Page 46 of Song For His Siren
"It would seem our mere meeting has awoken the ancient magic. The sealing of the bond will strengthen it, and every orc on this mountain in turn."
Next thing Callie knew, she was being led down another winding hallway, but after a short walk, they came to a room that looked like a small chapel. There was an arch with ornate carvings and crystals gleaming in the light. Beside the arch were two torches lighting the small area. Frema, the lovely female orc she had met earlier, stood next to the arch holding a strip of woven fabric.
All the sudden, her heart started to pound in her chest. The reality of all of this came crashing down on her. What was she doing? This was crazy. She hadn't even told her sisters she was leaving. What was she thinking? Maybe this was all a weird dream and she was going to wake up like Dorothy, because this place certainly felt as unfamiliar as Oz. Her footsteps faltered, and she stood frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest.
24
KHULDRUK
As they made their way into the chamber to perform the first part of the mating ritual, Calli stilled by his side. He could sense the panic rising in her and smell a sharp note of fear in the air.
As he looked down at his beautiful mate, his brow crinkled at what he found. She stood next to him, still clinging to his hand, but her eyes were wide, and her chest was heaving as if she could not catch her breath. This would not do.
"Could you give us a moment?" he said to his siblings.
Thavros nodded, and he and Frema stepped out of the room.
"What is it, my pet?" he asked, gentleness filling his voice.
Her eyes met his, and it nearly broke his heart. She looked so small and unsure of herself. He had never seen her look this way, and it filled him with need. He needed to make whatever it was right.
"I don't know. It's a lot," she said quietly.
"You don't have to do this," he said, even though that thought made him want to cut out his own heart.
Her brow pinched, and she seemed to finally take a breath. "No, I want to do this. I just... It is all kind of hitting me."
He let go of her hand and settled that same hand on the small of her back. He warmed at the way she instantly leaned into him.
"Do you not wish to live here?" he asked, scared of the answer. She looked up at him with big, warm eyes the color of the seas and shook her head.
"No. I want to be with you. I think it's just overwhelming. I'm here, deep inside a mountain, about to marry an orc, and I didn't even know orcs existed until a week ago. And while marrying someone I have only known for a few days isn't out of my character, I just don't want to lose myself."
Khuldruk looked down into her eyes and brushed away a tear that spilled from one of them.
"Shhh, my mate. Do not cry. My heart cannot bear it."
She slid her arms around his waist and snuggled into him. He held her for a long moment before pulling her to look at him. "I promise I’ll make you happy. You’ll want for nothing. We can return to the realm and see your family when you like. I’ll build you a stage to perform on if you wish. I’ll do whatever it takes."
She seemed to relax and take a deep breath. Reaching up on her toes, she went to kiss him, and he bent the rest of the way. Her lips met his in a sweet kiss, but then she opened to him and deepened the kiss, the scent of fear gone, replaced by the scent of arousal.
Breaking the kiss, she pulled back but stayed close, pressing her forehead to his, as she had seen orcs do. After a deep breath, she said, "Let's do this."
"Brother. Sister. We are ready," he called.
The two other orcs entered the room.
Calli's face gave way to a warm smile, a balm to his soul.
"Come," said Freya with the strip of fabric once again in her hands.
They both walked to the arch, and Khuldruk knelt before her. Calli moved to kneel as well, but Khuldruk gave his head asmall shake. Then, his sister started to wrap the binding around their clasp hands. Khuldruk pressed his forehead to her hands and repeated the words in the ancient orc language. The magic of the bond began to course through him even stronger. He looked up into Calli's eyes and saw that same magic there in her expression. Her mouth was slightly parted, her eyes filled with awe.
"I’ll show you to your den," said Thavros.
Khuldruk's eyes stayed on Calli the entire way there. It was normal that she'd have a moment of doubt. This whole world was new to her, but he needed her to be sure. Once the bond was complete, he knew he would not be able to be parted from her for long. He loved his people and this mountain, but he knew if she chose to leave, he would follow her wherever she went. He would find a way to exist in the human realm with her if that was what she desired, but he did hope they could find a way to make this work. Things would change for his people with their magic restored. Hopefully, with the mate bond magic returning, the mountain would soon be filled with mated pairs and orclings running around, making this mountain joyful once again.
He let Callie enter the room before him and watched as she took in the space. He loved to watch her. There was something about the way she experienced the world around them that made him see it differently.
