“Really bad,” I confirmed. “He didn’t go into details, but I got the impression that the few times he’s tried to socialize with humans, it hasn’t ended well.”
“That sucks,” Brenda said bluntly. “But I get it. It’s hard enough putting yourself out there romantically without adding ‘mythological creature’ to the mix.”
“Exactly,” I said, relieved that she understood. “I’m not pushing him on it. I think just having one person he can be himself with is a big step for him.”
“And what about your family?” she asked carefully. “Are you planning to tell them about him?”
The question sent a small jolt of anxiety through me. My parents were liberal, open-minded people, but this would be a lot for anyone to process.
“Eventually,” I said. “But not yet. We’re still figuring this out ourselves. I don’t want to overwhelm him with family introductions when we’re just starting to explore what we have together.”
“Smart,” she approved. “Take it slow. Build trust. All the relationship advice columns say the same thing, monster boyfriend or not.”
I laughed, grateful for her ability to normalize even the most unusual situations. “Thanks, Brenda. For understanding. For not thinking I’ve lost my mind.”
“Oh, I definitely think you’ve lost your mind,” she teased. “But in the best possible way.” Her expression softened. “Seriouslythough, Clara. I’m happy for you. Anyone who makes you glow like this is all right in my book, horns and all.”
The warmth of her acceptance washed over me, solidifying my own feelings. Sharing this secret—speaking it aloud, having it validated by someone I trusted—made it more real somehow. Not just a dream or a fantasy, but my actual life.
I was dating a minotaur. An incredible, gentle, brilliant minotaur who looked at me like I was something precious and kissed me like I was something necessary.
The library’s front door chimed, signaling the arrival of our first patron of the day. Brenda glanced at her watch and stood up.
“Duty calls,” she said. “But this conversation is not over. I want more details—the G-rated ones, at least—whenever you’re ready to share them.”
I nodded, rising from my chair with a lightness that made me feel as though I might float right up to the ceiling. “Thanks, Brenda. For everything.”
“That’s what friends are for,” she replied with a wink. “Supporting each other through thick and thin, human boyfriends and minotaur boyfriends alike.”
As she headed towards the front desk, I pulled out my phone, unable to resist sending Rion a quick text.
Thinking about you. Last night was amazing. Can’t wait to see you again.
I hesitated, then added a single red heart emoji before hitting send.
His reply came faster than I expected, making my heart leap.
I’ve thought of little else. When are you free next?
No emoji from him, but I could practically hear the warmth in his deep voice. I smiled, typing back:
Tomorrow night? I could come to you this time.
I’d barely set my phone down when it vibrated with his response.
I’ll make dinner. 7pm?
A flutter of anticipation filled my chest. Dinner at Rion’s labyrinth. Another step forward in whatever this was becoming between us.
Perfect. I’ll bring dessert.
This time when I tucked my phone away, I felt a profound sense of rightness settle over me. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be, headed exactly where I was meant to go. The future stretched before me, no longer a series of predictable days in my comfortable but uneventful life, but a landscape of exciting possibilities.
And at the center of it all was Rion—complex, guarded, magnificent Rion—who had somehow found his way into my life through a misdirected text and into my heart through his quiet strength and unexpected gentleness. Whatever challenges lay ahead—Rion’s reluctance to socialize, the inevitable complications of dating someone so different from me, the eventual conversations with my family—they seemed manageable when weighed against the connection we were building.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The day passed in a blur of routine tasks—shelving books, helping patrons, organizing displays—but beneath it all ran a current of anticipation for tomorrow night. Every time I thought of seeing Rion again, of being in his space, of feeling his arms around me, a pleasant shiver ran through me.
