Page 41 of Claimed By Stone
"Come on, let's enjoy the sunlight before we have to go back underground."
She had no idea. I'd been trapped in that mountain for longer than I or anyone knew. So fresh air was more novel than she might have thought.
As we wandered to the edge of the clearing and began to pick the little red berries, I finally asked, "Can I ask you something? About… being mated?"
Callie didn’t pause. "You mean the best decision of my life? Fire away."
She had shared with me how she met Khuldruk. He had traveled to a distant realm to find her to save the magic of theclan. But she had left out how he'd been awkward trying to fit in, but she fell in love anyway, and he brought her here and beat away enemy orcs to keep her safe. The more I learned of her story, the more having a mate seemed magical and eternally comforting.
"It was like once I knew him, I couldn't imagine a life without him. It didn't even exist. I've always been a free spirit, so I waited for the bond to feel suffocating, but it never did."
I nodded. I felt the same way about Thavros, but I didn't know what that meant for us. Callie and Khuldruk's love seemed so simple, like they just fit.
"It wasn’t just about the magic," she said. "It’s like being seen for the first time. Every flaw, every strength—he just… knows. And loves me all the same."
My fingers trembled as I continued to pick the berries. I yearned to feel that level of acceptance.
"That sounds… beautiful."
"It is."
I didn’t say anything else. I couldn’t. I wanted it. And I didn’t understand why that terrified me.
Chapter 19
Thavros
Isat in the meeting with Frema and Khuldruk, taking notes as Frema shared what had happened on their travels. While I was able to pay more attention than I had at the last war room meeting, I still found my thoughts wandering, though this time they didn’t wander to the woman trapped in stone above us … No, they were drifting to a real flesh and blood woman somewhere nearby, yet too far away.
“What do you think, Brother?” Khuldruk asked.
I shook my head, hating to have to again admit I hadn’t been listening. “Could you repeat the question?”
“The Westerly Clan has gone silent, but the scouts from the pack and from the Elven village have yet to return. What do you think?”
I chewed on my lip for a moment before giving my head a little shake.
“It doesn’t make any sense. They have been brazenly attacking villages for years now. Then, after they attack you and your mate, they vanish. They are up to something.”
“I agree,” said Khuldruk, and Ragnor and Frema both nodded along with him.
“What do you think we should do?” I asked Frema.
“I would suggest a mission to get close, but with the vanishing of scouts, it doesn’t seem wise,” I said.
“No,” Khuldruk said firmly. “We do not have enough information to send any of our warriors. We need to lure them out.”
“And how do you suppose we do that?” asked Ragnor.
I looked over at him, the same question in my mind.
“Perhaps we have another mating ceremony and invite even more of the neighboring clans and villages. They might not be able to resist.”
My eyes shot to him. What was he playing at?
“While it is a good idea, there is one problem I see,” Frema said.
“What is that?” asked Khuldruk.
