Page 60 of War Mage

“Because you asked so prettily, mate, yes, you may come.”

At his words my back bows, my climax ripping through my body. Euphoria overtakes all my senses and for a moment I feel like I’m flying. Peripherally, I feel Urim coming inside me as well, his body going stiff above me. Then he collapses, pressing me into the mattress with delicious weight, making me feel safe and protected. He begins kissing me again, with deep searching kisses, before moving to scatter kisses all over my face.

“My hellion. My angel. My mate,” he says between kisses. “I am yours and you are mine.”

“I am yours and you are mine,” I repeat, before reaching up with my hands and pulling him back to my lips.

“Whatever happens, we will be together,” he says before kissing me. “Come what may.”

“Come what may,” I agree. And in that moment, finally, I feel totally at peace.

Chapter 27

Urim

Two Weeks Later

Adara is nervous as we approach the throne room at High Citadel. She knows that we have succeeded in our mission. We’ve done everything that was required in exchange for her clemency and the sovereignty of the Mage’s Tower. Yet, I can feel in the bond that it gives her pause. It is to be expected. A mere month ago she was expecting to be escorted to this throne room to be sentenced to death. It must be hard to dismiss those feelings as two guards open the doors to the throne room.

I reach out, my warm hand coming up to her back, wanting to be a comforting presence. “It is alright, Adara,” I murmur. “You can do this.”

My mate gives me a small smile, sending thanks for my steadying influence through the bond, but still, she is apprehensive. I wonder if she wishes that we had stayed in Barakrin. The newly-minted King Malik was a generous host while we stayed with them. He even gave us a royal escort to the border. He offered to let us stay longer, as honored guests, but I was eager to return to my rulers and give report. Though Adara did not share my eagerness for that task, she did want to make sure that Queen Adalind held up her side of the bargain, so off we went. Still, she feels like she is walking into a trap.

The doors to the throne room swing open, breaking into my troubled thoughts and we step through into the grandiose chamber. As we enter, Queen Adalind and King Rognar stand from their wooden thrones. The courtiers lining the room hasten to follow suit. Dame Zera steps forward in her full armor, looking austere, and announces to the room, “Welcome back, Urim ka Chrurnok and Adara Flameborn, heroes of Adrik, Orik, and Barakrin!”

The courtiers break into stately applause, Queen Adalind and King Rognar joining in. A wave of relief travels along the bond as Adara relaxes somewhat. This is certainly a warmer welcome than she expected.

I go down on one knee, my fists over my chest in the orcish sign of respect to my rulers. The sign of respect serves the double purpose of showing esteem for my rulers and also covering the runes branded on my chest, which, if I’m honest, I am a little self-conscious about. I would rather not have people asking questions about them. After a moment, Adara follows suit, though I feel that her respect for my rulers is half-hearted at best.

Queen Adalind waves a hand and the applause in the room dies down. “Urim,” she acknowledges in that crystalline voice. “Adara. You are well met. You succeeded beyond my greatest dreams and have brought peace to our kingdoms once more. You have our thanks and the deepest thanks of our people.”

Adara feels antsy through the bond, waiting for Queen Adalind to announce the Mage’s Tower’s sovereignty, but I send a warning in the bond, a feeling of caution, which keeps her from rudely blurting out her demands. She could make demands of the Crown if we were in Orik, a demand for a kept promise is not seen as an affront to the Crown’s authority there, but we are in Adrik. I have only spent a small amount of time here, but I have learned that humans require a more delicate touch, and Queen Adalind and King Rognar could lose face if Adara brings up her promised boon here without giving Queen Adalind a chance to do it herself.

Queen Adalind continues, “Though Grazrath was not vanquished and is still at large, he is weakened and on the run and is no longer on Barakrin’s throne. Our hunters are searching for him as we speak, and when we find him, we will kill him. All this is due to your sacrifice in casting the soulfire. In recognition of your bravery and success in bringing peace to our lands once more, we, King Rognar and I, grant you, Adara Flameborn, clemency for your past crimes against the Crown. In addition, we promise to each of you a boon. Anything that is in our power to grant, we will do so.”

Ah, so that is how they are going to explain the loss of the Mage’s Tower to the Council.Clever.Boons from a royal are a time-honored tradition in Adrik, one that it would be hard to argue against, even for the most incensed noble. Normally boons would be things like titles and lands from the Crown, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to ask for the Tower’s sovereignty.

“Adara?” prompts the queen. “What boon would you ask of us?”

“Your Majesty,” Adara begins, at least staying respectful in front of the court. “It has been a long-held dream of mine and the other mages to self-govern. To serve Adrik as an ally, not as a servant. I ask for the immediate independence of the Mage’s Tower, to allow them to govern themselves according to the dictates of their own consciences. We would, of course, remain as friends with Adrik and Orik, but no longer be at the beck and call of those who might use or harm us.”

A disbelieving murmur goes through the gathered courtiers, but Queen Adalind silences them with another gesture of her hand.

“What you ask for is indeed a costly boon. But we are rulers of our word. Let no one say otherwise. Therefore, it shall be done. Your Mage’s Tower will receive its sovereignty. No longer will they be under the purview of the Crown. May you always cherish your freedom as the gift that it is.”

My mate inclines her head calmly, even as joy bursts through our bond. Relief and triumph mixing into one as she says, her voice full of emotion, “Thank you, Your Majesties. You are as generous as you are fair.”

Queen Adalind inclines her head. Then King Rognar grinds out in his gravelly voice, “Urim? What boon would you ask for?”

I had not considered asking for a boon. It was not why I did this mission, but I realize that in order to offer a boon to Adara they must offer one to me as well, or seem unfair. But I know right away what I want.

“My King,” I say, addressing my ruler and friend. “Long have I served the Crown as your Shield. It has been my greatest honor. But I have spent all my adult years in the service of Orik and now Adrik. For my boon, I ask for a season of rest, a chance to travel Teurilia in peace and see the world without the burden of responsibility. I feel that I will be a better orc and better servant to my people after such a time.”

Rognar considers my request, then nods. “You have never asked for much in all your long years serving the Crown. A season of rest is the least that I can grant you. Be well on your travels, my friend, and your position will be waiting for you when you return.”

I rise from my knee, though I keep my hands in the sign of respect. “Thank you, My King. When I return, I will regale you with stories of my travels.”

Rognar and Queen Adalind sit once more on their thrones, the courtiers around the room finding their seats after the rulers have sat down. “You and Adara are dismissed, Urim,” Queen Adalind says, taking over speaking for Rognar. “May the gods light your path and steady your feet.”

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