Page 50 of Rauf: Minotaur Mates

I loosened my grip enough that she could take her hand back. She didn’t.

Robin glanced at Teresa. Julia had stopped arguing and was watching her too.

Teresa let out a resigned sigh. “I guess we’re going to the farm.”

16

TERESA

The giant mattress in front of me was where Rauf slept. There was probably room for six humans if we squished in, but tonight it would be all mine.

I assumed.

I had no idea what would happen if Rauf planned to share. No, that was a lie. We’d have sex.

“Are you…?” Was there a polite way to ask a man where he was sleeping when you were taking his bed?

“It’s all yours, for as long as you need,” Rauf said.

There were two little landscape pictures on the wall and a blue bowl full of smooth stones on the dresser. A blanket striped in gold, rust, and blue lay folded across the foot of the bed. I ran my fingers over it. It was soft.

I’d expected plain walls and a place to sleep, probably because that was about as much as Rauf would admit to wanting. I liked it. I wanted to ask where he’d found the pictures and whether he’d chosen the blanket himself.

“What about Robin and Julia?” Three humans in one minotaur-sized bed wouldn’t be a squeeze, but I’d balked at sharing my room with Julia. I’d be lying if I said I was eager to share my bed.

“They’re staying in Nakhil’s quarters, just down the hall.”

“Hopefully we’ll be able to go home soon.” Not that the bride dorm was supposed to be my home. I was supposed to be finding a husband and making a home with him.

I wanted Rauf.

I wanted this to be my home.

Was there some magic combination of words I could say, some magic spell that would get him to agree to a match? I wouldn’t let myself beg; I refused on principle. But what made him so opposed?

I bit my tongue to keep from asking.

I set my bag beside the bed. Rauf glanced at it, then back at me. He was standing in front of his dresser, and I couldn’t quite make myself start unpacking with him there. Putting my underwear away while he watched seemed a little too domestic for either of us.

He took a step toward the door. I reached for my bag, then straightened again when he stopped.

“We’ll have dinner in the kitchen later,” Rauf finally said. “I can come get you, if you need.”

“I think I’ll go check on the goat. Or are you saying I’m not supposed to leave my room without your permission?” I meant it as a joke, but I couldn’t force a smile.

“It’s probably best you don’t leave the property while the investigation is underway. I know you like to wander, but with that man out there, you wouldn’t be safe.”

“Is that an order?” I crossed my arms.

“Does it have to be?”

“Does everyone on the farm have to obey you? Because I think you know well enough by now that I won’t.”

Rauf let out a growl and stomped down the hall without another word. I wasn’t sure if it was a victory for me, though.

I left my bag where it was and went out a few minutes later. There was no sign of Robin or Julia, for which I was grateful. I wasn’t ready to discuss the sleeping arrangements, especially with Julia, and I wasn’t sure I could keep my irritation out of my voice if she asked.

By the time I reached the barn, I was looking forward to seeing someone who would actually be happy to have me there. Goataro was on his feet in his pen, and when I called his name, he bounded toward me with a little sideways hop.