Page 45 of Hold my Reins

Did he love Lynck?

It was too soon to be sure. It was too soon for him to put his heart on the railway track, where it was clearly going to be destroyed. Because that’s what was going to happen. If he fell in love with Lynck, Bothvar would show up and take him away.

“I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved and who has loved me.” He finished the coffee, set the cup on the table, and drew in a breath. “I’m not going to let it happen again.”

Whether that meant not letting himself fall in love or breaking the bridle, he wasn’t sure. As Lynck’s song played in his mind, both seemed impossible.

twenty-one

Lynck listened as Rox ran through scales on the piano. He’d only just made it to the shop before closing, and he was still in his navy blue work pants and T-shirt, both of which appeared to have a dark stain on them. He had apologized for being so scruffy, but because his boss had gone away for the week, he had to do everything.

This week his nail polish was the same green as in Lynck’s hair, which Lynck didn’t think was an accident. Not that he was going to say anything. And while Rox’s fingers were lighter on the keys, he was frowning more.

Thursten had told him Rox had come in last night at closing even though Lynck wasn’t working in the coffee shop because he was teaching.

Rox stopped playing and pulled his phone out of a pocket in his pants. “I listened to the song you composed a few times this week…can I play you something?”

Lynck swept the last of the crumbs into a pile. “I enjoy listening to whatever you play.”

He much preferred live music to recordings for the simple reason the song changed depending on the mood of the performer and with each performance. One day, he wanted togo to a big stadium concert. He could only imagine what it would feel like to stand in a crowd of thousands, all listening to the same music. And while he’d watched recordings of live performances, it wasn’t the same. The heart was missing.

Rox fiddled with his phone and set it up on the music stand. “Bear in mind, I haven’t written anything down, and unlike you, I can’t remember every note. So if I fuck up, I’m not trying to ruin your song.”

Before Lynck said anything, Rox pressed play on his phone. There was a small silence, and then the recording Rox made played.

Rox’s foot tapped, keeping count, and then he began to play, adding piano chords to the song as if he understood what Lynck had been trying to achieve. As if he understood the song was meant to be played by two, or at least created by two. He got about halfway before stopping. He stopped the recording and slowly turned to face him.

“That’s as far as I got because the next bit quickens and shifts up an octave, and I haven’t figured out what goes with that yet. You’re very quiet. Do you not like it?”

Lynck was quiet, not because he didn’t like it but because it was perfect.

Rox was perfect.

“Lynck?” His eyebrows lifted.

“That sounded amazing. I’ve never heard kelpie music accompanied by a piano.” He walked over and swept Rox into his arms, dropping a light kiss on his lips before swinging him around like he’d done when they’d danced in the lounge room.

Rox wrapped his arms around Lynck’s neck. “I’m glad you like it. I will figure out the rest.”

“We can figure out the end of the song together.” He brushed his nose against Rox’s, needing to believe they would finish it and that they’d be able to play it for the rest of their lives.

How long did they have?

He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life waiting for Bothvar to show up and ruin everything. Before he met Rox, it had been a fear that had lurked in the shadows, but now he had someone to live for. Now he had a life, and the fear was out in the open. For the first time in a very long time, he had something to lose.

He had someone he feared hurting.

If Bothvar found out about Rox, he’d order his death to punish Lynck for getting close to someone. For daring to think of something other than his next order. It was too much to hope that Bothvar would kill him. That was far too quick.

He set Rox on the ground but held him close.

“I know why you played me the unfinished song and what it means,” Rox murmured.

Lynck nodded, unable to deny the truth but not wanting to admit it either. “I didn’t want you to think it was too much.”

“It’s not. No one has ever done something like that for me. You need to tell me how to kill a frost giant.”

Lynck released him and stepped back. “It will not be a frost giant you will be fighting. It will be me.”

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