Page 18 of The Prince and the Highwayman
“It’s very private, and Simon should be the first to know. What I can say is I want him to know everything about me before he commits himself to me and lets me claim him.”
“Too late, I’d say, on at least one count. He’s committed. He loves you, and he’d follow you anywhere. Do anything with you and for you.”
“Christopher turned away when he found out you were a highwayman, didn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“This matter isn’t as simple as that. You can stop being a highwayman. My … issue … is something I could never change about myself, and it’s something Simon must know before I can claim him properly.”
Dash blinked at the other man, wondering what this secret could be. “Does it pose a danger to any of us?”
Renn’s expression proved unreadable. “No. If I revealed it to you, you’d understand everything instantly, but it is very personal, so my mate must be told before anyone else. In fact, I’d prefer no one but him ever know about it.” He angled his body toward Dash. “Can you trust me?”
“For Christopher’s sake, yes. Your love life is none of my business, but Christopher worries about you two. He wants to see you happy.”
“All will be well soon. I keep telling myself Vena would not bind me to a man who couldn’t accept me.” He looked to the horizon again. “I think I’ll tell him tomorrow after you two leave.”
Dash nodded, remembering what Christopher had told him earlier. “You’re certain you want us to go ahead without you?”
“Yes. I’ll send letters with Christopher, and Simon and I need to make a couple of stops. I want our people there to begin working as soon as possible so everything will be ready when I arrive in Silvar.” Renn sighed and smiled. “It isn’t likely to be a thrilling revolution, but I think it could be the start of big changes. Perhaps we may get an entire paragraph in the history books.”
Curious about how Renn would react to a little teasing, Dash said, “You sure you don’t want to storm the castle and rain fire down on it? I wouldn’t object to you eating Edgar and Jothen.”
Renn’s smile faded. “You know them?”
“I know of them. Never set eyes on them but I’d like to string them both up for their cruelty to Christopher. He downplays it, but Simon has told me things. Things that make me furious.”
“I have friends who’ve told me of it. I promised Christopher he would never have to fear them in any way once I came here to stay. He made me swear I wouldn’t kill them. He has a tender heart, and it saddens him his brothers and parents don’t want his love. That they don’t seem to love him.”
“There’ll be plenty of love in his life.”
Renn pushed to his feet, touching his stomach briefly but looking strong enough. Dash knew little about dragon shifters, but they were supposed to possess healing powers. Renn’s alpha status couldn’t be denied, and Dash felt sure even non-shifters could sense it. Strength radiated off Renn, and Dash believed the man would be fine in a day or two, if not sooner.
“I’m glad of that.” Renn held Dash’s gaze. “I feel better knowing he has a mate to protect him.”
“I’ll protect him and care for him in every way I can. In every way he’ll let me and a few he won’t.” He grinned. “I’m stubborn. And persistent.”
“Seems so. A spirit mate is a precious thing. We should visit Vena’s temple together one day to offer up thanks to her.”
“I do it every day. And we have a priest in Gateshead imploring Jalal for us as well.”
Renn nodded slowly. “The exiled god. I think of him every day. He was imprisoned because others feared his power. I’m prepared for the fear that might lead many to reject me. Fight me.”
“I don’t know what will happen, but you aren’t coming with a sword or in a blaze of dragon fire. You’re here to plead your case. They have no logical reason to fear you. Maybe if you plead long enough, people will listen. Perhaps overcome old prejudices and superstitions.”
“All the power is in my father’s hands. He claims he loved my mother, and he says he loves me. I’m on the verge of finding out if those things are true.”
Simon called them in to dinner then, and they went inside, speculation about the future spinning like a cyclone in Dash’s mind. He sat down at the table beside Christopher, and the cyclone stilled. For a time.
* * *
Christopher hugged Renn close, trying his best to avoid his brother’s injury. Renn looked a hundred percent better, but Christopher could still see a hint of discomfort in the other man’s eyes when he moved in certain ways.
“You be careful and let Simon help you,” Christopher said.
Renn smiled down at him. “I doubt I’ll have any choice. Simon’s grown far more assertive since we last saw each other.”
“Perfect mate for a dragon then,” Christopher said pointedly, holding Renn’s gaze.
