Page 64 of Faeling
His final carrot raised a few thick eyebrows. He wasn’t the first Balmirran chieftain to unite the territories into a kingdom. He also wasn’t the first to promise mutual aid. Forall their shared language and culture, orcs could be a tribal lot. Taking orders from another clan rankled—several had left the territories the last time a Balmirran chieftain tried to rule, creating independent, isolated tribes along the far eastern reaches of orcish lands.
“If we are to survive in this world, orc must protect orc. I pledge now that Balmirra will come to the aid of any who need her. But this isn’t enough. The threats beyond our borders are to us all, and therefore we must all meet them. United.”
Hrothgar huffed. “You expect me to go to war for Kennum?”
“If war cannot be avoided, then yes. Just as I expect Kennum and Kaldebrak to go to war for the Innrini.”
The old chieftain didn’t give up his scowl, but Vallek didn’t think he imagined that Hrothgar’s expression softened infinitesimally with thought.
Rising from his seat, the others scrambled to stand, too.
“Think on it, my lords.”
Vallek would have left, anxious to rejoin his mate, had Rulf not asked, “Do you mean to never take a queen, then?”
Ignoring Ulrich’s withering glare, Vallek replied, “For now, the throne will remain mine alone.” That was all he could promise.
Today, let them chew over the benefits of unification and mutual aid. Tomorrow, get them to swallow a half-fae mate.
That was all well and good to plan; however, Vallek had his doubts by the time he returned to his quarters. If he’d thought unification was difficult, it would likely pale in comparison to then getting his new allies to accept Ravenna as his mate, a half-fae he rejected noble-blooded orcesses for.
Fuck, what a headache.
But when he caught sight of Ravenna hurrying toward him, eager to hear what had happened, he couldn’t be too frustrated. She might not know it, none might understand it, but Vallek had an itching suspicion that his faeling would make a mighty ally and protector of the realm. More than just his mate, she would make a formidable queen.
When she was near, he caught her hand and raised it to his lips for a kiss.
“Hello,skala.”
“How did it go?” she asked, forgoing greetings.
Huffing a laugh, Vallek tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her into the den. As they settled down, Vallek in his usual seat before pulling Ravenna down to tuck into his side, he described the meeting and his proposals.
Her dark brows lifted higher and higher the longer he spoke.
“Do you mean it?” she murmured.
“I give you my word. As a king and as your mate.”
“But it would be so much simpler to just…” Give her up.
Yes, it would. However, “I’ve never feared a challenge.” Gently, he pushed a lock of her long hair behind the delicate point of her ear. “You are worth it and more, sprite.”
She rewarded him with another of those lavender blushes he was coming to love.
“How do you think we should proceed?” Although he would fight the Ever-Father himself for his mate, he realized he didn’t have to go at this alone. He wasn’t alone in this mating and indeed shouldn’t be in their effort to be accepted.
Ravenna seemed surprised by the question. “I haven’t had any visions of it,” she admitted. “I don’t know what the other chieftains will do.”
“I meant your opinion, love.” While a vision would indeed be handy right about now—he’d need a contingency if Hrothgar refused all offers and terms—it wasn’t what he was after from her.
Her blush deepened, as if she hadn’t expected him to ask for her input.
The realization shamed him. He couldn’t have her thinking he only wanted her for his bed.
That wouldn’t do at all.
It might take time and some clever politicking, but Vallek intended to have her in all ways, all throughout his life. That was the way of the mate-bond, and he’d not be denied it just because he sat upon a throne.
