Knights-of-Stone-Bryce by Lisa Carlisle Read Free Book Online

alone, but as long as she took some of those bastards down in the process, it would be worth it.
     
     
    Bryce wasn’t quite sure why he’d shared so much with Mairi. When she listened to him, her eyes sparkled with interest, encouraging him to continue. And when she’d touched his arm, the connection simmered deep.
    Although he no longer suspected she was a spy, she’d be a damn good one with the way she’d gotten him to spill his story.
    They’d come full circle along the coast in what was still considered gargoyle territory and cut back through the forest.
    “Are these the cabins you mentioned?” She pointed to one that his former clan had lived in.
    Lachlan and Raina spent time in one, but with their relationship still so new, they were open to exploring various locations on the isle. Gargoyles were versatile. They could live anywhere. Perched on stone on buildings. Living as humans in cities. Inside abandoned castles. Their preferences varied as humans did, yet the various forms they favored also played into their choice of living arrangements.
    “Aye. My parents lived in this one.” Bryce pointed at one of them, which brought back memories. He and his brothers preferred the outdoors and moved outside as soon as their parents thought they were old enough, yet they’d spent many tender moments together as a family inside those walls.
    Now empty. Barren of life.
    She peeked in a window. “Doesn’t look like anybody uses them now.”
    “Right. The clan left a few months back.”
    “Do you miss your parents?”
    He shooed with his hand. “They’re adults. They can make their own choice.”
    The way she studied him made him think she didn’t buy his answer.
    “Of course, I do. They’re family. Families sometimes drive each other crazy when they live in close quarters, but they’re still part of you.”
    A sudden haunted look filled her eyes. Oh shite . He was a right idiot. A proper fool.
    Of all the people to say that to. “I’m sorry. That was tactless.” Inside he groaned, picturing himself ramming his block head against the wooden cabin door.
    “It’s all right. I brought it up. Besides, I know what you mean.”
    “Still. I have no excuse except that I’m an idiot who lives with four other idiots. We lack the social graces we’d have if our mum was still around smacking us upside the head to behave.”
    A small laugh erupted from her, surprising him.
    “I’m picturing it,” she said.
    It was the second time he’d made her laugh, and the way joy swept through him at the sound surprised him. “I’m sure you won’t have to. If you meet my mother, she’ll find a way to scold us about something or another her five uncouth sons have done while you’re there.”
    Her lips curled into a radiant smile that softened his insides. “I hope to see that.”
    When they reached the clearing where the gargoyles spent most of their time, he glanced at the sun. It shined bright overhead, signaling the peak of day.
    “We can rest here.”
    “Good idea.” She forced a smile. “Haven’t had much of that lately.”
    How could she on the run? An urge to protect her returned; it had escalated from earlier. “I’ll watch over you,” he said. A warm sensation ran through him. Soothing. Comforting.
    Like he was answering a call to something greater.
    Unsettling.
    He shook his head to knock that inclination loose. What was wrong with him for making it sound so personal like that? Him and her, like they were a thing. Foolish. He’d been tasked to watch over her for a short time. “We all will. M-my brothers. And me.” Now he was stammering? She had the oddest effect on him.
    “We rest in stone here.” Bryce pointed to the stage.
    “Aye, I saw you there earlier.”
    Time to lighten the mood; wash away that serious tone that had settled over them and bring back her beautiful smile. “When you were spying.” He winked and smiled.
    Mairi raised an eyebrow. “I call it making observations.”
    He