Page 16 of Minotaurs and other Magic

Nate took it and winced. His elbow throbbed. He didn’t want to walk. He wanted to lie in the middle of the road and give up. He’d had a few rough patches in his life, but this was something else, and there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t change jobs, ditch a boyfriend, or work harder or anything…

Rohan helped him down. He nodded at the Strega. “Will I see you at the palace?”

“You will.” She urged her horse on, and Nate watched her leave.

They were on the edges of the town, so it couldn’t be far.

“Come. Perhaps a little walk while we watch the sunset will ease your anger and pain.” Rohan put his hand on Nate’s lower back. “I should not have let you fall.”

“I should have held on better.”

“You had other things on your mind and are not familiar with?—”

“Could you stop being so nice and understanding? I just…” Nate huffed. He didn’t know what he wanted. “I’m sorry. You bought my debt and have given me the language, and I’m being overly dramatic.” That’s what his ex called him. He needed to be buttoned up and in charge of a class five days a week, and at home, all he wanted to do was relax.

“You lost your home for a second time. I am not sure I would cope any better.”

He hated Rohan for being so perfectly logical and sensible and calm. That he was always halfway to smiling…how the fuck did he smile when he had a head like a bull…not that he was an expert in bulls. “I have no doubt that if you walked through a doorway, someone on my side would attack and kill you out of fear. Here, once I put the tunic and cloak on, I looked like I belonged.”

“Perhaps when it is not so raw, you can tell me more about your world and speak English to me so that I might learn.”

“You don’t need to humor me.”

“The Strega believes you are here for that reason.”

“Did she tell you that over lunch?” Nate had sat with a guard while the Strega and Rohan had discussed things just out of earshot. They had both worn serious faces, and soon after, they had packed up for the return trip.

“Amongst other things.”

“Such as?” Nate pressed. If they’d discussed doorways and such, it concerned him.

“Such as things for the rulers of the city, not naughty humans who haven’t learned the rules.” There was that smile again, as if Rohan were thinking of something very different.

Nate was sure he hadn’t misread some of the double meanings, but he couldn’t be certain because while he spoke and understood Tarikian, there must be a hundred small nuances he didn’t comprehend.

“I’m not sure how to respond.”

“How do you want to respond?” Rohan’s smile widened.

How was he supposed to answer that? “Am I misreading your words? Hearing hints where there is nothing else intended?”

“And what are you hearing?” Rohan teased.

Nate shook his head and glanced away. His cheeks heated. Behind them walked a guard who was no doubt watching.

Rohan’s hand slid lower, and his fingers brushed over Nate’s ass cheek. “You hear my intent correctly.”

Nate lifted his bound hands. “And this doesn’t bother you?”

“I will arrange something new so your wrists do not become sore.” Rohan used the rope to lift Nate’s hands to his lips and kissed his knuckles. “I bought your debt, not you. You are free to refuse.”

“You are a prince.”

“That does not grant me free rein over my subjects. I follow the same laws as everyone else. If you do not wish to sleep in my bed, I will have a pallet made up on the floor.”

“And you won’t be upset?”

“You are asking if there will be retribution? No. I will find a purpose for you to repay the debt. Probably in the realm of teaching. There will only be problems if you attempt to flee the city or engage in other illegal activities.”

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