“No one is searching for me, but I appreciate the protection all the same.”
The only man who could be coming after me is our common enemy. Pyke is no match for Rhydian. I no longer feel fear when I think of the man who’s been lusting after me for a decade.
Rhydian will keep me safe. Once the other villagers learn of Pyke’s treachery, I have no doubt they’ll want to inflict their own punishments on him.
I step back from the door and gesture towards the bed.
“Sit,” I command. “I need to ask you something.”
Rhydian raises a brow but does as I ask. His bare feet echo across the floor. The bed sinks under his impressive weight. Crossing his arms over his chest, I watch his biceps bulge.
His stomach muscles flex as he keeps himself upright on the mattress.
“Rhydian, do you collect a monthly tithe from all the villagers of Dew Hollow? One that, if they can’t afford to pay, you burn down their homes.”
His eyes go wide. Part of me fears they may burst from his skull. He launches to his feet. The tips of his horns brush the ceiling as he shakes his head. Confusion and anguish mar his features.
“No.” His voice is choked. “N—no, of course not. I’ve never been to Dew Hollow.”
I nod, giving him a small smile.
“That’s what I thought.” I touch his forearm. His skin is soft like velvet. “We’ve been told lies about you.”
His eyes are transfixed on where I touch him. Rhydian plucks my hand from his skin and skims his thumbs over my knuckles. I shiver at his touch.
The ache between my thighs pounds with intensity. I marvel at the size differences of our hands. Stepping closer, I absorb the warmth seeping from his body.
Rhydian releases a shuddering breath.
The emotions clouding his gaze are easy to decipher. What’s important to me is for him to understand that I know these tales of his cruelty are lies. There is only one male to blame for the deception.
“A man in our village, Pyke, collects gold and other provisions from us monthly. He says it is payment for our protection—one that’s always been collected. Those who can’t afford the tithes have their homes burned down in the middle of the night. Forced to flee and start over with nothing.”
A low growl emanates from his chest. His hands tighten on mine as he pulls me closer. I have to lean back to keep our eyes locked.
“I’d never do something like that.” Rhydian’s eyes blaze with fire as he nods towards the living room. “Does this cottage look like that of a male’s collecting monthly riches?”
I chuckle softly as I squeeze his hands, hoping to alleviate some of the tension threading between us.
“I thought the same thing the moment I arrived,” I say. “Pyke is more horrible than I originally thought. Lying to us about you—taking our money. He’s pure evil.”
The callouses on his fingers scrape against my wrists. Our bodies are nearly touching as I crowd closer. His scent invades my lungs with its masculine decadence. I want to trace the grooves of his chest with my tongue and feel every hard inch against me.
“And you came here. Thinking I was this horrible monster.” He shudders. “Capable of killing those who didn’t comply. I can only hope you don’t still harbor those ill feelings towards me.”
“Of course, I don’t,” I breathe. “I knew the type of male you were the moment you healed me. Our time together has been brief, and you are many things, Rhydian, but you aren’t a monster.”
Gratitude swims in his eyes as his large hands continue to trace my bare skin. I’m sure we make quite the picture. My head barely reaches the center of his chest.
Dark hair blows in front of my eyes. Rhydian tucks a strand behind my ear and gently caresses the shell. His touches are shy, unsure.
I lean into him, showing him without words that he can touch me however much he wants to. I welcome it just as I welcome him. I don’t want this to be goodbye. With the truth laid bare, there is a way forward, but I’m not sure he’s going to like it.
“Come back to Dew Hollow with me,” I say in a rush. “If the villagers are able to talk to you—hear your testimony—they’ll have no choice but to believe the truth about Pyke.”
Silence descends all around us. I wish I could pull the words back.
The longing in his eyes frosts over. He drops my hand. I feel the loss of our connection like a physical blow. His fingers diginto the sides of his cotton pants. Anger twists his features as his nostrils flare.
