Chapter 40 The Warriors’ First Test
THE WARRIORS’ FIRST TEST
“You speak of courage like it’s enough, Zárya. But these are not gods, they’re pups born in a cage. They’ve never tasted blood in their teeth or ash in their lungs. When war finds them, it won’t ask if they’re ready. It will burn first. Then ask nothing at all.”
—Láda Velé?a, to Zárya on the eve of the first trial
Theron
Lying on my side in our bed-nest, I watch my mate as she sleeps.
The sky will soon begin to change. The first streaks of orange and pink signal the arrival of dawn. In just a few moments, my dove will wake.
Yesterday, I stretched her for the first time. With my fully erect shaft resting against her thigh, it’s hard to focus on anything else.
But I must.
The trials begin today. With each passing day, we draw closer to war.
Bolstering our forces as humans do will be critical, even if it means adopting some of their methods. We must understand how they fight if we are to stand against them.
I signal the nymphí and grant approval for them to enter our home with a double pulse from my crystals. As they step inside, I raise a finger to my mouth, instructing them to be quiet.
All . . . one, two . . . thirteen nymphí nod and sit in a semicircle around our nest.
My gaze lowers back to my mate. Small droplets of sweat bead on her forehead where they glisten against her otherwise calm features.
It’s the season when the snow melted, and the days grow warmer, which will give way to harsher weather in the coming moons.
The air is neither cold nor hot—why is she sweating?
My ears twitch as an unwelcome feeling settles in my stomach. The nymphí’s expressions are tight with worry as they lean closer to my mate. What do they sense that I do not?
Outside, the birds sing their songs of early morning, the forest is quiet . . . but something is not right.
Before I can act, my mate gasps for air and sits up suddenly. “I’m alright. Everything is alright. It’s home. Home.”
I scoop her into my arms, and she turns her wide eyes up to me, searching for reassurance. “A bad dream?” I ask as I run a soothing paw along her back.
Her body relaxing against me, she nods.
I lower my jaw to rest on the top of her head, letting my warmth comfort her. “Now,” I murmur, “you tell me what’s bothering you.”
“I sometimes dream of Arnold’s death.”
Why does his death haunt her? “Are you not happy he is gone?” I ask. “He did not deserve to breathe the same air as you.”
She tilts her face upward, and I trace my tongue over her face. “Come in,” I call toward the door, sensing the others waiting outside. The door opens to Mina, Na?a, and Essin. The nymphí rise to their feet and part to make way for the three females.
“Good morning, Your Majesty. Theron,” Mina says as they all bow.
I nod, and my mate greets them with a soft smile. “Good morning.”
“Where is Elder A?na?” I ask, scanning the room.
“Your mate’s scent clouds your senses,” Essin replies with a wide grin.
My ears twitch, and I turn toward the entrance as Elder A?na walks in and says, “I have been standing here for a while now, mighty warrior.”
A deep sigh escapes me as I rise, still holding my mate in my arms. “Her Majesty needs to wake first.”
“That is our duty.” A few of the nymphí step forward as if to take my Noel from me.
“I can do it too,” I argue, lifting her higher.
“Theron, let me down.”
My ears fall back. “Can I braid your hair, then?”
The horrified looks that ripple across the room stop me in my tracks. Every female in our home stares at me as if I’ve just claimed I can shift into human form.
“Don’t ever touch her hair again,” Essin huffs, her tone sharp.
I blink. What have I done wrong now? I set my mate down and watch as the nymphí immediately swarm around her.
“Should we go so you two can take care of this?” one of them asks, motioning toward my hard cock.
They’re all here already, and my mate wouldn’t like to show that side of herself to others. I agree with her, but also, I’d love to stretch her some more before the trials. I shake my head, exhaling as I decide to surrender this battle. Some fights aren’t worth winning.
I walk out of my own home, leaving the females to tend to their duties.
My cock remains hard, my soul longs for the connection we’ve yet to complete. Being together, yet unbonded, is a torment I wasn’t prepared for.
Elder A?na explained it. When mates meet, the bonding ritual must be performed within six moons, or their bodies will begin to betray them. The closeness of two unjoined souls takes its toll on the physical form.
There are no stories of what happens to mates who delay the ritual for too long. It’s unheard of. And I know we won’t be among them. In two days, my mate and I will bond. That certainty eases the burning in my soul.
Still, my heavy cock resists relief. The image of it buried deep inside her flashes through my mind, and I growl low in my chest.
I lost control last night, and I don’t regret it. Not one bit.
She welcomes my touch. My mate wants me.
A smile stretches across my face at the thought. She is curious, open to me. Yet, she hasn’t come to me herself. Not yet. These things take time. Yes, time.
I stop, stroking my cock to ease the ache. My knot is swollen, throbbing with the need to claim her fully. “Soon, we’ll fill her womb,” I murmur to my cock. The thought calms me even as I find release.
With my body temporarily sated, I stride toward the gathering for the trials.
Everything is set and ready. The benches have been cleared away to make space for all the warriors gathering for my mate’s trial announcement. The tents are ready too.
Based on what I overheard yesterday, it seems the trials will involve searching for elements within the forest. I wonder how my mate and Elder A?na designed the challenges.
Since I’m participating, it’s only fair that I remain in the dark, like the others. Still, I’m eager to show her my skills. Let her see what her mate is capable of.
Closing my eyes, I send out a signal with my crystals, summoning all the vólkins. My mate will arrive soon, and when she does, she shouldn’t have to wait.
Within moments, warriors pour in from all directions of ávera. The trees sway with their presence, but my gaze sweeps the group for one in particular.
Where is Or?on? If I’m paired with him in a team, I’ll need to keep a close eye on him.
“Everyone ready?” I ask, my arms crossed.
Zephyr stands with Kael, who’s closely inspecting Zephyr’s braid.
“It looks tighter today,” Kael says, scratching his mane.
Zephyr’s tail sways with pride as he shows off the neat braid. “It should look proper while we fight.”
“You think we’ll fight?” Kael’s ears twitch.
“If our strength is being tested, sparring seems likely,” Aeson chimes in.
Sparring. Yes. A perfect opportunity to show my mate the power I wield. I never lose.
“All warriors, stand straight!” My command echoes through the clearing as I hear my mate approaching with the females.
All two hundred seventy-three warriors straighten their backs, standing tall and facing me.
The females and younglings gather on the sidelines at their own pace.
I scan the group until my eyes land on Or?on.
For now, all is in order. “Today,” I declare, “we will show Her Majesty how strong and capable we are. Show your strength and your mind. Show your pride in being vólkin, children of éva.”
A low growl rumbles through the warriors, a shared sound of will. They are ready, eager to prove themselves, to fight and win.
I let my narrowed gaze sweep over them. “If I find out anyone has crossed the border today, they will face my claw. Each and every one of you knows the rules and the limits.” I pause, my voice grows sharper. “Show me.”
As one, the warriors raise their snouts to the sky, and a deafening howl breaks through the quiet of the forest. The trees shudder with the force of it, birds scatter from their branches in a flurry of wings. Sensing the strength of the vólkin, deer and boars flee.
This is vólkin power.
My mate approaches with the others, walking with confidence and a serious expression. The combination of her commanding presence and her scent makes my shaft peek out again. If we didn’t have a balance to restore, I’d mate with her endlessly, day and night.
“Her Majesty has arrived!” Mina declares, and I step aside.
My sweet dove’s eyes flick down to my semihard cock. Her cheeks flush a deep red, and my soul sings at the sight. She moves her lips silently, mouthing the words, Cover it.
A grin spreads across my snout. Why would I cover my cock?
It’s no secret that I desire my mate—everyone knows, and it’s only natural.
This is how the world works, how Mother Nature intended it.
Sometimes, humans truly don’t make sense.
Or maybe human males have small cocks, and that is why they hide them.
A male should be eager for his female. It is how it has always been.
Still, she steps in front of me. She’s shielding me from the gaze of others. I shall convince myself it is her possessiveness and not the modesty of human ways.
She doesn’t look troubled by her nightmares for now. Tonight, we will talk about it.
“Today, we will test our strength and teamwork,” she announces, her voice clear and authoritative as the females and nymphí take their places at her sides.
All my warriors listen closely, and pride fills my chest.
“In the forest are hidden artifacts,” she continues. “You must find them by the time three stars rise in the night sky.”
A nymphá steps forward to hand her a scroll.
“You will solve riddles,” my mate explains, “as the clues within them will guide you to the items you need to gather. Each team will be given a scroll, and Na?a will announce the teams before you begin.”
Solving riddles? My ears twitch. What is she planning? This is unexpected.
She begins to read the three riddles aloud:
In a grove where flowers bloom bright,
Find the herb that heals with might,