Page 25 of Claimed By Stone
I glanced down at the enormous bulge in his trousers. "Do you want?—"
"No, my pet, not tonight. I just want to hold you," he said as he sat in his chair and pulled me onto his lap.
He cradled me as I rested my head on his chest. The beat of his heart matched the beat of mine. We were meant to be together. I'd thought that for a while, but now I was sure. I belonged to this orc, heart and soul.
"I don't want to fade," I said, holding him tight. “Not tonight. I want to stay with you.”
“Oh, my flame, I want that too. I would hold you all night and never let go.”
He pressed a reverent kiss to my lips as I felt the first tug pulling me down.
"I will figure this out. You have my word."
There was nothing left to do. Nothing I wanted to do tonight other than to rest in this strong orc’s embrace. He was my whole world, and I wanted to be his.
Chapter 12
Thavros
Istood in front of the statue, arms folded, the echo of last night playing over and over in my mind. The memory of her trembling beneath my touch, her whispered pleas to feel real, clung to me like the scent of her skin. She had come apart in my arms with such fierce need, such reverence, it left something wild and unspoken.
And yet here she was again. Still. Silent. Stone.
Only, she didn’t look quite like stone today.
There was a flush to her cheeks, a softness in the curve of her lips that hadn’t been there before. If I reached out and touched her, I half-believed she might turn toward me. Speak my name. Kiss me like she had the night before.
The war room felt too quiet without her voice.
I couldn’t seem to help myself. I reached out and cupped her cheek, only to feel smooth, cool stone. My heart ached for her. I needed this goddess trapped in stone to be with me all the time.
I turned toward the great hall with a growl under my breath. The feast awaited.
And with it, the masks and politics I had no stomach for today.
As I turned from the statue, I found my sister standing at the top of the stairs, her arms crossed over her chest as she evaluated me. I had no patience for this today.
“Well, well,” Frema drawled, her voice laced with dry amusement. “Should I be worried you’re getting sweet on cold women now, brother?”
“Do you need something?”
“Your presence,” she said, coming to stand beside him. “There’s a feast in your brother -- your chief's honor, and you’re hiding in here like it’s a cave, talking to rocks.”
“She’s not a rock.”
Frema tilted her head and gave me a once-over, eyes narrowing. “Oh. Oh. That explains a few things.”
“What things?”
“The ghost smiles. The distracted pacing. The way you snapped at me when I suggested a very willing warrior-widow last night.” She bumped her shoulder lightly against mine. “Thavros, I’m not blind. You’re in love with a statue,” she said in a sing-songy voice, before doubling over in laughter.
He finally looked at her, not amused by her joke.
Only then did she stop and look at me, “Wait. What is happening?”
“It’s not what it appears to be.”
“It never is with you,” Frema said with a sigh, but her tone softened. “You always did prefer puzzles to people.”
