Understanding dawned in Kelzeb’s steady gaze. “You are starting to care for her.”
“Jill is going to be my mate.”
“What if you can’t convince her to agree?”
Aveoth inhaled deeply and exhaled. “I’m determined.”
“What if that takes weeks or months? She seems like a strong-willed person.”
“I’ll wait for as long as it takes. I’m not letting her go. She’s mine.”
“This will be interesting. Just don’t take off any of my body parts while we spar when you go crazy from wanting her and being denied.”
A smile curved his lips. “Deal. Let’s stretch our wings.”
* * * * *
Jill turned the page of the book she’d taken from Aveoth’s library. It was a classic she’d loved as a child about a magical city by the sea. The fantasy aspect of it appealed to her, since her reality had drastically changed in a matter of days.
Her mind kept drifting to the tall GarLycan lord, though.
She wished she could hate Aveoth, but her memories kept replaying only his good points. He’d beat up her kidnappers, saved her from plummeting to her death, chose her over a gorgeous Gargoyle woman…and she liked the way he looked at her most of the time. He seemed like a good man, albeit a scary one. The fact that he wasn’t human was becoming less of a deterrent in terms of attraction.
Maybe I’ve lost my mind.
“Hello? Please don’t be frightened,” a woman’s voice called out sweetly. “I’m Aveoth’s mother. I’m going to open your door.”
Jill gasped, turning her head as the bedroom door slowly opened.
A tall, regal-looking woman sporting a gown entered but immediately paused at the threshold. Her silky black hair was coiled atop her head in some intricate twists. She was pale-skinned, beautiful, and didn’t look old enough to have an adult son.
The woman smiled and clasped her hands in front of her trim waist. “My name is Galihia. I’ll stay here so I don’t frighten you, child. May I ask your name?”
Jill put the book down and stood. “Jill.” She swallowed hard. “You only look about twenty-five.”
“You’re too kind. I’m much older than that. Please sit and be comfortable, as you were. I wanted to meet the woman my only son has brought to live with him. My curiosity got the best of me. You’re so pretty.” Her gaze lowered, seeming to take in Jill down to her feet. “And dainty! You’re adorable.”
“Thank you?” Jill wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
“I am so happy to find you in this room.”
“I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
“My son put you next to his bedroom. That tells me that you’re very special to him.” She beamed, her beauty nearly radiant. “I am very happy for you both.”
She remembered what he’d said about Lane. He’d kept his lover in a room on the lower floor. Maybe the woman thought they had gotten married or something. “Oh no.” She shook her head. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea.”
Galihia’s smile faded. “Perhaps so. I’m still glad to meet you.”
Good going. Jill hated to see the look of sadness her denial had put on Aveoth’s mother’s face. “I mean, I only just met your son very recently. I sleep in here and he’s in there.” She jerked her thumb toward the adjoining bathroom that linked their rooms. “We, um…” She closed her mouth. “I’m making a mess of this. I’m not like Lane. Is that a delicate enough way to put it? I don’t want to shock you or something.”
Galihia cocked her head, smiled, and then laughed. “I’m not a woman who shocks easily. I’m Aveoth’s mother. He tends to be brutally honest and frank.”
“Of course.” Jill relaxed and took a seat. “Would you like to sit?”
“No thank you. I can’t stay that long. Renna and I have plans in a bit. We’re watching a movie together.”
The name rang a bell. “That’s the woman who’s supposed to make me clothes. Aveoth mentioned her.”
“She is family to myself and Aveoth. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She takes care of me.”
“Is she an indentured servant?”
Galihia appeared horrified. “Never! Her mate died, and she knew how lonely I was, so she came to live with me. She’s my best friend, as well as my blood. You’ll like her, and she will love you. She asked to come with me but I didn’t want her to face my son’s wrath.”
Jill arched her eyebrows.
“I didn’t get permission from him first to enter his chambers. It’s not that he’s mean. My son has a huge heart and he’s a good man. It’s just that he probably wanted to wait a bit longer before we were introduced. I hope I don’t frighten you. We must seem so strange to you. Do you know anything?”
It took her a second to figure out what Aveoth’s mother was probably hinting at. “You mean that he’s a GarLycan? I do.”
A smile returned to her face. “I’m so relieved to hear that. I didn’t want to give any secrets away but I’m so glad, and also that he mentioned Lane to you. She was a sweet woman but they didn’t have a spark. Do you understand?”
“I think I do. Aveoth said they got along but weren’t close.”
“It broke my heart because I had hoped he’d be less lonely when she came here, but that didn’t happen. Did he tell you much about his childhood?”
“A little,” she admitted. “I know he was taken and kept away from you by his father. He said he flew to you when he was young, just to see you, since it wasn’t allowed.”
She nodded, sadness entering her gaze again. “My mate was a cruel, heartless rock of a man.” Tears filled her blue eyes. “My son was such a happy baby, always smiling, and he loved to be held. Then I watched the life drain out of him a day at a time as my mate destroyed the happiness around him, until he took him from my arms to live apart from me. You can’t imagine the hope and fear I saw in his eyes when he flew to me that first time, as if I’d reject him too. My poor baby. I wanted to escape with him but there was nowhere to go. Abotorus would have tracked us to the ends of the Earth.” She reached up and wiped at her tears. “He would have killed us both; he’d accused me of tainting our son with the pathetic emotion of love. The best day of my life was when Aveoth killed him. I know that might make you think poorly of me, but I lived for years worrying that he’d murder my son. Imagine that.”
Jill bit her lip and stood. “My biological father is a piece of shit. I don’t think badly of you. I used to dream up scenarios where he was dying and needed a kidney or something. I so wanted to watch him die, since I sure wouldn’t give up a body part for him. He abandoned my mother when she was pregnant, and sent thugs to threaten her since he was so embarrassed that she’d given birth to me.”
“You poor dear.” Galihia approached, walking very slowly. “Where is your mother?”
“She died.”
“I’m so sorry. Do you have siblings? Close family?” Aveoth’s mother reached out her hand to her.
Jill took it. “No. It was just me and my mom. I’m alone now.”
“No, you aren’t. You have Aveoth and his family. I always wanted a daughter, and now I have one.”
Jill let her go. “It’s really not that way between us. We’re not, um…we haven’t… Crap. This is awkward.”
Galihia was a tall woman, probably nearly six feet. She leaned down a little, bending at the waist to do so. “This room is for my son’s mate. He put you here. That means he must have strong feelings, dear Jill.”
“I barely know him.”
“I watch a lot of television. There’s not much else for Renna and I to entertain ourselves with. Human men are finicky creatures, seeming prone to stupidity, infidelity, and telling untruths. My son is nothing similar to them. He’s intelligent, loyal, and honest. Did he explain what a mate is?” She went on before giving Jill time to answer. “He’ll be faithful and loving to you until he takes his last breath. He knows what he wants, and that is you, dear Jill. He doesn’t need mont
hs or years to decide. His choice was made the moment he brought you to this bedroom. You’re no longer a part of the human world, so you need to open your eyes to see the differences. Do you understand?”
“I feel like I fell down the rabbit hole.”
Galihia grinned. “I read that tale to my son when he was a child.”
“He got the reference when I said it to him just after we met.”
“Don’t let the fear of the unknown dissuade you from seeing what is before you. I am biased as his mother, but I’m also truthful. Aveoth is an amazing man with a tender heart that beats beneath his breastbone. He hides his emotions in front of others because he must, but to you, he’s the emotionally fragile boy who longed so much to be loved and held. Give yourself to him, and I promise he’d cherish you forever. Open up to him, and he will give you everything he is.”
Tears filled Jill’s eyes. “We’re just so different.”
“Are you truly? You’re alone in this world. He feels that way because of his place in the clan and the expectations he’s under as a lord.” Galihia reached out and touched Jill’s cheek. “He’s longed for someone like you, dear Jill. He’s the one who is truly afraid you’ll reject him. Please don’t hurt my son. You’re his one chance at happiness.”
“Why me?”
“I don’t understand.” Galihia frowned.
“I saw that Winalin Gargoyle person. She undressed in front of Aveoth and threw herself at him. I can’t compare to her looks. I mean, she’s a bitch. I get why he hates her, but he could have anyone. A Victoria’s Secret model would be all over Aveoth. I’m not putting myself down, but I’m a realist. My looks draw men’s attentions. I’m fit but I don’t have any super-cool physical tricks up my sleeve or some supernatural beauty going on. I take after my mother. I can’t shift or grow fangs. I was shocked when I found out my father wasn’t human.”
Galihia frowned. “What was your father?”
“A VampLycan.”
The woman before her paled. It instantly alarmed Jill.
“I didn’t know him. As I said, he was a piece of shit who abandoned my mom when she told him she was pregnant, and he sent thugs to threaten her every few years so she’d never tell anyone I was his. He was probably afraid she’d go after child support money, too.”
“It’s not that.” Galihia’s smile reappeared, but it didn’t meet her eyes and looked forced. “Does my son know?”
“Aveoth got me from Decker Filmore. That asshole is my biological grandfather. He had jerks kidnap me from my work and they flew me to Alaska. I really hate that family.”
“Never tell anyone else that your father is a VampLycan. Promise me.”
“No problem. I’m not exactly thrilled about it.”
Aveoth’s mother clutched Jill’s hands. “It will put you in danger. No wonder my son hasn’t introduced us yet. He must be working on a solution to deal with this development. The full-blooded Gargoyles in our clan will outright reject having someone with any Vampire heritage as his mate. He’s going to have to kill some of them.” Her features softened. “He must love you deeply.” Her full smile returned. “Don’t you see? He’s chosen you despite how much trouble it will cause him.”
“It makes you happy that Aveoth is going to have to kill people?”
“We live in a violent world. Death is a part of it. My son will take out any threat to you or to your future. Never spare a moment of pity for those deaths. His father needed to die. There are cruel ones like Abotorus here. Appreciate my son’s dedication to you, my dear. How many women can claim a man will do anything to keep her safe? He’d wage a war with his own clan for you.”
Jill was quiet, thinking about that for several moments. “That’s grim, but I get the point. Are you upset that I’m part VampLycan?”
“No. I’m happy that he found you, dear Jill. All that matters is that you are the one my son wants. I’m thrilled he’s found you, and that you’re his mate.”
“I’m not his anything. It’s too crazy to think it could ever work between your son and I.”
“Why?”
Her mouth fell open but she closed it, swallowed, and freed her hands from Aveoth’s mother’s again. “I don’t belong here.”
“Was your life where you came from a very happy place? Were all your needs met? Was there a man who you loved with all your heart, who made you feel as if your life was complete?”
Jill was tempted to lie but that wasn’t her. “No. My life sucked but I didn’t feel like I’d been dropped in another universe.” She eyed the woman’s formal gown. “I’m not dressing like you. No offense. It’s beautiful but aren’t you hot? Uncomfortable?”
“You are to become the mate of our lord. That means you can demand change for our women. My mate never gave me any standing in the clan besides his official breeder. Aveoth won’t do that to you. He’ll listen to you and want you to be happy. Make that your first official decree after my son announces you to the clan. Demand we dress more casual in public.”
“I’m sure that will go over well.” Jill rolled her eyes.
Galihia laughed. “Probably not, but I know I would appreciate it. So would Renna. The most difficult thing for her to adjust to since moving to the cliffs has been the formal dress code women endure. I’m afraid that was my mate’s doing. He felt it was indecent to reveal our limbs to his clansmen, and he decided pants decreased our femininity. Aveoth just hasn’t changed it, but you could convince him to do so. He’ll be a caring and devoted mate to you.”
Jill sighed and sat down. “It’s not that simple.”
“It could be. Aveoth is an amazing man, as I said. I know I’m his mother but he has so much love to give if you’d only allow him the opportunity. Life here might be different from the one you left behind, but change is sometimes the best thing that can happen to us. May I give you some advice?”
Jill held her gaze, considering it. It wasn’t as if she had a lot of friends here, and Aveoth’s mother had been nice to her. “Please.”
“Stop thinking so much and allow yourself to feel, dear Jill. Take a chance. Allow my son to bed you. Lycan blood runs through your veins. One trait that is always passed down is good instincts. Listen to yours. Are you attracted to him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you afraid of him?”
“No.”
“Do you think he’d harm you in any way?”
Jill shook her head.
“Why have you kept him distanced?”
“He has wings and can turn to stone. Plus, the whole we-have-nothing-in-common thing.” She thought about mentioning the drugged kiss but decided not to, in case she also had to explain the afterward part. There was no way she’d admit Aveoth had gone down on her to his mother.
“Would you disqualify a human man because he had a scar or a limp?”
Jill frowned. “I see where you’re going with this, but there’s no real comparison between someone who limps and someone who can fly. They wouldn’t give me bat babies if they knocked me up.” She regretted saying that as soon as the words were out. “I mean—”
A snort of laughter came from Galihia. “Bat babies? That’s funny. Our children don’t have wings at birth.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. You have wings too, right?”
“I do have the ability to fly, although I’m a bit rusty. I never leave the cliffs. Your lack of wings isn’t an issue. They don’t allow women to leave.”
“Don’t you feel like a prisoner?”
“No, dear. I’m protected and safe. I could ask for scouts to escort me for a flight over our territory if I really wanted to stretch my wings. You’re so young, and you have no idea of the kinds of danger lurking out there in the world. I do.”
“Aveoth said I was lucky to have survived as long as I have, since I don’t smell human if I’m bleeding.”
“You were hurt?”
“I ran into something and got a small cut. It was fine.”
“
You are very lucky to be alive. The danger to you is great without protection.”
“I was raised in bad places. I know how dangerous the world can be.”
“Humans are nothing.” Galihia waved her hand. “I mean that on a danger scale. I watch your television. I could take dozens of bullets and survive, even if I didn’t shell my body first. They’d bounce off if I hardened my skin. I can be hurt unshelled but I’d recover. I’m also stronger by far. Six of your humans could attack me and I’d win in a fight.”
Jill glanced down her. “Not in that dress.”
Galihia laughed. “Even so, dear. My wings are trapped in this gown, so I’d have to fight without them, but imagine a shelled fist slamming into a human attacking me. He’d feel as if he were hit with a sledgehammer.” Her smile faded. “You are fragile and could be killed so easily. You’re safer here.”
“Even though Aveoth worries about his clan rising against him?”
“He shared that with you?”
She nodded.
“My son is a strong leader and the best swordsman in this clan. No one ever won against my mate, yet Aveoth did. He’s a very skilled fighter. That alone has made many rethink challenging him, and the stupid die quickly here. He will never allow anyone to hurt you. Have faith in him. It’s well placed if you give him a chance. I feel in my heart that you won’t regret it. What do you have to lose? Your life has already changed. You won’t be able to forget my son, or look at things the way you did before your eyes were opened to more than just the human world. Consider that carefully. Would you really be happier returning to where you were taken from? Or would you wonder what might have happened, and all the possibilities if you gave my son a chance?
“You did fall into your own rabbit hole.” Galihia slightly bowed, lifted her head, and winked. “Enjoy the adventure. I must bid you my leave now.”
Jill watched the woman turn and gracefully exit her room, closing the door behind her. She fell back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Chapter Eleven
Aveoth reached the twin brothers and smiled. “Thank you for guarding Jill.”