I remembered Zoya’s comment from the day before and couldn’t help but ask, “How often does that alcohol lead to fights in a barbarian wedding?”
He didn’t answer immediately, and when I looked up, his expression was annoyed. That was answer enough. It happened more often than he would have liked.
“Maybe it’s a good thing?” I offered, shifting so I was leaning my weight on my elbow to see him better. “Like a certain number of fights means more luck for a relationship?”
His lips tugged with amusement and he raised an eyebrow at me. “You think fighting is good luck?”
I lifted a shoulder, trying not to laugh. This conversation was silly, but it also sounded before like he’d been thinking of marrying me and I was too nervous to redirect the conversation back to that topic. I chose the playful conversation instead.
“Why not? You’re barbarians after all. Fighting can be good luck, but murder is bad luck.” I paused, frowning at him. “There aren’t murders at these weddings, are there?”
That made him bark out a laugh. “No, kolrav. We are not that savage.”
“Savagely sweet, maybe,” I shot back, grinning as he dragged me down for a kiss. I was more than happy to let us get distracted by kisses, though I probably would need a while longer before I could go another round, but Orthorr pulled away after I melted into him, leaning our foreheads together in that sweet way he always did when he wanted to talk to me seriously but couldn’t resist being near enough to kiss me.
“I want to do whatever makes you happy, Cedric. If you wish for a royal wedding, I will be happy to let Queen Raiza throw whatever party she wishes. If you would prefer a bonding ceremony with just our clan, I can arrange that as well. As long as I get to keep you, I have no preference on how the bonding will happen.”
He said it without any hesitation. He meant what he said. He wanted to marry me. I was so blown away by that, I felt tears fill my eyes. “Orthorr…”
He gave me one of his soft smiles that always warmed my middle, cupping my face and drawing me down for a kiss. He gave me the time I needed to settle in his arms, fingers combing through my hair, until I no longer felt I was going to start crying just because he was being so sweet to me.
“I think… I think I’d prefer a barbarian wedding. I haven’t found a single thing in the barbarian lifestyle I don’t like. I want to experience everything with you.”
We laid around for most of the morning, basking in our love for each other, while Orthorr told me what plans would need to be made for our bonding ceremony. I suggested waiting until after the move so the clan could be settled and we wouldn’t have to pack up and leave the very next day. Orthorr thought it was a good idea, especially because bonding ceremonies weren’t just for the couple. It was also for the clan as a whole to bond with their new clanmember. That kind of community event would be a good way to celebrate the move and include the clans who were now much more closely allied than they had been before.
It was my growling stomach that finally got us moving for the day. Orthorr offered to request someone to bring us our meal, but I adamantly refused. I could get my own food, and I didn’t want anyone being forced to fetch it for us because I was too lazy to get out of bed. Even though seeing Orthorr cover himself and all those muscles was a bit tragic every time he got dressed.
“Once Uttin returns and takes over the clan, will you be walking around shirtless like the rest of the clan?” I queried innocently. Well, I feigned innocence at least. Having Orthorr half naked every day was too good an opportunity to pass up.
He shot me a wicked grin, snatching me against him and nipping my neck before I could step out of his tent. “Is that what my bondmate wishes? For me to dress in accordance with the ways of my clan?”
“Maybe,” I replied breathlessly. “I’ll have to experience it to answer for certain. I’m not sure if I’ll get jealous having others see what I get to see each night.”
His chuckle was warm against my ear, and when I twisted to look up at him, he rewarded me with a kiss. “You are good for myego, ravsol. Now come. I need to feed you. Your stomach sounds as if it will stage a revolt soon.”
That wasn’t too far from the truth, and I allowed him to unwind himself from me so he could steer me out of his– No, our tent. I made a mental note to grab the rest of my things from the other tent. I made a promise to Orthorr, and I had no intention of breaking it.
“Do you think it would offend the queen if you refused her?” I suddenly asked as we stepped into the cooking tent. The two cooks, Patrick and Yamileth, were hard at work, but both paused when they heard my question.
“Refuse the queen about what?” Yamileth demanded. “Is there to be trouble?”
Orthorr shook his head, giving Yamileth a patient smile. “No, Yami, there is no trouble. Queen Raiza offered to have a wedding ceremony in the castle for me and Cedric. He’s worried she’ll be offended if we say no.”
“Will she be?” Patrick frowned, offering me a bowl of food. “I only briefly met her before we moved here, but she seemed nice.”
“I do not believe she will be upset if we refuse, as long as we invite her and King Zohaib to the ceremony,” Orthorr replied calmly, like he wasn’t planning on inviting a king and queen to a ceremony he’d just recently told me was alcohol fueled and fighting was common throughout the night. Hopefully he was exaggerating at least a little.
Patrick and Yamileth seemed to accept Orthorr’s reasoning and neither looked worried about it, so I let it go, thanking them both politely for the meal. Patrick beamed at me.
“I’ve heard rumors about the two of you being a couple, but no one said anything about you bonding with each other. That’s exciting. You deserve to find happiness, Orthorr.”
Orthorr gave him a kind smile, squeezing his shoulder as he accepted the bowl Patrick offered him.
“Hopefully, this time you won’t sneak off to bond like you did last time,” Yamileth carped.
Startled, I looked over my shoulder at Orthorr. He sighed, giving the older woman a flat look. “You are punishing me for being late by bringing that up, aren’t you?”
Yamileth’s smile was smug as she told him, “You know the rules. Now shoo. We’ve got many mouths to feed, and I want to start preparations before it gets too hot. Let me know when your ceremony will be so I can plan the menu.”