Page 47 of Valpar

I wagged my finger at him. “Simon isn’t my pet. I am his person, his emotional support person. If he didn’t have me, he would be falling over all the time. Now, he only does it some of the time.”

Valpar didn’t look convinced. Instead, he sighed, picked me away from the table and set me on his lap, taking away the muffin I was eating. “Hey! That’s mi—”

He put it up to my lips and I took a bite.

“I will feed you from now on. Do you understand? This is rule one.”

I frowned while I swallowed. “What if you aren’t around and I’m starving? My stomach is eating itself alive. Can I eat on my own?”

Valpar frowned deeply. “No, because you will never be alone. You will always be with me.”

“I don’t see how that will be possible.” I folded my arms to match his.

Valpar chuckled mischievously and, for the first time, gave me a big smile. “No, because you will be tied to me, with a long rope like a tiny orcling. You will never be out of my sight again.”

Chapter Fifteen

Valpar

My miresa gasped. “Youcannot tie me to you! I am not a child!” She squirmed, attempting to free herself from my lap, but I held her firmly, enclosing her in my embrace. I inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of her hair as I pressed my nose against it.

“You are quiet and tricky like a fae, I will not have you running off on me again.”

Calliope stilled and turned her head. “You think I’m like a fae?” She smiled widely. “Truly?”

I frowned and brushed her wild, pink hair from her face. “Why does being a fae mean that much to you? You are human, be proud of your species. You are soft and smell much better than those flying balls of glitter and light.”

Calliope scoffed and shook her head. “I was raised by fae, so, I think it’s only natural to want to be like my parents.”

When I gazed over my mate, I saw she looked nothing like King Osirus, and I had not seen her parents, whom I now believe are fae. It made me wonder what her lineage was and how she was here.

“Where do you come from, little fairy? Why do you have the fae raising you?”

My miresa bit her lip, the sound of a soft whimper escaping her delicate lips. I gently used my claw to pry her plump lip from between her teeth, feeling the warmth of her skin against my touch. A powerful urge surged through me, compelling me to bring her lip into my mouth, to savor its taste and engage in this intimate mouth dance, that I had witnessed countless mated couples perform at the balls.

Thorn had always been oblivious to the mouth dance. He was always talking to the kings and queens about the security since the wall came down, letting the ogres roam their lands. But I had watched, and I very much wanted to mouth dance.

“Tell me, female.” I urged her as she continued to stare at me.

“My dad isn’t really my dad,” she admitted. I took a minute to hunt inside my head for the termdadand tilted my head upwards.I believed it was a common term that humans, and even creatures around here, used.Dadhad the same meaning as orgamo, which orcs used.

I nodded for her to continue.

“And my mom, well, she isn’t really my mom. She is my mom’s sister.”

Mom is ogamie.

I gently glided my hand, tracing a soothing path up and down her back, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. As I did so, I noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor - my miresa appeared to be filled with a sense of shame. I remained perplexed as to why her ogamie’s sister had taken on the responsibility of caring for my beloved miresa. However, I chose to be patient, allowing her the space and time to reveal the truth in her own way.

Drawing her closer to me, I could feel the warmth of her presence against my chest. A low, comforting rumble emanated from deep within me, as if offering solace to her burdened soul. In that moment, she surrendered, leaning into me.

Yes, I was being a good mate. I could do this.

“I don’t remember my real mom. I remember little of Earth. Mom, that isn’t really my mom, but I call her that because I don’t remember my other mom—” My miresa continued to ramble and I smiled.

I don’t think I have smiled as much, since the day I found out the wall would come down and I would find a miresa of my own.

“Mom said she took me from Earth, with Birch. That is Uncle Osirus’ brother. He found Mom— her name is Theresa by the way,” Calliope played with her fingers, “and they brought me here. That’s what they said, anyway. The only memories I remember are waking up in Uncle Osirus’ palace with everyone standing around me. Osirus, Melina, Mom, Birch and a sorceress named Tahlia.”

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