Page 35 of Faeling
“Oh, no, my hellion, even if you will not share my bed, youwill still sleep in my chamber.”Where I can keep an eye on you.
Her nostrils flared as she glowered, but after a moment, with great huffs and puffs, she made a little nest for herself with the coverlet on the floor, near the foot of his bed.
Vallek resented how cozy she ended up looking.
Before he could give into the temptation to snatch her up again, he busied himself preparing for bed. After throwing back the remaining sheets, he dropped his linen breeches to toss them onto the bed for morning. In her full view, of course.
Two wide violet eyes watched him from under the coverlet as he went about dimming the sconces and snuffing the lamps.
When the room was dark, he eased onto his big, comfortable bed. A noisy sigh of contentment filled the room as the bed molded to his body.
If she wanted to keep her pride and stubbornness with her on the floor, then fine. He’d slept on floors and packed earth and rock too many times to ever give up his comfortable bed. Even when he left the city, he brought along a luxurious camp bed for his tent.
His beast, and indeed his own pride, chafed at knowing hismatelay on the floor, at the foot of his expansive bed. She should be beside him. If not under him crying with pleasure, then at least in his arms. Or if not that, then comfortable and warm in his bedding.
That’s her choice,he reminded himself.
She won’t hold out for long,he promised himself.
Even as quiet permeated the chamber, sleep eluded him, although that wasn’t a surprise. Part of him was curious to see if she would try to sneak off somewhere or even stab him in the back as he slept.
She did none of those things, however. In fact, after a while of tossing and turning, she grew quiet. Quiet enough that he had to sit up and crane his neck to see over the edge of the bed and confirm she was still there.
Ravenna made an achingly small lump in the pile of his coverlet. A lock of dark hair slipped from behind her pointed ears, framing her face, soft and serene in her slumber.
Slumping back, Vallek stared up at the ceiling of his bedchamber, more than a little befuddled.
What am I to do with a faeling mate?
9
Ravenna wasn’t truly surprised when she awoke to find herself laid comfortably on Vallek’s bed. Annoyed, yes. Surprised? No.
She’d had a feeling something like that might happen. The orc king had held his throne for almost eighteen years; he wasn’t used to being defied.
Apparently, her magic hadn’t considered him a threat. Usually it was good about warning her of danger while she slept, but it seemed her magic was more than ready to recognize Vallek as her mate. Anazaiwasn’t a threat—they were one of only a select few a fae woman allowed close. Trusted with her magic and her wings.
Her heart and mind weren’t ready to extend such trust, however. No matter how her heartpitter-patteredat the thought of his beast recognizing her immediately. No matter how her mind concede that taking a strong orc for anazaicertainly had its benefits.
Ravenna kept still, letting her ears tell her what they could.She didn’t hear him breathing, and a small tendril of magic across the bed told her his place was cold. Long abandoned.
She peeked over her shoulder to confirm that she was alone.
Sighing, she scrubbed her hands over her face. Fates, what a mess.
She could hardly believe the change a day made. This time yesterday, she’d been merely a human soothsayer in the orc king’s employ. Today, she was his mate and prisoner. Not exactly an improvement in conditions, but big changes nevertheless.
A presence poked at her mind.Oh, good. You’re awake. Tell me everything,insisted Oberon.
I already told you everything,she reminded him. Left with a little time to think as Brynhíl brushed out her damp hair, Ravenna had informed Oberon of the developments. The unicorn didn’t seem to know whether to be alarmed or smug.
Tell me what’s happeningnow.
I just woke up.
In his bed?
Ravenna made a face at the far wall.I’m not telling you.Talking about anything of the sort with him was almost as bad as discussing it with her father.
