The scent of earth and damp coming from the dark tunnel is familiar to my muzzle.
—Nymph?—
“Ready when you are.”
“I am safe and calm, spiders cannot hurt me,” the centaur is muttering. I can taste his fear, but ignore that and look into the gloom.
“You got this, Donovan,” Theo tells the horse. “Just concentrate on the fact we’re going to find Wes.” With that, she moves behind me. “Lead the way, Ludo.”
Stepping through the threshold, the world warps, and then nothing surrounds us but familiar black rock walls. My horns brush against the low ceiling.
It’s interesting, this is a new pathway in the labyrinth.
It hadn’t existed when we’d arrived in this realm; I have the schematics of this place imprinted on my soul. The route will circumvent the skeletal beasts in the pit and is a gift from the protector of Avalon.
Suddenly, a whisper of something floats in the air, an invisible touch on my brow, like a benediction.“Keep her safe, minotaur. There is little time.”
I nod a reply; the spirit of the protector already knows my heart and my intent. I felt its energy search my body, as if it were seeking out any impurity in my devotion to Theo.
It found none.
Did the other men feel themselves being weighed by the entity?
For me, this scrutiny has changed everything. The perception I held of myself and where I belong in Theo's world is beginning to crumble.
I am worthy of the role of defender.
Though I still want more. I want a future where I love and protect my nymph with every part of me, a future where I can express my worship with my body.
Bowing at the altar of her core.
To scent her, taste her, mark her, and fill her.
The idea of that honor is almost overwhelming. Heady, throbbing desire beats through the veins of my beast. My bull wants her. My man wants her. Maybe it’s not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.
I’ve never lain with another being, so I can wait decades more. Her safety will always come first. Though the thought of squeezing her breasts, splitting that sweet slit open with my cock…
I let out a forceful snort.
“Ludo? Are you OK?”
—All is well—
It’s a good thing this minotaur form can split its conscious thoughts. Concentrating on the task ahead, I set a pace that will not tire my nymph, but can still have us moving rapidly.
Everyone is silent, lost in their thoughts.
—Very soon at the portal to Earth Realm—
“So soon?” The Nymph is surprised.
—A new path—the protector made it for us—
“Whoa, amazing. Hey, guys, Ludo says we are almost there,” she tells the group.
Yes, almost there.
There. Back to Validus Vale.
