CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CEDRIC
According to Orthorr, it would take another week at least for Uttin to return. While we waited, the second batch of townspeople were escorted to the clans, so many that they had to split them amongst a few of the clans so they all had space to breathe and ease into things. Then came half of Uttin’s company, returning with another group. I’d been surprised that Uttin hadn’t returned with them, but Orthorr explained there was one more task that needed to be handled before they could return. Something about Zakai and Simon attending to personal things. I didn't know what that meant or what they possibly could have to do that would require them to split up from the rest of the company, but I didn’t have much time to ask. With the influx of new arrivals, Finn was over his head with teaching, and I stepped in to create a schedule for his teaching so he wouldn’t get overwhelmed.
At the same time, Orthorr met with the other clan leaders and discussed the move. They hadn’t expected so many, so they thought they’d be able to move on sooner after those who werebrought from the towns decided where they wished to go. With so many needing care, it would take longer than they expected, and they didn’t wish to rely on the king’s good graces forever. They wanted to move on and settle in their new home.
They were discussing having the clans that were caring for new arrivals join them and settle for a season or two until those townspeople better understood their new language and home and could decide where they wished to go, then return to their nomadic ways once the number of townsfolk needing care dwindled as people moved on and found their happiness. It was a sound plan, they couldn’t stay in their temporary places forever, and while some of the clans grumbled about being stuck in one place too long, they agreed it was for the best and made the decision to move once Uttin had returned with those in his company who had chosen to stay behind with him.
That meant another trip to the castle for Orthorr, but he didn’t think it would last the entire day, and we both decided it was best for me to stay behind so I wouldn’t miss more of my lessons while he spoke with the king. I also needed to speak with Finn about potentially having others join him to teach because teaching this number of people all on his own would get overwhelming and he had a family to think of.
“Be safe,” I insisted as Orthorr got dressed. Thanks to Finn’s bondmate’s insistence, lessons wouldn’t start for a few hours, and I was feeling lazy after the mutual blowjobs Orthorr and I had shared, so I was still in his bed, watching him get dressed with my chin propped on my hands and a frown on my face. We hadn’t been separated for more than a few hours since we started courting. I wasn’t a huge fan of him leaving for most of the day.
With a warm chuckle, Orthorr came over to the bed, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. “Do not worry, ravsol. I will not be traveling alone.”
“Who are you taking with you?” Because as much as I loved Tavik and Saneth, those two were troublemakers and had gotten into some mischief with Jamal the last time we were at the castle when they were supposed to be nearby to protect Orthorr.
“Khaul has requested to join and Bhortis as well. I believe they both wish to spend some time in the markets before we return, but they are good warriors. They won’t abandon their duties to do so.”
I nodded sharply. I’d met the healer’s bondmate, Khaul. He was a great fighter, generally serious and cared a lot about his clan. I could trust him to watch over Orthorr. I didn't know Bhortis, though. I wanted to meet him before we left.
“Give me a second. I want to see you off,” I requested, wriggling free of the blankets and reaching for my clothes.
Orthorr frowned at me. “You said you wanted to get more rest. It is still early, ravsol. You have no need to rush just to watch me go. You should stay in bed.”
Smacking a kiss on his lips, I ignored him. I absolutely loved that he cared, but he still wasn’t used to someone being on equal ground in a relationship. I’d learned in the weeks since I arrived that barbarians were raised to put their bondmates first. They are the priority, and the barbarians’ needs are secondary. While I appreciated the sentiment, I wasn’t going to let Orthorr think we were anything but equals.
To make him feel better, I didn’t get fully dressed. I pulled on trousers and one of his tunics, since it was big enough I could just slip it over my head, and stomped into my boots before turning to look at him expectantly. His smile when he looked at me was indulgent and a little heated, and when he came to stand in front of me, he fisted the front of my borrowed tunic and dragged me closer until we were nose to nose.
“Don’t take this off,” he growled with a smirk. “I like you in my clothes.”
A full body shiver wracked me, and my cock twitched with interest despite it not having been that long since I last got off with Orthorr. I’d need more time to get fully aroused, I wasn’t twenty anymore, but that didn’t stop my body from reacting whenever he went all barbarian on me.
“I promise, I’ll keep it on,” I said breathlessly, leaning in when he did to seal the promise with a kiss. It ended too soon for my liking, but someone called out for Orthorr and we had to separate so he could answer, though he looked just as put out as I did.
“What?” he snapped at the caller.
“Uh… We have your stallion ready whenever you are,” the unfamiliar voice responded uncertainly. I heard snickers which made me think he wasn’t the only one standing nearby, and we were about to get a lot of looks when we exited the tent. I wasn’t sure if Orthorr had outright claimed me in front of the clan as his intended, but pretty much everyone knew at this point that we were together. They respectfully gave him space and didn’t ask questions, but I could see the curious looks every time we left his tent.
Orthorr looked disgruntled, but a quick kiss on his lips settled him. That, and he tipped my head to the side, scrutinizing the mark on my neck to ensure it was dark enough for him. The possessive barbarian refused to let it fade. He wanted all and sundry to know I was taken if he wasn’t around to make it obvious. He seemed satisfied with the results, while I blushed furiously at the possessive look in his eyes. It still thrilled me that he did that.
We stepped out of his tent hand in hand, and all eyes swung our way like they always did whenever we came out together. Orthorr ignored it, leading me to where the guards were waiting with the horses. He introduced me to the one I was unfamiliar with before leading me to his giant horse and patting the animalon the neck while pressing their foreheads together. It was a greeting all barbarians gave to their mounts, a sign of friendship, and I got to do the same thing once Orthorr was finished. I loved the pretty spotted stallion, and when Orthorr wasn’t paying attention, I looked around and put a hand out to Godr, who was always nearby whenever the stallions were needed. He slipped a treat into my hand with a wink, then startled whistling and walked away when Orthorr glanced over his shoulder. I waited for Orthorr to turn back around again before giving the piece of apple to the horse, Dagr.
“Watch over him for me,” I whispered, petting the stallion’s nose. He snorted and nudged me, making me chuckle. Godr told me the stallions could understand, and I wasn’t going to argue with the clan horsemaster. For all I knew, the giant horse-like creatures could understand. And Dagr seemed to follow along well enough.
“Ravsol,” Orthorr called, beckoning me to his side. He wrapped me in his arms, and I hugged him back fiercely, regretting for a moment agreeing to stay behind. I’d spent my whole life alone. I didn’t like being separated from the man I loved for even a short amount of time. I didn’t want to lose him.
“I’ll be back soon,” he murmured against my hair, kissing the top of my head softly.
Biting back tears, I straightened and nodded. “Ride safe. Say hello to the king and queen for me.”
He studied me, no doubt seeing the struggle to keep my emotions at bay. His soft smile said he didn’t mind, and he snuck one last quick kiss before leaping onto Dagr’s back and guiding him away from me. Only when he was certain no one was in the way to get hurt did he bark at their little traveling group to get them moving, kicking up dust as they raced toward the castle.
“It’s unfair, isn’t it?” a soft voice spoke beside me. When I twisted around, Zoya, the clan healer stood beside me, a baby onher hip. I hadn’t spent much time with her, I’d had no reason to see a healer, but I remembered belatedly that one of the guards going with Orthorr was her bondmate. She’d probably come to the town center to see him off like I did with Orthorr.
“What’s unfair?”
Her hand waved toward the cloud of dust already disappearing over a sand dune. “They have the audacity to be so sweet and welcoming, they make us fall head over heels for them, and then they go off to do their duties and leave us behind to miss them fiercely.” She cast me an understanding smile. “We all face it eventually. Hopefully, once our clan settles permanently, it’ll happen less often.”