Page 36 of Hold my Reins

“Parts of it are beautiful, and others are stark. Much like your world. But unlike your world, where there are only humans, there were many kinds of monsters. Some lived with only their kind, the way kelpies tend to, and others lived in towns teeming with all kinds.”

“Monster towns.”

“And castles, and aquatic monsters, and those who live in forests away from everyone, and some who lived high in the mountains.”

“It sounds amazing.”

“If I could take you, I would. I’d bring you home to meet my family.”

Rox’s eyebrows drew together, and Lynck saw the words forming on his tongue. He was going to ask about the bridle.

“Is it dangerous for a human to go through the portal?”

Lynck blinked, not expecting that question, and he didn’t have an answer ready. “It’s my understanding that humans can go through, though I do not advise going alone, as it may be dangerous.”

Rox lifted an eyebrow.

The only thing stopping Lynck from taking Rox home to meet the family was the bridle.

“Would you want to stay there if it was possible?” Rox pressed.

Lynck was silent for a heartbeat. Going home was a dream, not a reality. “No. Even with the bridle removed, he might learn I have returned and hunt me down. He may take his revenge on my tribe. No one defies Bothvar and lives.” He lowered his gazeto Rox’s beat-up runners. “I talk of going home, but it’s never going to happen.”

He shouldn’t make promises that he couldn’t keep.

“It’s okay. I don’t want to go through the portal without you.” He put his hand on Lynck’s knee. “And it’s not like I can take you to meet Mom.”

Lynck snorted and glanced up. “I can only live in monster-approved towns.”

If Rox decided he wanted to travel again, Lynck couldn’t follow.

“I know. I did some reading. I’m not going anywhere. We can be stuck here together.” Rox grinned as though that was the solution.

While there was no one else he wanted to be stuck with, it wasn’t the same as being free to offer his heart. He swallowed as nerves got the better of him. “Can you try to remove the bridle?”

“I’ll do more than try.”

seventeen

On Saturday mornings, Rox worked alone as Arn took the weekends off—he also had the next week off for a family wedding, which was another reason he’d been so desperate to hire someone. Rox didn’t mind working on his own, and Arn had run through everything that needed done. Though he was a little anxious, as he hadn’t been in the job that long.

He finished up the car and got it ready for the owner to collect, hoping they’d be on time as Lynck was coming by before closing. He’d break the chain, then drop him off at work before meeting up tonight for dinner—and it was his turn to cook.

The bell chimed, and Rox went through the service with the man, ran the payment, and handed over the keys. For a few moments, he imagined it was his business and that he’d built a life in Elder Ridge. Did it matter that Lynck couldn’t freely travel?

He couldn’t do it now, but in a few more years, perhaps the humans would relax the rules. It had been a joke about being stuck together, but something had changed between them, and Rox figured he’d messed up even though Lynck hadn’t said anything.

Lynck hadn’t canceled dinner plans, though.

And if he didn’t show up today?

Rox figured he’d text to see if he was running late and if dinner was still on. He wanted it to be on. He wasn’t ready for this thing to be over—he couldn’t imagine not seeing Lynck when they clicked in so many ways.

While he waited, he cleaned up out the back, getting ready to close for the day. With ten minutes to go, the bell rang out the front, and Lynck stood there waiting for him.

“Hey…” Rox smiled as relief washed through him.

Lynck nodded his greeting, his ears at an odd angle.

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