Page 39 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
“A lot of the usual stuff. Bakery. Christmas markets.” Grady sighed. “And I’m having some trouble with a supplier. They raised their prices. Again.” Grady rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m going to go over there and speak to them. And the bloody oven at the Christmas markets is acting up again. Last night at the markets, it just kept smoking.”
Grady groaned. “Who the fuck will buy from us if they choke on smoke trying to get near the stall? So I’ll try and fix it.”
“Can I help with anything?” Uzoth asked.
Grady gave a shake of his head. “Nah. I can take care of it.”
Uzoth tried not to feel disappointed that he could not assist Grady. “Would you like me to make you some tea and breakfast?”
“I’ll eat something in the bakery.” Then Grady turned and pressed a quick kiss to Uzoth’s lips. He pulled back far too soon for Uzoth’s liking. “I’ve got to go.” Then Grady strode to the door and left.
Uzoth stared after him.
Grady was busy once again. He did not have time for lingering kisses or staying in bed.
Uzoth understood that. For years, Grady had worked hard. Uzoth would be a fool to think that would suddenly change. After all, why would it?
He looked around the room. For days, they’d been locked away in here. Their own perfect paradise. At least for Uzoth. But it could not last.
Uzoth left the room. He walked across the main room and exited the apartment, sensing the protection spell Grady had just charged. He stepped outside.
With nothing else to do, and knowing no other way he could be of use to Grady, he flew up and landed on the roof. He squatted, talons pressing into the tiles. He stared down at the bakery window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Grady.
For the duration of the snowstorm, he’d been by Grady’s side. He’d brought him food. He’d held him. He’d cared for him. He’d been useful to Grady. He’d been a part of his life. And for those few days, he’d felt like his own life had been filled with such brightness. He’d felt fulfilled. Being with Grady and caring for him gave him purpose once again.
Even though he knew Grady valued Uzoth watching over him and his family, Uzoth could not help but feel like he was once again an outsider, looking down on Grady’s life from the rooftops above.
But Uzoth understood. He was not actually a part of Grady’s day-to-day life. He did not know how to help Grady in the bakery or at the Christmas markets. He’d offered to help in different ways. But Grady did not want his help.
A sense of uselessness settled in the pit of his stomach.
But tonight, they would sit by the fire and drink tea and talk. He’d bask in the warmth of Grady’s company, and they would sleep together. They had not had sex in the few days since the snowstorm passed. In fact, they did not stay up long before Grady collapsed into bed.
But that was fine. Grady had been exhausted.
The heat from the apartment seeped from Uzoth’s body, replaced by the cold.
The bakery door opened. Grady stepped out. Uzoth perked up. Grady placed his hand on the sigil, whispering as he charged the protection spell. He turned, smiled, and waved at Uzoth.
But before Uzoth had time to return the gesture, Grady strode away in the direction of the Christmas markets.
Uzoth stared after him.
He is busy. It cannot be like it was during the snowstorm. This is fine.
Uzoth was just lucky Grady wanted him in his life at all. A light snow began to fall.
Uzoth stared out in the direction Grady had walked off. He didn’t move. He just remained still, waiting for the man he loved to return.
CHAPTER 22
Conjuring cockmonkeys! Could everything just back the fuck off and give me a chance to catch my fucking breath?
The muscle beneath Grady’s left eye twitched. It had stopped during the snowstorm, but it had returned with a vengeance. Grady strode through the snow back to the bakery. They’d run out of sugar cookies, meat pies, dried plum tarts, and truffles at the Christmas markets.
With Christmas only a few days away, more and more visitors had descended on the markets. Perhaps everyone wanted to make up for the time they’d spent being snowed in and soak up as much of the festive season as they could.
As Grady entered the alley, he glanced up to see Uzoth above. The intimidating gargoyle stared down. Grady’s heart squeezed in his chest.
