Page 79 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

Before he got close enough, the skylight above the throne shattered and every window in the throne room erupted. Gargoyles clad in red and gold filled the room, cutting down every enemy they encountered.

The queen’s brother had arrived.

But it was too late. Far too late.

The males pinning me to the ground tore their weapons free of my body, turning to fight their new opponents.

I didn’t hesitate. From my knees, I leapt forward, the spear slipping beneath the breastplate the Usurper wore. Yet another indication of his cowardice. Unlike the rest of the warriors, he wore armor, demonstrating his weakness. A true gargoyle warrior needed no armor. His stone skin and skills with a weapon would be enough to protect him.

As the spear pierced his gut, he cried out, trying to lift his sword to strike at me. I grunted and gripped the spear even tighter, driving it higher into his chest, past his ribs. I felt the tip tear through his flesh until it finally reached his heart. I felt the muscle give as the blade pierced it, popping like an overripe fruit.

He shrieked as I twisted the spear inside him, his arms falling to his side, useless. His weight took me to my knees when it collapsed, but I didn’t let go. I stared into his eyes, snarling.

“The gods will damn you in the next life, Paraxys,” I said. “Enjoy the hell you made for yourself.”

He gasped, his last breath rattling in his chest, and exhaled. As the last of his lifeblood leaked out of his chest, his skin paled, the grey becoming white.

When I could no longer hold my body up, I released the weapon and fell to my side. The Usurper remained on his knees, his body nothing but stone now.

As my heart slowed, I knew that I was dying. And I was at peace with it because I had avenged their death as my last act. Even so, I didn’t deserve to live. Not while they turned to white stone.

* * *

I screamedbefore I even opened my eyes.

Strong hands gripped me, lifting me off the mattress. I tried to fight them off, clutching at my side, my shoulder, and my leg. The phantom pain of those stab wounds was fading, but I remembered it still.

“Ally!”

Dax’s harsh voice broke through my panicked thoughts.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. I could feel the tears flowing down my face, but there was nothing I could do to stop them.

It was him. I’d been in his memories in my dreams.

And now I knew why he could never love me the way I wanted him to. Why he couldn’t let himself feel anything for me except friendship.

He didn’t think he was worthy of life, much less happiness and love.

This was an enemy I couldn’t fight because the enemy was also the man I loved.

“Ally, what happened?”

“I’m sorry,” I gasped, grabbing at his arms, my hands locking onto his wrists. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said.

“I saw it,” I continued. “I saw it all. The battle. The prince lying in his own blood, his flesh the color of marble. The queen falling to Paraxys’ sword. All of it. I’m so sorry, Dax.”

His body went rigid at my words, his hands grasping my shoulders so hard that I flinched.

He released me as though he was burned. “What did you say?”

I sobbed, wrapping my own arms around my waist, rocking back and forth on the mattress. “I understand now. And I’m so very sorry.”

With a groan, Dax wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. “Shhh. Ally, calm yourself.”

I shook my head, the tears still falling as the ragged sobs tore through my chest. “I understand now. I do.”

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