Page 36 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
“Then she smiled at him with the smile that had captivated him when they’d first met. And he continued to dance.”
The fire crackled.
“Finally, just before the dawn, his body could take no more. He fell to the dew-drenched grass, the exhaustion too much. He died on the field where they’d met. Then the wili turned her back on him, just as he had turned his back on her. The wili’s revenge had been satisfied.” Uzoth closed the book.
“Shit,” Leo said. “I’m definitely not going to betray any young women.”
“A young woman has to want you first.” Jasper laughed.
Leo shoved his twin, grinning.
“Excellent reading.” Cas leaned forward, almost falling off Graal’s lap, but Graal gripped his waist. “Uzoth, your deep, gravelly voice is perfect for ghost stories.”
The others added their agreement.
Uzoth bowed his head, unused to such compliments. “Thank you.”
“I’m going to put on some more hot chocolate. Who wants more?” Lachlan rose, and so did Kit.
“Oh! And I’m going to put some chestnuts on the fire.” Cas smiled back at Graal.
Grady turned to Uzoth and took the book. He slid his hand into Uzoth’s. “Thank you. You did very well. Sorry for putting you on the spot like that.”
“It is fine,” Uzoth said. “I enjoyed reading the story and being a part of the festive traditions.”
Grady smiled. “So are you enjoying yourself, then? I know my family can be a lot.”
“I am.” Uzoth swallowed. “I have watched many celebrate Christmas over the years. I have never been a part of them. Thank you for including me.”
Grady squeezed his hand. “You are very welcome. I am glad you are here.”
Uzoth smiled. “And are you enjoying yourself? You are smiling a lot.”
Grady laughed. “Yes. I spend so much time running around, being responsible and taking care of everything, I don’t usually have time to just enjoy Christmas and be with my family. It’s nice to take a moment and have fun with them.”
Lachlan and Kit came around, taking their mugs. They filled them with hot chocolate and shots of liquor for those who wanted them.
Uzoth did not eat. But he found drinking pleasant. Uzoth sipped his warm hot chocolate, letting the sweet taste coat histongue and mouth. “I think I have decided I very much enjoy hot chocolate. Perhaps it is my favourite hot drink.”
Grady grinned. “That is a good choice.”
Uzoth smiled.
For a long time, he’d not smiled. Truthfully, he’d never smiled a lot in the past. But at some point, he’d stopped entirely. Until now. At first, the expression had felt so foreign on his face. Like the muscles around his lips had atrophied completely. But now with Grady, he found he had something to smile about.
Uzoth took another sip of the hot chocolate, letting the warmth of the drink, the room, the company, and Grady’s steady presence wash over him.
But even as he savoured this moment, Uzoth wondered how long until he was out in the cold on his own once again.
CHAPTER 20
Uzoth took their cups and plates down to the bakery to wash them and put them away whilst Grady slept. For a moment, he paused on the stairs on his way back. A powdery white covered the entire alley. He tilted his head back and stared up at the snow that continued falling. He glanced at the rooftops, where he so often sat and watched.
How many snowstorms had he sat out in the cold? And now he spent this storm in Grady’s apartment, much of the time in Grady’s bed. Even if Uzoth did not know how long this would last, he was grateful for the time they had together and for this brief reprieve from the cold.
He returned to the apartment above. Uzoth froze when he re-entered Grady’s room.
Grady no longer slept.
