Page 12 of Claimed By Stone
“We both know I’m useless in the kitchen. Do you need anyone to run into the village? I believe Gragnar is going there today.”
The plump orc put her hands on her hips and evaluated the kitchen. “No, I’m all set for the feast. Is your brother back yet?”
“No, not yet,” I said as I stole a taste of the strawberry jam. With Yule coming, berries weren’t exactly in season. This was a luxury.
Magra merely glowered at me. “Well, see to it that he comes to talk to me upon his return. I want to make a special cake for him and his new mate.”
That glower immediately turned into a smile at the mention of Khuldruk and his mate. While Magra pretended to be grumpy, she had a soft spot for the chief and his siblings. When their parents had passed when Frema and Drax were still young, she really took them under her wing.
“I will,” I said as I snatched a small honey cake from the table.
That was the end of her patience. “Out with you,” she said as she hit me on the back with a rolling pin. I flinched away, but grinned at her. She gave a huff and shook her head at me, even as the corners of her mouth tipped up ever so slightly.
After her assurance that everything was under control, I started back to my study.
As I turned the corner, I was greeted by Ragnor, one of Khuldruk's men. "The chief and his mate have emerged and are waiting for you in the war room."
"Thank you," I answer back as I quickly make my way there.
As the door slid open, I saw my brother and his mate. Callie wasn’t a small woman, but beside my massive brother, any human would appear delicate. He was examining the crystal that had gotten brighter and brighter every day since he left on his mission to find Callie. While it wasn't as bright as it'd been when they were small, it was shining again, and for right now, that was all that mattered.
"Brother," I call as I make my way to him.
He turned and greeted me in a warm embrace before pressing his forehead to mine in our customary orc greeting.
"Callie, it is so good to see you," I said, and I bent and pressed my forehead to the back of her hands.
I looked at Callie, who was smiling at me with such warmth. I stepped back and took them in. He looked different. I couldn't really put my finger on it, but he seemed so much calmer. Callie, on the other hand, was glowing.
"I’m still getting used to the greetings. I'm really going to have to get to work to try and learn all the new customs."
"Don't worry, my pet. They will love you. You've taken so well to our customs," Khuldruk said in a heated voice that almost sounded like a purr.
"Just a reminder, you did leave the mating caves, and I’m right here," I said, kidding, mostly.
I was genuinely happy for my brother and his mate, but a pang of sadness tugged at me as light from above caught the statue’s stony surface. The love and warmth radiating between Callie and Khuldruk reminded me too vividly of the night before, when that same warmth had filled the room where now only cold stone remained.
"Where is Frema? Does she have news of the Westerly Clan?"
"Well, she took some of the scouts and warriors out on a training mission. It seems their strength is beginning to return."
"Well, that is good news. And what of the healers? Has their magic returned yet?"
"It is returning."
"Good," Khuldruk said as he smiled down at his mate.
The smile she gave back to him made my heart ache, but it also stirred a thought. "Are you with child? Is that why you ask of the healers?"
"No," she answered back quickly. "Not yet anyway, although that is the plan. But Khuldurk wanted to make sure the healers had magic before we risked a pregnancy."
"Ahh, that is wise. There can sometimes be complications with such a size difference."
A small look of distress danced across her face, but it was gone with a simple touch from Khuldruk.
"Well, we’re going to go get settled in our room, but after lunch, I would love to hear about plans for the feast."
"I’ll be ready. Welcome back, brother. You have been missed. You and your mate."
