My blood runs cold, but there’s no denying that is what happened. Rhydian isn’t capable of something that cruel. Itmakes sense why he seemed confused when I brought up needing an extension on the tithe.
My father and I, nor anyone else in Dew Hollow, can afford to fatten Pyke’s purse any longer. His scheme will come to an end. I just need to confirm the truth before any more time is wasted.
The soft linen blankets twist around my body. They smell of Rhydian—warm dirt and rich sunshine. I inhale deeply and feel a responding ache bloom to life between my thighs. This is all new to me.
At twenty-seven, I had made peace with never finding a partner. I had resigned myself to the lonely life of a spinster, hoping that the bakery would keep me in a good financial way until I passed.
Meeting Rhydian has changed all that.
It’s foolish and reckless, but my feelings can’t be denied. I want to know more about him, to be in his presence, and to bring him back to Dew Hollow. He has lived alone for too long.
There is more to life. If the people of Dew Hollow could see him the way I do and understand that he, too, is a victim of Pyke’s lies, they would welcome him.
I think of his gentle knock before I fell asleep, asking if I needed something to eat. It’s a heady feeling being taken care of by a male who could so easily snap my neck with the twist of his wrist. He is gentle and compassionate with me.
I wish to soak up every drop of his attention while I can.
He isn’t a human man. Truth be told, I’ve never desired one. They couldn’t give me what I’ve longed for. Protection. Not the way Rhydian can. He is large and capable. The impressive muscles of his abdomen had made my mouth water. He could carry five heavy sacks of flour without breaking a sweat.
It’s because he’s different from everyone I’ve ever met that I like him so much. I want to peel back his layers and learn every secret. To return his yearning stares with ones of my own.
To touch him and have him touch me—to let him see me as no one else has.
My cheeks burn at my wanton thoughts. I throw the blankets off. Daydreaming of Rhydian won’t get me the answers I seek. Once my suspicions are confirmed, then I can consider the feelings stirring between him and I.
For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful for the future. Everything is about to change, and I want Rhydian by my side when they do. It is fast—impulsive—but it’s the truth.
There’s no time for any more lies.
Why deny something just because it’s quick? I’ll want him just as I do now in a month, a year. Time will only increase my need for him.
The loneliness in him is the same kind I recognize in myself.
I had my father, but that was not the companionship I longed for. I wanted someone who was mine. Someone to enjoy a meal with. To turn towards during the cold winter nights. To start and end each day together.
It is possible Rhydian will not be agreeable to the idea. Perhaps he has spent too long in isolation to want to leave the comfortable solace. If that is the case and our time together is drawing short, I need to savor every moment I can.
Flinging my legs over the side of the bed, I land on the floor with a gentle thud. I wait for pain to radiate up my leg, but there is none. I test my ankle and find it healed. Amazing.
Padding towards the door, I pull it open and step into the dim living room illuminated only by dwindling candlelight.
My foot catches on something, and I let out a startled scream. A responding groan echoes from the floor as the figure lurches back. It’s Rhydian. He’s fallen partially into my room through the open door. Rising to his full height, sharp shadows decorate his face.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
Rhydian’s cheeks darken as he rubs the side of his head. His polished black horns glimmer. I take in the red rings around his dark eyes.
I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly very aware that I’m basically naked save for the thin shift that’s tight on my curves.
“Have you not slept?”
Rhydian exhales through his nose.
“I couldn’t. Not with you here. I wanted to make sure no one would get past me if someone came looking for you.”
My heart beats rapidly.
Rubbing my thighs together, delight floods my veins. My nipples harden against the front of my shift. Rhydian’s eyes dip from my face to the low neckline before looking away. I want to pull him back—to demand he look at me forever.
