Legendary Loves Volume 2

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I jerk. “What?” A Pegasus? I’ve never met a Pegasus in the flesh before, not even in their human skin, at least as far as I’m aware. They are recluses and keep to themselves, which is understandable considering humans used to hunt them back in the day before we learned what they really were. Hunting and killing Pegasi is strictly forbidden by decree of the Maidens, but I can’t say I blame the race for having a hard time trusting humans again.

“But why did you leave your kin? Surely, it must be risky for you out here all alone. Not everyone is honest and abides by the laws of the Maidens.”

“Ah, but therein lies the problem. I come from a pure and long bloodline of Pegasi but cannot transform. I am forever stuck in my human skin.”

“Is that uncommon?” Most of what I know of Pegasi comes from old stories and legends that have been told and retold over such a time it’s impossible to know what’s true and what’s not, and I have no way of knowing if it’s a common occurrence.

“Yes. It has never happened to anyone in my family before. I am the only one who cannot transform into my Pegasus shape.”

I lay my hand over his; mine covering his completely. “That must be very difficult for you.”

He stares at our hands and I withdraw, worried I have committed an impropriety by touching him without invitation, but he keeps looking at his hand as though he’s trying to ascertain whether my touch left a mark or not.

“Yes,” he rasps, and takes my hand. He pulls it closer and runs his fingertips over the back of my hand, making the hairs of my arms stand up. “It has been very difficult. At first, when I did not transform at five, as is common, my parents did not do anything about it. Some young have been later in their development but caught up eventually. When I still had not transformed at ten, the tests started.”

“Tests?”

“An army of healers, trying to figure out what ails me. One outrageous theory after another over the years regarding how to stimulate my transformation. If you can think it up, I have been subjected to it. Everything from pain to pleasure. When I turned five-and-twenty earlier this year, I refused to partake in more tests.”

I draw a shaky breath and rub my ear. “Pain? They hurt you?”

Vinge nods. “The family healer theorized that a trauma would trigger the transformation. So I was poked and prodded with sharp, pointy sticks, whipped—”

I wince; I don’t want to hear anymore.

“—and beaten until my mother finally stopped the treatment. I do not dare to think what the next course of action would have been, but I am certain it would have been torturous.”

His words fall from his mouth like a waterfall, as though he opened the floodgates and is now unable to stop himself.

“Even more absurd was when they started parading attractive women in front of me, hoping desire would spur the transformation. When they realized I am completely uninterested in women, they found willing young men instead. They even had men in their Pegasus forms try to entice me.

I choke and sputter. “What?”

“I had the same reaction as you. Pegasi never engage in s****l acts when only one of them is transformed. If both are in their Pegasi forms, yes, but one in human skin and the other in Pegasus skin is unheard of and, frankly, revolting.” The corners of his mouth turn down, and he shudders. “I cannot fathom what they were thinking,” he grinds out between clenched teeth.

The hand holding mine squeezes hard, and I try to keep from cringing. He’s strong, and if my hand hadn’t been much bigger than his, his grip would surely crush me. “I understand why you need to get away,” I say. “And my offer is genuine; you are welcome to stay here and recuperate.”

He relaxes his grip, swipes his thumb over the back of my hand, then withdraws. “And there is no wife who will object to the offer?”

I shake my head. “No husband. No one. I have lived alone since my father died.”

Something sparkles to life in his eyes and he lets his gaze travel over me, from my face and as far down as he can see before the table hides the rest of my body. “No husband, you say?”

The spark in his eyes sends a tickle down my spine, so I stand, walk slowly and deliberately to the fire, and feed more wood to the flames, giving him a chance to properly look at me.

I’m used to being watched by both men and women. I’m tall, towering over most people, including Vinge. Constantly being in the forest and moving around has made my shoulders broad, my arms strong, my hips narrow, and my thighs thick. Many have complimented my ass—it’s round and firm—and my hair is shiny and healthy. I have been told my blue eyes rival the clearness of a summer sky—even more since my age has started to leave fine lines around them—and that the stubble on my cheeks makes me a man’s man.

I don’t pay attention to what people think about me. I like my body because it’s strong and healthy and bends to my will, which is all that matters. Beyond that…I am who I am, and nothing can be done about it. Not that I would want to change anything even if I could.

I turn away from the hearth and pick up the teapot on the way to the table. With every step, I can feel his gaze on me, sweeping over my chest, down my belly, lingering on my thighs and my crotch. He’s blatant and does nothing to hide his regard.

Yes, I’m used to being watched, but never like this. It’s different when I can feel his heart beating next to mine in my chest, and his breath as though we were on the bed with limbs entwined and his mouth next to my ear, instead of across the table from each other.

Then he averts his eyes—and I can breathe easier again—and nods. “I accept your generous offer to stay. You do the Maidens proud.”

“Consider my home yours for however long you need it.”

We finish the tea in silence, both of us avoiding looking at each other as though we need a reprieve from the intensity. I want to ask about this…thing…happening between us—is it common among Pegasi?—but it’ll have to wait. Restlessness builds in my body and I need to go outside, to move and breathe in the fresh air. I’m not used to being cooped up during the day.

So I stand and put away my tea bowl. “I will search for your things.”

He stands, too. “I will accompany you.”

I hold up a hand. “No, please stay. You are not yet fully recovered from the fever. Rest. Sleep, if you will. Make sure the fire does not die, and if you want something but soup to eat, help yourself to whatever is down here.” I lift the pelt covering the hatch, reminding him it’s there if he didn’t pay attention when I used it to store the rabbits earlier. He opens his mouth as though he intends to object, but instead, he just nods. He snatches the blanket from my bed and sits in the rocking chair with his legs folded underneath him, drawing the blanket all the way to his chin. “I will,” he says. “I will rest in front of the fire. I thank you for your kindness.”

I pause pulling on my boots and look up at him. “Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“Maybe now that you are to stay with me, we can agree to put aside the bothersome politeness the Maidens apparently require? After all, we can no longer be considered strangers if we live under the same roof.”

He c***s his head, eyes searching mine, but he seems to relax. “I accept. Oxen.”

My name falling from his mouth startles me. Everyone around here calls me Hunter, no one uses my given name and I never tell it to anyone. But of course Vinge would know it, just like I knew his name without him telling me.

“Vinge.” I give him a friendly smile, pull on the rest of my outer garments, and exit the cabin, confused but intrigued by this unexplained connection between us, and eager to learn more.