Page 14
FOURTEEN
Amuleta stepped into the magnificent suite in the north wing of the castle.
It was decorated in bold dark colors with slight hints of a feminine touch here and there.
A sitting area greeting them at first with a sleeping area off to the side.
Thick plush rugs were strategically placed on the marble floors, while tasteful artwork adorned the walls.
Sconces lined the walls which were already lit in preparation for nightfall.
Her gaze landed on a four-poster bed with deep-burgundy drapes that encompassed it.
The material matched the curtains that flanked the windows.
Amuleta turned in a circle to take in the entire room.
From what she could see, it was almost as big as the cottage she shared with her mother.
She slowly walked around the room to take it all in.
Weapons were on display that must have meaning to Magoza on a bookcase with some leather-bound books, and a few were also hanging on the walls.
She continued exploring while Magoza was speaking with someone at the door in a hushed manner.
This was where her mate lived.
Amuleta sighed and reached up to brush her hair away from her face.
She turned back just in time to see Magoza open the door wider to allow a tall willowy orc female into the room.
The female gave a short nod to Amuleta then cast her eyes down.
She scurried into another chamber attached to the room.
“Soula will prepare your bath and obtain some fresh clothing for you,” Magoza announced, striding across the room toward her.
She stopped in front of Amuleta and cupped her face with her hand.
“I can’t stay here tonight. I have to get back to my mother. She will worry,” Amuleta said.
As much as she would love to spend the night in Magoza’s arms, Gelisha needed her.
She couldn’t leave her.
There was no telling what could happen if she became confused at night while Amuleta was not home.
She couldn’t risk it.
“What if we sent someone to get her and bring her here?” Magoza offered.
Amuleta leaned into her palm and shook her head.
“She wouldn’t leave with anyone. It would be best if I go,” she whispered.
She turned her face and pressed a kiss to Magoza’s palm.
“At least bathe first and allow me to provide you with fresh clothing and a meal. Then I will personally escort you home.”
Magoza took her by the hand and led her into the other room Soula had disappeared into.
It was a large bathing room with an indoor toileting facility, a big tub built into the floor, dual sinks, and an elongated mirror resting above them.
Amuleta had never seen a bathing room so fancy.
“The water should be just right,” Soula announced.
She walked around the tub and placed thick, soft-looking towels on a table near the stairs that led down into the water.
The sight of the steam rising and the scent of flowers called to Amuleta.
She bit her lip and stared at the tub.
It wouldn’t hurt for her to clean up first before going home.
It had been a long, warm day.
She had nothing like this at home, and the urge to be selfish for once in her life bloomed in her chest.
“Is there anything else you will need, Commander?”
“Please have a meal sent up for my mate and I to share.”
Amuleta’s eyes snapped over to Magoza.
The orc was not holding back the word mate.
Amuleta swallowed hard and offered the servant a smile before she dashed out of the room.
“So you are telling everyone who I am,” Amuleta murmured.
She ambled over to the stairs that led to the bath.
She eyed the water and breathed in the pleasing aromas.
“And why shouldn’t I?” Magoza replied.
She came up behind Amuleta and rested her hands on her shoulders.
She nuzzled Amuleta’s neck with her lips, brushing the soft skin.
Amuleta stared ahead, frozen at the sight of her in the mirror.
She blinked, unable to believe what she looked like.
Her hair was frizzy and standing up in every direction.
Her green skin was flushed, and her clothing had specks of dirt all along it.
She was a mess and had just met with the chieftain, his mate, Magoza’s sister, and no one had mentioned how crazed she appeared.
“Oh my,” she whispered.
She reached up and tried to smooth her hair down, but it was windblown and needed a good combing.
“What is the matter?” Magoza lifted her head, her eyes meeting Amuleta’s in the mirror.
She smirked and spun her around.
Her tusks gleamed in the lights of the room.
Her lips curled up into a grin.
“You are ravishing.”
“I look as if I had been ravished.” Amuleta rolled her eyes.
“And you were.” Magoza dropped a hard kiss on her lips.
Her hands snuck down and gripped Amuleta’s tunic.
She tugged it over her head and dropped it down on the floor.
She reached for Amuleta’s skirt next and removed it.
Her heated gaze skated over Amuleta’s naked form.
“You are perfect.”
Amuleta’s words caught in her throat.
Immediately she was going to deny it, but with the way Magoza was gazing at her, it made her believe it.
This strong female was willing to stand up to anyone who had something to say about her.
She treated her as if she were the most precious thing in the world and she fecked Amuleta as if her life depended on it.
Amuleta stepped forward and began disrobing Magoza.
She would take what she could at the moment.
She would embrace it all.
No matter who had anything to say about her and Magoza, she would stand by her.
If Magoza was willing to face the unknown to be with her, then she would do the same.
Feck what anyone had to say.
Once her clothing and weapons had been discarded, Magoza bent down and lifted Amuleta against her chest. Amuleta smiled and rested her arms on her shoulders.
Magoza carried her down into the bath.
A gasp escaped Amuleta as they descended into the water.
It never was this warm at home.
Sometimes she’d even washed up in the river on the hottest days.
Nothing could compare to this.
Magoza allowed her to slide down her body.
Their breasts brushed each other, eliciting a moan to slip from Amuleta.
She stood in the water and basked in the feel of it.
She went down and submerged herself completely for a moment to get her hair wet.
She broke through the surface with a laugh.
“This feels so good.” She giggled.
Magoza smiled and reached over for one of the bathing cloths and soap.
“Here. Allow me to wash you.”
“I am perfectly capable of doing that.” Amuleta smiled.
She attempted to reach for the cloth, but Magoza gently batted her hand away.
“I’m sure you are, but I want to take care of my mate, and that means anything from protecting you, providing for you, and even bathing you,” Magoza rasped.
Her amber eyes darkened as she turned back to Amuleta.
Amuleta could only respond with a nod.
Magoza lathered up the cloth and came to her.
She took her time in washing every part of Amuleta.
Suds covered every inch of her that wasn’t underneath the water.
Magoza lifted her and sat her on the seat and continued her mission.
She raised Amuleta’s legs from the water one at a time so she could bathe them until she was satisfied that Amuleta’s skin practically sparkled.
Her skin was extremely soft and tingled.
“Come.” Magoza guided her to the center of the bath and assisted her in dipping down again to wet her hair.
She carefully detangled and washed Amuleta’s hair.
Her skilled fingers were proficient at not only bringing Amuleta to orgasm but in massaging her scalp as well.
By the time she was done, Amuleta could barely stand on her own.
Her body was so relaxed.
Magoza perched her on the seat and quickly washed herself off.
“Why can’t I do you?” Amuleta asked.
“Another time. Tonight this was all about you.” Magoza disappeared down into the water then popped back up having rinsed herself off.
She slowly waded over to Amuleta and stood between her knees.
She cupped Amuleta’s cheeks and dipped her head down and pressed her lips to hers.
The kiss was heated and tantalizing.
Her tongue pushed forward and stroked Amuleta’s in a slow, easy dance.
From the meaningful words, to the thoughtful bath, to the scorching kiss—Amuleta was falling for her strong orc.
She pressed forward with her hands sliding up to cup Magoza’s firm breasts, but Magoza broke the kiss.
They both were breathing hard as they stared at one another.
Magoza covered her hands and slid them away gently.
“I promised you a meal, mate.”
“I know?—”
“I also said I would escort you home, and as much as it pains me for you to go, I will take you home to your mother.” She dropped a hard kiss to Amuleta’s lips then took her by her hands.
She guided her to the stairs and out of the water.
She wrapped them both in the thick fluffy towels Soula had left for them.
“I always keep my promises. All of them.”
“ Banhas ?” Amuleta let herself in the quiet cottage.
She paused in the doorway and found Magoza sitting upon her shukan, Bartos.
The urge to return to her was strong, but she needed to check on her mother.
Magoza had taken care of removing the saddle from Lulu so she could go join her herd again.
Amuleta gave her a wave and closed the door.
She engaged the lock and leaned back against the solid wood.
A sigh escaped her, and she thought of the events of the day.
So much had happened that she didn’t even know where to start to sort through it all.
She went in search of Gelisha.
It worried her that there were no sounds coming from any part of the house.
Even though it had grown late, Gelisha usually sat in her chair each night—waiting for Amuleta’s father.
She stopped by the sewing room and found it in disarray, but that was no surprise.
Gelisha had been working hard at crafting new clothing for the both of them with all of the new material they had purchased.
She closed the door and moved to her parents’ bedroom.
She pressed her ear to the door and listened, slowly turning the knob.
She peeked her head in and found a candle burning softly on the table beside the bed.
Her mother was lying in the bed, snoring lightly.
Amuleta smiled and pushed the door open more so she could enter.
She padded across the room and gathered the thin blanket Gelisha liked to keep on the bed and covered her up.
“ Danhas , is that you?” Gelisha murmured without opening her eyes.
She snuggled down into the mattress with a deep sigh.
“ Kraz . It is I. Go back to sleep.” Amuleta pressed a kiss to Gelisha’s forehead.
She leaned over and blew the candle out, sending the room into darkness.
She tiptoed out of the room and shut the door behind her.
How was she going to approach her about the chieftain’s request?
She was sure she would deny the request. Amuleta was already worried that Gelisha would try to make them move now that Magoza knew where they lived.
She went into her bedroom and closed the door.
She lit a candle on her bedside table and stripped off her new clothes that Magoza had given her.
She hung them up in her closet and threw on her nightgown.
She snagged her silky bonnet Gelisha had made her and placed it over her freshly braided hair.
After Magoza had washed it, she had braided it so it wouldn’t dry too crazy.
She slid into bed and tried to get comfortable.
Thoughts of Magoza filled her mind.
The orc had successfully woven her way into Amuleta’s heart.
But would that be enough?
Tomorrow was another day of trials for Magoza, and Amuleta planned to be there.
She was going to show her support for her mate.