Page 73 of Faeling
“No onewill threaten you,” he vowed. His blood rushed with anger just thinking about it.
“Ulrich does every day.”
The revelation struck him harder than a blow. He knew Ulrich was determined to separate him from Ravenna, but tothreatenher, even knowing she was his mate?
A growl built in his chest.
“No, none of that,” she whispered, kissing the skin over his heart. “I’m not trying to tattle. I can handle myself. Ulrich is loyal to you and has his use. I can bear that.”
His growl didn’t quite abate, but he managed to bite it back into a purr for her. It seemed he needed to have a word with his lord commander. While Ulrich had served him loyally for years, that didn’t excuse such behavior toward his mate. Ulrich didn’t have to like Ravenna, but he did have to respect that she was in Vallek’s life now.
“Very well,” he said reluctantly.
Quiet overcame them, and if Vallek was a little more selfish, he might have let her continue to pet him softly in the velvety darkness. The night was cool and the tent quiet. It would’ve been nothing to finally enjoy his mate.
But he made himself say, “Now tell me about the unicorns.”
Ravenna pulled a face. “Yes. That.” Sucking in a long breath, she explained, “There are currently four unicorns trailing the camp. They come from a larger herd that grazes outside Balmirra.”
Vallek’s ears rang. So many unicorns so near his city—andno oneknew?
A choked sound escaped his throat.
“They came with me, you see. To protect me.” Vallek listened, stunned and amazed, as she told him of her father’s dread-mount Oberon, a silver stallion, and how he and his mother’s herd had sworn to protect Ravenna.
She spoke of them with love, her face softening as she described Oberon, Callistix, and the others. She knew all about the herd politics, described the newest foals, and which youngmares would soon want to challenge for leadership or leave to form their own herds.
He could only listen in wonder. Many orc-kin had died on the sharp point of a unicorn horn, and his natural aversion to the beasts was there. Still, he couldn’t help but admire the loyalty and love shared between Ravenna and her unicorns.
To have traveled so far, to live in unfriendly lands so long, just to keep her safe…
He didn’t even mind so much when she told him of their plans to besiege Balmirra when Vallek had first confined her to his quarters. While he was mildly horrified to hear it, he could still appreciate their devotion.
Vallek was quickly coming to realize there wasn’t a city he wouldn’t besiege, an enemy he wouldn’t destroy, nor a land he wouldn’t conquer for Ravenna.
“I should like to meet them,” he found himself saying, “when it’s safe.”
Her brows arched in surprise before a warm smile broke across her face. “You would?”
“Yes.” Drawing her leg over his hip, he said, “I have to thank them for bringing you safely to me.”
Her smile grew wry. “Oberon will have many things to say about my safety.”
“I look forward to it.” And he did. From her explanation, and the way she so desperately begged for their lives, it was clear that these unicorns were Ravenna’s kin. It pleased him to know she wasn’t alone in the world. That she hadn’t just materialized out of the mist one day.
She had shared this truth with him, and he vowed it was to be the first of many. She had a past, his mysterious mate, and heintended to find out every little bit. He would have her secrets, starting with this.
His chest swelled to know that he’d gained some of her trust.
Purr deepening, his hand slid over the plush curve of her backside to delve between her legs. Her sharp inhale had his pupils dilating, and he buried his face against her neck, soaking in her scent as his fingers began to work.
“Now then, I think it’s time we get back to practicing, yes?”
18
Although they had to delay another day on account of Ulrich beingindisposed,the march to the splinter tribes moved through the eastern foothills like the tide, inevitable and indomitable. They made good time, much of which Vallek put down to Ravenna and Ulrich playing nice. Or at least, being kept at opposite ends of the column.
Her point having apparently been made, Ravenna accepted riding near the rear of the column on her assigned onager, Mattias once again watching over her. Vallek would’ve much preferred to spend the day marching alongside his mate and send Ulrich to the rear. Especially given how foul his mood was after what he and Vallek were calling a bad jar of pickled turnips—although the whole camp soon knew otherwise.
