Page 50 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
Uzoth’s chest clenched. Could Grady mean what Uzoth thought he meant? Could he want Uzoth in his life? “I am used to the cold.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you got used to something else. Maybe you need to get used to the warmth of a hearth, and someone to love and be loved by.” Grady stepped in closer. “Maybe we both need to get used to that.”
Uzoth’s cold heart cracked open in his chest. “Do you mean that? Truly?”
“I do. I’m so sorry, Uzoth,” Grady said. “I shouldn’t have let you fly off like that. I was confused and exhausted. It was a fucking stupid mistake. And I hurt you. I’m so sorry. I want you in my life. No. I need you in my life. Everything is bullshit and garbage without you. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
“But what about your family?” Uzoth asked. “I do not wish to stop you from protecting them.”
Grady huffed. “They are adults now as has been recently pointed out to me. They can look after themselves a little.” He paused. “They don’t need me like they once did.”
Uzoth thought he detected a note of sadness in Grady’s voice.
“I mean, I will always look out for them. I won’t stop doing that,” Grady said.
“And I will also look after and protect both you and them,” Uzoth pledged.
“And who will look after you, O ancient gargoyle?”
Uzoth straightened his shoulders. “I don’t need looking after.”
“Everyone needs to be looked after sometimes. And I’d like to be the one to look after you if you’ll let me.” Grady smiled softly at him.
A feeling of lightness unfurled inside Uzoth. “Then we shall look after each other.”
Then Uzoth wrapped his arms around Grady’s waist and kissed his human as Grady’s words sank in. Grady wanted him in his life. Uzoth had not lost his human after all.
Grady’s warm breath brushed against Uzoth’s cheek. “I love you, Uzoth.”
“I love you too, Grady.” In Uzoth’s chest, his heartbeat quickened and returned to normal. His blood sped through his veins.
CHAPTER 29
“Now let’s get off this roof.” Grady wanted his feet firmly on the ground.
But rather than flying him down, Uzoth turned his head and stared at the rooftops. “I have an…offer.”
“What?”
Uzoth turned back to him. “You have shown me so much of your world, would you like to see a part of mine?”
Grady frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Would you like to fly with me? I could take you up over the city.” Uzoth stretched his wings wide behind him. “But only if you wish.”
Grady’s mouth dried. He gazed down at the street below. If Uzoth flew him up into the sky, he’d be even higher up. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Beneath his coat and layers of clothing, sweat broke out.
But Uzoth would hold him. He would not let harm come to Grady. Grady knew that to be true, even if he felt like he was about to vomit.
Grady met Uzoth’s gaze. “You won’t let me fall, right?”
“Never.” Uzoth gave a sharp shake of his head. “I would never drop you.”
Grady inhaled. “Then all right. I trust you.”
Uzoth smiled. He rose, turning Grady in his arms, holding him securely against Uzoth’s strong body. Uzoth’s tail wrapped around Grady’s waist twice.
“So you feel extra secure,” Uzoth whispered.
