Page 147 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“Of course—you always take it this way.”

“I know.” Terra looked down into the cup, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “I just didn’t think you’d remember.”

“I remember many things about you, Terra,” he rumbled.

The words were simple, and he didn’t say them suggestively or as a reminder of their old relationship. Somehow that made them affect her more.

Terra took another sip, buying herself a moment to get her emotions under control, then placed the mug carefully on the table.

“How did you know?” she asked. “How did you know where they were? How did you know to come get them?”

Taurex’s golden eyes grew serious.

“The Goddess told me.”

Terra stared at him.

“The Goddess?”

He nodded.

“Yes.”

Her eyebrows shot upward.

“You mean your actual Goddess? The one the Monstrum and Kindred all worship?”

He nodded again.

“The same.”

Terra waited for him to smile or indicate that he was exaggerating, but Taurex looked completely serious. She’d had a thought that maybe the Goddess or some kind of deity had been responsible for telling him her children were in trouble, but she hadn’t seriously considered it a valid idea.

“She talks to you?” she asked at last.

“The Goddess speaks to her people,” he said seriously. “Usually during periods of dire need or distress. It is not common for a warrior to receive Her direct attention, but it does occur.”

“And she just…showed up and told you my kids were in trouble?” Terra asked.

Taurex nodded again.

“I was returning from Valeria Prime when I felt Her presence. She told me the younglings of the mate She had chosen for me were in grave danger.”

Mate—that’s right—I’m supposed to be his fated mate, she remembered.

Terra felt herself tense automatically, but Taurex made no move toward her. He didn’t even seem to notice the reaction.

“What did you say to her?” she asked carefully.

“I asked where to find them, of course,” he said.

That answer was so immediate and matter of fact that Terra wasn’t sure what to say.

“You didn’t ask why she was sending you when I…when we…” She swallowed. “When things ended the way they did?”

Taurex’s gaze dropped briefly.

“I mentioned that you did not wish to be my mate.”