11. Rian

11

RIAN

T he weathered pages of the enchanted journal crinkle beneath my fingertips as I trace over Natalie's latest message, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth at her words about monster men. Her elegant script flows across the page, each loop and flourish a window into her innermost thoughts.

I lean back in my worn leather chair, the warm glow of my office’s fireplace dancing across the journal's pages. Natalie's vulnerability and honesty stir something deep within me, a longing I thought I had buried long ago.

It's also starting to erase this new picture I'd created of her in my mind—the image of a selfishly driven businesswoman intent on destroying everything I've built. With each letter, I peel back so many more layers to Natalie. With each letter, I feel that initial spark of attraction to her resurfacing.

She's strong, but also struggling. Confident, yet vulnerable. And despite her reservations, she's trying to keep an open mind about this strange new world she's been thrust into.

I pick up my pen, the nib hovering over the enchanted paper as I ponder my response. How much should I reveal about my own past, my own experiences with love and loss? I want to comfort her, to assure her that she's not alone in feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. If I reveal too much and she guesses who I am… well, she was the one who wanted me to stay anonymous in the first place.

With a steadying breath, I dip my quill into the inkwell and begin to write.

Natalie –

Your openness and honesty never cease to amaze me. I can only imagine how disorienting this whole experience must be for you. To discover you have magical powers, to be separated from your mother, your home, everything familiar... It takes incredible strength to face these challenges head-on as you are doing.

Velda will be a great mentor for you. And who knows? Perhaps you'll even come to enjoy magic.

As for the, ahem, pleasure reading you mentioned... I must confess, it brought a smile to my face. Interspecies relationships are definitely more common here in Elderberry Falls than in the human lands. Folks here tend to follow our hearts, regardless of superficial differences. I myself have not had the pleasure of an interspecies relationship yet, but who knows what the future may hold.

Yes, I was part of a great romantic love story for the ages. She was a true partner, and we followed our dreams of opening a business together and starting a family. Unfortunately, she died while bringing our beautiful child into this world.

Since you have been so candid with me about your struggles, I feel the urge to do the same. Losing my partner was the most awful thing to ever happen to me.

In the depths of my grief, I almost lost sight of everything I’d created, but I needed to stay strong for our child. I needed to be there to parent her twice over, and I didn’t have my family to fall back on during this time. My own parents, although I have a very close relationship with both of them, do not live nearby. Instead, I relied on our neighbors, who became a found family to me.

You’re not planning to stay in Elderberry Falls any longer than you need to, I know. But I hope that while you’re here, you’re able to experience some of that neighborliness yourself.

– Stranger

Setting my pen down, I cradle my head in my hands for a moment. These messages between us are confusing me, leading my heart towards her. My head knows that my primary goal needs to be to convince Natalie to reconsider selling Myrtle’s old storefront to Munchin’ Morsels. The thought of that soulless corporate chain driving the Hungry Minotaur out of business sends a chill through me.

It’s hard to reconcile this new sense I have of Natalie with someone who’d think selling the store to a massive corporation is a good idea.

A plan begins to take shape in my mind. Perhaps it’s time to approach Natalie in person, now that she’s had a chance to settle into Elderberry Falls and, hopefully, cool down from our previous confrontation. Given the tenor of our letters, I think she’d be open to it.

I close the enchanted journal, my heart beating a little faster at the thought of seeing Natalie face-to-face, and head down into the bakery. Fresh steam from a tray of muffins floats over my hands as I carefully select an assortment of my finest creations to pack up. Pumpkin spice, blueberry streusel, and honey lavender—each muffin a little masterpiece, crafted with care.

I arrange them in a charming wicker basket, the golden-brown tops peeking out from beneath a gingham cloth.

The image it makes is almost too picture-perfect to be real. I laugh at myself a little, wondering if I’m going overboard with the small-town charm.

But hey—charm works.

Gathering my resolve, I make my way out of the bakery with the basket in hand, flipping the door sign over until I’m back. The doorbell tinkles cheerfully behind me as I step onto the cobblestone street. Anticipation builds as I turn toward the storefront next to mine.

The peeling blue paint and crooked sign look painfully neglected, and I pause for a moment, memories of Myrtle flooding my mind.

I can almost hear her throaty laughter, see the excitement in her eye as she’d concoct her latest herbal remedy.

Shaking off the bittersweet nostalgia, I climb the front steps and knock on the door, the basket of muffins cradled in my other arm.

The door swings open, revealing Natalie. She’s wearing that bold red lipstick again and my gaze darts to her full lips before meeting her pretty eyes, wide with surprise.

“Rian? What are you doing here?” she asks, her voice a mix of confusion and something else I can’t quite place. She seems flustered, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks as our eyes meet.

Briefly, I wonder if her state has anything to do with the monster romance she’s been reading…

“I come bearing gifts,” I say with a gentle smile, presenting the basket of muffins to her. “An olive branch, of sorts. If you’re busy, I understand, of course.”

Natalie hesitates for a moment, her eyes darting from the basket to my face. Finally, she steps back, gesturing for me to come inside.

“I suppose I can take a quick break,” she says, her tone guarded but not unkind.

The store is far more empty than when Myrtle was alive, clearly the result of some deep cleaning on Natalie’s part. There’s a giant potted tree in the corner and a few boxes still on shelves. But it feels lacking all human touch, apart from a chair that Natalie has set up at the counter as a temporary work station, her laptop still illuminated on top.

“Let’s go up?” she suggests. “There’s… more seating…”

I follow her up the stairs, trying very, very hard not to stare at her pert, swaying ass.

As I enter the cozy apartment, the scent of herbs and old books envelops me. I breathe in their scents, gathering my thoughts as Natalie closes the door behind us.

“Natalie,” I begin, “I want to apologize. While I don’t regret my actions to slow down the sale of the building, I should have approached you first and engaged in a more open dialogue, to understand your perspective and find a solution that works for both of us. This is not an excuse but we minotaurs have all-consuming protective instincts and when I sensed that my business and livelihood might be threatened, I saw red. I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience or upheaval my actions have caused you.”

Watching Natalie’s face closely, I try to gauge her reaction. Her expression softens slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing a bit.

“I appreciate your apology,” she says, her voice measured. “But you have to understand, this sale is important to me. It’s not just about the money—it’s about my career, my future. It’s complicated.”

“Understood,” I reply, setting the basket of muffins down on a nearby table. “And I respect that. But Elderberry Falls is a special place and you have the power to change its makeup irreversibly.”

She sighs, muttering to herself, “Everyone keeps saying that.”

I pause, wondering if this is coming across as trite. “I know it might seem like just another small town to you, but to me, it’s home. It’s where I’ve built a life, a community. I’m afraid that if Munchin’ Morsels moves in, all of that could be lost.”

Forcing myself to stop rambling, I watch to see what Natalie thinks of my speech.

Natalie runs a hand through her hair. “I hear you, Rian. I do. But I have obligations, like an existing relationship with Munchin’ Morsels, and a company that is waiting for me to make this sale. I can’t just walk away from selling this place.”

“I’m not asking you to take the building off the market,” I counter gently. “I don’t want to get in the way of you living your life, Natalie. I’m just asking you to consider other options. Because you won’t be the only person impacted by this sale.”

Natalie’s eyes widen slightly, a flicker of recognition passing over her face. She’s silent for a moment, her gaze searching mine.

“You’ve given me a lot to think about,” she says finally, her voice soft. She glances away and I stare at the creamy expanse of her throat, wondering how it smells. Gods, Rian . “I can’t make any promises, but... I’ll consider what you’ve said.”

I nod, a glimmer of hope sparking in my chest. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a start.

“That’s all I can ask,” I reply, offering her a warm smile. “And in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the muffins. They’re made with love and a touch of magic—just like everything else in Elderberry Falls.”

Natalie laughs a little at my corny words, and I smile back at her ruefully, my heart skipping a beat. Warm desire uncurls in my stomach as she continues to meet my eyes, and I clear my throat hastily, forcing the inconvenient attraction back down.

She only said she’d think about what I said. She could still end up selling me out—selling out the whole town.

And yet, as I take my leave, I can’t help but feel a sense of optimism.

“Wait! There’s one more thing,” Natalie says, stopping me as I begin descending the stairs, ducking my head to avoid grazing the ceiling. “It’s about Jessa.”

I turn back to face her, my brow furrowed with concern. “What about Jessa?”

The way we’re standing, with me a few steps down, our faces are on the same level. It takes everything in me to stay focused on her eyes, instead of staring hungrily at her immaculate red lips.

Natalie hesitates for a moment as if weighing her words carefully. “She’s been coming here, to the storefront. Regularly. She has a key that Myrtle gave her.”

I blink in surprise, emotions swirling within me. Confusion, worry, a hint of betrayal. “What? How? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t want to overstep,” Natalie explains, her expression apologetic. “It was going on before I arrived, so I thought… Well, I think... I think she’s looking for a space of her own. Somewhere she can be independent, away from the expectations and pressures of being an adolescent girl. Trust me, it can be exhausting.”

Her words hit me like a slap to the face. Have things gotten that bad between us, that Jessa doesn’t feel like she has the space she needs in her own home?

“I... I had no idea,” I admit, my voice rough with emotion. “I’ll talk to her, put a stop to it. She can’t just go sneaking off like that.”

But Natalie shakes her head, surprising me once again. “Maybe... maybe you shouldn’t.”

I stare at her, uncomprehending. “What do you mean?”

“Let her keep coming,” Natalie suggests, her eyes soft with understanding. “Let her think she’s getting away with it. I’ll keep an eye on her, make sure she’s safe. But give her this space, this little piece of independence. It might be exactly what she needs right now.”

I’m torn, my instincts as a protective father warring with the wisdom of Natalie’s words. Can I trust Natalie with this, with my daughter’s well-being? As I gaze into her eyes, I see a reflection of my own fierce protectiveness, my own desire to do what’s best for those I care about.

“Okay,” I agree, my voice soft. “We’ll do it your way. But promise me, if anything seems off, if you think she’s in any danger...”

“I’ll come straight to you,” Natalie assures me, reaching out to lay a hand on my arm. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I suddenly find it hard to breathe. “I promise, Rian. I’ll keep her safe.”

I nod, my throat tight. “Thank you, Natalie. Truly.”

She smiles then, a real, genuine smile that lights up her entire face. “You’re a good person, Rian Kincaid. A good father. And despite our differences, I believe we both want what’s best for the people we care about.”

I return her smile, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest that has nothing to do with the cozy warmth of the attic apartment. “I believe that too,” I murmur, holding her gaze for a long, charged moment.

Back at The Hungry Minotaur, the bakery hums with activity, the gentle clamor of pots and pans as I get out a few more baking trays mingling with the chatter of a few customers dallying over their treats.

After tying my apron, my hands fall into the well-practiced rhythm of kneading dough. The silky, elastic texture beneath my fingers is a balm to my soul, grounding me in the present. I reach for one of the exotic spice blends I made from the spices I found at the monster market, their pungent fragrances a tantalizing promise of new flavors to explore.

Carefully, I sprinkle the spices into the dough, watching as vibrant hues of saffron, turmeric, and paprika create a mesmerizing swirl.

The scent that rises from the mixture is enticing, yet it lacks the magical essence that Myrtle somehow imbued into everything she touched. I try not to let myself feel disappointed. It’ll take time to find blends that even approach the magic of Myrtle’s.

I shape the dough into intricate braids and twists, my mind drifting to Natalie. The way her eyes sparkle when she’s deep in thought, the curve of her bright red lips when she’s fighting back a smile... I find myself imagining what it would be like to run my fingers through her blonde hair, to feel the softness of her skin against my fur, to lick that red lipstick off her plump lips.

The thought sends a flash of heat through me, and I shake my head, trying to clear the distracting images from my mind. But even as I focus on the task at hand, Natalie’s presence lingers.

I can’t help but think about how she’s never been with a monster before. Would she even want to be? She seemed open to it in her letter. I’ve never been with a human, either, but that doesn’t stop me from being extremely curious…

The chime of the kitchen timer pulls me from my fantasies, and I shake my head.

What would Natalie think, if she knew what I’d been imagining between us?