Page 31 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)

As the mountains gave way to rolling foothills blanketed in forest, Ravenna couldn’t figure out whether Mattias was shy or had been given orders not to look her directly in the eye.

It’d be just like Vallek to order his captain not to get too friendly with his mate—even while said mate sat every night watching him entertain orcesses vying to be his wife and queen.

The captain was stalwart in his company and his silence.

Speaking when spoken to and nothing more, he gave little away.

Ravenna had to confirm with Vallek whether the captain knew about their mating, Mattias himself giving no indication.

Instead, she had to content herself with his ruggedly handsome profile if not his conversation.

Still, she came to appreciate the quiet support. She even came to like her little onager, whom she called Twitch from how his ears liked to twitch back and forth.

What she didn’t enjoy was coming away smelling of Twitch at the end of each day. Placed near the back of the column, she felt like she wore the entire road by the time she slipped into Vallek’s tent in the evening.

That day was particularly bad, and Ravenna itched to peel off her cloak as she watched the workers deftly erect the king’s tent.

It was a cavernous, billowing thing, and seeing it rise and collapse and rise again was truly impressive.

The skilled orcs could have it up in no time at all, followed swiftly by the king’s foldable traveling furniture.

Ducking and weaving to avoid becoming a nuisance or obstacle, Ravenna dove into the tent as soon as she was able.

Padding quickly through the spacious main room, she folded back the flap to the inner bedchamber.

His massive camp bed, with its many cushions and pillows and silk sheets, sat ready and waiting.

As did her sad little cot in the corner.

She sighed happily when she pulled the cloak from her shoulders.

She almost let her disguise slip, but then heard several orcs come in—carrying something heavy by the sound of it. Ravenna remained still and silent, waiting for them to finish whatever it was they brought.

When Vallek softly called her name, though, she peeked out from behind the flap.

His gaze swung to her immediately, and a grin warmed his face. Fates, she didn’t know whether his charming Hrothgar’s party was more annoying than how easily he charmed her, too.

Holding out his hand, he drew her out from the back bedroom. With his free hand, he gestured at one of the best sights in the world.

A hipbath, full of warm, steamy water, sat behind a privacy screen against the canvas wall. An audible groan escaped her lips.

Chuckling, Vallek hugged her to his side. “I know how hard the road can be. I’ve ordered the tent be left empty for an hour so you may enjoy your bath.”

She wanted to throw her arms around him and weep with happiness. Instead, she joked, “So you think I smell, too?”

“I know you do,” he teased back, noisily nuzzling her head and taking a big whiff.

She huffed in mock outrage as he pushed her toward the bath, giving her backside a gentle smack on her way.

Peering over her shoulder, she bit her lip as she looked him over head to toe.

Also a bit dusty from the road, he nevertheless looked handsome as ever, and this was the first instance, aside from being in bed, that she’d been alone with him in many days.

“I’m to enjoy this all alone?”

Vallek himself groaned, closing the distance between them. Partially hidden by the screen, he dipped his head to bestow a teasing kiss.

“Don’t tempt me, sprite. When we return to Balmirra, you’ll do nothing without me.”

That should’ve worried her, but she couldn’t feel much of anything over the lust throbbing between her legs.

With one last kiss, Vallek left her to her bath. After waiting a moment to see that she truly had the tent to herself, Ravenna stripped and nearly dove into the bath. Submerging beneath the water, her moan of pleasure bubbled around her.

Scrubbing and soaping, she lathered every inch of skin and hair.

By the time the bathwater cooled, she was raw-skinned and utterly delighted.

Pulling off one of the bath sheets left hanging over the privacy screen, Ravenna wrapped it round herself before grabbing her grubby traveling clothes and hurrying back into the bedroom.

Although she wanted to chuck the kirtle right into that night’s bonfire, she carefully hung it from a peg. The idea of getting back into it tomorrow was loathsome, but at least for tonight, she was clean.

Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she forwent her nightgown for now, instead staying wrapped in the bath sheet as she combed the tangles from her hair.

The quiet tread of footsteps on the carpets laid over the main room perked her ears. She didn’t think it’d quite been an hour, but she couldn’t blame the others for wanting to get their tasks completed. Still, she begrudgingly reformed her false face.

Although—she looked up in suspicion—it honestly sounded like only one set of footsteps.

The flap of the bedchamber twitched back, and suddenly a scantily clad orcess stood before her. She met Yngrid’s startled gaze, watching the orcess’s bosom heave with surprise.

“Oh! Uhm…”

“Can I help you?”

Yngrid looked around, as if searching for an answer that wasn’t that she’d thought Vallek was in here and she meant to seduce him. Ravenna’s frown gained in ferocity for every moment the orcess prevaricated.

Clearing her throat, Yngrid finally said, “Where is the king?”

“Not here.”

“I can see that.” Finally taking a moment to look over the rest of the bedchamber, Yngrid actually stepped further inside, much to Ravenna’s chagrin. If the orcess came within grabbing distance, she wasn’t responsible for her actions. “He truly does have you sleep beside him.”

“He likes to keep me near. In case of visions.”

Yngrid nodded. “All right.” Sighing, she added, “Men are strange creatures, are they not?”

Ravenna blinked. “I suppose.”

Drawing her translucent shawl, a lovely green hemmed in silver thread, higher on her shoulders, Yngrid considered her a moment. Ravenna could appreciate the real intelligence shining in her eyes, even if she wanted to scratch those eyes out.

“I don’t suppose you’ve seen who he’ll take as queen?”

Ravenna shook her head. “No, I’ve never seen it. I don’t think he means to take a queen.”

“So he says.” Considering a moment, Yngrid pulled a dangling gold hoop from her ear before approaching Ravenna’s cot. “For your vision. Tell me what you see for me.” Placing the earring on the cot, she held out her hand for Ravenna to take.

All Ravenna could do was blink some more, a bit baffled by this turn of events.

“Are you sure?” People often thought they wanted their fortunes told, but that was only if there was something good to tell.

“Quite sure.” And she waggled her green fingers to prove it.

Shrugging, Ravenna touched her hand to the noblewoman’s, closing her eyes and beckoning forth a vision.

It took a moment, as it often did when she was the one to summon it, rather than the vision choosing its own timing. They were fickle like that, preferring to play by their own rules, but since the magic was still inherent to her, Ravenna maintained at least some control.

—I swear it, father—silver thread binding needles of pine—brought a golden horn to her lips—two baby birds, one flying first from the nest—all my days to my people—

Pulling back from the disparate images and impressions, Ravenna regained her presence in the tent. Her eyes fluttered open to behold an anxious Yngrid, eyes unblinking as she awaited her fortune.

“You will rule,” Ravenna told her, “but not Balmirra.”

A triumphant smile overtook Yngrid’s face, and she clapped her hands together. “Well, that’s excellent news!”

“Is it?”

Yngrid nodded excitedly. “No offense, but Balmirra is austere. And drafty. Nothing to the beauty and comforts of Innrinhom.”

Ravenna only nodded mildly.

Chuckling to herself, Yngrid patted Ravenna’s shoulder.

“I like you more and more, kone . What a treasure you are! No wonder he keeps you close.” Leaning down, she whispered, “Should you ever tire of him, you’ve always a place at my court.

” With that and a wink, Yngrid straightened and flounced from the bedchamber.

Ravenna stared after the orcess, bemused.

What just happened? she asked Oberon, relaying the strange exchange.

Diplomacy. I think.