"It appears so," Levet said in bored tones. He clearly hadn't developed a warm and fuzzy relationship with the prince. "He claims she was a victim of her family. I believe she also helped to rescue his people."

Rya chuckled. She truly liked Finn, but she couldn't deny that she relished the thought of him having to fight for his female.

It would make him appreciate her.

"I hope she makes him happy," she said with complete sincerity.

"She no doubt will." Levet tilted his head to the side, as if considering the prince's future with his Sylvermyst. "So long as she does not kill him in his sleep."

Rya made a choked sound of shock. "Levet."

"She is a dark fey," he said with a faux innocence. "It is what they do."

Rya rolled her eyes. Finn's future wasn't her concern. Instead, she turned her attention to more important matters.

"Did mother help Blayze yet?"

Levet surprisingly shook his head. "Non."

Rya stiffened, concern clenching her heart. "Is something wrong?"

Levet widened his gray eyes. "You were missing."

"I don't understand."

"Obviously, your mother has devoted her energy to locating you. She has not had the time or strength to concern herself with the dragon."

"Oh." Rya bit her lip.

"It took us a great deal of power to discover that you had managed to escape that nasty mist," Levet explained.

"Yes. That was..." She grimaced, the memory of how close they'd come to being squished by the hideous fog still capable of sending chills through her body. "Terrifying."

"And even more power to track you to this lair," he continued.

"I tried to reach out, but the area is protected by runes."

"Very potent ones." The gargoyle glanced toward the tunnel outside the open door. "I'm impressed."

Rya wasn't. She might logically comprehend the need to protect their lair, but it was aggravating that she was trapped in this cell.

"Where is Mother now?" she demanded, needing a distraction.

Levet gave an airy wave of his hand. "She collapsed after opening this portal."

Rya gasped. "Oh no," she breathed. "You said she was fine."

He continued to look remarkably unconcerned. Although it was hard to tell with his lumpy little features.

"It was just exhaustion," he said in soothing tones. "I promise she will soon recover, but she did not have the strength to come and find you." He puffed out his chest as he spread his wings. "So, of course, I volunteered. I am, after all, the official KISA."

Rea.s.sured, Rya allowed her lips to twitch with rueful humor. She'd never met an official Knight In Shining Armor before, but she was fairly certain this one was the most unique.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"It is what I do." Suitably pleased by Rya's grat.i.tude, the gargoyle waved a hand toward the opening of the portal. "We should go. Your mother is waiting."

Rya gave a sharp shake of her head. "I can't leave without Torque."

"Why not?"

She rolled her eyes. "Because he's my betrothed."

"If he is your betrothed then should he not be here to protect you?"

"He's visiting with his mother."

Levet blinked in surprise. "He has a mother?"

"Everyone has a mother," she said, ignoring the fact that there were a few demons, including vampires, that didn't have mothers in the traditional sense.

Levet gave a flick of his tail. "I a.s.sumed he crawled from beneath a rock."

Rya sent her companion a chiding frown. "Be nice."

"I do not know why I should." Levet deliberately glanced around the empty s.p.a.ce. "He has left you trapped in a cell while he is enjoying his resurrection."

She was briefly confused. Resurrection?

Then she realized what he meant.

"Reunion," she corrected before giving a small shake of her head. "Never mind. I can't leave the cell because of the runes."

Levet's lips parted, but before he could speak he was tilting back his head to sniff the air.

"Fire imps," he murmured.

"Yes."

He waddled toward the door, still sniffing the air. "I have never met one before," he muttered, his wings fluttering. "Oh la, la."

Rya frowned in confusion. "What is it?"

Levet moved to one side, and the reason for his sudden distraction strolled into the room carrying a tray.

The young female had dark hair that was pulled into a knot on top of her head. Her face was thin, with pale, delicate features, and she had eyes that were nearly as blue as Torque's.

A pretty young creature who had clearly bedazzled the gargoyle.

"I have brought your dinner." Her gaze shyly moved toward Levet. "I did not know that you had company or I would have brought another plate of food."

"Mon dieu," Levet breathed, his tail standing straight out behind him like he'd been struck by lightning. "Who are you?"

The female flushed, moving to set the tray on a shelf that was chiseled in the stone wall.

Then, slowly turning, she offered a tentative smile. "I am called Charda."

"Charda." Levet heaved a rasping sigh. "Beautiful."

The female's blush deepened. "Are you a gargoyle?"

"I am, indeed." Levet moved to stand directly in front of the imp. "Levet." He performed a bow. "At your service."

She blinked, either bemused or fascinated by the silly creature. It was tough to know which.

"Pretty wings," she at last murmured.

Levet turned to the side. "You may touch them if you wish."

"Levet," Rya chastised, watching as the young female began to inch her way toward the door.

He sent her a startled glance. "What?"

"Behave yourself."

With a tiny giggle, the imp abruptly dashed out of the cell. Of course, she did manage to send a glance of invitation over her shoulder before she disappeared down the tunnel.

Levet gave a click of his tongue. "See what you have done?"

"Me?"

"You frightened away the lovely imp," he said in reproaching tones, heading toward the door.

Rya conjured a mock frown. "Hey. I thought you were here to rescue me?"

The miniature demon shrugged. "I can multi-axe."

"Task," she corrected. "Multi-task."

His pace never slowed. "The portal is open. You are rescued."

Rya's amus.e.m.e.nt abruptly faded as she realized that Levet truly intended to leave the cell.

"Wait," she called out.

Levet came to a sharp halt, glancing over his shoulder to study her concerned expression. "What is wrong?"

"You can't go out there."

A wounded expression twisted his ugly features. "I will not harm the imps. I merely wish to become better acquainted with sweet Charda."

"I'm not afraid for the imps," she swiftly a.s.sured him. "I'm afraid for you. The runes are too dangerous."

"Ah." He waved aside her warning. "Do not fear, ma belle. I am a gargoyle. We are impervious to runes. Enjoy your dragon." With a last smile he was hurrying away, clearly on the hunt for his pretty imp.

Rya shook her head as she moved to inspect the tray. There were several bowls of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a plate of roasted meat. Her mouth watered. No sense in letting the food go to waste.

Polishing off a bowl of pineapple as well as several slices of meat, she was nibbling on a carrot when a tidal wave of heat rushed through the air.

Torque.

Turning away from the tray, she watched as the gorgeous male stepped into the cell.

Instantly her dragon roared in satisfaction. Although she'd been pleased with the thought of Torque becoming acquainted with his mother, there'd been a part of her that had been unnerved to be parted from this male.

As if he felt the same sense of emptiness, Torque instantly crossed the floor to wrap her in his arms and brush a kiss over her welcoming lips.

"I thought I caught the scent of granite," he murmured as he lifted his head. "Is the gargoyle here?"

"Yes."

He gazed down at her upturned face, his expression baffled. "How did he get here?"

"My mother was concerned so she created a portal," she explained. "Levet came through to rescue us."

He grimaced. "Does your mother hate us?"

Her lips twitched. "He is a KISA."

Torque muttered his uncomplimentary opinion of the tiny gargoyle in his role as a hero. "Where was he going?"

"He was chasing after a young fire imp."

"I hope she singes him," he muttered.

Rya wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn't want to talk about Levet.

She was far more interested in her delicious soon-to-be mate.

"What about you?" she murmured.

He arched a brow. "Me?"

"Were there any pretty fire imps who caught your attention?" she teased, not really concerned.

The one thing she could trust in this world was Torque. He was utterly and completely loyal.

"None," he said without hesitation, his arms tightening around her. "I am addicted to the scent of lotus blossoms."