Chapter 31
Thavros
As I led my mate down the corridor, I was filled with an overwhelming current of anticipation.
This was something I wasn't sure would ever happen for me.
The mating magic had been gone for so long, but it was back.
Not only that, but I was about to complete the mating bond with the beautiful statue from my study, who was a goddess trapped in stone.
I almost pinched myself to believe this was real.
Yet when I looked down into my little mate’s eyes, which were filled with the same love and hope I felt, I knew the gods had blessed us and our clan.
"We are almost there," I said as I squeezed her hand.
"And we can stay here as long as we like, and people will bring us whatever we need?"
I nodded as a soft smile curved my lips.
"It really is a perfect custom."
"It is," I said as I stopped in front of our den.
As I opened the door, I could feel the magic thrumming through me. There was a very large part of me that wanted to throw her on the bed right now, push her to her knees, and claim her from behind. And we would definitely be doing that before we leave this den, but first, I must make her ready.
To my right was a large circular bed built into the ground, covered with blankets, furs, and pillows, perfect for claiming and rutting.
To the left, there was a table and a cabinet that opened between this room and the hallway beyond.
This was where people would bring us food and gifts and launder anything that needed laundering, but there wouldn't be many clothes to launder.
We wouldn't need those at all, only blankets.
Once I had my mate naked, I planned on keeping her that way for a long, long time.
But first, I wanted to take her to the back. As we walked further back into the den, we came to a hot spring.
A small gasp left her as she took in the wonderful pool of perfectly warm water before them. "This is amazing. I must admit, I had questions about how long we could spend here, but they really have thought of everything.”
"Mating is at the center of the orcs in Cridhe Clan. It is the source of our magic and everything we believe in. Of course, our mating dens are thought out."
I drew close to her. The delectable scent of my mate was far too tempting. I pressed a kiss to her head as she breathed in. "Now," I said low in her ear. "I'm going to undress you and bathe you before I claim you."
I began to press slow kisses down her neck as I began to undo the laces on her back.
"Is that necessary?" she asked breathlessly. "Can't you just claim me right now?"
"I could," I said as her dress dropped to the floor and I bent to pick it up, folding it nicely on the table.
"But I'm going to bathe you and make you come in the water until you are panting and aching to take my cock.
Then and only then will I carry you to the bed and bury myself impossibly deep inside this cunt," I said as I dragged my hand up her bare legs, cupping her sex and slipping a finger inside of her.
She gasped and tried to grind on my hand, but I withdrew and slipped her shift from her shoulders.
She looked up at me with an impatient huff, but I just smiled down at her and turned her, and began to undo the intricate braiding of her hair.
"I'm almost sad you have to take it down. Frema did such a good job."
"If you want your hair braided, little mate. I am more than capable."
She turned and beamed up at me. "You can braid my hair like that?"
"Of course, all orcs are well skilled in the art of hair braiding."
She smiled up at me and reached up on her toes to kiss me before she started to undress me.
Steam curled through the chamber as I led her into the springs.
The water was hot, laced with calming herbs Frema had placed in the carved stone bowls that ringed the edge.
She stepped in first, gasping softly at the heat before sighing into it, her body disappearing beneath the surface like a dream sinking into stillness.
I followed, settling behind her. She leaned against my chest, her soft curves molded to me, her damp hair spread like ink across my arm.
"I can't believe how quiet my mind feels," she said, her voice barely above the ripple of the water.
"Good," I said, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You deserve peace, little flame."
She smiled, but there was a flicker of something behind her eyes. Still unsure. Still waiting for the other foot to fall.
"But first, I am going to wash you."
"Wash me?" she asked, looking up at me.
I nodded as I took some lavender soap in my hands and worked up a lather. First, I started with her hair, washing it before I added in fragrant oils. Then I moved to her body, reveling in the way her soft, lush skin felt beneath my hands. My knot pulsed, and my tusks ached for her.
It was almost time. Only one more thing to do, and that was to make her fall apart on my hands and in my mouth multiple times before we left the comfort of this warm water.
I ran a hand slowly along her arm, her thigh, just to touch her. Just to feel her here. She tilted her head back and kissed me—slow and lingering, her lips tasting like promise.
The moment unraveled between us like a thread pulled loose. Her kiss deepened, and I was helpless to resist her.
"Let me take care of you," I whispered against her mouth, and she nodded, already breathless.
We moved from the water to the warm stone bench beside the spring. I laid her down carefully. Her body trembled beneath my touch, not with fear, but with anticipation. With trust.
I worshipped her the way only an orc mate could, with slow fingers and soft kisses, coaxing pleasure from her until she gasped my name like it was sacred.
Then I sank in one thick finger, and I latched my mouth onto her breast, letting my tongue flick over the nipple there. She began to moan and grind on my hand.
"That's right, little mate. Take what you need and come on my hand."
I continued to work my fingers in and out of her as my thumb began to rub circles on her clit. I'd made her come with my hand enough times now to know what tempo and pressure she liked to drive her wild. She threw her head back in a moan as she came on my hand.
"That was one, little flame. You're going to give me another," I said as I began to kiss lower. I kissed over the mound of her soft belly before I adjusted her and pulled her to the edge of the bench, draping her legs over my shoulders.
First, I lowered my head and sniffed her. I loved the smell of her. She usually smelled like wildflowers and old books. But here she smelled like wildflower honey, and I needed a taste.
I licked her with the flat of my tongue from her entrance up to her clit. She moaned and gripped my hair.
I gave her a few slow, long licks before I buried my tongue in her entrance, lapping up all her wonderful honey. As my tusks grazed her soft skin there, the urge to claim her was screaming in my body. It was almost time, and I couldn’t wait until she came like this.
I then began to lick small circles around her clit.
"Oh, Thavros, that's it."
I continued to lick her and suck on her clit. I could do this forever and never tire. She was perfect.
She came loudly with her thighs around my head and her fingers tangled in my hair, and the sound of it nearly undid me.
I took my time bringing her back, covering every inch of her skin with devotion before I pulled her deeper into the water with me, cradling her against my chest. Her fingers traced lazy patterns along my ribs, her breath still uneven but soft with contentment.
I felt like my soul had finally unclenched.
Like maybe—just maybe—we had outrun the worst of it.
"I feel… different," she murmured after a while.
I stiffened slightly, brushing her hair off her shoulder so I could see her face. “Different how?”
She shook her head, eyes thoughtful. “I don’t know. Lighter? Like something shifted.”
I smiled and kissed her brow. “That’s what it feels like to be cherished.”
She didn’t answer right away. Her hand pressed flat to my chest, right over my heart, and I could feel her tension creep back in. “Do you think the bond is already forming?”
My heart thudded. “We’re close. But the full bond… that comes when you accept the bite. The claiming.”
"Speaking of the claiming, is it time yet? I don't think I can wait another minute."
I dropped my head and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Yes, my mate. It is time."
I stood and walked out of the hot springs, took her to the bed, and carefully laid her down.
"You're so careful with me," she said as she tucked a lock of damp hair behind my ear.
"I will never be careless with you," I said with a cocked eyebrow. "But the claiming will be powerful and wild. I will not be gentle."
"Well, let's get to it then," she said with a wicked smile.
Gods, she was perfect.
Of course, she was. She was mine.