Serenity's POV
Eden growled in my arms as I went outside. My little girl was in her gargoyle form and she swished her small tail impatiently.
"You be patient little one your father and sister will be awake soon," I told her. I swear the more time passed, the more I saw my Beloved of Night in our daughter. Besides her gargoyle form, she had Goliath's stubbornness.
"As will our mates" Michelle corrected as she and Hannah arrived. "Uh oh she looks annoyed"
"She just wants to see her clan mates along with her father and sister" I explained to my best friend.
"I bet once you go back to work you'll be saddened to be parted from her" Hannah added.
I went back to work next week and in all honesty, I was looking forward to it.
"I might be at first but Eden is in good hands with my parents" I reassured the two phoenix siblings. "Its Puck, Goliath and I watch out for"
Michelle snorted and Hannah tried to laugh behind her hand in case said fae was eavesdropping. The sun descended and right on cue the gargoyles awakened. Hannah and Michelle exchanged their usual greetings with Lex and Brooklyn while Goliath came over to me and we gave one another a quick kiss.
"Hello, my Little One," my Beloved of Night said as he took Eden from me. Immediately Eden's impatience went away and our daughter smiled at her father. Angela then took her sister into her arms and Eden proceeded to bury her head into her older sibling's chest.
"You're a natural with her daughter" Goliath praised his eldest.
"I try to be" my stepdaughter answered with a small blush.
"She's getting your stubbornness love" I informed Goliath. "She was growling quite a bit on my way here"
My Beloved of Night chuckled before carefully using a claw to caress Eden's cheek. Nearby Hudson was talking to himself and Goliath went to speak with the older gargoyle.
"Hudson has been acting differently as of late" Angela explained. "Something isn't right"
Indeed my dragon agreed. I could tell what she was talking about, because there was a faint scent of an illness coming from Hudson. The older gargoyle brushed Goliath away gently before deciding to come on over to see Eden.
"She's getting bigger"
"That she is" Goliath stated proudly. He eyed both of his daughters with pride as did I. Angela then eyed her father as though she wanted him to do something. Goliath looked embarrassed and the male gargoyle took my hand into his and led us away from the others.
"Did I miss something?"
"More like I almost forget something my love" Goliath corrected just as Puck appeared.
"Can't blame him on being forgetful due to all of the hunter activity"
The fae then conjured two boxes and gave them to Goliath. He then went to see Eden.
"My beautiful Warrior of Flame know I love you and life without you is empty, you gave me that statue of the dragon with the black pearl and now I wish to return the favor"
The statue miraculously didn't get destroyed when the clock tower was taken out. It lay inside a new glass pedestal close to where Goliath usually slept. Goliath first placed the smaller box into my hands and I opened it. Inside was a golden band that read a Latin inscription. It said "Mihi bellator flammae.
"The inscription says "My Warrior of Flame" I'm aware a human couple that are married have weddings rings, so I made sure to have this made for you"
Immediately I felt tears sliding down my face. Goliath drew me forward and wrapped his wings around me as well as placing his forehead against mine. He then took the ring out and placed it on my left ring finger. He then gave me a loving kiss before pulling away. The other gift turned out to be a gorgeous pair of earrings that consisted of a sword surrounded by flames. I put them on and Goliath smiled in approval.
"Yep Moonlight definitely made you a romantic" I teased the gargoyle.
Goliath chuckled and the two of us rejoined the others just in time for Noah and Elisa to arrive. The two of them explained that a group of people were recently attacked by the Tribunal. At hearing this Goliath slammed his fist angrily into a wall causing it to shatter. The humans attacked were part of a group who supported the gargoyles.
When her father broke the concrete Eden began to whimper. My mate looked guilty and took Eden from Angela's arms and began to rock her.
"I shouldn't have lost my temper like that, but this is not to be tolerated, it's one thing when these miserable Tribunals hunt us and supernatural beings, but to attack defenseless humans whose only crime is to respect us"
"Humans have been attacked?" Hudson questioned. Elisa told the older gargoyle what happened and the people from the support group were at Manhattan Medical as was a single Tribunal hunter. The asshole was being guarded like hell.
Hudson drew out his sword obviously wanting vengeance but Goliath placed a hand on the older gargoyle's arm. Hudson sighed before putting his blade away. Brooklyn then suggested checking out the Rec Center where the meeting was held might be a better solution. Hudson agreed it was a safer idea but preferred if he had company.
Noah and Elisa's beepers went off so they had to get to the hospital to interrogate the hunter. Angela also decided to go to the hospital with her.
"Holy s***!" Michelle exclaimed seeing the ring on my left hand. Brooklyn, Lex, and Hannah had their jaws dropped.
"That's what you've been hiding Goliath?" Lex asked nodding at the ring and earrings.
"Yes since Serenity gave me a token of her love, I did the same"
"Damn Goliath you got good taste" Michelle complimented my mate and I let her get a good look at the ring.
Brooklyn and Lex suddenly looked guilty and then scurried off to talk about something.
I think those two feel bad they haven't got anything for Michelle and Hannah my dragon informed me.
Yes, but knowing them they'll figure out something I replied back to her. Eden and I spent a few hours with the clan before I began to feel tired.
"I'm taking you and Eden home, Serenity"
I didn't argue with my mate and Goliath handed Eden over to me before taking me into his arms. Hell, my Beloved of Night didn't put me down until we were in the apartment.
"I'll put her down" my mate offered. He took our daughter from me and I followed my Beloved of Night into Eden's room. After giving her a kiss and an affectionate face rub did Goliath place our daughter into her crib.
"I think I might know what's going on with Hudson"
Goliath arched an eyebrow and he beckoned me to join him on the sheet and blanket-covered floor. Since Goliath was afraid to break my furniture he liked sitting down here.
"What is it you suspect?"
"Glaucoma it's a condition in the eye that can cause blindness if not treated, I'm no doctor but I did hear Hudson complain about his sight"
"He always knows he can come to us for help"
"True but he's stubborn like you are my Beloved of Night"
Goliath chuckled knowing I was right. He then licked my left hand up and kissed it.
"It pleases me you like this"
"I love it Goliath as do I love my earrings"
The gargoyle purred when I said that and he drew me into his arms.
Demona's POV
I was restless tonight. Earlier when I went out gliding I had to avoid some Tribunal fools. They were hell-bent not only on killing all dragon shifters but gargoyles too. As I glided I noticed something was following me. However, I recognized the scent of the male dragon shifter and decided now was a good time to finally confront this potential suitor.
I chose another deserted park to land and once I did I folded my wings around my body. The dragon landed a few seconds later. He was slightly larger than Serenity when she was in her dragon form. Despite his intimidating form, Ezekiel was beautiful. His eyes were a topaz color and they eyed me in interest.
"I know who you are" I addressed Ezekiel.
The male dragon's eyes widened and then he began the shift from dragon to human.
"I guess one of my clan members told you my name"
It was my turn to widen my eyes. In human form Ezekiel was handsome and I felt myself blush slightly. His hair was dark brown and long enough for it to be tied back. His eyes were pale blue and he wore casual clothing.
"If you don't mind me asking why are you following me?"
I didn't want to sound rude but I wanted to know the reason why this male dragon was pursuing me. Ezekiel responded with a small smirk.
"Because I find you fascinating and I believe you might be my mate"
So Serenity was right. And the fact he found me fascinating despite the atrocities I have done floored me. However, I was tired of being alone.
"So you wish to court me then"
"Only if you want to" Ezekiel corrected me.
"I will need time to think on this" I finally answered. "Before we part ways I am called Demona"
"Very well then Demona, I will be waiting for your answer until then"
The dragon shifter then backed away and returned to his dragon form. He gave me a fanged smirk before spreading his wings and he took flight. As I watched Ezekiel's form disappear my heart wouldn't stop pounding.
So to avoid confusion Goliath isn't proposing marriage y'all. He just wanted to give Serenity something meaningful to her since she gave him an object of her love. Also credit goes to GirlofDragon who suggested Demona's POV when meeting Ezekiel in his human form.
