Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
G ods were real.
There were doorways between worlds.
Magic and mythological creatures existed.
And so did debts and deals and danger.
Nate gripped the edge of the chariot and tried not to focus on the way Rohan’s body bumped into him with every rock the chariot made. No, it wasn’t Rohan bouncing around; it was him because he couldn’t keep his balance. Rohan had kept his hand on his back on the way out of town, now it seemed he no longer wanted to touch him. Which shouldn’t matter.
Rohan was a minotaur. He shouldn’t want to be touched by him, but he wanted the reassurance of his hand.
Everything was so fucking messed up. He screwed his eyes shut. They might all be lying to him, and how would he know? He knew nothing of magic or doorways.
The chariot bounced, and Nate stumbled, smacking his elbow on the side. He swore, and several things happened at once. Rohan called out, the chariot stopped, and Nate landed on the floor, staring up Rohan’s tunic…again. His vision blurred, and he brushed a couple of stray tears off his face.
“Fuck.” He switched to Tarikian. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be difficult.”
Was Rohan regretting buying his debt already?
The Strega and the prince hadn’t learned anything from him. He was useless.
Rohan squatted and swept his thumb over Nate’s cheek. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” He shook his head, then sighed. He was hurting in his heart, though that wasn’t what Rohan was asking. “My elbow will be fine.”
There was nothing funny about hitting the funny bone. The ache radiated up his arm and made his stomach tight.
The guards talked amongst themselves before one turned. “Your Highness, one of the horses has a stone. I will unhitch and?—”
“We are close. We will walk. See to the horses and chariot.” Rohan stood and offered Nate his hand.
Nate took it and winced. His elbow throbbed. He didn’t want to walk. He wanted to lie in the middle of the road and give up. He’d had a few rough patches in his life, but this was something else, and there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t change jobs, ditch a boyfriend, or work harder or anything…
Rohan helped him down. He nodded at the Strega. “Will I see you at the palace?”
“You will.” She urged her horse on, and Nate watched her leave.
They were on the edges of the town, so it couldn’t be far.
“Come. Perhaps a little walk while we watch the sunset will ease your anger and pain.” Rohan put his hand on Nate’s lower back. “I should not have let you fall.”
“I should have held on better.”
“You had other things on your mind and are not familiar with?—”
“Could you stop being so nice and understanding? I just…” Nate huffed. He didn’t know what he wanted. “I’m sorry. You bought my debt and have given me the language, and I’m being overly dramatic.” That’s what his ex called him. He needed to be buttoned up and in charge of a class five days a week, and at home, all he wanted to do was relax.
“You lost your home for a second time. I am not sure I would cope any better.”
He hated Rohan for being so perfectly logical and sensible and calm. That he was always halfway to smiling…how the fuck did he smile when he had a head like a bull…not that he was an expert in bulls. “I have no doubt that if you walked through a doorway, someone on my side would attack and kill you out of fear. Here, once I put the tunic and cloak on, I looked like I belonged.”
“Perhaps when it is not so raw, you can tell me more about your world and speak English to me so that I might learn.”
“You don’t need to humor me.”
“The Strega believes you are here for that reason.”
“Did she tell you that over lunch?” Nate had sat with a guard while the Strega and Rohan had discussed things just out of earshot. They had both worn serious faces, and soon after, they had packed up for the return trip.
“Amongst other things.”
“Such as?” Nate pressed. If they’d discussed doorways and such, it concerned him.
“Such as things for the rulers of the city, not naughty humans who haven’t learned the rules.” There was that smile again, as if Rohan were thinking of something very different.
Nate was sure he hadn’t misread some of the double meanings, but he couldn’t be certain because while he spoke and understood Tarikian, there must be a hundred small nuances he didn’t comprehend.
“I’m not sure how to respond.”
“How do you want to respond?” Rohan’s smile widened.
How was he supposed to answer that? “Am I misreading your words? Hearing hints where there is nothing else intended?”
“And what are you hearing?” Rohan teased.
Nate shook his head and glanced away. His cheeks heated. Behind them walked a guard who was no doubt watching.
Rohan’s hand slid lower, and his fingers brushed over Nate’s ass cheek. “You hear my intent correctly.”
Nate lifted his bound hands. “And this doesn’t bother you?”
“I will arrange something new so your wrists do not become sore.” Rohan used the rope to lift Nate’s hands to his lips and kissed his knuckles. “I bought your debt, not you. You are free to refuse.”
“You are a prince.”
“That does not grant me free rein over my subjects. I follow the same laws as everyone else. If you do not wish to sleep in my bed, I will have a pallet made up on the floor.”
“And you won’t be upset?”
“You are asking if there will be retribution? No. I will find a purpose for you to repay the debt. Probably in the realm of teaching. There will only be problems if you attempt to flee the city or engage in other illegal activities.”
They rounded a corner and entered a square filled with market stalls. People lowered their heads as Rohan walked by. He smiled and nodded and spoke to a few people. Nate felt as though he was on display, paraded through the market for all to see as if he were the minotaur’s pet.
“I don’t know the rules,” Nate whispered.
“And that is why I am keeping you close.” Rohan gave the rope a tug. “You cannot get into trouble while attached to me or my bed.”
Nate glanced around, worried that someone might overhear. But the markets were noisy, and after acknowledging Rohan’s presence, everyone returned to what they were doing.
“I think you like me tied to your bed.” He hoped the intent came through. That if Rohan insisted on teasing him, he’d tease back.
And hopefully, he wouldn’t get in trouble.
Rohan laughed. “I think you enjoy being there.”
Nate had nothing to say to that because he did. Crossing between worlds had unlocked a door inside of himself that he had only ever peeked through and flung it open. It was not hard to walk through at all.