Chapter Thirty-Two
Kael
Leaving Serenya was the last thing I wanted to do. I would have been happy knotting her over and over in the nest as if she were in heat again, but responsibilities called.
Repeatedly, my communicator buzzing on my belt like an annoying lyrek circling a fresh kill.
I moved my hips, testing my knot. It hadn’t fully deflated, but it had eased enough for me to squeeze it from Serenya’s tight passage, although her gasp and the scent of our release had my vorran stiffening again.
I’d never realized how much I would want to be buried inside her once we were bonded, but I could have lived within her depths and still not had enough.
She stirred but I pressed her back to the blankets, swiping a kiss across her lips.
“Stay. I will clean you.”
She made a noise in her throat, half asleep, but jerked awake when I settled between her thighs and pressed my tongue to her opening.
The taste of us filled my mouth, my chest rumbling as I swallowed our fluids and licked out more. I kept going until every bit of her sweet slick was cleaned from her folds, then focused my tongue on her little bud when I felt how close to another release she was.
Her hands on my ridges had my vorran flexing, the sensation almost the same as if she were stroking it. When her thighs tightened around my shoulders I thrust my tail back into her second opening, making her arch and scream as her release took her.
She flinched away when I cleaned up her fresh slick, whimpering and pushing at my head. My vralekh leaked a steady stream, and I rose to my knees to stroke my vorran, sending my seed spurting over her curves within two breaths.
Serenya blinked up at me as if dazed before looking at the glaze on her belly and breasts. Releasing myself, I ran my fingers through it, scooping it up to brush over her lips.
Her little tongue slipped out, licking it away, and I scooped up more.
“Open.”
My command was rough, desire still riding me. I wanted her covered in my seed and my scent. Filled with it, until it leaked from her skin.
She took my fingers into her mouth, tongue licking between them, cleaning them as I had her. I’d have fallen on her again if my communicator hadn’t started its incessant buzzing once more.
Snarling, I climbed from the bed and snatched it from my belt, checking the messages.
“By Vorrada’s flame.”
Serenya sat up, covering herself with the shavariin. Losing sight of her body made me want to snarl as much as the message.
“They’ve called for another meeting. They better have found the trezakkars to call two in one drazh.”
“Oh. Okay.”
She stood, looking around the room as if searching for something.
“What do you need, shael?”
I closed the space between us as I felt her embarrassment.
“A—A rag? We already bathed today, but I should probably…”
She gestured to her body, the scent of my seed rising from her. Taking her face in my hands, I kissed her until she sagged against me, everything in the bond that wasn’t lust evaporating.
“You will wear my scent. You are my omega, they will not expect you not to smell of me. Let them know my omega has a healthy appetite, and I am meeting her needs.”
Her cheeks flushed and she stammered before licking her lips. The thought was still uncomfortable for her, but I also felt how it stirred her.
“Get dressed, veyrari, before you end up on my knot again.”
Biting her lip, she nodded and turned to find fresh clothing. By the time I had donned my korrvek she was ready to go, and I took her hand, tugging her from the room. Daylen had left food on the table, so I snatched two sahvey as we passed, handing one to Serenya.
“Eat. I cannot have your stomach snarling at the council as we speak.”
Smiling when she scoffed at me, we strode from our home toward the Council Hall. She finished the sahvey, but I could tell she hadn’t enjoyed it and made a note to tell Daylen to try a different kind next time.
And perhaps while we were on Earth, I’d have her purchase foods she liked for me to try.
I was still thinking of that when we passed through the archway, the tension in the Council Hall wiping away the pleasant thoughts. I tucked Serenya behind me, eyes scanning the other council members, trying to determine what had them on edge.
Rath stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
“Torvakai Kael Draevahn, dravhek Ravak’torr.”
My spine stiffened, focus locked on him.
“What is your reason for the Ravak’torr?”
His challenge didn’t surprise me. Between his traditional view of bonding and his opposition to claiming Humans, I knew what his answer would be before he spoke.
“Veshakar karzhak’hesh vorrak’kai. Korrak’kai tor.”
My growl filled the hall. It was time to put Rath in his place and prove the rumors wrong.
“I accept.”
Rath marched past me to prepare for the trial. There were three parts to the Ravak’torr, one of which was a fight between the Morraki involved.
Teylan stepped forward and tipped his head to me.
“I must prepare as well.”
As the Torzha’Torin, he and the others of his sect would witness the Ravak’torr, keeping record and determining my fitness to remain Torvakai. I considered Teylan a friend, he had been one of my Veyrakk, but in this, he had to be impartial or he would be labeled an oath breaker.
Serenya’s confusion and worry beat at my ribs, but I had to be sure where the others on the council stood before I could explain what was going on.
Dorash, Torthyhul, came forward next, his weathered face calm for once. He was usually as feral as the varkuun he trained, but he was an honorable warrior.
“The Ravak’torr will prove.”
As the oldest on the council, I’d expected him to side with Rath, so I chose to take his comment as positive, even though it could be taken either way.
Malrik followed him, grey eyes flat. I wasn’t surprised when he repeated the same sentiment that the trial would prove whether I was still fit to lead or not.
He was the type to wait until he knew which way the winds were blowing before choosing a side.
He was useful, but I’d never call him loyal to any but himself.
Veyrad stepped forward and showed the support I expected.
“The korrath turns, but the drahl endures.”
In charge of resources, he wanted the alliance with the Humans and the connection to the Qy’shaeuhl almost as much as I did, and he knew it would be at risk if I was deemed unworthy as Torvakai.
He followed the others from the Hall, then Jhorven’s, “Vorrak drakhel,” surprised me again and relief loosened my chest. With support from two members, and two willing to see if I could prove myself, at least I knew Torvakai wouldn’t fall to Rath if I somehow failed.
Rhydek was the only member left, and he stared at me with a gaze that said he was torn.
He knew strength came in many forms and was the summation of actions and deeds, but he’d also voiced concern that bonding Humans was a bad decision, although he’d let me talk him into it.
He’d been relieved when the serum failed to change the woman he’d chosen, and I knew he’d have preferred to have never engaged with the Humans at all.
“The trial will not be easy, but you must prevail. For her.”
His eyes cut to Serenya before focusing on me again.
Rhydek would never offer words of encouragement, even to his brothers, but I wasn’t surprised by his concern for Serenya.
If anyone knew the pain of losing someone they cared about, it was Rhydek.
If I had any doubt of making it through the trial, he was the one I’d have tasked with taking care of her afterward.
“Vorrak korrath, drazh’kai.”
He tipped his head at my words, ones he’d uttered to me many times.
“Vorrak korrath, drazh’kai,” he echoed, then followed the others from the hall.
Alone at last, I turned to Serenya.
“What’s happening?”
I brushed her hair back from her face, her worry burning a hole in my heart. I didn’t like the idea of hiding anything from her, she was my korravai, but I didn’t want to scare her further. Omission was still a lie.
“Rath has questioned my ability to lead, claiming bonding has made me weak. Ravak’torr is… a trial to prove honor and strength. I must face three tests to remain Torvakai.”
She let out a shuddering breath before nodding.
“Okay. You can do that. When?”
My lips twitched at her faith even though she didn’t know what I had to face.
“One shyrn.”
It took a moment for her to remember the word, her lips parting when she realized almost a quarter of the time had already passed in the Council Hall.
“But...”
Cupping her cheek, I brushed my lips over hers in a brief kiss before taking her hand to pull her along. The Ravak’torr had rules I was required to follow, and I had to get started or I would be late for the first test.
“Wh—What do I do?”
My tail wrapped around her back, tucking her closer to me as we began descending the stairs to the lower levels.
“The Ravak’torr takes place in the Veyr’vokkar arena. You will remain safe in a viewing booth with Rhydek. Only a coward would go after an omega, but since you’ve already been attacked once, he will be sure nothing happens to you while I face the trial.”
Her emotions surged in the link as she tried to make sense of everything, and I winced when I realized I’d said too much.
“Veyr is blood…”
Smoothing my expression, I turned my head to look down at her as we paused on the Market level.
“Yes, veyrari. Veyr’vokkar is ‘Blood Show’, also known as Veykorr’tai, Glory of the Blooded Blade. The Veyr’vokkar arena is where warriors fight. For glory, or honor, or punishment.”
Her chest heaved, her fear bleeding into me.
It was distracting, something that could cost me in the trials, and I did what I could to block the link between us.
There was no turning it off, but others had told me to think of it like a tunnel.
Enough pressure on the outside could cave it in, choke the flow, and as much as I didn’t want to, I needed complete focus.
The Ravak’torr wasn’t purely physical tests.
“You… You said Jorath had to face Veyr'vokkar because Rowena rejected him. You’re punishing him because she wants to go home after being attacked?”
I didn’t need the bond, her tone told me how it upset her. There was a thread of disappointment that was like claws in my gut, but I reminded myself she wasn’t familiar with our ways.
“Jorath is being punished for leaving Rowena alone in an unsecure area. His negligence allowed the attack. He must redeem his honor and prove his vorrak to retain his position, otherwise he is unworthy of being a Zeydvenai.”
I dropped my voice, brushing my fingers down her cheek and along her jaw.
“We are warriors, tavehn. This is our way.”
I took hold of her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes until she swallowed and nodded as much as my hold allowed. I held on a moment longer before releasing her and continuing our trek.
“Where are we going?”
Serenya’s voice sounded small, as if she’d retreated into herself, and I hated that she felt the need for that, but she had to realize this was how things were done on Morrakan. Position came from strength, both physical and mental. Weakness brought scorn and rejection.
“To the River Caverns. I must prepare.”
She was silent the rest of the way, lost in her thoughts. I provided what comfort I could, but my focus had turned to what laid ahead.
The Ravak’torr always consisted of physical combat between the involved Morraki. There was also a mental test, usually a puzzle or strategy game, meant to prove the mind was still strong and capable of complex rationalizing.
The third varied, depending on the reason for the Ravak’torr. It happened so rarely I couldn’t remember what the third test had been in the last one I’d seen, but I trusted Teylan to arrange something that would prove being bonded to Serenya didn’t weaken me in any way.
I breathed out a sigh when we emerged in the River Caverns, the damp air clinging to my skin.
In a way, I was glad Rath had called for the Ravak’torr.
I’d expected a challenge, I only wished he’d waited until the bond had settled and I’d had more time to recover from Serenya’s heat.
After four days of constant rutting with minimal food or water, I wasn’t at my peak, but I still wouldn’t fail.
One of the Zha’Torin approached, dipping his head in respect.
“Torvakai.”
He motioned to the path that led to the alpha bathing cavern. It was where warriors typically prepared for trial, but after punishing someone for leaving their omega unattended in the River Caverns which allowed her to be attacked, I couldn’t very well repeat the mistake.
“I will prepare at the Draevahn pool so my korravai may remain with me.”
The Zha’Torin froze for a moment, looking from me to her, then back towards the alpha cavern before meeting my eyes again.
“Apologies, Torvakai, but preparations must be made in view of the challenger.”
I growled under my breath. I couldn’t take Serenya home because being separated that much would cause us both pain, but omegas were strictly forbidden from entering the alpha bathing chamber, and there was nowhere secure in the River Caverns.
“It’s okay.”
I turned to her, fingers tightening around her hand. Her kethra pulsed, betraying her nerves, but her gaze was steady.
“I’ll be okay. I can wait out here until it’s time to go to the arena.”
Looking around, I made sure there wasn’t anyone nearby. There were only a few Morraki bathing in the river, and there were several Zha’Torin coming and going through the entrance to the alpha chamber.
“Scream if anyone but Rhydek approaches you. Do not hesitate. I’ll message him to meet you here.”
My gut churned, but I didn’t have another option. I was already late and didn’t have the time to wait for Rhydek to arrive.
Serenya nodded, then pulled her hand from mine. I still hesitated, but when the Zha’Torin called again, I turned to follow him.