Entwined Realms Volume One(102)
Malek shook his head, his arm casting aside her words. “You are ours to protect, Meyla. It is duty and honor to come to your side when we are needed. We made that promise when we followed your mate away from the Clan.”
Away from the Clan. Larissa looked up at Terak. He stared straight ahead as if he had no idea she was looking at him, but the tick in his jaw gave him away. “What do they mean, away from the Clan?”
He took a long breath before he gazed down at her. “I made a choice.”
“No.” There was no way she was going to let this happen. Not his Clan. “I’m not worth it.”
His gaze became fierce and he brought himself to his full height. “You are worth everything,” he said, the tone brooking no argument. “I would give this realm for you, so do not talk to me of leaving the Clan. They cannot accept you, so I will have no more dealings with them.”
“Your people-”
“My Meyja.”
Before she could continue, noises above made everyone turn their attention to the sky, in time to see a contingent of gargoyles descending in front of them.
An older gargoyle stepped forward, and Terak moved to meet him while keeping her behind him. “Krikus, how did you know of this place?”
“The Guild transported us here once the danger was past. I informed them the need to see you was urgent.” The old councilor looked past Terak and straight at Larissa. When their eyes met, he gave a bow. “Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, Meyla. I am Krikus.”
Terak went still at the title. “You call her Meyla?”
“Why would we not? She is the mate of our Mennak.”
With those words, as one, the gargoyles dropped to their knees in front of Terak. Malek smiled, and he and the warriors joined in the display.
The wondrous confusion on Terak’s face cracked Larissa’s heart. Her beloved gargoyle was so exposed for all to see – his desire for what they were offering warring with the disbelief it could be happening.
Krikus waited for Terak’s attention to return to him before he spoke again. “It will not be easy. We still have doubts, and some will never be convinced. But you are right – our Clan must be united to survive. We choose the path behind you. We will follow as you create this new place.”
Terak was still speechless, so Larissa came up and placed her hand in his. “I hope,” she began, and gave Krikus the smile she had perfected when she convinced her father to let her go on her first date, “This means you will help me in learning how to best serve my Clan.”
Surprise lit the old gargoyle’s face before a wide smile split his face. “I would be honored, Meyla.”
Terak’s eyes were soft on her, adoring, and Larissa basked in the force of that gaze. Her gargoyle, her mate, her love. Still, a little tease wouldn’t hurt. “There is one last thing to conquer.”
Terak’s visage turned wary, and he glanced around. “What is that?”
“You need to meet my family.”
Chapter Forty
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He heard her coming toward him, the clack-clack of her shoes heralding her arrival on the stone embankment long before her words reached his ears. “Why are you in that form?”
Terak turned to face his mate as she approached him, wearing a long coat belted at her waist. “I thought you would prefer me to meet your family while I was in my human guise.”
Her mouth was tight, little frown lines between her eyebrows. “As you told me, no matter what you look like, you are a gargoyle. I didn’t fall in love with a human, I don’t want a human with me as I introduce the male I love to my family. I want the Clan Leader of the Gargoyles, my mate, by my side tonight.”
His heart became more hers at those words, if that were even possible. Still, he shook his head. “They will only see me as a monster and try to take you away. I do not wish to fight the family of my mate, but I will not let them keep you from me.”
“Terak,” she sighed, coming over to take his face between her hands. “That won’t happen. They already know everything and know what to expect when they meet you.”
“Are you saying your Clan is happy with your mate?”
“I’m saying they don’t have a choice in the matter.”
He brought up one hand to cover hers as it lay against his face, warm and soft. “Why would you believe that? Your father is anything but weak-willed. He will not accept so easily any mating of yours, but especially to one who is connected to the New Realms.”
“My dad has to accept it, because I told him I love you the same way he loved my mother, and I asked him if anything in this world would have kept him from her side. When he admitted nothing would, I asked him what lengths he thought I would go or what I would give up to stay with you. I can’t say he’s completely happy, I won’t lie about that. But you left the Clan to be with me. Do you think you mated with someone who does not have the same level of commitment as you do?”