Chapter 14
Fourteen
W hen I thought of one day finding a tribute of my own, I never expected this. In our clan, we were raised with the idea of caring for our tributes. I thought only to bring Patrick pleasure. I would have been happy to only do this to him forever. But when he asked so sweetly, I couldn’t resist.
He was timid at first, using little flicks of his tongue that drove me insane with want. I kept that to myself, only letting the sounds of pleasure escape my lips. The more sounds I made, the more confident he grew, until he was licking my entrance like it was his favorite treat. I writhed under his ministrations, gasping and moaning, trying hard to keep myself away from his injured leg. When his tongue breached me, my mouth fell open and a louder groan escaped me as I rocked back for more.
My cock throbbed and jerked with the need for release. I wanted to beg him to use his fingers, to do more, but Patrick was still new to sex. I wanted to show him first before asking him to do more. Instead, I shifted my weight to one arm, using the other to stroke myself. It wouldn’t take long for me to come. His tongue was magic.
I heard and felt him moan, the vibrations against my hole making my eyes roll back. When I looked down, I saw his cock swell, and the thought of him enjoying this with me set me off. I came with a shout, covering his chest and stomach with my release. I stroked myself through it, shivering when he gave me one final long lick.
Careful not to hurt him, I climbed off and rolled onto my side. I was too far away from him, my head near his cock, but my body shook from the force of my climax, and I needed a moment before I returned to him.
“Verus…” His voice was a little tight, like he was nervous about something. Summoning enough energy, I shifted to my elbow so I could better see him.
“What is it?”
His freckled skin was pink, and he sunk his teeth into his bottom lip, worrying it nervously. I sat up fully, tugging lightly on his chin to release the trapped flesh.
“What bothers you, my ravsol?”
My stomach sank for a moment. Did I push him too far? Was it too much? Did he only do it for me? Was it?—
“Do you… Do you like to be taken? Or do you like taking?”
The question confused me, and I frowned at him for a moment. His blush deepened and he gestured to me, or more specifically to my cock. Realization sank in and I sucked in a breath.
“Oh! I like both. Does this… bother you?”
There were some men in the clan who believed the one who took was stronger than the one taken. I didn’t believe that. It felt good both ways. Why would it make me weak just because I wanted both?
He shook his head quickly, nibbling on his lip again. “I’ve never done either… I’m curious…”
Relief and joy settled in my chest, and I shifted myself so that I was lying beside him, my face inches from his. Cupping his cheek, I kissed him softly. “We will try everything you wish to, ravsol. I’m happy to explore your preferences with you.”
His blush went down his neck and onto his chest, but he looked happy, and he kissed me back passionately when I reached for him again. I would need to talk to Orthorr soon about my intentions with Patrick. I wanted him as my bondmate. I just hoped my clan could accept that. I wasn’t sure if it had ever been done, to claim a bondmate who was not part of the clan or our life, as a brother or tribute. Patrick would be the first.
I kept Patrick with me for the rest of the day, mostly because he looked like he was in pain when he tried to go back to Yamileth to help. I’d needed her help to get him to rest, but he eventually agreed and I spent the rest of the night pampering him like he deserved.
Patrick woke up with me like he had each morning since he joined me in my tent and I smothered him in kisses until he was laughing. I brought him to the cooking tent after we washed up at the river. I saw his grimace of discomfort when he sat down—he was obviously in pain—but he liked working and wanted to give back to the clan as much as he could. Worried about him, I stuck close, sitting on the ground by his stool with a basket full of herbs Yamileth demanded I bundle for her so they could dry.
“If you’re going to be in here, make yourself useful,” she grouched, hobbling away to check on something else. Her tent always smelled so delicious, and I was glad no one heard my stomach grumbling. I’d worked up an appetite with Patrick the day prior.
While wrapping some twine around the bundles, I watched Patrick work. He had strong muscles in his arms from working the dough every day, and a serene smile on his face. He was happy working with Yamileth. I hoped that was a good thing.
“Have you cooked a meal yet?” I asked, because while I wanted to let him focus, I was also desperate for his attention.
He shook his head, smiling warmly at me. “Not yet. I asked Yamileth to give me the tasks first. I wanted to show her I know what I’m doing.”
I shot a questioning look at Yamileth, who nodded. “He is knowledgeable in cooking, but I need to see his skill before I allow him to cook for the clan.” She narrowed her eyes on Patrick. “When your tasks are done, cook me something small so I can see what you can do.”
I jerked to face Patrick, giving him my biggest pout. He snickered at me.
“Alright. I’ll make enough for both of you. Don’t make that face.”
“Why? Does it do something to you?” I asked, waggling my eyebrows. He laughed harder, which had been my goal, and I beamed in triumph. I wanted so much to make him happy.
“You two are sickeningly sweet,” Yamileth commented, making Patrick blush hotly. He didn’t look upset about the comment, though, a small pleased smile pulling at his lips. He was happy, and I would do anything to keep him that way.
I helped Patrick and Yamileth until Rath came to find me and dragged me away to hunt. He looked about as happy as I felt to leave, and when I raised an eyebrow at him, he made a face.
“You try waking up with an amorous bondmate and feeling excitement for doing anything but staying in bed with him,” he grumbled.
I nodded in commiseration. “I understand. I had no wish to leave the warmth of our bed this morning either. Had Patrick not had his own work to do, I would have tried to convince him to stay.”
As we guided our stallions through the trees, Rath asked, “Is he well enough to help? He is still in pain, is he not?”
“He is,” I agreed with a sigh. “But he’s determined to help.”
Rath hummed, keeping his voice low so as not to scare the game away. “Then support him and do what you can to ease his pain when he is resting. Perhaps more furs for sleeping, to make him more comfortable.”
That was a good thought. Patrick hadn’t complained about sleeping with me, but he was also not one to complain. He had yet to say much about his pain, even though I could tell he was uncomfortable. More furs would be good. I would also speak with Zoya and ask her what ways I could help Patrick. She said she would monitor him, but surely there was more I could do.
After catching a few larger fowl, I spent some time gathering the herbs Yamileth needed that were farther in the forest. There were others in the clan who would gather herbs for her, but none would venture this far without an escort. It was faster for me to do it.
I was tucking the last of the herbs away in my pouch when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“You should have told me you were lonely. I would have taken care of you,” Tavik purred.
Spinning around, I scowled at him. “What are you doing out here?”
Tavik was not a hunter. He was a warrior, and not a very good one. He was not taught how to defend against the more dangerous creatures of the forest, the ones who were not easily defeated by steel alone. He didn’t belong out here without an escort.
“I wanted to speak with you,” he said, the suggestive purr still in his throat. “Surely you aren’t getting your needs cared for by that casak.”
I bared my teeth at the use of the foul term. “Watch it,” I warned.
He strode closer, all cocky confidence. It was that attitude that made me uninterested. He had propositioned me before. I had no desire to waste my time with men like him.
“You know I am more a man than he will ever be. Let me prove it to you.”
He reached for my trousers, like he believed I would let him touch me willingly. I was quick to block him, drawing out my sword and putting it against his throat.
“Do not touch me.”
The air of seduction on his face faded, and he glared at me. “Why do you deny me? You always have. I am better than everyone in our clan and still you push me away.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him. “It is that attitude that puts me off your advances. You are full of yourself and only interested in your own wants. It would be no different if I did indulge you. Go slake your lust with someone else. I am not interested.”
From the look in his eyes, he wanted to push the issue, but with my blade at his neck, he had no choice but to step back. He glowered at me, lifting his chin stubbornly.
“I am better than he is. I will prove it to you. And when you realize you are wrong, you will come crawling.”
Snorting, I gave him a bland look. “Only in your wildest fantasies, Tavik. Go back to the village. You do not belong out here.”
With a final glare, he left, stomping off toward the village. I had no choice but to follow him, as it would dishonor me to let him come to harm while he was alone with me. I walked him as far as the gathering tree, where a few others waited. I jerked my chin at Rhos.
“Take him home. He is foolish to be out here.”
That got me an incredulous look from Tavik, but Rhos only nodded, nudging Tavik on his way when he stayed rooted in place, silently seething. Once they disappeared through the trees, Rhos’s blood brother Orvak raised an eyebrow at me.
“I heard tell that you were wrapped around the one found in the forest. Did you really stoop so low as to give in to Tavik?”
My face screwed up in disgust. “Never. He sought me out to plead for it. I told him no. I only want Patrick.”