Page 72 of The Gargoyle's Fate
I had a complicated relationship with Argon but in this moment, I only felt a familiar fondness for him. I reached over the gate and hugged him. He made a flustered sound but did not pull away. He patted me on the back.
"By the way, Devereaux," he said quietly afterwards. He avoided my gaze, as if suddenly too emotional to meet it. "You asked me once where your soul came from."
"Yes?"
Argon turned, ready to leave. But he glanced over his shoulder one last time. His yellow eyes flickered as he gave me a bittersweet smile.
"It belonged to my brother."
* * *
With the children fed,bathed and ready for bed, Pascal offered to tuck them in while Florian and I enjoyed a private moment together in the garden. I loved spending time with him always, but something about holding hands in the twilight was inherently magical.
Florian kneeled by the flowerbed, then beamed at me. "Look, Devereaux! The petunias are really thriving."
I joined him, perching on the ground in a way that reminded me of my old gargoyle pose at the fountain. The joyful blue petals swayed in the breeze. I smiled at the sight of them, thinking fondly of the memories I had of planting them together with Florian.
"Yes, they are," I murmured. "Just like you."
Florian grinned. I noticed a brighter, happier air about him since the fateful night he'd transformed me into my current, true form.
"And don't forget yourself," he reminded me, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
He was right. It was the happiest I had ever been.
Just like the flowers, we were both joyfully thriving.
THE END
