Page 107 of Faeling
With a little roll of her shoulders, she unfurled her wings.
Gasps resounded through the basilica as her wings caught the light. She felt the warmth spread through the delicate membranes, casting colorful fractals on the steps behind her. Fluttering her wings, she let them sparkle in the light.
Ravenna took the hand Vallek held out for her, joining him again before the throne. Bathed in light, he claimed a searing kiss, tusks pressing into her cheeks.
To echoing applause, he turned them to face the crowd, his hand at her waist drawing her into his side. “Your queen!”
24
By the time all the challenges were met, the declarations made, and the great feast eaten, the court seemed far more amenable to their king taking a faeling queen. At least, they were too full or drunk to care anymore about it that night.
The feast began at luncheon but lasted well into the night, turning into a customary orcish celebration. Lots of rowdy songs, lots of raucous dancing, and lots of boastful bets. Vallek sat at table on the dais with his mate, presiding over it all with amusement—and a modicum of relief.
He’d known the day would end well for them, but finally seeing it come to fruition with minimal bloodshed was something to savor.
As they feasted, criers throughout the city announced the news to the people. Balmirrans everywhere were invited to celebrate with their king in finding his mate, offered as many tankards of mead and wine as they wished from Vallek’s own stores. Alcohol and good cheer flowed through Balmirra, and by the evening, Vallek’s heart and stomach were overfull.
A great cheer rang out when he finally stood from the table. Not bothering with more speeches, he thanked them again and bid all goodnight. Vallek led Ravenna from the dais to thunderous applause and well-meaning jeers, a few of which had the both of them giggling by the time they made it through the doorway into his personal wing.
Safe within the cool, abandoned corridors, they took the chance to meander lazily, working off their dinner. Alone together—with their guards, of course—Vallek covered the hand she had tucked at his elbow with his own.
“You were magnificent, sprite.”
Even in the dimness of the corridor, he could spy how she flushed with pleasure at his praise. “So were you. I only had the one challenger.”
“One was all you needed. And all I could bear. Promise me, no more brawls in the basilica.”
Ravenna snorted. “I can’t make that promise, and neither can you!”
Well, that was probably true, given the boisterous nature of orc-kin. Still, “Then at least promise me you’ll make your best effort.”
“Fine,” she laughed, “if you promise the same.”
“It may surprise you, but I prefer feasting to fighting.”
“It doesn’t surprise me, no. But you still haven’t promised.”
“I haven’t. And,” he leaned down so only she could, ostensibly, hear him—his guards were far too well trained to react either way—whisper, “neither did I specify what kind of feasting.”
Ravenna came to a halt in the middle of the corridor. “That might be the worst innuendo I ever heard.”
Affecting offense, Vallek laid his hand over his chest. “Innuendo? Never.” Her only warning was his sly grin, and then he was lifting her in his arms, resuming their path back to their quarters.
Rather than get comfortable in his hold, Ravenna pushed away from his chest until her arms were nearly straight. “Don’t you dare throw me over your shoulder in this gown,” she warned with a scowl. “I’m far too full.”
Vallek’s booming laughter echoed down the corridors, lasting all the way back to their private rooms.
They left the guards at the door, and after kicking it closed, they were finally, blessedly alone.
Although nearly the entire citadel was down in the basilica celebrating, the sconces had been lit, offering a warm wash of light to the central hall. After setting Ravenna down, he marveled at how she glittered in the soft light. She was all the colors of sunset, but his favorite was the lavender flush in her cheeks.
Leaning down, Vallek kissed both of them.
“You held your own today. My formidable mate. No one will dare question your place beside me.”
“I doubt that, but…thank you.” She grinned up at him, her hands coming to lay on his chest.
“Soon, we will get you a crown. And your own throne.”
