Page 44 of Hold my Reins

This was about the bridle, but it wasn’t his place to say anything, so he bit his tongue.

Thursten stared at him. “Distracted…”

Rox concentrated on the coffee. Lynck didn’t want him to say anything because he thought the end was inevitable, and there was nothing they could do except die if they intervened if…when…Bothvar showed up.

Thursten grunted. “Did you know kelpies compose a mating song?”

Rox glanced up. “A what?”

“Something for their partner. It’s said they hear the song in their heart, and it grows until they must let the music out. I heard him playing something different this week. A new song, not one of his traditional kelpie tunes.”

Rox raked his teeth over his lower lip. Had Lynck played him their mating song? “And what does that mean?”

Thursten smiled and shrugged. “It means they have found their soulmate…if you believe the rumors.” He took a sip of his coffee, his gaze on Rox.

Rox seized the opening. “What other rumors are there about kelpies?”

Thursten scooped up some cereal and chewed while he considered Rox. Rox cradled his cup of coffee. He’d known the song was special, but he hadn’t realized how special. And Lynck had played their mating song for him before it was ready because he didn’t expect to finish it. His heart squeezed a little too tight, which made breathing hard. Everything hurt. Once again, his world was falling apart.

“That kelpies can always find the fish and gold. They are master goldsmiths and musicians. But if you cross one, do not expect to live as they will kill without blinking.”

Rox forced himself to take a drink of his coffee, willing it to make him feel better. “So what you’re telling me is any breakup will be messy?”

Thursten laughed and shook his head. “No, I’m warning you that whoever holds the kelpie’s reins holds his heart.”

Rox swallowed and licked his lower lip. “I don’t understand.”

Thursten held his gaze and lowered his voice. “I think you do.”

“You know about the…” Rox touched his throat, unable to say the word aloud.

“I’ve seen chain and know what it is, but we have never discussed it or who holds the reins.”

Rox leaned forward. “Do you know how to break it?”

“I do not. But while he wears it, he can never be yours, no matter what his heart craves.”

“You aren’t worried about what might happen?”

“Monsters choose to come to the human world for different reasons. I can guess at his, and I do not blame him for wanting to be free.” Thursten finished his coffee and stood. “And I am not the one he is crafting songs for.”

“So I should be worried?” His mind was moving too slowly to grab hold of the things Thursten wasn’t saying.

“I didn’t say that either. But before this goes further, you need to consider if you can love a man who is controlled by another and who will betray you when ordered?”

“And what if I knew who held the reins?”

“That information is only useful if you are prepared to kill the holder.” Thursten gave him a slow once-over. “You are not a killer.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” What was the point in telling him about the kelpie song?

“Pray that whoever holds his reins never steps through the portal.”

Rox snorted. So many people had offered to pray for his mother, but few had offered a hand to help. They acted as though a few whispered words on their knees were worth more than cooking a meal or driving her to an appointment or anything that might’ve been actually useful while they struggled. He had no time for people who offered words and wishes with no work to back them up. “Praying is fucking useless, and I won’t waste my breath.”

The coffee soured in his stomach.

“Then make the most of the time you have because if the holder of the reins arrives, he will not be the man you love.”

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