Free Earth Borne by Rachael Slate Page B

visited every one. As her husband inspected each, the shopkeepers expressed their enthusiasm with beaming smiles. Wherever he went, the men and women gaped at him in admiration.
    Observing him amongst so many other centaurs, the power of Thereus struck Melita anew. His strength was in more than his enormous form. It was in how he carried himself, the set of his shoulders, the gleam in his eye. One did not doubt for an instant that he owned everything around him.
    Yet his manner did not intimidate. He didn’t thrust his power in front of everyone, gloating as they cowered at his feet. Not like my father and Philaeus. She grimaced. Her family absorbed the fears of everyone in their presence, consuming them like nourishment.
    Thereus was magnetic. Whenever he flashed a grin at one of his subjects, they became his. If his charm alone wasn’t enough, he spent several minutes with each of them, perusing their shoppes, scanning their accounts. He praised them heartily, offered his advice, and seemingly made them feel as though he watched over them. That he was indeed their Lord and Master and would care for them.
    Their adoration wrenched at her heart. She ought to be glad, but the claws of jealousy scraped at her skin. She brought them back from ruin. The villagers loved her .
    Who was Thereus, to gallop in and steal their hearts? Including hers?
    She’d been hoping to prove he didn’t belong. Instead, he’d fit in perfectly. How was she to make him retreat when everyone stumbled over themselves to welcome him?
    ***
    This day was perfect . Thereus’s stomach had been in knots at the idea of meeting his subjects, but they fawned over him. He’d never been more at peace anywhere. They were like children, desperate for the attention, the love of their father.
    He’d been sure to offer it, generously. Winning their hearts was effortless. Why in the hell couldn’t he capture Kalliste’s with such ease? He’d expected her to be pleased with how well his subjects received him. Instead, she grew more reserved each time he met a new shopkeeper.
    “Did I do something wrong, my Lady?” They wound toward the edge of the town.
    “No, of course not. I’m sure you’re pleased—”
    “Bloody hell, what have I done wrong?” He halted and spun to face her. “You asked me to see them, and I do .” He growled. What was the cause of her foul mood?
    She shrugged.
    His shoulders dropped in defeat. “Why does this displease you so much?” Why do I displease you so much?
    She shook her head and scoffed, not at him but at herself. “I didn’t think they’d react like this .”
    Finally, a true response. He whistled low. “Like what?”
    “They want you . Every-everyone does.”
    He wasn’t competing with her, though was that what she believed?
    She averted her face, refusing to meet his eyes. Everyone. Including her? A steady grin spread across his lips. She was jealous. “Kalliste, they respect me. They’re loyal. But bloody hell, they adore you.”
    Two could play at this. Leaning in, he purred, “ Everyone does.”
    ***
    Thereus chuckled as he scooped Lucian and tossed him over his back. With the child squealing, he sprinted to the top of a grass-covered hill.
    Melita followed, hoping the cool breeze would calm the heat in her cheeks. She plucked the basket from where Thereus had dropped it, and after spreading out a blanket, she laid out the lunch they’d bought in town. Cheese, freshly baked bread, a few apples and some sweets from Dupon’s. With a conspiratorial glance at Thereus, she hid those under the basket. Their son would devour them in an instant should he stumble upon them.
    Thereus winked back, then tossed Lucian in the air, caught him, and wrestled him to the ground. Each of Lucian’s peals of laughter released the tension in her body and replaced it with warm gratitude. The two of them romping about was almost too perfect. She loved how Thereus played with Lucian. Joy warmed her heart. It was a dangerous