Page 84 of Oath of Betrayal
‘No, and no killing, maiming, or damaging your future soldiers. And make sure you provide them some dragon protection for that damned patrol—it should be a punishment, not a sentence. Please. For me?’ He sighed.
‘Fine. Now let me see your face.’
‘It’s just a scratch. I’ll let you kiss it better if you’ll relax,’ I teased, and his groan was that of a man who could no longer withstand his torment. Orm’s head dipped, but instead of the cut, his lips captured mine with a pained whisper.
‘I thought you were in danger. I’d only just landed, and the first thing I heard was that the fortress had been attacked. Then a messenger bursts in, telling me you were fighting in the tavern. I fucking hate my life sometimes. I hate being away from you,’ he ground out, peppering my face with little kisses. ‘If you want those bastards to live, they will, but don’t ask me to go easy on them because I’m going to beat the living daylights out of them until they understand no one touches my … any woman.’
I gasped, melting into his possessive touch. The strength of his arms pressing my body to his turned the gasp into a moan, my skin prickling with goosebumps. I gave in to him, smiling when his short beard caressed my cheeks. My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
‘You taste so good … like spiced, forbidden pleasure. Fuck, I can’t think straight with you in my arms,’ Orm murmured, and when I parted my lips, his tongue darted in, dancing over mine.
We stood in a field of flowers, alone at the top of a mountain, while he owned me with a single kiss, commanding me to submit, to take him as mine. My warrior was battered and bloodied, but so breathtaking; I wouldn’t change him for anything in the world.
When our lips parted, and I could finally catch my breath, he refused to let go, as if touching me was the only thing that kept him sane. ‘I can’t believe I had to pull you out of a tavern brawl,’ he grumbled with such an obvious eye roll that I chuckled.
‘They needed to be taught a lesson.’
‘And it had to be you that gave it to them? Next time, please, for the sake of my sanity, let me know when you’re going to do it. I won’t interfere, I promise.’
‘Aww, you’ll take away all my fun if I do that. No one will fight me knowing you are watching,’ I joked before shivering at his thunderous expression. ‘I didn’t want to worry you. This brawl … you know I could have wiped the floor with them if I really wanted to. I just needed to vent some frustration. These last few days have been hard, and … I missed you.’
I smiled, seeing his eyebrows knitting together. ‘I really missed you … and your heartbeat.’ I trailed a finger along his tightening jawline. He groaned as my finger slid down over his neck, hooking onto his breastplate, pulling him towards me.
My eyes widened as the hands on my waist tightened their grip in response.
‘You beautiful vixen, you’ve turned me into a man possessed,’ he said, hands sweeping up my arms. ‘I was fighting biesy, and all I felt was regret that you weren’t by my side. I want us to happen. Will you take me, Nivale? As you’ve regained your past, can we have a future?’
The heat in his voice flowed like molasses over my skin. I was lost in Orm’s stormy green eyes, his fingers wiping the blood from my skin, but my silence seemed to bother him. ‘Annika, I know you and Ari—’ I cut him off, placing a finger on his lips.
‘First, apologise for leaving without me. You took Alaric, but left me behind—I’d hoped our little adventure with the olgoi worm had taught you better. How can I Anchor you if you don’t treat me as an equal?’
‘You’d just had your heart ripped to shreds when we got the message. I didn’t want you going from one battle to another. That’s the only reason I didn’t bring you with us. I won’t leave you aga—’ he paused. ‘Ani … did you say Anchor?’ Orm stuttered into silence, and I saw his pupils widen in disbelief.
‘You said you want us to happen. Don’t you want to be my Anchor?’
Orm breathed hard, fighting with more than just the clasp of his breastplate. When he finally threw it aside, his eyes were ablaze with wild magic, but he held himself back—or so I thought until he dropped to his knees and pressed his face into my midriff. ‘Gods, Nivale,want? I crave it. I thought you’d never ask,’ he muttered, inhaling deeply.
‘What are you doing?’ I asked, taken aback by his actions.
Orm looked up, then took my hand and pressed it to his forehead. ‘I, Ormond Erenheart, swear my life to you, Annika Diavellar. My mind, my heart, and my strength are yours to command. I will follow you in this life and behind the Veil; wherever fate takes you, I’ll be there to protect you. May the gods above and below witness my vow. There will be no other for me but you.’
I knew Orm was from a ducal house of warriors and dragon riders, but I hadn’t expected this. I stroked a stray lock of hair from his forehead as my eyes sought even a hint of doubt, but all I found was heartfelt honesty and love.
Orm had just recited the warrior’s oath of marriage and fidelity; he had pledged himself to me, and it left me overwhelmed and awed. I swallowed hard, knowing he was waiting for my answer. ‘Before I accept, there is one thing you need to know,’ I said, and he frowned. ‘What is it?’
‘I … you hold a special place in my heart, but I can’t deny how I feel about Alaric and Vahin, too. I cannot choose one whilst denying the others. I’m sorry. I know that may be difficult toaccept, and I understand if you want to take back your pledge, but I need you to know my heart.’ I couldn’t look Orm in the eye, feeling as if I stood on the edge of a vast precipice, but he reached up, capturing my chin to make me look at him.
The gentle smile that graced his lips melted my heart, but his next words? Nothing could have prepared me for them.
‘You scared me half to death, my Nivale. I know how you feel about those two rogues. I was already planning to talk to you about it when I returned from my patrol. During my time away I … I realised how unhappy it would make you if you had to choose. I can’t change my nature, but I care for Alaric, and knowing it’s him you want … well, strangely, it eases my heart. I don’t think I could share you with anyone else, but with Ari, I can, because, in a way, he is already a part of me.’
‘There will be no one else,’ I said firmly and was blinded by the brightness of Orm’s smile. ‘I accept your pledge, Ormond Erenhart, and I swear to the gods above and below to do all I can to be worthy of you.’
I meant every word. Since the moment I had met him, my magic knew Orm would become mine, even when I was too scared and lost in grief to acknowledge it.
I threaded my hands through his thick black hair. My warrior, bloody from his battle with the biesy, still knelt before me as I turned towards the waterfall, a mischievous grin lighting my lips as my gaze caught on the pools below it.
‘Come,’ I said, reaching for Orm’s hand. He looked at me with confusion but let me take the lead. We reached the edge of the pool, and I turned around, placing a hand on his chest. ‘Are you ready for a challenge, Lord Ormond? Will you let me command you for a short while?’ I asked, biting my lip to hide my grin.
