Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

Rainn

I wake up the next morning, excited about our day together. Sure, Axum and I have spent time together, but it’s only been brief snatches of time when he wasn’t working, other than our first time deep in the woods. But even that was far too short. Now, we get an entire day together and it’s going to be great.

There was a wrinkle in our plans when Axum had to assert to his guards that he was leaving and he was leaving on his own. Most of his guards backed down, but one, Varguk, stood his ground and convinced Axum to at least take some weapons with him in case of an ambush.

“The band of orcs are still out there, Your Grace,” he said, meeting Axum’s eyes evenly and earnestly, “so if you take your sword, you can dispatch them if you happen upon them. But if you leave this palace undefended, I will follow you and your mate. You may strip me of my guard and send me back to my post early, but I will still follow because you are the emperor and it is my duty to keep you and your mate safe.”

I’m sure it took a lot of bravery to speak that way to Axum, as the orc emperor towered over him by at least five inches and about thirty pounds, but Varguk didn’t back down.

Axum looked at Varguk with something close to approval in his eyes and conceded to doing what he asked. The guards ran to the weapons room and returned with a scary-looking sword and some kind of arm strap for Axum to wear.

It took another ten minutes for us to leave when I asked for a weapon too. Axum gave me a stern look and tried to tell me I didn’t need it and he could protect me. It took me raising my voice for him to see reason. “Dammit, Axum, what if I want to help protect you? You’ll be distracted trying to protect me and you could die !”

He sighed and motioned for Varguk to bring me a weapon and a holster. The serrated blade that was strapped to my hip was long and looked sharp. Axum carefully strapped it to my hip, then made me walk and run with it before he was satisfied that it wouldn’t get in the way if I had to flee.

I’m not a fighting person and abhor violence, but I would rather stand and fight with Axum than run away and hide if we are attacked.

With Axum pleased that I won’t impale myself or accidently hack off a limb, we were able to leave without any more concerns.

After Axum took the basket from my hands, we walked hand in hand to his secret spot. While we walked, Axum told me about his week, about the city he’s going to visit next and asked if I wanted to accompany him.

“Of course,” I answer happily, feeling giddy that I get to see more of Belzod. “Do I have to do anything?”

“No, sweet Rainn. All you have to do is stay by my side. And do not worry that you will be harmed. I will protect you.”

“I know, my love.”

During our entire conversation, he kept his attention on me, but I saw his eyes darting around constantly, making sure no one snuck up on us.

Sighing, I look up at Axum, watching how the sun reflects off his beautiful green skin. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. It is nice to be outside the palace for more than a few minutes. It is beautiful out today.”

“It’s beautiful out everyday. Even when it rains,” I tell him, pasting myself to his side. The size difference between us is still taking some getting used to, but I love it. I love feeling so small and delicate when I’m with him.

I sigh, kissing the back of his hand. “I love it here so much. I never want to leave.”

Axum stops me from walking, turning me towards him as he frames my face. “Even when the portal opens for you?”

I nod. “Even when the portal opens.” I let out a shaky breath, gearing myself up for what I’m about to say. “You are my home now, Axum. Where you are is my home. I…I love you. I would never leave you.”

A yelp leaves my lips, followed by a giggle, when I’m plucked off my feet and into his arms. Axum hugs me tight to his chest, so close not even air can pass through. “I love you too, sweet Rainn. So much. You have become my whole world. You are my home as well.”

I touch my lips to his, feeling like everything is right in my world.

He sets me down on my feet and we continue the walk, both of us with goofy smiles on our faces.

We get to the brook and immediately set up our blanket and pull out our lunch. I sit in front of Axum, leaning against this broad chest as he feeds me. He chuckles when he pulls out the large bowl of oxiolly the kitchen staff packed for me. Everyone in the palace knows how obsessed I am with the vegetable. They didn’t even have to ask if I wanted some prepared—they already had it on deck.

While we eat, Axum asks, “Tell me about your books, Rainn. I know you said you write…what did you call it? Smut?”

My cheeks heat, but I nod. “Yeah.”

“What is smut?”

Oh god, kill me now. “It’s…sex. My books have a plot, and a lot of fucking.”

“The humans in your story, they have sex with orcs?”

I laugh, feeling embarrassment creep up my spine. “Yeah, and ogres. And sirens and fairies and krakens and aliens and any other supernatural creatures out there. But my favorite has been writing about orcs.”

Axum chuckles. “Do you feel like one of the characters in your stories, sweet Rainn?”

“More than you know.”

I tell Axum about my best selling series, which is my orc series, and he asks plenty of questions. He also laughs at the lore I made up for orcs, especially about the anatomy of their dicks.

“We do not have ridges that stroke your insides, as you know,” he says matter of factly, still keeping me on the edge of embarrassment, “but you did not include a knot..”

“I think I like the knot better,” I say, wiggling against him.

He laughs as we head over to the brook, resting our feet into the cold water. It’s bracing, making me shiver, but after a few seconds, it feels really good.

“Would you like to get in?” he asks, already removing his tunic to reveal his bare chest.

I pause in answering, staring at his well-defined chest. Fuck, Axum is so sexy, so much bigger than me that I can hardly believe it. It looks unreal, like a figment of my wildest and most feral imagination. I reach out and touch him, feeling his heart thump against my palm.

“Rainn?”

“Hmm?” I ask, swiping a thumb over his nipple, which hardens for me. “Yeah, let’s get in.”

Axum watches me for a few seconds, his purple eyes flashing with lust before he stands to remove his pants. His dick is rock-hard, flopping obscenely against his belly before bobbing back to stick straight in the air. My mouth waters, wanting to take him into my mouth, but I tamp it down, stripping out of my clothes to slide into the slow-moving water.

Once we’re both submerged, Axum pulls me close and I wrap my legs and arms around him, practically pasting myself to his body.

Axum holds me as if I weigh nothing and I lean my head against his chest, soaking up his warmth. He feels so good, so big and hot, almost surrounding me. How could I give this up?

Sure, I’d like to keep writing and releasing my books, but I’d rather stay here with him, where I know I’m loved and appreciated and taken care of.

After a few minutes of silence, with my head still resting on Axum’s chest, I say, “Tell me your dreams, Axum. Tell me what it is you want.”

“I have the one thing I want in my arms right now.”

A smile stretches my face. It’s one of the things I love about Axum—he says the sweetest things, but not because he thinks he’ll get some ass. He really feels what he says. I love how open he is with expressing his feelings for me.

“I feel the same way,” I tell him honestly. “But other than me, what else do you want?”

He adjusts me more carefully in his arms so he can slide one of his hands into my hair, scratching along my scalp. Axum learned how much I love to have my scalp massaged and takes every opportunity to do it, knowing how much it relaxes me.

He says, “I would like to ensure my subjects are happy. I want to make my kingdom better. As I have told you, my sire was not the best ruler and for a time, he neglected his rule. I want everyone that lives in Daz Vrokrad to know that I am trying to make sure they are taken care of and to make their lives as easy as possible.” He stops massaging my scalp and draws my head back gently so he can meet my eyes. “As I want to make your life easy. Rainn, I want to give you the world. I want to give you everything you have ever desired. I want you to have the easiest and most peaceful life I can give you. You, Rainn. You are my dream. Having someone that will be there for me, ensuring I take a break when I am feeling overwhelmed and allowing me to pour out my problems and concerns without judgment. And also, helping me with my rule. With you by my side, I can have the kingdom I always wanted and the mate I did not know I needed. I love you, Rainn. You are my dream. I will spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

Tears prick my eyes as I listen to him. I’ve never had anyone tell me I was their dream before.

If nothing else tells me that Axum is the man— orc —for me, telling me I was what he needed did it for me.

Tears streaming down my face, I meet Axum’s gaze. “Then show me, Axum. Claim me. Make me yours.”