Thankfully, Orian hadn’t ‘guarded’ me for long. Not that I was opposed to having his sunny aura hovering around me, but having him act as my shadow in the nook felt awkward and unnecessary. Still, I would have let him hang around if it relieved him of the alternative. Almost as soon as we’d crossed the threshold of the palace’s side door, he’d been cornered by his father’s flustered steward, who’d told him of the king’s impatience and the demand for his presence. It was either a matter of great importance, or the steward was working on commission, as Orian barely had the chance to express his apologies before he was herded away. He’d scowled coldly at the goblin, earning himself a second longer to dip his head toward me before turning on his heel to leave, though he’d seemed reluctant to do so. I couldn’t exactly blame him.

His father was a dick.

I sank further into my seat, picking up from the chapter I’d left off yesterday. Apparently, a minotaur’s cum was some of the most potent among supernatural creatures. So potent, in fact, that even swallowing it could result in pregnancy. How is that possible, you ask? I didn’t have a clue because I hadn’t reached that part yet, but it was this sort of information that made me eternally grateful for the hoard of knowledge at my fingertips.

Anyone who said they’d never been curious about the mechanics of minotaur spunk was a liar.

The hours ticked by too quickly. The tome was pretty hefty, I had to admit. How one species could have so many customs was beyond me, and it wasn’t until I was near the end of the book, on the section outlining the physical characteristics of a full-grown minotaur bull in rut, that I sensed a familiar presence approaching. There was a woodsy scent growing stronger in my nose, and the patter of footsteps, faster than their typical gait, echoed in my ears. I couldn’t help but grin.

Someone was eager to see me today, it seemed.

Slowly, I looked up at the doorway, a witty remark ready on my tongue, but the sight of him made the words evaporate. My mate strode into the room, his breathing slightly elevated and a smile on his face that suggested he had exciting news.

My heart thudded in my chest.

“What is it?” I lowered my book, slipping a bookmark between the pages without taking my eyes from his.

“My heart,” he said, extending his hand for mine, noticeably satisfied when I took it without hesitation. I already had a hunch about what he was going to say.

I still held my breath.

“I found something.”

Chapter Two

CAIR