40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Simon
As a sudden twinge twisted in my stomach, I let out a frustrated huff, the sound echoing in the quiet room. I mustered all my strength to push myself up, feeling the strain in my arms as I braced against the softness of the disheveled blankets and pillows.
They were thrown together in a chaotic heap, obstructing my view. Her stale scent filled the air. I furrowed my brow and shook my head, hoping to clear the fog that clouded my mind, while my fingertips grazed the wrinkled sheets, searching for any sign of my missing mate.
Sometimes, she liked to curl up into a tiny ball and hide beneath the clouds of our nest at home. Was she under the tremendous mountain of blankets?
“Lucy?” my voice came out low and gruff from my deep sleep. She liked my voice when I first woke and when I planted my lips between her thighs. Memories of her moans and whispers filled my mind, the sound of her pleasure echoing in my ears. The touch of her hands, gripping onto my hair and my horns, sent shivers down my spine as I recalled the intimate moments we shared just hours ago.
She enjoyed it when I spoke between her thighs and talked dirty to her. How she held onto my horns and rode my face.
I couldn’t think of anything else more pleasing to do right now than that. I grunted when I felt another twinge of pain in my stomach. It became stronger as the seconds rode by while I pulled the blankets off the bed.
Where was she?
I snarled when I sniffed and tried to pick up her scent.
Stale.
She wasn’t here!
I did not like to forbid my mate. In fact, I’d never forbid her to do anything, but if she continued to make a habit of leaving when I slept, I would have to do something about it.
I jumped to my hooves, then stumbled over when I felt another jarring pain in my gut.
Had I been poisoned by last night’s meal?
I pushed open the creaking wooden door, and the blinding brightness of the light source’s rays pierced through my squinting eyes, momentarily disorienting me. Ignoring the rough texture of the woven vine steps, I leaped from the towering height of the tree, a rush of wind brushing against my face. As I landed, my hooves thudded against the soft soil, sending vibrations through my body.
With a quickened pace, I sprinted towards the open clearing ahead. The once-empty space with a lone cabin was now teeming with life, filled with the cacophony of voices and the scent of bustling activity. Orcs and shifters mingled amidst the scattered tables and tents, creating a chaotic scene.
What in the Moon Goddess’ name is going on?
Fuck, the celebration.
“There you are!” Calliope trotted over, wearing one of her fae-inspired outfits. It was far too short, and her chest was very exposed. I cleared my throat to look away, but she shoved me in the shoulder to pay attention to her.
“Lucy is getting ready in the tent. You slept nearly all day. That sleeping dust came in handy.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “What? You did what?”
Why were all these females poisoning me?
Calliope put her hands behind her back. “Sleeping dust. Rune, her daddy number two,” she held up two fingers, “gave it to me so you wouldn’t go meddling. You can’t see the bride before the wedding ceremony. It’s a human tradition. It’s bad luck to see her or her dress before the big ceremony,” she said perkily.
Goddess above!
“Is drugging them a part of the ceremony, too?” I growled. I had never been angry with Calliope, but there was a first time for everything.
Was Calliope always like this? Or did I only remember the good parts of her?
Calliope shook her head. “Nope, but I know males of this realm, and they get all grabby hands and ‘she’s mine. I can’t stay away from her for more than five minutes.’” She rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
“You like it when your orc does it.” I stomped my hoof. “Lucy likes it, too.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m bringing dreams to life for her dads. They are such sweet—”
I doubled over and wrapped my hands around my stomach. It wasn’t completely unbearable, but it was a pain I was not used to.
Calliope’s little mouth went into an O shape, and her fingers danced along her chin. “I forgot about that. That is going to cause a problem.”
I stood back up to my full height and took a sniff, suddenly smelling something metallic. My ears stood up straight, and my heart pounded in my chest when I felt panic through the bond.
“Lucy,” I growled.
My hooves moved on their own accord and I felt myself being drawn to the tent. Calliope grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back. “Simon, she’s okay. She’s having her period. You know when women menstruate. Remember when I would have mine?”
I stopped in my tracks and looked down at her. I hated it when she got those dreadful times of the month. There were days she would stay in bed, hurting. I remember letting Calliope cuddle me, being the warmth she needed to ease her pain.
Why was I not helping my mate?
“I need to see her. She’s having trouble.” I stomped toward the tent again, and a firm hand gripped my arm.
Valpar grunted and pulled me to the side. I bleated in annoyance, and my hooves dragged into the dirt. “Let go!” My claws tried to break the orc’s skin, but it was impenetrable, and he rumbled in displeasure.
“Simon, she’s going to be fine.” Calliope tried to pacify me, but I felt Lucy’s pain run through me again. “Rune gave her some medicine to speed up her period, so she won’t have it tonight during the party. That way, you guys can get down and dirty without the mess.”
I roared, my teeth bared, as I furiously scratched Valpar’s large hand that tightly gripped my arm.
“Blood will not deter me from claiming my female.”
Calliope stopped in her tracks. “Oh, that’s kinky. You into bloody sex?”
Valpar groaned and pushed me against the tree. Another orc who stood behind it grabbed a rope and they tied it around. “Let me go!” I snarled.
The only thing I wanted to do was comfort my female, to be near her. I could ease her pain and forget about this stupid tradition of this ceremony.
Orcs and shifters, who were setting up tables, glanced over but didn’t give a second look. How dare they? Did they not know who I was?
I was part of this Wood, that they lived in. I could rip them all apart.
Valpar clapped his hands, removing the invisible dust from his hands. “Come on, Simon, it’s a human tradition. She really is fine. It’s a normal biological response in her body. Rune even gave her some ground up shit that will help her. The ceremony will be soon, and you will see how beautiful she looks in a gown.” Calliope gazed wistfully up at Valpar.
I snorted, hocked up a wad of spit, and spat it into Valpar’s face. “I’ve seen my mate bare. I don’t need to see her in clothing,” I seethed. “Let me go, or I will go to her, regardless.”
Valpar jutted out his jaw and wiped away my spit. He stepped forward to hit me, but Calliope gripped his arm and shook her head.
Calliope’s gaze softened and stepped toward me. Valpar put his hand on her shoulder. “No, leave him like this. I enjoy seeing him struggle. I heard what you did to Thorn, pissing on his foot, and now fucking spitting in my face…” his eyes narrowed.
My vision turned red.
“Consider it payback. Come, Calliope. We will let him go in a few minutes when it’s his turn to get ready.”
Calliope made a face like she ate something sour. “I had him tied up so he wouldn’t ruin the dress reveal, not because of payback. I don’t like that. Plus, he looks pretty upset, not knowing if Lucy is okay. I don’t think I like this anymore. I don’t want my friend mad.” She pouted.
Valpar took a step back, his eyes fixated on Calliope as they stood face to face. The air crackled with tension as their voices merged in the argument. The sight of Valpar’s furrowed brow and clenched fists revealed his frustration, while Calliope’s crossed arms and furrowed brows mirrored her defiance. He never raised his voice to her, but Calliope was wearing him down.
A gentle breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it the sickening metallic scent of blood. The putrid stench filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. Anger surged through me like a raging inferno, intensifying the heat that prickled my skin.
I extended my senses, reaching deeper into the bond that connected me to my mate, searching for solace. But instead, another wave of twisted pain reverberated through my being, causing a sickening sensation to coil in the pit of my stomach.
She was hurting, in pain, and I was not with her.
This ceremony they spoke of, I didn’t care. I saw her yesterday, saw her many times beneath me, above me, and I have seen her from behind. What makes today any different?
I let out a low, menacing growl, feeling the coarse fur on my back stand on end, prickling against my skin. The sound of my snarl echoed through the still air. As I strained against the tight bonds that confined me to the tree, the scent of damp moss and soil filled my nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that I had.
With each desperate struggle, the rough bark scraped against my sharpened claws. The bark moved beneath me, letting my arms move along with it. The Wood guided me to my escape.
I lifted my hand, my claws slicing through the rope as if it were parchment, and freedom sent a rush of relief through my body.
Valpar watched with surprise as I charged past him. He took one step toward me, and while the orcs held impressive strength and impossible armor of skin, I was much faster.
I heard a whimper in the tent as I approached. “It’s alright, Lucy. I think you are at the tail end of it,” a male’s voice said.
I entered the tent with a snarl, the flaps rustling loudly. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and musty fabric. As I stepped inside, my breaths were deep and labored, filling the silence with a heavy panting sound. My eyes, wide and intense, darted from side to side, searching for my Lucy.
My mate was lying on the couch, dirty towels in a basket on one side and James and Rune on the other.
“Get away from her,” my voice was deep, unrecognizable. I didn’t care if they were her family. She was mine to take care of.
The shorter one with impressive facial hair opened his mouth, but the green-haired warlock put his hand on his shoulder and had him step away. My mate whimpered; her hand clutched to her stomach. I kneeled before her, my hand going to her torso. It was warm to the touch, and instantly, instead of feeling the pain in the bond, I felt arousal.
Yes, I am impressive when I make an entrance.
As Lucy’s eyes slowly fluttered open, I could feel the sense of relief washing over me like a warm wave.
“They kept me from you,” I muttered and glared at the males to the right of me.
Lucy chuckled and ran her fingers down my cheek. “Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
I shook my head. “You are my mate. I am to take care of you. If human practice is not to see each other, then I don’t want it. There is no luck, only fate.”
Lucy sniffed and held out her arms. I wrapped my arms around her and glared at the two males who looked guilty beside us.
Lucy’s father scratched the back of his neck. “It was just a tradition. I didn’t know it would upset you so much, and yes, I should have spoken to you about it. My fault, all around my fault. Things happened rather quickly.” James sighed. “I’m terribly sorry for mucking things up. Lucy has done nothing but talk about you all day. I’m surprised you have stayed away from her this long.”
I grunted. “I would have come sooner. Someone planted sleeping dust on me.” I stood up to my full height, holding my mate in my arms. She nestled her head in the crook of my neck.
Rune smirked and wrapped his arm around James’ waist. “Animals are possessive. I was trying to save everyone some trouble. But you feel refreshed now, don’t you?”
Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose. “Everyone out.”
Both her fathers stared at her in shock.
“Out!” She shooed them with a hand sweeping motion, and Rune made the first move. He pushed James out of the tent, who looked longingly back at her, but finally left.
“Sorry about them. They are excited. Only child and all. Father had a picturesque dream of walking me down an aisle, and I was letting him get away with it. I didn’t know you were drugged. I’m so sorry.”
I nuzzled my nose into my mate’s shoulder and took in a long draw of her scent. “You were in pain, without me. I never want that to happen again,” I stammered into her skin. “I will be there for every time you…menstruate.”
I pulled away from her shoulder, and she bit her lip. “Few guys would be willing to do that.”
“I don’t know if you have noticed, but I am not a guy. I am a male, a faun, and I will take care of what is mine.”
She tried not to smile, and her fingers tickled along my jawline. “What about my fathers? Would you have stayed away if they had asked you to? For this ceremony and not see the bride before the wedding?”
I sat down on the shortened bed and wrapped my arms around her. “In the words of an orc, ‘Fuck no!'“
She giggled and pressed her lips to mine. “Then, do you want to see it?” She fluttered her lashes at me.
I tilted my head in confusion. “See what?”
“The dress. Not a dress, but The Dress. Rune has worked on it all day. The fabric came from Queen Clara. It’s supposed to sparkle when the light sources are setting just right. If you don’t care about luck or anything, it’s right over there.” She pointed to a blanket that had covered a silhouette of a body with no head.
“How important is it to you that I wait?” I asked, and brought my attention back to her. “I will be honest. What I want is for you to be happy. I do not care what clothes you wear, you could walk to me naked to our nest every night, and I would be the happiest male for the rest of our eternity together.”
Lucy’s eyes moistened, and she leaned her forehead against mine. “Why do you always have the right thing to say?”
I licked my lips. “I don’t know. Should I write a book for others?”
She barked out a laugh and planted a kiss on my lips.
“I will wait to see you, in this dress, so I may experience everyone else in their excitement. But I will only leave you alone for five minutes. It is enough for you to get dressed and meet me where you are supposed to,” I relented.
Lucy nodded in agreement. “I think that is a lovely compromise.”
My hand ran over her stomach. “And how are you now?”
Lucy sighed. “It’s over. Rune did this one one-hour period thing. I won’t ever do that again. I still think my uterus is falling out of my vagina.”
What was a ut-erus?
Lucy shook her head. “I wanted to make sure tonight was extra special for you, being our wedding night and all.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
I frowned. “If you think a little blood would have scared me, you are mistaken.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “You would have still… done the deed with me being on my lady time?”
I looked deep into her eyes, and my nose brushed with hers. “Nothing could keep me away from your precious cunt, my sweet mate.”
She pushed me away and laughed. “Holy blood sausage, Simon!”