Page 95 of Simon

Rune put his hand on Father’s shoulder. “As you should have been. I would have thrown a bolt of electricity up anyone’s arse, who dared to touch her.”

I smirked while they talked about me. I liked Rune more and more, and eventually, I wouldn’t mind calling him Dad or some sort of parental name in the future. I mean, we were all going to be living for quite some time.

Which brought a new question: how old was Rune?

“Old,” Rune said without missing a beat.

Did he just…?

“Read your mind? Yes. And James will, too, once he gets a handle on his powers, in twenty years or so. I didn’t do it on purpose. You are just very loud.” Rune tugged on his earlobe. “Which is understandable. You have a lot of feelings you have never felt before. Once you are bonded, no longer fully human, you will keep me out better.”

I pursed my lips and looked away, embarrassed. It was true, but it wasn’t my father’s fault I had all these mixed feelings. I’d never connected with another male emotionally or physically.

Father stepped from side to side, squeezing Rune’s hand.

“It wasn’t completely your fault, Father. I didn’t have those desires to be with someone until Simon. I wanted a special connection, one with electricity, desire, curiosity. A normal human man wouldn’t entice me, I don’t think. Then again, you never know if you had allowed me to date. Would I have takenthe chance? I can’t say that for sure. Am I happy with how the things turned out? Absolutely. I feel like I saved myself for the right male, my heart feels full. I feel this is where I am supposed to be. In a place where I can explore, understand a male that invites curiosity, understands my quirks and gives me an opportunity to explore.

I think I have been more afraid and, dare I say, ashamed because Simon is just well—”

“Very different and not human.” My father said, grabbing my hand. He stroked the top of it lovingly, like he did when I was a child before he would put me to sleep by reading those horrible research journals. “My sweet Lucy, how is he any different from the shifters? Take the king of the Cerulean Moon Kingdom. He turns into a beast and even speaks in his animalistic form!” My father threw his hand in the air. “He gives consent, has complicated thoughts, and is able to speak for himself.”

I let out a breath and stepped away. “Yes, I know this. I have thought of this before.”

“You have chosen him already then,” Rune said. “His scent on you confirms it.”

I groaned. “But of course.” I turned back to both of them. “Seeing both of you has made it the last piece I needed. Both of you are happy. I can be happy now. I just don’t know how to solidify it. Shifters have intercourse and bite into the shoulders, warlocks with magic, orcs with their uh.” I swallowed. “Brands. What of Simon and I?”

Rune turned and sat on the chair by Father’s desk. He leaned on it with his elbow and rested his cheek against his fist. “Fauns are close to human and animal. I’d say they are the closest to shifters you could get. I think it would be logical to try the shoulder first. What do you feel when you are intimate with him?”

Father’s face paled, and turned away.

I felt sick, too. This wasn’t something I was willing to talk about in front of both men.

“Come now, James. This is our daughter. We must figure out how to help her claim her happiness as well.”

James shook his head. “You’re right. It’s just hard when you have raised her from a newborn. I don’t want to think of my daughter being—deflowered.”

“Too late,” I whispered, but unfortunately, my father heard.

He hissed through his teeth. “Is that what that smell is? The fresh grass and flowers?” Father sat on Rune’s lap, with his head leaning on Rune’s chest. Rune laughed and wrapped his arms around him.

They were going to be perfect together, and I was glad to see Father with so much more animation than I had ever seen him have before.

“We will figure it out on our own,” I said. “I guess if the gods haven’t willed us to know yet, we are to figure it out.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I am still a little miffed. We don’t know Simon’s origins. I mean, no one in Bergarian has heard of Simon’s species, while on Earth, we have heard tales of fauns from Greek Myths.”

Rune nodded as he listened. “I have spent time on Earth as well. I have heard of the tales. There are many mythical creatures that I have not heard of in this realm such as minotaurs, krakens, and a tale of Medusa. Now that we've found Simon here, I wonder if more unknown people are among us.”

I put my thumb into my mouth and began biting the nail. This is what I was afraid of all along. “You don’t think the Bergarian people have accidentally killed creatures under a spell and didn’t know, do you?” My hand went over my chest. Simon didn’t think it to be true, he was just a goat then.

Rune rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know. It breaks my heart to think that was the case. Surely, the gods wouldn’t allow this to happen.”

“In Greek mythology, though told by humans, they could be vengeful, even hurtful.”

Father nodded in agreement.

Rune pursed his lips and let out a breath. “It is true, and that statement I cannot contest with. However, it is best you keep your voice down, you do not know who may be listening. Many gods are on the humans’ side. They even come down from their Celestial Heavens to give advice to unsuspecting, unbelieving humans who need a good dose of clarity.”

My mouth dropped, and my face heated.

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