16. Solon

16

SOLON

Solon couldn't believe she was giving him a chance. Especially after the horror story she'd told him of her last relationship.

Part of him was still horrified—he didn't want to believe that a male—any male—was capable of treating a female with such cruelty. And Abbey had told him that wasn't even the only attack she'd endured! She had spoken of another incident when she was younger that she "didn't think about anymore." Well, whether she thought of it or not, Solon was certain it was still affecting her emotionally.

As a Monstrum warrior, the very idea of hurting or forcing a female sexually was anathema to him. It left him feeling sick and shaken and more convinced than ever that human males were no damn good.

He left Abbey in his sleeping chamber with two more fresh towels, one of his clean uniform shirts, and the promise that he would give her complete privacy unless she called for him.

He shut the door behind him and went to start making the T'sane brew. It was made with dried T'sane sweet nettles and he had always found it soothing. As he worked in the food-prep area, his thoughts were still on his future bride.

Abbey reminded him of a small, wounded animal—one in need of protection and healing. The desire to avenge her burned in his heart but he sensed that wasn't what she needed the most.

Please Goddess, he prayed silently. Let me give Abbey what she needs. Let me be the one to heal and protect her. Let me earn her trust.

Just then he heard her soft voice calling him.

"Solon? I'm changed."

He went swiftly to the door of the sleeping chamber.

"Are you ready for me to open the door?" he called.

"Yes—please let me out."

He did so at once and sucked in a breath at the gorgeous sight of Abbey standing there wearing just his uniform shirt. The dark blue color suited her beautifully. The silky material clung to her curves and fell to her mid-thighs, showing lovely bare legs below the hem.

One thing Solon found alluring about human females was their smooth, silky skin. He himself was covered in a short, dense golden pelt—the idea of having no fur in the way and all that bare skin was extremely erotic. He couldn't help looking at her bare legs and wondering what her smooth, silky skin would feel like against his palms.

She had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, which were far too long on her, and buttoned all the buttons but the very top one so that there wasn't even a hint of cleavage. Solon could tell she was trying to be modest and he did his best not to look at the sharp little points of her nipples poking through the silky fabric of his shirt. Her hair was still damp around her shoulders—it fell to the small of her back in dark brown waves.

"Come with me," he told her, holding out an elbow for her again. "Let's have some T'sane brew and relax—then we can talk about what to have for Last Meal or ‘supper' as I believe you humans call it."

"All right. But first, could you please show me where everything in your bathroom is? I, uh, still need to use it."

She sounded embarrassed at the admission and Solon remembered again what he'd heard about human women being secretive of their fresher habits.

"Of course," he said. "Come with me and I'll give you a complete tour of the fresher. And this time I promise the bathing pool is covered so you can't fall in."

"Thank you." She took his elbow with more confidence this time and let him lead her.

Solon felt his heart swell once more but he told himself to be cautious. He was going to have to take things slowly if he wanted to earn her trust. And there was nothing he wanted more in the entire universe at this moment than for his fated mate to trust him.