Chapter 20
Cora POV
I sit up straighter in the saddle, my breath catching as the sight unfolds before me, Nordvaar, the capital of the North, my new home.
The city rises against the backdrop of a colossal mountain, its jagged peaks crowned with snow that glitters in the fading light.
Massive stone walls encircle Nordvaar, thick and unyielding, a barrier that speaks of centuries of defense.
They stretch wide and high, enclosing the city like a fortress carved from the mountain itself, protecting it from every side.
At the heart of it all looms a citadel, vast and daunting, its towers piercing the sky. The fortress dominates the skyline, a reminder of power and vigilance, its shadow cast long across the city below.
As we draw closer, the gates come into view, giant slabs of iron-bound timber, reinforced with steel, tall enough to swallow a caravan whole. They are not merely doors but declarations: this city was built to endure, to withstand siege and storm alike.
The air feels heavier here, charged with history and strength. Nordvaar is no fragile jewel - it is a place meant to survive whatever the world hurls against it. And now, it is mine to call home.
“Finally,” Mika chimes, his voice bright with excitement, unable to contain himself.
We ride through the city streets, and the sight steals my breath.
People line the cobbled roads, their faces alight with joy, their voices rising in cheers that echo against the stone walls.
They bow as Garrion passes, some waving eagerly, others calling blessings, their eyes shining with devotion.
Their Lord has returned home, and their love for him is undeniable.
I feel their warmth directed toward me as well, bows, smiles, hands lifted in greeting.
It is overwhelming, this welcome. Such a stark contrast to my own home, where fear ruled every street.
My father’s presence would never have drawn crowds in celebration; people would have hidden behind doors, whispering in dread. Here, they rejoice. Here, they love.
As we ride deeper into the fortress, my gaze catches on a figure waiting near the gates. A woman cloaked in black fur, her long brown braid draped neatly over her shoulder. She stands poised, expectant, her eyes fixed on Mika.
Before I can blink, Mika dismounts his horse, his movements swift and unrestrained. He strides to her, scooping her into his arms, and kisses her unapologetically, without hesitation, without care for who watches. The moment is raw, filled with affection so open it startles me.
I watch, struck by the ease of it, the freedom in their love, the lack of fear. It is a kind of intimacy I have rarely seen, and it lingers in me, stirring something fragile and yearning.
Will Garrion ever greet me with such open affection, the way Mika embraced his wife?
Or will it always be hidden, away from prying eyes, a secret between us?
The thought gnaws at me as Garrion dismounts, his movements precise, controlled.
He reaches for me, helping me down with a steady hand, his touch firm but fleeting.
Mika and his wife step forward, warmth radiating from them. She bows gracefully, her long braid slipping over her shoulder as she speaks. “My Lady,” she says, her voice kind. “I am Soma.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Soma,” I reply, offering a tired smile
Before more words can pass between us, Garrion’s voice cuts in, commanding and final. “It’s been a long road here, and Cora needs to rest.” He doesn’t wait for agreement, his hand closes around mine, and he pulls me away.
Behind us, Mika chuckles, the sound light and teasing.
“Garrion, slow down,” I protest, limping to keep pace with his long strides.
Without hesitation, he scoops me into his arms, carrying me up the fortress stairs. The world blurs around me, the stone walls, the flicker of torches, the echo of boots on stone. All I can feel is the strength of him, the way he holds me as though I weigh nothing.
Once inside a room, he sets me down gently.
My eyes sweep the room, taking in the details.
A large bed dominates the space, draped in furs that promise warmth against the northern chill.
Heavy black curtains frame the windows, drawn open to let in the pale light of dawn.
To the side, a small wall conceals a bathing chamber, and from within drifts the faint curl of steam.
A hot bath already waits, its scent of herbs and heat calling me, promising comfort after the long, grueling journey.
Without hesitation, I move toward the bath, the rising steam curling around me like a beckoning hand. My fingers work quickly at the ties of my travel-worn clothes, shedding the weight of the road piece by piece until I stand bare, the heat of the chamber brushing against my skin.
Behind me, I hear Garrion doing the same, his movements deliberate, unhurried, the sound of fabric falling away echoing faintly in the stone room.
I step into the bath, the water embracing me instantly, hot and soothing, seeping into every ache and exhaustion. I sink deeper, closing my eyes, breathing in the fragrant steam as it fills my lungs, loosening the tightness in my chest.
The water stirs as Garrion settles beside me, his presence close, solid, undeniable. The heat of the bath mingles with the warmth of him, and for a moment, the world outside ceases to exist.
Garrion POV
She undresses without hesitation, each movement unguarded, unashamed. My eyes follow her, drawn as though her body itself calls to mine. I cannot resist, I strip away my own clothes, the weight of restraint falling with them.
She steps into the bath, the water embracing her instantly. Steam curls around her, rising in delicate waves, and she inhales deeply, her chest lifting with the breath. I slide into the water beside her, the heat seeping into my skin, but it is her presence that consumes me.
She leans back, surrendering to the bath, her hair slipping beneath the surface until it fans out like white silk.
The tips of her breasts break the water’s edge, glistening, and I am utterly mesmerized.
Every detail of her, the curve of her neck, the softness of her skin, the way the firelight dances across her, holds me captive.
She reaches for the soap, her hands working through her hair, lathering it slowly, deliberately. I cannot take my eyes off her. Each movement is a spell, each breath a tether pulling me closer. In this moment, nothing exists beyond her.
I wait, watching her as she continues to wash, her hands gliding slowly over her skin. Each movement is unhurried, deliberate, and I find myself caught in the rhythm of her touch.
Then she turns toward me, her eyes meeting mine with quiet intent. She moves closer, the water rippling between us, until she settles on me. Her nearness is overwhelming, her presence filling every space around me.
She lifts the soap, her hands gentle as she begins to work it over my chest and shoulders. The sensation is simple, yet it ignites something deeper, an ache, a pull I cannot ignore. Every stroke of her hand leaves me more aware of her, of us, of the closeness we now share.
My hands close firmly around her hips, pulling her closer until there is no space left between us. The soap slips from her fingers as I take it, letting it fall into the water, forgotten.
All I can see is her, her eyes, her lips, the way she looks at me with a mix of challenge and invitation. The restraint I’ve held onto shatters. I lean in and claim her mouth with mine, the kiss fierce, unyielding, carrying all the desire I can no longer keep contained.
I lift her up and slide my dick into her, she is so tight. Her head rolls back with pleasure and moans.
My hands tighten on her hips, and I start moving her up and down showing her what I want and need.
Her hands slide over my chest and then grip the edge of the bath behind me, anchoring herself as she starts to ride me.
The water ripples around us, steam curling upward, blurring the world beyond.
She doesn’t falter, her rhythm steady, her focus unwavering, and I feel every shift of her body as she claims me.
My hands move slowly, reverently, tracing the lines and curves of her body as though mapping sacred ground. Each touch is deliberate, each contour committed to memory, the slope of her shoulder, the curve of her waist, the softness of her skin beneath my fingers.
I cup her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples.
A soft sound escapes her lips, a moan that sends a shiver through me.
Her movements grow bolder, more certain, as though each breath fuels her courage.
She leans in, closing the space between us, and her mouth finds mine.
The kiss is fierce, unrestrained, filled with a bravery that wasn’t there before.
My body aches for release and instinct drives me to match her rhythm, every movement pulling me deeper into her. Her mouth finds my jaw, tracing along the line of it before trailing down my neck. Each kiss burns against my skin, searing me with a heat that feels both unbearable and irresistible.
I pull out of her and release in the water.
Cora POV
I watch Garrion as the tension leaves him, his body surrendering to release.
It is mesmerizing, the way strength gives way to vulnerability, the way power softens into quiet stillness.
His head falls back against the edge of the bath, lips parted, eyes closed, as though the weight he carries has finally lifted, if only for a moment.
Steam curls around us, blurring the world beyond, and I cannot look away. In this fragile pause, he is no longer the untouchable Lord of the North, but simply a man, mine to witness, mine to remember.
All at once, his eyes find mine, sharp, hungry, burning with intent. The look steals my breath, a silent promise that he is far from finished with me. That gaze alone speaks louder than words, telling me everything I need to know.
A shiver runs down my spine, anticipation curling through me like fire and ice. My body reacts before my mind can catch up, drawn to the raw intensity in him. In that moment, I know, I am his focus, his desire, and he will not let me go.
His fingers slide into me, and he starts moving them fast, his thumb brushes over my bud and my hips jerk. The sensation is overwhelming, rippling through me until I can hardly breathe. My hands find his shoulders, clinging to him for steadiness as waves of pleasure build inside me.
His voice cuts through the haze, low, commanding, threaded with desire. “You will release for me Cora,” he says, each word laced with intensity.
The sound of it sends another shiver through me, and I know resistance is impossible.
My hips move with his fingers, driven by a need that builds with every breath, every heartbeat. A cry escapes my lips as release overtakes me, my body trembling, shuddering beneath the force of it. The world blurs, narrowed to this moment, this release, this consuming fire that leaves me undone.
My ears ring faintly, the world tilting as a wave of dizziness washes over me. I lean into Garrion, seeking steadiness, my breath coming in uneven pulls. His arms close around me, strong and certain, enveloping me in a shelter I hadn’t realized I needed.
The heat of the bath seeps into my bones, soothing the ache in my body, while his presence soothes something deeper, something I cannot name. Wrapped in him, the chaos fades, leaving only the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the warmth of the water cradling us both.