Moisture brims in his eyes.
“And he was betrayed by someone he showed kindness to. I’ve been living in his shadow ever since. Too afraid to leave for nearly three decades. The stranger who cut him down stole my freedom with the same deadly blow. I’ve been too much of a coward to seek vengeance.”
“Oh Rhydian.” I nuzzle into his chest. “I’m so sorry. It’s not your fault. None of it.”
He holds me tightly. I wrap my arms around him as if I can chase away his lingering fear. In his solitude, Rhydian hasallowed the darkness to fester. He had no one help him through his grief. Instead, he kept to this cottage as if it were his waking tomb.
“Do you know who killed him?”
Rhydian shakes his head.
“No one from Dew Hollow. He was a trader from a northern province. Came here to peddle his wares. My father hadn’t been well received in your village even when operating as their protector. He had been thrilled to have a visitor, and his guard had been lowered.”
Rhydian trembles, his voice breaking on every word.
“I was barely thirteen. I hid under this table as my father lay dying by the door. The man found me. Said if I ever left the meadow and told anyone about him, he’d come back and do the same to me.” A lone tear courses down his cheek. “I grew stronger over the years, but so did my fear. I twisted him into a figure of immense power instead of the opportunistic human he was. He haunts my nightmares. Keeps me bound here with his threat.”
Kissing his soft brow, I tuck his head under my chin.
He burrows into my chest in search of comfort. I rock him gently in my arms, absorbing his sad tale. How awful. To lose both parents at such a young age. My mother died while having me, but my father had always been at my side.
I can’t begin to comprehend the years he’s lost to his grief. To the fear this stranger caused him. Anger at the man who murdered his father and threatened a young Rhydian with the same fate pounds through me.
Despite my assurances to Rhydian of the good-natured people of Dew Hollow, I’ve never heard of them being welcoming to our Minotaur Lord. If his father was ostracized, no wonder he is so resistant to joining me. If they will not accept him for the kind male he is, then we won’t stay.
He means more to me than any of them.
“Rhydian, you have nothing to fear.” I shift my fingers through his hair. “Pyke is an even bigger bastard for making us think so ill of you. We have all lived under assumptions for far too long. Hiding from the truth.”
Pulling back to meet his eyes, I bite my lip.
“I want to give you some ofmytruth.”
Rhydian’s dark eyes glow. With a steadying breath, I summon my courage. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. This male has had his fingers and tongue inside me. Yet, what I’m about to say feels far more intimate than physical. It’s a bearing of my soul.
“I like you, Rhydian. A lot.” I trace the harsh line of his jaw. “I like you more than anyone I’ve ever met. You are kind and quiet and thoughtful. Caring. Handsome, too.”
“Handsome?” Rhydian sketches a brow. “Are you sure you didn't hit your head when you fell?”
I smack at his chest.
“Youarehandsome. The most handsome male I’ve ever seen.” My eyes are gentle on his face. “I’m sure some would think me foolish—rash—but there is no sense in denying what I already know to be true.”
“Which is?”
Rhydian’s voice is rough as he trails his thumbs along my hips. I rock against him. My ache to feel him inside me flaring to life.
“Not only do I want you to be my first time and come back to Dew Hollow with me, but I want you to bemine.” I swallow thickly. “I understand your hesitation more so now, but if they don’t accept you, then I want you to know that I choose to be with you wherever that is. I want us to be together, to be a family. To belong to each other. Forever.”
My confession lies between us.
Rhydian blinks up at me. Shock carves his strong features. Several times his mouth opens and closes as if he doesn’t know what to say. He can’t be surprised. He is what I want, and I’ll do anything I have to in order to keep him with me.
I care for him, I lo?—
“I want that too,” Rhydian growls. “I want you, Bloom. Forever. It is fast, but my heart recognizes yours. We were always meant to meet—to be together and never part.”
His hand drifts to my stomach and presses gently.
