Page 17 of The Prince and the Highwayman
CHAPTER5
Dash swung the axe one more time and then set it aside. As Dash stacked the split logs against the side of the porch, Renn came out the back door and looked over at him. Dash nodded and continued stacking before wiping his brow with a towel and sitting on the edge of the porch. “Feeling better?” Dash asked.
“Very much so,” Renn said, coming over and sitting a few feet away from Dash. “It looked far worse than it was when I arrived this morning. The heat of the sun and the blood loss made me dizzy. I should’ve stopped down the road to drink some water and catch my breath, but I was ready to be here.”
“To see your brother? Or your mate?”
Renn gazed off to the horizon. “Both.”
“They’re both happy to have you back with them.”
“I know.” Renn looked over at him. “Christopher seems much happier than the last time I saw him.”
“I hope that’s partially because of me, but I think a lot of it’s having you here.”
“Part of it is about me, but I think it’s mostly you.”
“You aren’t threatening me. Can I assume you don’t object?”
“I was wary at first, but after I’m around someone long enough, I can read them, in a way, through their vibrations.”
“You’ve judged my vibrations to be good?”
“They’re strong, and there’s no deceit in them. Whatever you were before, you’re steadfast and true to what you are now.”
“What I am now is Christopher’s mate. That defines me.”
Renn came close to smiling as he said, “I can tell. Your vibrations are in harmony with his.”
“Are they?”
Renn nodded. “There’s still some turmoil in him, but I’d say it’s because he’s feelings things he’s never felt before.”
“Then we have your blessing?”
“You don’t need it, but yes, you do have it.”
Dash chuckled. “Christopher said you wanted him to remind me you’ve ripped men apart for hurting him.”
“I did, but I see now I don’t need to worry. I was surprised to find him with a mate in tow, but part of me is glad to see that he has someone he can truly rely on.”
“He can. I’d do anything for him.”
“Have you declared yourself? Made a claim?”
“I’ve told him I love him and made it clear that I won’t go away unless he says he doesn’t return my feelings.” Dash looked back to the cottage a moment before saying, “He hasn’t said he loves me, but I don’t expect him to. Not yet.”
“I doubt you’ll wait long. He’s a very loving person. His heart won’t be far behind his body when it comes to accepting you as his.”
Dash actually felt his cheeks heat a little. He’d never discussed his sex life with any of his partner’s family members before. He’d never been with anyone long enough to even meet any family members before now. “Since we’re talking so openly, may I ask something?”
Renn eyed him a moment. “You may ask. I’ll answer if I can.”
“You’ve known Simon for three years?”
Renn stiffened, but then he nodded, holding Dash’s gaze.
“The brief time I had to spend away from Christopher made me miserable. How have you been able to be parted from Simon? Why haven’t you claimed him?”
