time I’d seen that look on his face since we entered his private cave yesterday.

---