Page 24

Chapter 24

Eleri

I woke beside my mate. My love. A grin rose on my face. What we’d done last night . . .

Well, I wanted him to do it again. I’d never imagined two bodies could give each other such pleasure.

His arms tightened around me where I lay on his chest, and he kissed the top of my head gently.

Rising over him, I smiled. “Hey, mate.”

“Hey to you too, mate.”

I shifted up until I could kiss him, marveling all over again at how wonderful it was just to be with him.

His fingertips traced up and down my sides, and it wasn’t long before one of his hands slipped between my legs.

“Wet,” he growled. “Incredibly wet.”

“I want to try something,” I said, straddling his waist.

“Walk along the shore? Swim in the sea? I know. You want to cook me some fish.”

Tease.

“No, this.” Taking his cock, I ran my fingers up and down it. “What do these nubs on the sides do?”

“I believe you discovered that last night when they moved within you. They vibrate.”

“And this?” I stroked the smaller cock mounted above the larger one.

A quiver went through him.

“It likes to be touched,” I said, gripping it in my palm and milking it like my body would if it was embedded inside me.

“Even more, it likes sucking on your clit while I ride you.”

“This morning, I want to ride you.”

His eyes widened, as did his grin. “You can ride me whenever you want, mate.”

Just the thought of it made me wetter. Rising over him, I placed the head of his cock at my opening. There had been a small sting when he pushed inside me last night, but I suspected that would be the last time it would hurt.

Now his big, thick cock would only give me pleasure.

I lowered my body down, but despite stretching me, I couldn’t get him all the way inside.

“Slowly, mate,” he said with a growl, his body trembling. “Lift and drop down again. Keep pressing, and I suspect you’ll find what you need. What we both need.”

I slowly rocked my hips, pressing down and lifting up. With each movement, I felt myself opening wider in anticipation. His body was warm, and each time I moved down, he shifted his hips up to meet me.

Slowly, my body opened, and he was finally able to slide in all the way. The sensation of being filled completely by him was nearly overwhelming. It left me gasping for air.

Lifting his upper body, he cupped my face with his hands and brought his lips close to mine.

“You feel wonderful,” he murmured before pressing a kiss onto my lips. His eyes were full of love as he laid back and looked at me. My smile made my cheeks ache.

I started to move up and down on him.

He groaned beneath me as I moved faster, each drop of my body bringing us closer together until we were both panting heavily. His hands roamed over my chest and hips while I rode him harder, delighting in how it felt when he stroked my nipples.

His upper spur kept hitting my clit and when it latched on and started humming, my eyeballs rolled back in my head. My moan was deep and guttural.

As if he sensed my leg had started to ache, his hands landed on my hips. He guided my movements as we both increased our pace, driving each other closer to the explosion.

The heat built inside me until it was too much to bear.

I cried out as an orgasm roared over me like a heavy wave crashing against the shoreline. He followed soon after with a deep groan that sent shivers through me.

I collapsed on his chest, and he stroked my back, whispering nonsense words that meant the world to me.

“You, my mate, are perfect,” he growled. “You thrill me like no other. I’ll treasure you for the rest of my days.”

And that was when I knew I’d love him until my dying day.

* * *

After breakfast, we placed the fish in totes and distributed it to our clan.

“Thank you,” an elderly orc female, Madine, said when we handed her a generous share of our catch. Her gaze fell on me, and she gave me a tusk-filled grin. “Nice of you to bring your new mate by, Caedos.” She patted my arm. “You’re the first human I’ve met, but I suspect you won’t be the last. Welcome.”

I spontaneously gave her a hug, and while she grunted, her smile held true when I stepped back once more. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Go on with you two,” she said, her face darkening. “I’ve got fish to place in my cool box, enough to tide me over the storm. You two have more fish to deliver. Do stop by soon, though, and we’ll share stories.” Her gaze met mine. “I would love to hear some of the older tales from the village where you grew up.”

“I’d love to share them,” I said. “Maybe you have some stories you can share about Odik.”

I grinned when he groaned.

“Bring him, too.” Madine playfully elbowed Odik’s side. “I’ll let him listen. He needs to hear some of the older tales again.”

“Madine’s the keeper of our past.” Odik tapped his temple. “She has all the clan history locked in her mind.”

“You know I hope to find someone to pass the stories on to.” Tilting her head, she studied me. “I’m still searching for one special person.” Her hands lifted and dropped to her sides. “Anyway. I’m sure you have others to visit. Thank you for stopping by to share a bit of time with an old lady.”

“Anytime.” Odik gently kissed her temple, and we stepped outside her tidy home. “I’ll stop by when the tempest is over. I made sure you have enough wood to keep your home warm.” He strode over to a shed attached to the side of her tidy house and peered inside. “Plenty.” He carried three loads into her house, placing them in the bin beside her stove.

“You shouldn’t worry about me, Caedos,” she said, patting my arm. “You as well, Eleri. Thank you both.”

He braced her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “You know I’ll do anything for you. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have need.”

We left her, carrying the totes into the main part of the village, though it was only six homes clustered together.

Trilden jumped when we walked up behind him, turning from a cart loaded with various items and hitched to a creature much like the beasts of burden my human village used for travel.

“Would you like help?” Odik asked. “I’d offer fish, but I’m sure you’ve already stocked your cold chest.”

“Oh, no. I, er, don’t need help.” Trilden’s face darkened, but I suspected he wasn’t embarrassed about being offered help like Madine. “Thank you though.” His voice went blustery. “I’ll, um, see you in a bit.” He rushed inside the nearby building.

Odik frowned and stared at the items in the cart. Two bags filled with what looked like clothing, a cold box that appeared unearthed from the ground if the dirt on the outside was anything to go by, and wooden furniture were tied to the cart.

The devastation on Odik’s face hit me in the chest like a hammer. “He’s . . .” He strode to the house and stepped inside. I followed, entering the tidy living area almost empty of furniture. “Trilden?” Odik continued to the small kitchen along the back right wall where his friend stood with his back to us, loading items into a wooden crate. “You’re leaving too?”

“Just for the tempest,” Trilden said, not turning to face Odik. “I’m sure I’ll be back.”

“When? After the storm or . . .” Odik sucked in a deep breath and released it with a sigh. “Or when you’re too old to care about working any longer?”

“It’s nothing you’ve done, Odik,” Trilden said softly, finally facing his caedos. “But there are more opportunities in the city. We’re half-starving here. You know that. Frankly, you should consider moving as well.”

“What would I do in the city?”

“Whatever the rest of us will do. Take a job making steel panels for the buildings. Fight off the dresalods. Or travel far into the mountains where the storms won’t reach us.”

“I can’t control the sky or the sea.” Defeat tinged Odik’s voice, and I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything would be alright. But I couldn’t fix this.

“You’re the best caedos this clan has seen.” The honesty in Trilden’s voice made me ache for both males. “If there was a way to increase crop growth, to bring livestock who could survive drinking salt water, I’d not only stay, but I’d recruit others to move here from the mainland. But we rely too heavily on inconsistent rain for anything like that.”

Odik drew himself up stiffly. “I understand. Know we’ll welcome you back if you change your mind.”

“Thank you, friend.” With that, Trilden turned back to his packing.

As he passed me, Odik took my hand, leading me from the small home.

“At this rate, we’ll soon be alone on the island.” He said nothing further as we distributed the rest of the fish to the villagers. He also said nothing as we walked home with our empty totes.

His steps were slow. He must feel as if the weight of the entire world rested on his shoulders.