Page 30 of Gargoyle Vigilante

“What he said,” Dante mumbled.

He sounded so weak Amir’s stomach lurched. Ezekiel seemed to understand Amir’s fear.

“It’s all right. The infusion is lulling him into a trance. He’ll be in a deep sleep for at least a day so his body has the opportunity to heal itself.”

“So he doesn’t have to fight anymore, right? Michael won’t make him go back, will he?”

Ezekiel shook his head. “Nothing to worry about there.”

Mal grunted. “Turns out, the big battle was a ruse by the Rogues to divert as many Slayer forces away from the lair as possible. They tricked that idiot Lucifer into thinking they had a second relic, but it was all bullshit.”

While he’d never doubted the enemy’s veracity and unrelenting quest for power, the sheer magnitude of their forces hadn’t sunk in until now.

“Can I stay with him?” Amir couldn’t bear to be parted from Dante, even for a second.

Ezekiel smiled. “As long as you promise to get your rest, too. Remember that your short pregnancy means your body is in hyperdrive. You need more food and rest than a regular human gestation.”

“I promise. I’ll even try to sleep the whole time he’s out.”

Ezekiel raised his eyebrows. “Except when you’re up three times a day to eat a complete meal, right?”

Amir nodded. As long as he was in the same room with Dante, that’s all he cared about.

Chapter Ten

Dante inspected his nude reflection in the full-length Cheval mirror in his and Amir’s room. According to Amir, it was a valuable antique, and the Rosewood figural carvings were the best he’d ever seen. His mate was fascinated with the artwork and antiquities in the lair - which made sense given his background. Dante had to admit he’d always taken the objects for granted, but Amir’s interest had now stoked his own. He planned to fill their new home with as many treasures as he could find, each one a token of his devotion to Amir.

A week had passed since the Rogues had breached the entrance to the lair, and he was completely recovered. At least he was in top shape physically. However, he found himself plagued by nightmares where he didn’t arrive in time to save Amir. He’d never heard of a gargoyle having nightmares, but there they were, spilling into his dreams each night with vivid, terrifying clarity.

He frowned at his image, pushing the pesky thoughts of nightmares aside. The lair had been repaired from the attack—a true symbol of their resilience. In addition, several long-time, devoted Slayers were being transferred to the San Gabriel location. By the time the baby arrived, his services would no longer be required. Then, he and Amir could begin their new life together, a future filled with love and happiness.

The idea that he might’ve passed up the gift of his Fated One seemed ludicrous now that he’d bonded with Amir. He never wanted to return to his barren, lonely existence again.

Dante snatched the red, embroidered silk robe draped over the throne chair and wrapped it around himself. Tomorrow, he would take Amir to inspect their new wilderness home in Washington State. Dante planned to add several bells andwhistles before he brought his family to live there permanently, but Amir was so excited he couldn’t wait until then. Neither could Dante. Being stuck in the lair while he healed had been maddening, and poor Amir had been stuck underground for even longer.

The door swung open, and there was his sweet angel, strolling in with a happy smile and swollen belly. In one hand, he held a small plate of cheeses and grapes, his favorite goodies for the past few days. Before that, it was pretzels and peanut butter, which Amir had now declared were disgusting. Dante was having a hard time keeping up.

“Hello, gorgeous.”

He leaned down to give Amir a quick kiss on the lips while Amir simultaneously chomped away. Amir hastily set the plate down on the nightstand then took a drink from the bottle of water he kept there.

“Sorry. I was so hungry.”

Amir climbed on his tippy-toes and offered his mouth again. Dante chuckled, his heart swelling with affection for the man before him. He wrapped his arms around Amir's waist, allowing their foreheads to touch.

"Don't apologize, sweetheart. I'm glad you're eating well."

He captured Amir’s lips with his own, the kiss soft and lingering, their mouths a perfect harmony of give and take. Amir slipped his hand between the edges of where his robe split and slid his palm along Dante’s chest. He deepened the kiss, savoring the taste of Amir. Whenever they shared moments like these, he would allow himself to become so engulfed in the sweetness of their love that the rest of the world would slip away.

Dante shivered from Amir’s gentle touch, his caresses igniting a flame from within, a need so powerful that could only be satisfied by his beautiful mate. Their kisses becamedesperate, a promise of more. Amir climbed onto his lap, the signal he’d use to say what he wanted.

Amir wrapped his arms around Dante’s neck before breaking their kiss. “Um, I was wondering…”

Dante caressed Amir’s back then cupped his cute little butt as he waited for him to continue. Instead, his cheeks flushed scarlet.

“You were wondering?” Dante lifted his eyebrows.

“Have you ever, you know,doneit in your gargoyle form?”

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