Page 6

Chapter Six

Rainn

The bed I wake up in is fucking heaven. God, I’ve never slept so well, especially in an unknown place. A whole new world.

I open my eyes the next morning and I’m greeted by the sight of Axum, his face relaxed as his warm breath drifts over me as he sleeps.

How the hell does he look good when he’s asleep? It shouldn’t be allowed.

I take in his face—the heavy brow, broad nose and soft-looking, kissable lips. Damn, how can an orc be fine? Like, so-fine-I’m-good-with-being-in-a-whole-new-world-so-I-can-be-in-his-orbit fine. Even his bright green skin draws me in. That could also have a lot to do with my secret orc fantasies.

My gaze locks on his tusks. They look so sharp, like, if I touch them, I’d prick my finger.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I reach out so I can trace along one of them, wanting to see if it’s as deadly as it looks.

“They only look sharp,” Axum says in a sleep-drenched voice. I gasp and pull my hand back before I make contact. I was so focused on his tusks that I didn’t even see his eyes open or the small smirk on his face. “You may touch them,” he says, stretching his arms over his head.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, tucking my hand under my face. “I shouldn’t have tried. That was extremely rude.” Fucking personal space, Rainn.

“It is quite alright,” he says, smiling warmly at me. “It is only natural that humans are curious about our tusks, seeing as you don’t have any. If you would like to touch them, by all means…”

“You sure?”

“Very.”

Slowly, I reach over and touch the tip of one of his tusks. It’s keen, but also not? As if there is a barrier around it that takes away the worst of the sharpness.

“Wow,” I whisper, touching the back side of his left tusk. “I thought they’d be more knife-like. How do you get used to them?”

He shrugs. “I have known nothing else. It would be strange for you to suddenly grow tusks, since you do not have them now, but I always have. They’re a part of me.”

That makes sense. “I love them,” I say, letting my mouth run away from me. “They look scary, but they’re actually really beautiful.” My cheeks heat when I meet his eyes. “I’m sorry. Probably should have kept that to myself.”

“Nonsense. Thank you for the compliment.”

I sit up, the necklace he gave me yesterday trapped under my body. “This will take some getting used to. Do I have to wear it when I sleep?”

“No. But you will not understand me unless you put it on or have it in contact with your body. Our magicians have experimented with several ways for humans or elves or anyone else that crosses the barrier to understand us. Enchanted items seem to be all that work.”

“Or I can learn orcish. That would be smarter.”

Axum’s eyes grow wide. “You would do that? Learn my language to speak to me? To my people?”

I nod. “Of course. If I can’t go home, I need to understand everyone in case I forget my necklace or don’t feel like wearing it.” Thinking about not going home sends a pang through my chest, the thought of leaving Kai alone without knowing what happened to me is gut-wrenching. But the thought of leaving Axum hurts even more. I push both unwanted thoughts away.

His face brightens, his violet eyes twinkling. “That is thoughtful, Rainn. I can teach you.” Then he backtracks quickly. “Or I can have a tutor assigned to you. I can?—”

I cover his large mouth with my hand. “I would like you to teach me. It could be fun. We could spend time together while you tutor me.”

His mouth tips up in a smile under my hand before I lower it to my lap.

I stretch my arms over my head, then wrinkle my nose. While I don’t smell awful, the scent of sweat clings to my skin. I feel gross that I slept without showering last night. What must Axum think of me?

“Is there somewhere I can shower? I don’t have other clothes or anything though. They’re in my second bag back at my campsite. Could I work for them? I don’t know how to do much, but I can learn.” Then another thought enters my head. “Shit, how will I pay for anything?”

Axum’s smile is gentle as he watches me. “You do not have to pay for clothing. When humans cross the barrier, we help them get clothing and lodging since most do not travel with coins. If you would like, we can discuss you getting a job. You can wait a few weeks to get acclimated before that, however.” Then he pauses with a frown. “What is a shower?”

“Oh. Um…” I sit and think of how to explain a shower. I’ve never had to, as everyone knows what they are.“Like where you stand in a stall and let water fall on you so you can wash? Like rain, but…like in a box?” I’m so fucking terrible at explaining things. Am I sure I’m an author?

Axum still looks confused. “We do not have a shower, but there is a bathing pool.”

A bathing pool? I don’t know what it is, but I like the sound of it. “You have an indoor pool? Where is it?”

“Where else would it be?” He looks so confused, which confuses me.

“Um…there are outdoor pools where I live. Most people have them outside.”

“You bathe outside?” Axum sounds incredulous and I can’t help it. I laugh. He sounds so concerned about people using soap and water outdoors.

“I mean, yeah,” I say as I wipe under my eyes. “Some people do. But most bathtubs are inside.”

“Yours is a confusing race, Rainn.”

Taking my hand, he gently pulls me from the bed and leads me to a door across the room, to the right side of his bed. Pushing through it, he steps aside to let me walk ahead of him.

My breath catches and all I can say is, “Wow.”

It looks like a lake inside the castle walls. Lush green grass crunches beneath my bare feet and wildflowers grow all around me. Butterflies—or what look like butterflies—flap around, circling the flowers. A large tree grows from a space along the far wall, towering over us. And the bathing pool itself is huge. Tiny flowers dot the perimeter, filling the air with their sweet scent.

Looking up, I see there is a ceiling above, not an open area as I would imagine. But the ceiling doesn’t look solid. I can’t explain it other than to say it looks opaque.

“This is amazing,” I breathe, bending down to sniff at the flowers. “Is the water cold? Do I just hop in?”

“It is cold, but I can warm it for you.” He steps over and slips his fingertips into the water and murmurs a few words. Steam rises from the surface of the water as he stands.

Axum shakes his hand off, droplets of water flying off as he looks at me shyly. “If you need nothing else, I will be?—”

“Join me,” I say hurriedly. I mean, come on, I have a hot orc in front of me. There’s no way I’m letting him get away from me when I’ve been salivating about meeting one. Hell, I didn’t even know they existed. This is already beyond my wildest dreams. And to see one naked? Yeah, not going to pass that up.

His eyebrows fly up. “I would love to. I will get a cleaning and drying cloth for you. You are welcome to enter the bathing pool. I will return shortly.”

I don’t miss the giddy smile on Axum’s face as he walks past me. I also don’t pretend I’m not watching his powerful ass in his sleep pants as he walks away. Holy hell, what would it feel like under my hands as he pounds into me?

Wait, how big is Axum’s dick? My favorite toy at home was more thick than long. The way Axum walks, with his loose stride and wide stance, gives me thoughts that he might be packing an anaconda. God, I hope so. Yeah, I’ve known him for a day, but fuck that. When I want something, I go after it. No shame in my game.

I quickly strip out of my clothes and sit at the edge of the lake— bathing pool . The blades of the grass feel good against my naked ass. I’ve never sat on grass butt-ass naked. It’ll definitely be happening again.

Slowly, I slide into the bathing pool and groan happily. It’s the perfect temperature.

I wade through the pool, though it’s not deep at all. I can press my feet flat to the bottom and my head is still above water when I’m nearer the edge. The further I walk to the other side, the deeper it goes. It’s a literal bathing pool.

I backtrack to where I can stand comfortably and close my eyes, enjoying the warm water. This is the fucking life. A lake that has all the trappings of the outdoors while being inside away from all the elements. It’s fucking perfect.

My eyes snap open when Axum comes back into the room with two thick towels and cloths in his hands. He sets them on a rock and proceeds to get undressed.

Oh. My. God.

Everything about Axum is hot as fuck. Every article of clothing removed reveals a delight to my eyes. I already saw his strong arms and torso yesterday, but his thick thighs, toned calves and his thick, hanging cock have me swallowing roughly.

His dick is…beautiful. Long and thick, several veins prominent. He’s smooth, the area around his shaft and heavy sac hairless. His cock looks nothing like my orc dildo at home, but beautiful in its own way.

I don’t avert my eyes. I’m sure most people would’ve be too shy to stare at a man— orc —they just met, but damn that. I want Axum, no denying that. Why hide it?

He smirks as he steps into the pool. “My eyes are here, Rainn.” He points to his violet orbs, making me bark a loud laugh.

“I apologize,” I say with a look that says I am absolutely not sorry at all and I think Axum knows that.

His smirk turns into a grin as he hands me one of the thick cloths. “I do not mind you ogling my body.”

If I stare any longer, I’ll want to jump his bones. I’m a size queen, but I’m not suicidal. Getting Axum’s dick in my hole would take lots of training.

Lots. Of. Training.

To distract myself, I ask, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“I know you said I can’t leave, but is there, like, a loophole where I can get a message to my friend? Just to let him know I’m okay. I promise to come right back.”

He takes a while to answer, washing his body as his face scrunches in thought. He hands me the soap bar and I fall in love with the smell of some kind of citrus and cedar. Not only does it smell phenomenal, the bar glides over my skin and seems to infuse it with oil. It’s fucking amazing. I eagerly rub some into my cloth and wash the sweat and yesterday off my skin.

Axum dips his head under the water after he washes his hair. When he comes back up and squeezes the water out, he meets my gaze. “There is a way for you to go home, Rainn. But it is not exactly ideal at the present.”

Hope blooms in my chest as I think about getting back to Kai. Not forever, just long enough to tell him that I’m okay. But I don’t think I can stay gone for long. Just thinking about it makes my chest ache for some strange reason. Not the thought of leaving this place, but of leaving Axum. It’s a little odd, but I’m going with it.

Other than Kai, there is nothing for me in Destiny. Sure, my career as an author is waiting for me, but I’d rather stay here than peddling stories to make ends meet. Besides, I can write anywhere.

Even without knowing what I’m going to do, I know this is where I belong. My heart and soul feel at ease here.

“What is it? I promise I’ll come back, I just?—”

“Rainn, you would need to be claimed by an orc to leave this realm. And if an orc claims you, you are tied to them. Forever.”

My mouth drops open. Yeah, I see why he says it’s not ideal. Tying myself to someone? I’m not sure I want to do that just to get back home.

“What does it mean, an orc claiming me?”

I watch Axum swallow thickly and lick his lips. The thick flesh of his tongue swipes over one of his tusks and I again cannot stop staring. My dick twitches, itching to touch him, taste him…anything. “Rainn, have you felt…odd when you think about being apart from me?”

A change of conversation, but I’ll bite. “Yeah. It’s the weirdest thing. Not bad, but I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s mind-boggling.”

He nods, rubbing his hand over his wet hair. “I am not sure how to tell you this, but we are mates. You were only able to cross the barrier because you had a mate in this world. That is…me.”

A mate? Axum would be the orc I have to tie myself to?Well, that’s…interesting.

“Since you are my mate,” he continues, “I would have to claim you. But it is a big decision. We would be together from the day we mate until the day we die. We would become physically ill if we were apart for too long and could die if we did not come back together. So if you are in the human world without me, we would both suffer.”

That’s big. It’s a lot to think about. Yes, I’d like to go home and see my best friend, but am I willing to tie myself to Axum? I like him, there’s no doubt about that, and he says we’re mates, but what if we get sick of each other? Forever is a long time. I mean, I’m in my late twenties, so I have at least fifty years left to live if I take care of myself. That’s fifty years with one person, unable to leave if we don’t work out or we’d suffer, as Axum says.

He’s right, it’s not ideal.

I wrap my arms around myself as my spirit, which was just flying high with hope, deflates and some of the light is taken out of my day. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“You do not have to say anything, Rainn. I will consult with my advisors and most accomplished spell weavers to see if there is another way. I will explore every avenue for you.”

Smiling, I say, “Thank you.” The silence is thick and awkward following my words. I don’t want things to be like this between me and Axum. I really enjoy his company. I don’t want him to feel guilty for something he can’t help. “What does ‘claiming’ mean? What do you— we —do?”

To my surprise, Axum’s eyes flare and my own grow wide when I see his cock grow hard and bob beneath the clear water. It should defy science for a dick that big to get that hard. Hell, I’m lightheaded just looking at it. Holy fuck.

He licks his lips, his gaze drifting down my body. “Are you sure you wish to know, Rainn?” His voice drops to a deep, sexy rumble that makes my dick twitch.

A flush blooms over my skin as I soak up his attention. Kicking my chin up, I answer, “Yes.”

As he speaks, Axum takes slow steps towards me, his movements sending a wave of warm water sluicing up my chest. “First, we must build a connection. A deep connection where we feel consumed by each other. So taken that there is no way we want to be away from one another.” I take small steps back as he advances on me, but not out of fear. I want to keep him in my line of sight so I can keep staring at him, keep watching how his gaze roams over my body. “Then, we must make love. While we make love, I would bite you. I will also knot you, as I would any other time I am inside you.”

My back hits the edge of the bathing pool. I’m out of room. But I barely even notice. My sole focus is on Axum and his alluring words.

“Knot me?” I ask in a husky voice that I hardly recognize.

“Yes. There is a knot that inflates within the base of my cock, locking us together until it goes down.” Axum is standing in front of me now, bracketing me with his body. His cock bumps against my belly.

I’m still not sure what he means by ‘knot’, but there is an even more pressing question that races through my mind.

“Inside me? Can you…” I swallow hard. “Will you fit?”

“Oh yes.” His hand lifts from the water and his fingers thread through my twists, tipping my head up. “We have pleasure oil. It will help you accommodate me. As you can see, orcs are rather large.”

“Clearly,” I say. And to my surprise as much as Axum’s, I wrap my hands around his shaft, stroking him slowly. The skin of his shaft is silky, feeling great against the palm of my hand. He gasps, his eyes flashing as he stares down at me.

I ask, “What else happens when you claim me?”

He grunts, rolling his hips into my hands. He’s hot here, so big in my hands. I have to make an effort for my fingers to touch around him. “Fuck, that feels good. It has been so long.” Axum places his other hand beside my head, his fingers digging into the soil there, the fragrant aroma permeating the air. He grunts again before he says, “I must bite you for the claiming to take effect.”

“Bite me?” I ask, my cock throbbing as I continue to jerk Axum.

His violet eyes land on me. He dips his head and drags those tusks over my skin. I whimper, my body positively shuddering against his. “I bite you.” His tongue darts out and tastes the skin of my neck. A moan of delight leaves my lips and I move my hands faster on Axum’s cock. “Here. When I sink my teeth into you, I will orgasm and claim you. Our bond will be solid.”

Axum’s hand drops under the water and wraps around my shaft, squeezing gently. “Oh, god,” I murmur, his hand on me is fucking magical. The right amount of pressure, perfect technique. “Axum.”

He hums, stroking me expertly. “Rainn, may I kiss you?”

I grin, finding it funny, but romantic that he asks that when he already has his hand on my cock, but I nod anyway, curious about how it will feel with his tusks.

Lowering his head, Axum captures my mouth in a sweet kiss that sets my soul on fire. I stand on my tiptoes to get closer to him. Axum snakes his tongue into my mouth tentatively, then, with more urgency, licking inside. His lips are soft and plush, melding perfectly with mine. His tusks scratch lightly on my cheeks, but not painfully. It ratchets up my arousal, making my dick harder than its ever been. I love how gentle and careful he is with me, even when I know he’d rather ravage me, if the way his dick is digging into my belly is anything to go by.

Overwhelmed, I grab his shoulder with my free hand, my head spinning from how fucking consumed I am by him. His tongue in my mouth, one hand in my hair and the other jerking my cock, has me lightheaded.

Then, Axum twists his hand on my dick and I fucking come undone. Back bowing, I come hard, spurt after spurt of my come shooting out of me with force. I moan into his mouth, unable to keep up with the motion of his tongue.

Axum strokes me through my release, a deep hum drifting through our fused mouths.

His hand drops from my hair and wraps around my back when he breaks the kiss. Good thing too, because my knees go weak. The only thing keeping my head above water is Axum’s strong hold.

“Look at me, Rainn,” he says in a fucked-out voice that gets my attention in a big way. Snapping my eyes open, I look at Axum. His hand dips below the surface of the water where he removes my slack hand and cups himself, jerking hard and fast. “You look gorgeous when you come. I cannot wait to make you do it again.”

“Fuck, Axum,” I murmur, licking my lips as I watch him.

“I need to taste you again.”

“Anytime,” I manage to say before Axum’s mouth slams on mine. His tusks nip at my skin. They’re…smooth and almost blunt, though they look sharp and formidable.

When Axum thrusts his tongue into my mouth, his body shudders, his hand moving fast to milk himself. His deep groans vibrate against my tongue as he hungrily devours my mouth.

After he comes, he grabs one of my hands and brings it to his still-twitching shaft. “Here is my knot,” he says in a tight, blissed-out voice.

My eyes widen when I feel a swollen…nodule there near the base of his shaft. It’s thick and bulbous. My mouth waters to do more than touch it tentatively. About a minute later, it retreats back into his cock.

Sighing against my mouth, Axum moves back and looks down at me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m perfect. That was…that was great. If that’s what claiming is, sign me up for two.”

Axum laughs loudly, pulling me away from the side of the bathing pool and into his arms. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. Not at all.” I look down at the water, which is still clear, but we both just came while submerged in the bathing pool’s depths. “How is the bathing pool cleaned?” I don’t see a drain anywhere.

Axum kisses my cheek, his tusks sliding against me gently. “It is filtered through a system that…” He stops and shakes his head. “It is tedious to explain and I do not wish to bore you. Suffice to say that magic is involved. ”

Scooping up my discarded cloth, he washes me again, then helps me out of the bathing pool. When he’s standing in front of me, a towel around his waist, he tips my head up with two fingers under my chin so I can look into those beautiful violet eyes. “I have a very busy day today, but I will come for you when I am finished.”

“What do you want me to do while you’re gone?” A pit forms in my belly at the thought of being away from him.

“You may rest. I can also send up some books that are in human English that you can read. They are what humans call ‘romance’. Some of the humans that have crossed onto this plane have brought them and have shared with others.”

My ears perk up. “Yes, please, yes. I’d love a book. That chaise you have would be perfect to read on.”

Axum smiles as he dries me off with the large towel—or what he calls a drying cloth. The necklace I have on catches on it a few times, making Axum frown at it.

I’m surprised to see he also bought a towel for my hair, collecting the water that drips from my twists with a small smile on his face.

After I’m dry, he takes my hand and leads me into his room. On the bed is a long shirt that looks soft to the touch.

He scoops it up and hands it to me. “I will have a tailor make you clothing soon. In the meantime, would you like to wear a tunic of mine?”

His expression is shy, soft. How could I turn down this sweet orc?

I take the garment from him, sliding it quickly over my head. It billows around me, making me aware that I am not wearing underwear. But, fuck, this material feels good against my skin. So soft and airy. “Thank you, Axum.”

The smile that stretches his face is fucking beautiful. Axum is hot as fuck. I’m one lucky human. “You are welcome. I will return with food and books for you and will complete my work before dusk.”

He kisses me quickly, then breezes out of the door. With a sigh, I fall back on the bed, grinning at the ceiling. How is this my life?