Page 81 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)

Ten Months Later

The pale winter sun had long since set, but still they were trapped in this infernal meeting. Dinner had been brought in and taken out again, one of the ministers had fallen asleep in his chair, and Ravenna was beginning to worry spring would be upon them before the meeting was finished.

Usually, Ravenna relished the chance to debate.

It’d become something of a favorite pastime, attending these meetings after learning all she could on the topics.

Her father always advised knowing all she could about an enemy or new terrain; Ravenna took this to heart, always prepared with questions for the ministers.

Tonight, however, it was the scholar minister and mining minister whose questions—well, argument—kept them rooted to their seats.

The topic was an important one; a new vein of gold had been discovered, but, before delving further into the mountain, the mining minister first had to get Vallek’s permission and check the existing records.

More gold was all well and good, but not worth bringing the city down to get at it.

As in most things, the scholar minister took a more cautious approach, bringing charts and maps and surveys to argue that the existing information clearly showed that mining where they wanted to could prove dangerous.

The mining minister, however, brought up that all the existing information was well out of date, compiled early in Mordis’s reign some thirty years ago.

Good arguments abounded on either side, and while Ravenna would have normally delighted in asking questions, tonight, she was ready for this to end.

She’d been cranky long before the meeting began.

Vallek had been called away early that morning, several of the city garrison reporting odd sightings in the sky. It’d taken him the better part of the morning to round up those guards who’d claimed to have seen something unusual on the horizon and then deploy more guards.

That left Ravenna alone in their bed. Of course, she was used to his early mornings.

He kept to a strict schedule most days, rising with the dawn to train with his berserkers.

However, this morning, he’d been called away well before dawn, so early that they hadn’t been able to indulge in their usual morning routines.

It wasn’t that she had to have his cock in the mornings, it was that she’d gotten used to it. In her time spent as Vallek’s mate, wife, and queen, she’d become accustomed to a certain life, and that included starting her day with a delicious orgasm.

She feared she’d been a bit of a beast all day because of the loss.

As the ministers continued to argue the same points, Ravenna stole a glance at her azai .

Even in her crankiness, she had to hide her grin when she saw just how hard he fought to keep the boredom from his face.

She commended him for being judicious; mining was far too important to decide on rashly.

Still, he had other important matters to attend to.

Her.

Shifting in her seat, Ravenna let her magic pool at her feet. Keeping half an ear on the debating ministers, she had her magic glide the few feet across the floor to Vallek’s boots. In soft spirals, the magic slithered up his legs, gentle, teasing caresses.

At first, she wasn’t sure he felt it. But when her magic slid beneath his tunic to pool at his cock still hidden under his trou, he sat up straight. Clearing his throat, he threw her a quick, stern frown. She answered with a smirk and raised brow.

Ravenna knew a challenge in her mate’s eye when she saw it. Vallek settled back in his seat, spine straight, and gave the ministers his attention again.

Excitement flushed her cheeks. She did so love to tease him.

Moving her fingers under the table, Ravenna’s magic followed her subtle directions. It caressed his thighs and abdomen, swirling in warm whorls across his lap. Unseen by the others, it reached up his chest to tease at his nipples and the freshly healed bite she’d left upon him not three days ago.

He bore it all admirably, lasting far longer than she thought he would. Indeed, he sat stoically so long, it was her who began to squirm in her seat. She discreetly crossed her legs, clenching her thighs tight to prevent the whole council from scenting her growing excitement.

Finally, when she’d decided it was time to make a decision, she gathered her magic at his cock again. She could feel through the ephemeral touch how hard he’d grown, a heavy bulge pressing against his trou front. Adding pressure, she let the magic press gently down on his cockhead.

Vallek choked—then cleared his throat.

“I appreciate the care you’ve both taken in your arguments,” he said, “but I think we’ve said all there is to say. Begin a new survey of the mines, and, if it is found to be safe, we’ll open the new shaft in spring.”

She flicked his chin with her magic. There, was that so difficult?

The ministers bowed, even the scholar and mining ministers agreeing. The matter settled, they and the other ministers began to gather their things and bid goodnight, their overused voices crackling.

Vallek and Ravenna met their bows and farewells with nods and thanks, Ravenna smiling serenely as each orc passed her, one by one.

It was difficult, but she tried not to be too smug about getting her way.

Even amongst a city of orcs, she often did, one way or another, but the triumph remained sweeter when she had to work for it.

Finally, the door closed behind the last minister, leaving Ravenna alone with her azai . She turned to behold him, that serene smile still on her lips.

Vallek pushed his chair back from the table, the legs screeching against the hardwood. “Come here. Now.”

Shivering at the command in his voice, Ravenna stood. She took her time flicking her hair over her shoulders and flouncing toward him. When she was close enough to grab, he hauled her forward, pressing the small of her back into the table edge.

“You are an impetuous brat,” he rumbled, even as he worked to unbuckle his belt.

“I am only ever your loving, devoted wife,” she countered, even as she rucked up her skirts.

Legs planted wide, Vallek leaned back in his seat, one hand freeing his angry cock. Holding it by the root, he told her, “Finish what you start, sprite.”

Lip caught between her teeth, Ravenna mounted her bossy mate, knees rested on either side of his thighs. Holding up her skirts for him, she watched as he ran his cockhead over her cunt.

They shuddered at the contact, his palm sliding up her thigh to hold onto her hip, her hand smacking onto his chest for balance.

“Gods, you’re burning up,” he groaned.

“You left me this way,” she pouted, “all day.”

Vallek hummed in understanding. “Is that what this is about? Revenge for leaving our bed?”

Ravenna leaned down to catch his lips in a ferocious kiss. Nipping at his bottom lip, she whispered, “I have no need of revenge. Not anymore.”

He huffed in amusement. “I’m not sure I can believe that. Not with that cunning mind of yours.”

“It’s true. Now, will you fuck your long-suffering queen senseless, or do I have to start without you?”

A frenetic purr buzzed in his chest as he set his cockhead at her weeping entrance. Seizing her by the hips, Vallek pressed her down as he pushed up, a merciless invasion that didn’t end until he was fully seated inside her.

Ravenna’s head fell back, mouth open in a silent scream.

Fates, so full.

She dug her claws into his tunic, scrabbling for purchase as he began to move.

There was no gentleness, no finesse. He moved inside her like the brutal warlord he was, thrusting up to stretch her with every stroke.

Ravenna bounced in his lap, content just to hold on, hips rolling frantically to try keeping pace.

A growl was her only warning. Surging up, he lifted her under the knees and set her back on the table.

Spreading her wide, he took her by the hips again, pulling her to meet every single hard thrust. Those ethereally blue eyes of his glittered with pleasure to see her spread across the table for his enjoyment.

He reached so deep like this, bodies colliding in violent smacks.

Ravenna bared her fangs, delighting in the burning pleasure.

She would feel him for days after this, a delicious soreness to take with her.

Clutching him tight, she beckoned him deeper, called him home. Give it to me, give it all to me.

Vallek planted his palms on the table on either side of her. Grinning down at her, he grunted, “Hold on.” She’d just enough time to wrap her hands around his taut forearms before he began moving again in earnest.

Without her hold, she would’ve slid clear across the table from the force of his thrusts.

Hips pounding, their bodies made wet smacks as they met, slick dripping between them.

She gritted her teeth and bore it, pleasure that bordered on pain, desperately trying to roll her hips for more.

Unbearable pressure built low in her belly, tension begging to snap.

He was too tall to kiss like this, so she caressed his lips with her magic, an extra layer of sensation. Chest rumbling, his hungry gaze devoured her—the way her lips parted with every mewl and moan, how she flushed with lust, the wild cascade of her hair across the table.

His arms tensed, and a growl rumbled in his throat. A snarl on his lips, Vallek thrust inside a final time, pinching her clitoris with his shaft.

Sharp sensation severed the tension, and Ravenna came with a shout. Convulsing on the table, she felt how her cunt milked his cock, drawing him further in, sealing them together. He collapsed over her, just catching himself on his elbows as he pulsed inside her, filling her with spend.

For a long while, all Ravenna could do was float. Happiness carried her along, body trembling with aftershocks of pleasure as she lay beneath her mate.