Page 26 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)

As he carried his feisty faeling mate through the city defenses, he thought he understood why the dragons hoarded their mates away.

Covetous to the point of violence, dragons were known to disappear into their caves for years, not reemerging until a strong bond had been formed.

Orc-kin too had once spirited away their mates, hiding them from jealous eyes until the bond took root.

Such practices were considered old-fashioned, even overbearing by modern orcish sensibilities.

However, with his mate’s slight weight upon his shoulder, her lithe hands alternatively trying to untie Hormhím from his belt and digging into his sides to, he assumed, find where he was ticklish, he could understand the strategy and the jealousy.

With his deep knowledge of his city, Vallek managed to get them inside the citadel without being spotted by more than a few guards.

The warren of passages, corridors, ramparts, and stairwells all eventually led him into the servants’ quarters below his own.

It was perhaps another weak point in security to discuss with Mattias.

Vallek nodded to the workers he surprised, keeping up his quick pace. They watched him pass with rounded eyes, although he spotted Brynhíl hiding a laugh behind her hand.

“My king,” she greeted.

“Bryn. Please have an early dinner sent up.”

At the orcess’s name, two hands splayed on his back, and Ravenna pushed up so she could see. “Bryn! Please find Captain Asta and tell her not to worry about the laundry.”

Vallek sighed. Code if he ever heard it. What were she and his younger sister up to? Leave it to Asta to help his defiant mate…well, defy him.

“Of course,” agreed Bryn, her voice shaking with laughter.

Peals of giggling followed them further into the citadel.

Vallek’s boots pounded the steps up to his quarters. The two guards outside the doors jumped to attention at the sight of him—and then their eyes went wide in horror to see the conspicuous bundle over his shoulder.

“My king…” one choked out.

“We’ll discuss this later,” Vallek said without stopping.

Throwing open the door, he proceeded inside as the guards hurried to close it behind him.

Vallek didn’t stop until he stood in the center of the hall. Only then did he finally lower her from his shoulder.

She fell back a few steps, straightening out her cloak and cowl. She also made a show of rubbing at her sore middle. By the time she looked up at him, wearing her own face, she’d rediscovered her scowl.

Even that was a welcome sight to him after days apart.

Taking her by the shoulders, he hauled her close. “ Never do that again,” he insisted. “You could have been injured!”

“There’d be no need to if I wasn’t confined,” she grumbled.

“It’s for your safety. All of it, everything I do, it’s to keep you safe.” That was the truth of it, if not the whole. Just like a greedy dragon, he’d every intention of hoarding his sharp-tongued mate.

The dubious arch of her brow told him exactly what she thought of his sentiment.

His hands slid up the curves of her shoulders to her neck, and he couldn’t help running his thumbs over the silk of her cheeks. Gods, she was so soft. A joy to touch. In the silence that befell them, Vallek indulged in her scent and feel.

For the first time in days, his beast settled. The wily thing wouldn’t truly be content until she was bedded and bonded to him, but for now, this was enough.

Drawing deep of her scent, Vallek let his head fall to hers. With their difference in height, it wasn’t overly comfortable on his tired back, but that didn’t matter. He needed the connection, and for now, she seemed—if not amenable then at least not actively pushing him away.

“I must apologize, skala . What we did that night—I regret nothing except that it was done with anger, and that I offended you. That wasn’t my intention.”

Her face sobered, those violet eyes sharpening. “It wasn’t very flattering to be touched like that right after telling me you intend to take an orcess to wife.”

Vallek groaned. “I know. I regret that, too.” Straightening, he held one of her hands to his chest, over his heart so she could feel it beating. “I didn’t mean it, not in truth.”

Dark brows rising, she asked, “You won’t take a wife?”

If he didn’t know better, he’d think she held her breath in anticipation of his answer.

“No. Not when I already have a beautiful mate.”

Although apparently unmoved by his flattery, she did nod. “All right. What does this mean, then?”

“It means,” he sighed, “that we have much to discuss.” Although he’d take no pleasure in it, he had to tell her at least some of the news from Toksfinge. If only to try figuring out if she could be the halfling Amaranthe searched for. No matter the answer, he needed to know.

Leaning down once more to nuzzle her fragrant hair, Vallek said softly, “Let me wash the journey off me, and then we’ll talk.”

When Vallek returned from the bath a little while later, washed, steaming, and clad in a comfortable pair of loose linen breeches, the late-afternoon sun slanted into the rooms in heavy beams of yellow light.

The summer day was warm, but not unbearably so, and he noticed that several windows had been opened to catch the wayward breeze.

Padding into the den, he found Ravenna, also changed from her adventure.

He stopped to take in the sight of her. Out of her drab human dress, she wore something between a robe and a gown, all draping layers.

The pale pink fabric was cinched at her waist by a belt studded with semiprecious gems, the flowing material hinting at her curves and the long lengths of her legs.

Sleeveless, the gown left her supple lilac arms bare, and she’d unbound her long hair from its plait, letting it fall down her back in heavy waves.

He purred before he even knew it. The vision she made was one of a queen at rest.

Hilde had obviously been visiting while he was away.

She’d a penchant for garments like this and had been slowly bending the fashion of the Balmirran court to her will.

Although Eydis was currently the highest ranking orcess at court, she’d little interest in fashions—much to Hilde’s dismay—so it was Lady Silvia, who clung to power of any kind, setting the court’s tastes.

If he wasn’t mistaken, Hilde might have finally found her muse.

His beast raised its jealous head. Ravenna was perhaps too alluring for anyone else to see her like this. The softness and easy lines spoke to a more domestic, private garment. He could allow that. He liked her in it very much.

He told her as much.

Her cheeks darkened to a dusky lavender. “Thank you.”

A blush from her. How charming.

Vallek was aware of the way she watched him as he poured them both a goblet of wine. It was still early in the day yet for it, but he thought they both deserved it as they awaited their dinner. He could use the fortification for the conversation ahead, too.

Still, his mate’s wary gaze only reminded him of Asta’s words. You must reassure her.

Glancing at how she was again seated at the far window, Vallek decided he must try. If nothing else, days apart had proven to him that such distance couldn’t be tolerated again. If he was ever to gain that last ground between them, he had to change his strategy.

Vallek fetched the talfon board and set, placing it on the dining table and then the second goblet on the other side.

“Will you join me?” he asked, settling in his usual seat.

She looked between him and the board, her gaze inscrutable, before rising to join him. Vallek’s chest swelled with the little triumph, although he hid his grin behind his hand as he opened the box of pieces and pushed it toward her.

“You give up first choice?” she asked.

“For you, yes. And this time, you mustn’t just let me win.”

Her lips pursed to fight off her grin. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Mm. You must adjust your strategy now. I’m no longer your king.”

“No?” she said without looking up from her pieces. She’d chosen his preferred black set.

“No,” he agreed. “I mean to be your mate.” Reaching across the space between them, he picked up her hand to hold in his own.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Her voice fell to a whisper.

“Not at all. Yet…I wouldn’t change it.”

That finally drew her gaze, and she looked upon him in surprise.

“All I’ve done is complicate your life,” she said.

“You’ve also made me happy.” Lifting her hand, he kissed the back, sure to rub her skin with a tusk. “And vexed me to no end.” He would take a lifetime of vexing, though, if it meant having her.

His beast was still thinking for him in many regards when it came to Ravenna, yes, but even the more reluctant parts of him had to admit—they were well suited in many ways. He wanted her, and he wanted to get to know her. He wanted the chance.

He couldn’t say what that would mean for his kingdom and unification. No doubt more challenges. But he’d met great challenges before. He’d do so again, especially if that was the price he must pay to have her.

Nothing could be settled yet. There were too many moving pieces. Their bond was still new and unformed. Hrothgar was still awaiting an answer. Ulrich still had his suspicions, and the fae’s eye was turned toward them. All challenges that perhaps would’ve been easy to solve by doing away with her.

Yet, even in the early days as they were, doing away with Ravenna would be to cut out a part of himself. A vital part.

He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t give her up.

Vallek would find a way to be with her.

If it meant sitting alone on his throne, so be it. If it meant fae taxes and Ulrich’s anger and outmaneuvering Hrothgar, so be it.

He’d never backed down from a challenge, and he’d no intention to start now. Not when there was everything to gain.