Page 115 of Faeling
It was a simple enough plan, even if it did incite those riotous butterflies in Ravenna’s stomach again.Normal dutieswere still an uncharted realm for her.
“Very well,” Vallek sighed. “We will greet the court today, feast in the basilica, and hold open grievances tomorrow. I will hold a council meeting with the ministers the day after, which Ravenna will attend. See that a chair is placed for her.”
“Consider it done.”
“In exchange—” Vallek grinned evilly at his sister “—I want you to begin planning the wedding. I want it to be a lavish affair, Eydis. Something to remember. Every chieftain and paladin is required to attend.”
His sister looked less than pleased. “That will take time,breddah. I’ll of course begin planning, but it may be wiser to look to—”
“No, we start now. Ravenna will be queen, with a crown and throne. She will have the authority to issue edicts. But until weare officially wed, there will be lingering doubts.”
Eydis threw up her hands. “Fine! I’ll make a list of required guests. In the meantime—” she pointed toward the archway that led down to the baths “—clean yourselves up. Everyone already knows what you’ve been doing.”
That was how Vallek found himself walking with his mate out onto the citadel’s ramparts, waving for the gathered crowd. He didn’t know how Eydis had rallied so many to see them on such short notice, but thousands of happy, cheering orc-kin gathered in the streets below, waving burgundy banners and throwingvinyapetals.
It filled his heart with pride to see his people, out in vast numbers to cry their support. He took just as much pleasure in presenting his beautiful faeling to them. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as she stepped from the protection of his side, letting the late-morning light hit her.
Ravenna dazzled, gleaming and sparkling from head to toe. Today’s concoction by Hilde was a plum-colored gown, with more flow and drape than the last, embroidered withvinyablooms. It emphasized the lilac hue of her skin, once again covered in that cream that gave her the iridescence of an opaljust pulled from the ground.
When she raised her hand to wave, the gathered orc-kin gasped and sighed, no doubt in awe of her beauty. A smile touched her lips to feel the tide of well-wishes surging past the curtain wall. The nerves from a few moments before, when he’d whispered reassurances, eased from her tense shoulders.
A purr building in his chest, Vallek stepped up beside his queen, taking her by the waist to tuck into his side and raising his other arm to wave. The cheers redoubled, the air scented with sweet blooms and happiness.
“They love you,” Ravenna said.
“They do, and I’m grateful for it. They will come to love you, too.”
She didn’t agree, but she also didn’t deny it, either. She would see. Just give her a little time, and Vallek knew she would win over the people of Balmirra—and then every orc throughout the kingdom. He couldn’t wait to show her off to other courts, too; the stratified, patriarchal Pyrrossi would be apoplectic.
He meant to name Ravenna as lady commander of Balmirra once she had a few more administrative duties to cut her fangs on, such as attending council meetings with him and overseeing negotiations with the eastern tribesmen. He’d no doubt that once she found her footing, she would fly.
“My good people,” Vallek boomed across the city, “it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you, your queen. Ravenna Broch!”
Wild clapping followed his declaration, and more flowers were flung into the air. Hundreds of kin stomped their feet in celebration, a deafening clamor that shook the mountain.
Vallek kept his speech short and similar to what he’d toldthe court. They cheered and clapped at the right moments, but everyone was far more interested to see what the new queen would say.
When Vallek applied gentle pressure to the small of her back, alerting her it was time, Ravenna peeked up at him. He nodded, offering his silent support.
Gathering a big breath in her chest, Ravenna said, “Thank you for your warm reception. I vow to be a queen worthy of you—and your noble king.”
It was just enough, the crowd falling into fits of applause. They whooped and shouted their approval when Vallek bent to gently kiss her. Ravenna cupped his face in her little hand, playing her part perfectly.
“Just a little more,” he whispered against her lips before deepening his kiss.
His affection went on a little long, perhaps, but he was hardly past a rut and his mate was temptation personified. He’d had her naked and beneath him, thrusting inside her warm body just that morning, but something about standing there with her, hidden beneath their finery, thousands of eyes upon them had him lusting all the more for her.
He released her finally with more than a little reluctance, although he kept her hand as they began walking along the wall again. It took them the better part of an hour to make it round the outer circumference of the citadel’s wall, stopping every few paces to wave and thank the people.
By the time they finally took the winding stairwell within the eastern tower back down into the inner courtyard, the noonday sun hung high over the city. They emerged from the gatehouse to yet more applause, this time from a smaller crowd of the city’s preeminent denizens—orcs that represented the cityelders, the various mining outfits, all the craft guilds, merchant unions, representatives from the hospitals, scholariums, and orphanages, and many more.
Ravenna met each with an open, charming manner. She stood beside him, receiving each orc’s well-wishes and taking pains to ask names and roles. She expressed interest in everything, promising to visit this trade hall and that hospital.
Watching her, seeing how the city’s denizens went away from their meeting her with nods and smiles, only grew his pride. Enough that it soothed his otherwise jealous beast, which hadn’t stopped pacing agitatedly inside him when he saw just how many others looked upon her.
He knew this would be the reality of their mating—if she was to be his queen and stand beside him, it meant sharing her. Perhaps it would get easier in time; although, he thought he could be forgiven for the niggle of jealousy he harbored, what with their bond still solidifying.
Yes, after this, the thing to do would be to get her straight back in bed.
