Oath of War (The Cursed Bonds #2)

40. Chapter 40

My bare feet hit the cold stone floor of the corridor. I was too tired to pretend to be some dainty lady, and all I wanted was to curl up in bed with my men. Before we’d left, Orm and Alaric had bickered over who would carry me, so I’d taken the decision out of their hands and set off alone. The chill of the stone was a welcome relief to the ache in my feet, and soon enough, the two men stopped their arguing to catch up with me.

We soon found ourselves in one of the many small interior courtyards, and I stopped, looking up to gaze at the night sky. This , I realised, is home . This beautiful palace, with its gardens full of stars, was a place I could finally call my own.

A smile tugged at my lips. The old Moroi king’s palace was nothing like I’d imagined. Built atop a small hill, it wasn’t a single building but a collection of them, each a masterpiece in its own right. Galleries and pathways connected the structures, and walled gardens hid hot springs that kept the air warm even in the dead of winter.

The changes in the palace were nothing short of miraculous, and I knew it was all thanks to Alaric. While Orm had focused on rebuilding the town and caring for the citizens, Alaric and his undead army had taken on the monumental task of clearing the palace ruins.

The work wasn’t finished, but the living and administrative quarters were cleared, and aside from the epicentre of my fight with Cahyon, most of the palace had remained untouched. Ari had even retrieved furniture, décor, and fabrics stored in the vaults. As much as Ormond insisted on using all the money to support the rebuilding of the country, Alaric had advocated for keeping the old masterpieces in the palace to preserve the heritage of the old kingdom.

I had taken a step back from those responsibilities, spending most of my free time with Vahin. The wounds of war had left scars that didn’t want to heal, and even if the reasonable part of me was at peace with what I’d done, my heart couldn’t accept it. I missed Katja, thinking of the moment her spirit had come back from behind the Veil to help me during my last stand. She was as much a part of me as one of my Anchors, and my dragon was the only one who truly understood.

‘What are you doing?’ I asked, breaking my thoughts when Orm pulled me to his side.

‘That’s a surprise,’ he said with a grin. He brushed my braid aside and bent to place a kiss on my neck, his teeth playfully nipping at my skin. Before I could react, he swept me off the ground, and I squealed, instinctively wrapping my hands around his neck.

‘Hmm, that’s much better,’ he murmured, pressing his nose to my collarbone. ‘I should punish you for denying your Anchor the simplest of pleasures.’

‘And what would that be?’ I asked, my feet dangling in mid-air.

‘Caring for my woman, touching her, making her sigh with pleasure after she’s hissed in pain with each step.’ His eyes sparkled with a familiar glint. ‘What do you think, Alaric? Should we take this hardened warrior to her quarters instead of showing her the surprise we worked so hard on?’

‘I’m not sure,’ Alaric replied with a sly smile, his hand sliding along Orm’s spine. ‘If we did that, then we’d have to find something else to do for the rest of the night.’

I felt a shiver run through Orm, and my grip on his neck tightened in response.

‘Alright, you win,’ I said, throwing my head back and placing one hand on my forehead in a dramatic gesture. ‘Oh, please, good warrior, take me, take me to ... ehh ... where exactly are we going?’

Orm roared with laughter, shaking his head as he began walking again. ‘I told you, it’s a surprise,’ he said, exchanging glances with Alaric.

A few minutes later, we stood in front of a pair of double doors. They were made of dark oak, intricately carved with ornate floral decorations that glimmered with the faint glow of magic, the soft light brightening the corridor.

Orm pressed his lips to my ear as Alaric gripped the brass handles, saying, ‘Welcome to our new refuge, Nivale. Our very private quarters, where only a trusted few can enter.’

Ari pulled the doors wide open, and I couldn’t suppress my gasp. The room was beautiful.

An enormous window, glazed with mountain crystal, framed the sprawling city below. Its lights, many and bright, twinkled like stars, reflecting the sky above. Beyond the city, the sea stretched out, waves crashing against the shore. Even from here, the soft hum of wind and water seemed to pulse with the world’s heartbeat.

Orm stepped across the threshold with a proud smile, almost as if carrying his new bride, but I immediately gestured for him to set me down. The floor, made of polished granite with veins of gold and quartz, was warm beneath my feet, and soft plush rugs cushioned the rest of the space. Along one wall stood a massive bed, large enough for three—if not more.

‘Agnes moved your belongings over while we were at the Solstice Ball. Mine and Alaric’s were already here,’ Orm explained, shifting on his feet, his coy smile at odds with his burly frame. ‘I hope you like it. But you can change anything you don’t.’

I stood speechless, my gaze flickering over the room. Dragon-rider armour and weapons, along with a desk covered in reports, took up the entire south corner. Alaric’s daggers hung neatly on a rack, and several shelves of books caught my eye, my fingers itching to explore them. My own belongings and weapons were neatly displayed in an open wardrobe that looked to be worth ten times the entirety of its contents.

The room was perfect, but it felt too grand for me, especially since some people were still camping in tents next to ruined houses.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ I said, my voice barely above a whisper. ‘Where did this all come from though?’

‘The vault,’ Ormond replied. ‘We kept everything we couldn’t sell, or what Ari insisted was part of Ozar’s heritage. And before you ask, yes, I’ve seen to the people. Riders went out with sacks of gold to buy food and supplies, and the Dagome army is already rebuilding houses. But this,’ his hand swept around the room, ‘this is for us. The upcoming months will be difficult, and I wanted to create a space where we can leave the world behind and just rest. No titles, no duties, just peace. Just us.’

I opened my mouth to protest, but the sincerity in his eyes silenced me. ‘You’re impossible,’ I muttered, before breaking into a grin. ‘Utterly impossible. It’s the best bedroom I’ve ever had.’

Orm laughed as I leapt forward, stealing a quick kiss before running to the bed and throwing myself onto it with a delighted squeal. As I buried my face in the plush pillows, I heard Alaric’s low voice behind me.

‘She seems pleased,’ he said before turning to whisper something into Ormond’s ear.

‘Good,’ Orm said, his tone carrying a hint of mischief.

I propped myself up on an elbow, narrowing my eyes at the two of them. ‘What are you two whispering about?’

Orm turned to me with a playful smirk. ‘Your feet don’t seem to hurt anymore.’

‘They don’t,’ I admitted, watching as Alaric stepped closer, his hands moving to the buttons of Orm’s shirt. My breath hitched at the sight of his deliberate, graceful movements.

‘What are you doing?’ I asked, my voice faltering.

‘Getting ready for bed, of course,’ Alaric replied smoothly, his bright hair catching the light as he slid the shirt from Orm’s shoulders. His eyes locked with mine, a teasing smile playing on his lips. ‘Unless you’d rather I stop?’

I swallowed hard, heat rising to my cheeks. ‘That’s not what it looks like.’

‘Oh?’ Orm said, his tone heavy with amusement. ‘And what does it look like?’

Before I could answer, Alaric turned his attention back to Orm, his hands trailing down the muscular planes of his chest. ‘What do you think, Domina?’ he asked, his voice low and intimate. ‘Do you like what you see?’

‘Yes,’ I breathed, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

Orm’s gaze darkened, a command lingering in his expression. ‘Then tell him what to do.’

The air between us thickened as I sat up, my heart pounding. ‘Kneel, Alaric,’ I said, my voice trembling with both nerves and anticipation. ‘And touch him.’

‘Yes, Domina,’ Ari murmured, sinking gracefully to the floor. His nails traced a deliberate path along the seam of Orm’s trousers, pausing just before he reached the laces.

‘I’m too overdressed,’ I muttered, tugging at the collar of my gown, the growing heat inside me threatening to consume me. Orm’s hand rose in a silent command, halting me. His other hand gently brushed through Alaric’s white hair, his touch reverent yet possessive.

‘Patience, my love,’ Orm said with a knowing smirk, his gaze locked on mine. I knelt on the bed, my hands curling into fists as I watched them. The moment Alaric loosened the laces, Orm’s shaft sprang free, and with a steady hand, Ari took hold of him. His first stroke was slow and exploratory, bringing the thick, hardening flesh to his lips.

‘Taste it, Keresik,’ 1 Orm growled, his fingers tangling in Alaric’s hair, tilting his head at just the right angle.

The sight stole my breath.

Orm’s back arched in pleasure as Ari took him deep, his skilled tongue and lips drawing a guttural sound from the commander. Orm’s thumb brushed Ari’s cheek in a fleeting, tender motion, even as his hips began to move in deliberate rhythm. A quiet moan escaped my lips, and my hands instinctively moved, seeking relief from the growing ache between my legs.

‘Oh gods,’ I whispered, my body thrumming with need as an undeniable wave of desire coursed through me.

‘Patience, Annika,’ Orm said again, his voice firm and commanding. His gaze didn’t waver from mine, even as his thrusts grew more hypnotic. ‘You will touch yourself when I allow it.’

‘Shove your patience where the sun doesn’t shine,’ I stammered, fighting with the delicate fabric of my dress as the hunger in me burned hotter. ‘I need you. Both of you. Please.’

Somehow, amid war and grief and the aftermath of battle, we’d been abstinent. I hadn’t been ready, the pain too raw, and they’d both respected that, sharing nothing but comforting cuddles. But seeing my men touching each other, my body awakened with a craving that set me on fire.

Orm’s low laugh sent shivers through me. He grasped Alaric’s chin, tilting it upward so Ari met my gaze. My cheeks burned, my body aflame under their shared intensity. I became wetter, a flood coating my thighs as I saw their devotion—unyielding and all-consuming.

‘You feel it, don’t you?’ Orm murmured. ‘You know you’re ours as much as we’re yours. Take what you need, Annika. Ask for it.’

‘Gods, yes , I need you,’ I begged, unashamed. There was no room for modesty, not with the love and trust that bound us.

Orm chuckled, his voice laced with desire. ‘Perhaps our demonstration can wait,’ he said, pulling Alaric to his feet as they stripped with practiced efficiency.

My breath hitched when Ari stood bare before me, his silvery skin glowing in the candlelight, but it was Orm’s fierce, predatory gaze that rooted me in place.

The two of them advanced, their movements fluid, their hunger evident. My heartbeat fluttered wildly as Orm captured my foot, his lips pressing against my ankle before he began a slow, sensual ascent.

‘What does my lady command?’ he asked, his teeth grazing my calf as he tugged me closer.

‘I want you both,’ I breathed, arching into Alaric’s touch as his nimble fingers began unfastening the intricate buttons of my gown. ‘I need to touch you, to feel you.’

‘Then show me,’ Orm said, his voice a low rumble. ‘Take what you need, Nivale, and I’ll let Alaric pleasure you after he finishes undressing you.’

I wanted to taste him, to feel my lips where Alaric’s had been, but words escaped me, my desire too raw to articulate. Instead, a moan slipped past my lips as I slid lower, peppering Orm’s chest and abdomen with heated kisses. When I reached his cock, I took the head into my mouth, swirling my tongue around its ridge. His growl, low and primal, reverberated through me, sending a shiver down my spine.

I sucked him harder, drawing him deeper as I savoured the heat of him, moaning at how delicious he tasted as I gagged on his length.

‘Fuck, you’re perfect,’ Orm groaned, his voice a husky caress. ‘My Nivale, my queen ... Fuck, yes ... just like that. Such a good girl.’

His praise unravelled me, and when his hand tangled in my hair, the slight twitch of his fingers betrayed his struggle to hold back. I adored those growly moans of his, the subtle tilt of his hips signalling his need for more. My nails raked across his abdomen, and an influx of strange power coursed through me, threading with my magic to flow through the bonds with my men.

A sharp jolt of pleasure hit me as Alaric’s tongue found its way between my folds, his touch expert and maddening. He teased me, the tip of his tongue circling my clit with torturous precision before sliding a finger inside, twisting it slowly, deliberately.

I was lost, a frenzy overtaking me as I bobbed my head, Orm’s groans of desperation spurring me on. Every stroke of my tongue along the thick vein of his shaft pulled more need from him, his body trembling under my touch. Behind me, Alaric’s ministrations grew bolder, his mouth and fingers driving me to the brink as he sucked in my clit and inserted a second digit.

I pushed my backside into Alaric’s face, riding him as Orm ruthlessly fucked my mouth, and a wave of bliss overtook me. As my body started to spasm, Orm pulled me up by my braid, his cock slick from my attentions.

‘My turn,’ he growled, the words barely registering before he lifted me, seating me on his hips.

The head of his cock slid along my slickness as I rocked against him, desperate for relief, but his steel grip stilled my movements.

‘Look at me, Annika,’ Orm commanded when I whimpered in protest. As my eyes met his, a satisfied smile spread across his face. ‘You are not in control now. I am. Surrender to your Anchor. Release your magic—I want you raw and needy, and I want to feel all of you.’

When he slid into me, the fullness was exquisite, and I tightened around him instinctively. The aether surged through me like a tidal wave, vast and consuming. A stormy, raging sea that carried me into sweet oblivion.

‘Sweetheart, relax. Arch your back for Alaric. Our fae wants his fill, too,’ Orm murmured, his voice softening as he leaned back, and I felt Alaric behind me. His cock pressed against my rear, his movements slow and steady, urging me to yield. The intimate pressure built, and I trembled.

A sob escaped my lips, and Alaric stilled immediately, his concern evident.

‘Annika?’ he asked, uncertainty filling his voice.

‘Don’t stop,’ I whispered, pushing back against him. ‘Please, it feels so good, don’t stop.’

When they both moved within me, the strange magic returned, dancing with my pleasure. It called for me, and I groaned, no longer taking what was given but taking what I needed. My body and soul ignited with power, pleasure cresting into an intensity that felt infinite. This was mine—this love, this freedom. It was the life I had fought for, earned through blood and suffering.

The magic flared within me, spilling out in a radiant surge, a new strand of aether wrapping around me and reaching for my lovers. It was alive, sentient, and it responded to my call with a gentle, yearning touch. My conduit power flared to life, enhancing the sensation and turning our surroundings into a shimmering vista. I rocked, riding my Anchors’ cocks harder and faster. The ley lines of Ozar awakened, glowing with a vibrant life as they entwined with my essence and those of my Anchors.

‘Annika, what is—? Hrae ...! So much power,’ Ari moaned as he grasped my breast, pumping into me like a man possessed.

Orm grunted, his eyes filling with golden fire, and my pleasure crested as he roared, erupting inside me. His beast, the berserker, stared out from his golden eyes, but all I could see in his gaze was his love and promise to guard me until the end of time. ‘ Mine ,’ he growled, his voice softening into a purr, the beast within him subdued by love.

Alaric’s movements became frantic, his hands grasping at my body as he, too, surrendered and his cock swelled inside me. Together, we all fell into the storm, our bond solidified by strange force, and the promise of forever.

Then I felt it—a piece of something, the spirit of the shattered kingdom embedding itself in my soul. It was mine to love, mine to protect, a kingdom as broken as I once was. Now, it was mine to mend.

When the last waves of pleasure ebbed, I collapsed onto Orm’s chest, sobs wracking my body as emotion overwhelmed me. They both withdrew and I saw the concern on Ormond’s face when he brushed the strands of my hair stuck to my forehead.

‘Annika, what happened? Are you hurt?’

I laughed through my tears, shaking my head. ‘No, I’m fine, but I think I just Anchored the kingdom.’

Alaric fell onto his back, arms outstretched, as he laughed. ‘Only you, Domina. Only you could casually Anchor a kingdom.’

‘Do you think it’s real?’ I asked.

Ari nodded solemnly. ‘I felt it. A power like no other, the aether of the land and sea. I don’t know how you did it, but whatever happened, its power merged with our bond.’

A shiver coursed through me, and I clutched the blanket tighter, wrapping it around my suddenly chilled body. ‘I didn’t know that could happen, but . . . I felt its need.’ My voice softened, my words more a confession. ‘It called to me.’

‘And you answered,’ Orm said gently, his gaze steady and warm. ‘You opened your heart to another. If this land—however impossible it sounds—chose you, it knows what’s best for its future. We’ll deal with it if any problems arise.’

His smile, soft and reassuring, eased the tightness in my chest. He tugged the edge of the blanket, pulling me closer. ‘I, for one, am not worried about it. But for now, we’re exhausted. Rest is the only thing we need tonight.’

His gentle scolding prompted Alaric to close the gap between us, his arms wrapping around me like a protective barrier. ‘Yes, sleep, my heart,’ he murmured. ‘I’ll seek answers in the morning.’

Sandwiched between their warmth, the steady rhythm of Orm’s heartbeat in my ear, I had no choice but to succumb. Soon, my worries faded into nothingness.

‘My lady, it’s time to wake up. It’s almost noon, my lady... Annika, don’t make me splash water on you!’ Agnes’ voice broke through the haze as she removed the warm blanket that covered me.

‘Don’t you dare, or I’ll hex you,’ I grumbled, grasping the edge of the blanket and pulling it over my head. Then her words registered. ‘Noon?’

‘Yes, noon . You slept through breakfast, and Master Alaric told me to check on you when you didn’t show up to the morning meeting,’ she responded as she grasped the blanket and yanked it from my naked body with one smooth pull.

‘Agnes!’ I shrieked, clutching at the now-empty air.

‘Perfect. The bath is ready,’ she announced triumphantly, ignoring my protests as she ushered me to the adjacent room.

The steaming water enveloped me, but Agnes didn’t stop there, scrubbing my skin until it was raw. Her sharp tongue accompanied every stroke. ‘Tell Master Alaric to bite below the neckline next time. What will people think when they see those marks?’

I glanced down at the faint crescent impressions left by Alaric’s fangs, memories of last night flooding back. Lust, magic, and love—everything blurred together. And then the realisation hit me.

I had Anchored the kingdom.

‘Oh shit!’ I said, bolting upright in the water.

‘What? Did I say something wrong? What is it, my lady?’ Agnes asked, startled by my outburst.

‘No, but I need to see Vahin. I’ll finish up here. Please get my riding leathers ready,’ I said, desperate to see my dragon.

When Agnes left, I closed my eyes, submerging myself fully under the water. I focused on my core and the thin barrier that divided me from the vast, wild power that filled this world. I felt the three soul shards within me, guarding the essence of my being and tethering me to this world. But I could sense something else threading its way through us all, too.

We were all connected to the Chaos of Life.

It pulsed in rhythm with the sea, the soil, and every soul tied to the land. The awakened aether of Ozar resonated with me, its energy vast and patient.

Gasping for air, I surfaced, wrapping a towel around myself as Agnes returned to help me dress.

‘ Can we fly somewhere? ’ I asked Vahin.

‘ Of course, wherever and whenever you want, Little Flame. ’

‘ Now, please. I want it now, ’ I said, desperation colouring my tone.

His surprise rippled through our bond, but he agreed. Moments later, his massive shadow passed over the palace. I ran to the gardens, where the riders had cleared a space for landing, shouting for Agnes to tell my men I would be with Vahin.

‘ What’s bothering you, Little Flame? ’ he asked as we flew towards the port.

‘ I think I did something stupid, and I don’t know how, or even if, I should fix it, ’ I answered, before recounting the events of the previous night.

He listened silently, his wings carrying us high above the sea as we left land behind. Flying lower, he let the tip of his wing brush the water, scattering salty droplets, the air saturated with the scent of the sea, seaweed, and something else—a primordial power that called to me.

When I finished, his low laugh vibrated through me. ‘ Why do you think you have to fix it? ’ he asked.

‘ Because it’s the land? ’ I replied, exasperated. ‘ You can’t just Anchor land. I must have done something, and now I can feel something sentient observing me with quiet patience. ’

‘ You awakened the spirit of Ozar just as you roused me from my slumber, ’ Vahin said, his tone filled with pride. ‘ Little Flame, you are a miracle this world scarcely deserves. O f all who came to free this kingdom, it chose you. The humans crowned Ormond their king, but Ozar made you its queen—its guardian, its heart. ’

His words settled over me like a revelation, their weight both humbling and empowering. With a powerful twist of his massive body, Vahin surged upward, soaring high above the world.

Below, Katrass and the land surrounding it glimmered in the sunlight, blanketed in fresh snow. Ozar had awakened, ready to live again. The kingdom spoke to me with the voices of those who, for too long, were afraid of the darkness.

As I explored my connection to the Chaos of Life, I raised my hands. The sea responded, its waves growing higher as the aether flowed through me. I built it up, shaping the power with a singular focus before releasing it, whispering a word of power to the wind that rushed through the land.

I was the Queen of Ozar, the Heart of the Kingdom, and I had commanded it to live .