Page 27 of Minotaurs and other Magic

Rohan pulled him close, and Nate pressed his face against Rohan’s tunic. “No one is trying to trip you up. My guards are loyal to me, and you will come to know the ones I assign to you.”

Nate leaned into him, his muscles easing with each breath. “Iamgrateful for this chance.”

Rohan smoothed his hand over Nate’s back, waiting for him to finish unburdening his mind.

“What happens when you have learned everything I can teach, and you find a new lost thing?” Nate’s voice was soft, as though he didn’t even want to speak the words.

Rohan kissed the top of his head. “You haven’t started the journey, but you are already counting the last steps. How do you know what you will have learned along the way? No matter the paths you choose, you won’t be the same person you are today. And neither will I.” He couldn’t give Nate the reassurance he needed, in part because Nate would return to his world the moment he had repaid his debt. “Let’s enjoy the journey together.”

CHAPTER 13

THREE WEEKS LATER

Nate had been given a room in Rohan’s wing of the palace to use as his workspace. Even though Rohan had returned to his regular duties, the day after the terrible dinner with the king—who Nate hadn’t seen since—everything he requested had been provided.

He had a desk, paper and vellum, inks in several colors—the creator of them going to great lengths to show him samples and explain their virtues, so his selection was informed, before asking about the inks and writing implements on Earth. He’d been fascinated by the idea of ballpoint pens and pencils.

The royal children’s tutor had given him a lesson on letters and left him with homework—while Nate didn’t need to practice his pen grip, he needed to learn the forty letters and the sounds they made. He’d written the sounds in English as best as he could beneath each letter.

Pinned to one wall, there was a map of the world. And he was in the process of creating one of Earth for the other wall. The accuracy of it was dubious, but it was enough to give the people an understanding.

Most of all, he appreciated having something to fill his days. Even though the only person he’d taught so far was the Strega,he’d prepared classes on language and history and geography as well as mythology—though he wasn’t sure if that would be appreciated. While Rohan seemed amused by the Greek minotaur myth, the king had not been so easily entertained. He’d wanted to know why humans thought minotaurs ate people, to which Nate had no answer.

Though when Rohan had taken him to explore the maze, he’d seemed determined to show Nate how much he enjoyed eating humans by bending Nate over a bench and tongue-fucking his ass. Which would’ve been a lot more fun if a guard hadn’t been standing less than five meters away.

Now he couldn’t sit in the maze without thinking about being chased through it…

Which was probably Rohan’s intent.

He dipped the pen in the ink and continued to label the countries in English. He planned on eventually writing out their names using the Tarikian alphabet when he was more certain of the sounds. Being able to magically speak the language did not help him at all with the reading and writing of it, he was trying not to become frustrated with his inability to progress. Even Rohan had said that learning to read and write was harder than speech.

A knock on the door made him look up. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Rohan walked in. “My brother has decided that the first class will be made of the senior city guard and the knight.”

Since the king had decided, there was no point in arguing. “And when will they be starting?”

Rohan walked around the desk as if to look at the map, but his hand snuck around Nate’s waist and tucked him close. “Tomorrow. From breakfast to noon. For three days, as that is all they can be spared for.”

“Why them?”

“Because they will be the ones dealing with any other people who accidentally cross.” Rohan’s tail slid up Nate’s inner thigh.

Rohan was far too good at fucking him with it, but after over twenty nights in the minotaur’s bed—not that he was counting—he wanted more than tail and fingers.

“And what am I teaching them?”

“Anything you want, as long as it is in English.”

Nate stared up at him. “So I am not teaching them anything. I am speaking so that they may learn.”

Why had he bothered making lesson plans, aside from protecting his own sanity?

Rohan tipped Nate’s chin up. “How different might your arrest have been if they had spoken to you in English?”

“Less confusing. But not all humans speak English.”

“The ones where you are from do.”

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