14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
I’m Always Yours
Maeve
T he wildlands stretch endlessly around us, all tall grasses and sunbaked stone, until the landscape begins to change.
The hills grow steeper, the trees older and taller, and the path beneath Dakar’s hooves turns to smooth rock, worn by time.
I ride on his back, my arms looped loosely around his shoulders, being careful not to brush the wound still tender beneath the fresh bandage.
He’d reopened the wound last night. And I let him. Again and again, until I could barely breathe. I didn’t even realize he was bleeding until I saw it dripping down to his forearm. I made him sit still while I cleaned and wrapped it properly, even when he tried to distract me with kisses and jokes.
I rest my cheek against the side of his neck as he carries me. My body is still aching in the best way.
Ahead, something rises in the distance. It’s not a castle, exactly, but it looks like one to me.
Great towers carved from the cliffs reach upward, softened at the edges by ivy and moss.
Rope bridges stretch between them, swaying gently in the breeze.
A massive wooden gate stands open, flanked by two towering Minotaurs. They nod at Dakar as we pass.
I squeeze his neck gently, heart fluttering as we cross into his world.
There are people everywhere, Minotaurs and Hucows alike, their voices bubbling with laughter.
Hooves clatter against stone, and somewhere nearby, someone is playing music.
Homes are nestled into the cliffs and trees, some perched high with ladders winding up like vines.
Smoke drifts from chimneys in soft curls, carrying the scent of herbs, firewood, and something I can’t quite name, but already love.
The moment we step into the large courtyard, Dakar sets me down. There's a loud cheer as a group of Minotaur warriors with broad shoulders and curved horns stride toward us. They greet Dakar with heavy claps on the back, rough voices full of affection and respect.
“Commander,” one says, grinning as he takes in the sight of me. “You finally brought her home.”
Dakar only nods, his expression proud as his hand reaches out to grip my waist as he pulls me closer. I duck my head, suddenly shy beneath so many watchful eyes. But then I hear soft gasps, and I glance toward the far side of the courtyard.
There, near a stone well, are several girls, dressed in flowing linen, their hair braided with ribbons and flowers. My heart leaps. Annie waves excitedly, her whole face lighting up, and beside her, a few others beam with warm smiles. They look…happy.
Relief floods through me so quickly that it almost knocks the breath from my lungs.
“Maeve!”
A blur of blonde hair and blue fire barrels toward us. Beatrice.
She stomps up to where we’re standing, and before I can even speak, she hurls a wooden bucket straight at Dakar.
The contents, something white and sticky, maybe milk, splatter across his chest and face with a wet smack.
I gasp, horrified, my hands flying to my mouth. Dakar doesn’t move, only blinks as the liquid drips down his face and soaks into his tunic.
“You brute! You absolute monster !” Beatrice’s voice rings through the courtyard, trembling with rage. “You took her! You stole her, and no one knew if she was alive or dead!”
The whole stronghold falls into a hush. The other Minotaurs stare at their Commander with shock, waiting for him to lash out.
I step forward, heart racing. “Bea, wait! It’s not like that. I’m okay. I’m…I’m happy.”
Beatrice stops in her tracks, breathing hard, eyes wild. Her gaze darts from me to Dakar, and then back again, disbelief written all over her face.
“Happy? Maeve, you were kidnapped! You disappeared! They burned down the village!”
“I know,” I say softly. “But I'm okay, I promise. He would never hurt me.”
Before Beatrice can spit out another word, a shadow moves beside us.
I glance up and, oh. The Minotaur man who steps forward is tall and strong, almost as broad as Dakar.
His skin is smooth and golden, like he spends a lot of time in the sun, and a simple braided leather strap crosses his bare chest. His dark hair is tied back loosely, and his features are handsome.
Not as handsome as my mate, of course. He doesn’t say anything right away, just gives Dakar a firm nod, his amber eyes serious but kind.
He steps between Dakar and Beatrice. He presses a clean cloth into Dakar’s hand and bows his head respectfully.
“It’s good to see you, Chief.”
“Silas,” Dakar grunts in greeting and starts wiping the dripping mess from his horns and face.
Then, in one fluid motion, Silas turns toward Beatrice, who’s gearing up for another outburst, and without even breaking stride, scoops her right off the ground.
“Hey! Put me down, you overgrown ox!” she shrieks, flailing her arms and kicking her feet. “You ape! You halfwit mammoth! Maeve, help me !”
Silas only huffs a dry chuckle, adjusting her over his broad shoulder like she weighs nothing more than a sack of feathers. “You’ll feel better after a walk,” he says, completely unfazed by her tantrum. “And maybe a drink.”
“I’ll scream!” she threatens.
“You already are,” he replies.
And just like that, they disappear down the winding path through the village, Beatrice still wriggling and cursing with flair.
The moment stretches, then shatters with a snort from Dakar. He wipes the last of the milk off his brow and looks down at me with a glimmer of amusement.
“Your friend has fire,” he murmurs.
“She’s going to roast you alive,” I whisper back, half hiding my face in his arm.
He chuckles. “She can try.”
Before I can respond, a soft voice calls my name.
“Maeve!”
I turn just in time for Annie to wrap me in a gentle hug. Her dark curls tickle my cheek, and when I pull back just a little, her big brown eyes are shiny with tears. She looks beautiful.
“I was so scared,” she whispers into my shoulder. “We didn’t know what happened. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Tears sting my eyes as I hug her tighter. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until this moment.
She leans back, giving me a once-over, like she’s making sure I’m really here. Then she looks back in the direction Beatrice was carried off. Her lips press together in a small, understanding smile.
“Bea’s…having a hard time adjusting,” she says gently. “She missed you. We all did. But you're her favorite, you know.”
My chest aches.
“I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I just…everything happened so fast. And now I don’t even know how to explain it.”
Annie squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to explain. We’ll figure it out together.”
I nod, trying to blink back the emotions.
Dakar clears his throat, the scowl on his face softening the moment his eyes find mine. He cups my cheek with a large, warm hand, his thumb brushing a tear from beneath my eye. “Go on, little one,” he murmurs. “Spend time with your friends. Let her show you around.”
“But what about—” I begin, not wanting to leave his side just yet.
He silences me with a kiss, gentle but full of promise. “I’ll find you later. I have matters to speak of with my men.”
My cheeks flush hot as he steps away. Annie giggles softly, slipping her fingers into mine. “Come on. I’ll give you the full tour.”
We barely make it a few steps before the other girls surround us. Cries of my name fill the air, and arms are wrapping around me. Familiar faces, their eyes rimmed with tears. Laughter mixed with sniffles.
“I thought you were gone forever!”
“We were so worried!”
“I told them you’d be okay!”
I laugh and cry all at once, hugging them back as tightly as I can, overwhelmed and full of love.
“You look good,” a girl named Esther says, her eyes twinkling. “And well-mated. Stars above!”
I bite my lip, blushing furiously as they all squeal.
Annie saves me by tugging me away gently. “Let’s give Maeve a chance to breathe, huh?”
Annie links her arm with mine as we stroll through the sun-dappled paths of the stronghold.
She points out everything with a sparkle in her voice, the baker, the seamstress that's stitching by the open window, the blacksmith whose hammer rings like a heartbeat through the village.
It's all so different from Havenmoor. I'm taking it all in when I notice something curious…
She slows as we pass a group of warriors training near a stone circle. One of them, a striking blonde Minotaur with broad shoulders and golden horns, glances our way. His eyes land on Annie, and hers widen. Her cheeks flush pink, and she quickly looks away, tucking a curl behind her ear.
I raise an eyebrow, a smile tugging at my lips. “Annie?”
She clears her throat, a little too quickly. “What?”
“Who was that?”
“No one!” she says, too fast, voice climbing.
My grin widens. “Oh no. That was definitely someone.”
She huffs and starts walking faster, her blush blooming deeper.
I follow with a giggle, my heart lighter than it’s felt in a long, long time.
Dakar finds me after his council and brings me back to his chambers. They’re warm and a little rough around the edges, just like him.
The first thing I notice is the fireplace.
It takes up nearly an entire wall. Thick furs and woven rugs soften the floor, and the bed in the corner is enormous, piled high with blankets and pillows, like it’s waiting to swallow me whole.
Heavy curtains hang around it, and I can imagine pulling them closed and hiding away from the world with him.
I stand just inside the threshold, my hand still curled in his, blinking at the little mountain of gifts spread across the thick rug.
“Oh,” I breathe.
Soft cotton dresses are laid out in shades of cream, sage, and sky blue, each embroidered with delicate floral vines. Shoes too, three whole pairs of buttery leather flats. And ribbons…so many ribbons, all folded in neat little bundles, waiting to be braided into my hair.
“Do you like them?” Dakar’s voice is smug, even as he kicks the heavy door shut behind us with a thump of his hoof. “I had to drag that poor seamstress away from her supper to get your measurements right.”
“I didn’t give you my measurements,” I say, brow furrowing in confusion.
He grins and tugs me closer by my waist. “Didn’t have to. I’ve been gripping these hips for a week straight. I know every inch of you, little one.”
I swat his chest, though I can’t stop the smile curling at my lips.
He watches me with eyes that burn and soften all at once. “You’ve given me a hundred reasons to be proud, Maeve. But the best one?” He lowers his head until our foreheads touch, his breath warm against my skin. “You’re mine. Fully.”
“I was always yours,” I whisper.
His mouth crashes into mine before the words fully leave me. And when he scoops me into his arms, carrying me toward the bed, I don’t feel shy anymore.