Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ORTHORR
I was meeting with King Zohaib about the clans moving on from our temporary home when there was a knock on the office door.
“Enter!” King Zohaib called, his attention still on the map we’d spread out in front of us to mark the final location of our settlement.
It was agreed by the clan leaders that when clans wished to rest, they would return to that settlement, but King Zohaib was pointing out places the nomadic tribes might want to visit versus where to steer clear merely to avoid the heat.
I was grateful to be part of the clans that would stay in place.
King Zohaib’s country was much more vast than I thought, and I didn’t like to admit it, but moves were getting harder on me.
I wanted to spend my time with Cedric. I could still go for rides with him, without the strain of having to take down tents and keep track of my clan every mooncycle.
Hakim entered with a bow, and when he straightened with a bright smile, hope filled my chest. “You have news?”
He nodded once, looking pleased to announce, “Prince Zakai’s company was seen on the horizon. They’ll be here within the hour.”
“Thank the goddess,” King Zohaib breathed, sitting heavily in one of the empty chairs.
“I’ll keep you updated, your grace, and send Zakai to you once he’s arrived.”
King Zohaib snorted. “Let him bathe first or he’ll never stop complaining. We’ll meet them for dinner.”
Which meant I would be late returning to Cedric, as I wanted to be present for that meeting as well.
I hoped he wouldn’t be too angry with me for the delay.
If I managed to sneak in some time to speak with Simon privately, I might be able to make it up to him in a way I knew he craved.
As long as Simon wasn’t too surly from traveling.
After Hakim excused himself, I shot a look at the king. “You look relieved. I thought King Gordon pulled his men back after you sent your emissary.”
Blowing out a long breath, King Zohaib nodded.
“He did, and the messages I received since all confirmed as much, but… When it comes to my children, I admit I am not always rational. I got a lot of pushback about joining in the search for Zakai when he was taken. I threatened to remove a few heads before they gave in. When I heard the knights were blocking Zakai’s passage, I worried for his safety.
I would have gone to war if they tried to hurt my son again. ”
I hummed and nodded. “I understand. I have been worried as well. Even more so since Einar’s return with the last group of townspeople.
I’d wished for him to stay with Uttin and protect them, but I couldn’t demand that when they were planning for a fight.
Einar’s one priority is his bondmate. Not even his clan means more to him.
He would not risk Matthew even if I begged him to stay. ”
King Zohaib’s nose wrinkled. “I want to be angry that he didn't prioritize my son, but I suppose I would feel the same way if it was Raiza. I wouldn’t want her walking into a fight either. Is Einar’s bondmate unable to protect himself?”
“Oh, no,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Matthew was trained by the clan. He learned to hunt from Rath, who is the best hunter. He learned to fight with daggers from Simon, who saved my life once with his skill. And he learned the rest from Einar himself. Einar is dangerous in his own right and refused to let his bondmate be unprepared. Matthew is the most capable bondmate in the clan when it comes to fighting. But he is also a gentle soul. He trained because Einar asked it of him, but violence isn’t in his nature.
Einar would not have wanted him near bloodshed if he could help it. ”
“A gentle fighter. I’ve never heard of such a thing,” King Zohaib murmured curiously. “Do you think I could meet him and see his skills?”
I shook my head ruefully. “Matthew goes nowhere without Einar, and you don’t want Einar in the city where someone could piss him off. They don’t call him Einar the Feral for nothing.”
The title startled the king, and he gaped at me incredulously. “You sent someone known as feral to protect my son?”
“No. I sent Matthew to protect your son,” I corrected with a grin. “Einar protects Matthew and anyone under Matthew’s care, making Zakai as safe as I could possibly make him.”
King Zohaib’s disgruntled frown made me chuckle. He couldn’t argue with my logic. Einar fought with the strength of a gronnok, and those who wished Zakai harm would have to go through him merely because Matthew stood in their way.
We finished our discussions just as the group arrived.
Uttin, being the responsible man he was, refused to go to his rooms without checking in with me first. Which meant Zakai came with him, complaining just like King Zohaib had warned.
I could hear him coming down the hall, the pout in his voice even from a distance.
“They said we could bathe first! Why must we speak to them before?” he whined.
“Because it is my duty. You are welcome to go to our rooms and wait for me there. I won’t be long,” was Uttin’s patient reply. He wasn’t a patient man in general, but for Zakai, he enjoyed the challenge.
A knock on the office door preceded their entrance just as Zakai muttered, “I can’t get fucked if you’re not going to come with me.”
King Zohaib’s expression flattened, and he gave his son an exasperated look. “What have I said about including me in your escapades? I do not wish to know.”
Zakai had the presence of mind to look sheepish as he strode to greet his father, his arm crossed over his middle in a polite bow before he dropped it and allowed himself to be pulled into a hug. I gave the same treatment to Uttin, who looked worn out, but satisfied.
“I take it that things went well in Yaifem?”
He nodded once. “Things went exactly as planned. The mayor is very apologetic for the way Zakai had been treated, and the threats have been dealt with. The Krathgar Clan has agreed to be a safe harbor for anyone wishing to leave their towns when the chaos has died down, and they will send word if anyone shows up so we can retrieve them.”
I frowned. “Not Ilvos? I thought they had volunteered.”
His expression went stony, and Zakai returned to his side, putting a hand on his chest to settle his bondmate. His explanation was crass, but to the point when he said, “We do not trust those assholes. They threatened one of the townspeople because he didn’t want to bend over for just anyone.”
Shocked, I looked at Uttin for explanation. He scowled.
“He’s not wrong. I will explain more, but it looks for now that we are no longer aligned with Ilvos.
Their clan leader demands we not return.
The same goes for the Velgraz Clan. They are not allowed to seek alliance with Ilvos.
” He sighed wearily, rubbing his face with his hand. “There is much we need to discuss.”
Reaching to grip his shoulder, I waited for him to look at me before giving him an understanding look. “Go get some rest. Let your bondmate care for you. I will stay for supper so we can talk. All I wish to know is that everyone returned safely.”
He nodded solemnly. “Everyone is well. Most returned to the clans, but Simon and Feigrind are in their rooms, as well as those in Zakai’s guard who joined us.”
“Good. I’ll check in with you later.”
Zakai dragged him off, and I knew I could count on the little prince to ensure Uttin rested properly.
I sighed as I considered what he’d told me.
Our alliance with clan Ilvos was already on the rocks after Godr seduced Ambrose, who was meant to be their tribute.
I shouldn’t have been surprised that it only took one argument for our alliance to end.
My gaze shifted to the window, where the sun was already beginning to set. I regretted now not bringing Cedric with me. This looked like it might end up being a long night.
“You look like you could use a break,” King Zohaib pointed out. When I looked at him, he looked just as exhausted as I felt. Like he’d been barely holding himself together and now that his son returned safely, he needed time to decompress. I nodded in agreement.
“I’ll excuse myself, your majesty, if you’re in agreement.”
“Please,” he agreed, waving me off. “I need to let Raiza know that Zakai has returned. If she hears it from someone else, she’ll be cross with me. We’ll speak again at supper.”
With a polite bow of my head, I left his office, heading for the room they had made up for me. It was the same room that I shared with Cedric, but it was less appealing now that I was there alone.
To my surprise, Simon was waiting for me, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall next to the door. When he noticed me, he gave me a kind of lazy smirk that almost made me regret escaping King Zohaib’s office. He looked smug for some reason.
“Simon. Welcome ba–”
“Bhortis told me you’ve claimed a male. I demand more information.”
Blinking at him, I was too stunned for a long moment to answer him. I wasn’t sure what to say.
He huffed, annoyed, and pushed off the wall, grabbing the sleeve of my robes and dragging me into my room. When he shut the door behind him, he waved wildly. “There. No one can overhear now. So tell me, is what he said true?”
“Yes…” I answered slowly. “A male named Cedric was in the first group of townsfolk you brought to us. He’s a sweet man, and we have spent some time together. It is my intention to claim him.”
Simon wasn’t one easily distracted by romantic fancy. He raised an eyebrow at me. “That’s it? Because as far as everyone else was concerned, you weren’t interested in males. Was this another Feigrind situation?”
His reference to his bondmate and the way Simon changed his mind about males made me chuckle, and I shook my head. “Not necessarily. His gender wasn’t any issue. I had no interest in claiming anyone since my first bondmate died. It took some time for me to come around to the idea.”
“Have you ever been with a male before?” he demanded.
I shook my head, chagrined. “No. I was hoping to ask you for your advice once you returned. We’ve been intimate, but I know he wishes for more. I am worried I will hurt him.”
I waited for the teasing, or perhaps a surly reply since Simon didn’t seem to like me that much.
To my surprise, he marched over to the table in the corner and plopped himself into a chair, pointing at the one opposite him with a determined look.
When I joined him, he didn’t tease or cause trouble.
He was straightforward, so much so that it surprised me.
“Okay, first thing to know is that there’s no such thing as too much oil.
Especially when someone is new to it. Messy sex is better than painful sex.
If you think using your fingers might be too much at first, use your tongue.
It’ll soften him enough for you to get fingers involved without hurting him.
He’ll experience some burn the first few times, that’s normal, but aside from a mild ache, there should be no real pain.
If there is, he hasn’t been stretched enough, and you need to slow down.
And water is not the same as oil. Do not use water as lubricant. ”
When I only stared at him in shock, his familiar scowl came back. “What?”
Sucking in a breath, I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just surprised. I thought I’d have to do more to get you to help me. I was considering telling Feigrind he could stay here a few days so the two of you could rest before returning to the clan in exchange for your help.”
Simon scoffed, waving my offer away. “I was going to do that anyway. Besides, I refuse to let anyone in my clan suffer having bad sex. Inexperience isn’t an excuse. Now, pay attention. There’s more, and I’m tired. I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”