Page 22 of Scaled Hearts

We’ve had to adapt. We have our own little garden in the village. Old Agatha and a few others tend to it while the rest of us work the mines. We grow what little we can, out of sight of the orcs, and use that to supplement our meals.

It’s the only thing that has gotten us through some of the toughest times. The orcs like to periodically take the entire selection of livestock and grain as tribute to their ‘generosity,’ so sometimes we have nothing except the food in the garden to feed ourselves.

I always made sure Kara had enough, even if it meant sacrificing my share. I did the best I could with what we had. But now, presented with as much food as I can eat, I don’t know how to hold back.

Reaching for the soup tureen, I dish out a bowl of stew for myself, along with some roasted gallus, some of the sliced thistle, some of the bread and jam, anything with a large amount of protein since I didn’t know when I would eat next.

“Relax,” he murmurs, playing with my long hair. “You’ll always have enough to eat around me.” I gulp, red blossoming over my cheeks. Did I seem too greedy? “You’re free to eat whatever you like,” he adds, running a hand up my thigh.

Without realizing, I shift so my legs are spread apart. He doesn’t move his hands immediately to the space between, though, instead, simply running his hands along the outside, distracting me.

He stops his ministrations, nudging me back to eating. I don’t know if it’s the hunger or some strange, innate desire to please him but I obey, picking up a spoon to drink my soup. It’s delicious, hearty and thick, brimming with meats and vegetables I’d never even seen before. I gulp it down quickly.

He encourages me to slow down and savor each bite. “Taste your food,” he murmurs, winding a strand of hair around a finger. “Enjoy the delicacies.”

I take a bite of the thistle, smothered with some kind of sweet sauce, and what tasted like somana. The flavor explodes on my tongue and I moan. Angurus’ hands tighten their grip on my thighs and I let out another moan as I take a second bite.

His fingers tug my skirts up over my hips so he has access to my bare skin. They go immediately back to my thighs, skating over the flesh and leaving goosebumps in their wake. I shiver but continue eating. If this is my reward for obedience, perhaps I need to rethink my stance on this whole matter.

I continue eating, stuffing myself full of the rest of the thistle on my plate, a leg of gallus, a pile of potatoes, half the bread and jam from the tray, another bowl of stew and half a bowl of soup, plus some fancy looking cheeses, some of the leaves that contain a tasty rice-and-meat mixture, and half of the sweetbread.

I am already nearly groaning in fullness but Angurus insists I try the delicate looking pastries and desserts. Each bite is more delicious than the last. Truly I will never suffer for want of food if I am to stay with this elf.

I can’t possibly eat another bite but Angurus insists that I drink some of the wine. It’s cool and refreshing going down my throat, sweet and flavorful.

My limbs relax as he continues to tease and stroke my thighs. It is easily the best meal I’d ever had in my life—the most delicious food and plenty of attention from a handsome man. What more could a girl ask?

My core is definitely feeling a pleasant buzz by the time I am done eating. I notice as I wipe my mouth delicately with a linen napkin that Angurus hasn’t partaken. His plate is still empty, his wine glass the only thing he’s touched.

Anxiety rises in my stomach, despite the wine. “Are you really going to be able to cure my sister?” What if he has just been fattening me up to eat me? Am I naive in placing my trust in him?

He pulls my hair back from my neck, leaning in close enough for me to feel the ghost of his breath on my skin, the hairs standing up. “Every problem has a solution. Every disease, a cure,” he says, kissing me.

I shiver, holding onto the table. “Oh?”

“Yes. If there’s something that needs fixing, I can do it. I am a powerful magic wielder, as you can see,” he offers. It’s curious that his actions belie the words he spoke earlier. He professes not to care about anything but himself.

Despite that, he’s been so gentle with me, so tender. He’s given me enough to eat, wine to drink, draped me in fine clothing...

“What if you can’t find a cure?” I ask instead, trying to hold onto the little of my sanity I have left, the shred of my dignity.

“If no cure is obvious, I will search for one,” he says, nibbling the spot below my ear that drives me to grind lightly against him. “I will go to the ends of the earth for my mate.”

I can’t help the way sparks light up inside me at his words. No one has ever given me this kind of attention before. No one has ever offered to help shoulder my burden, or help lighten my load.

“You would do that for me? Even though we have just met?”

“Yes. I take my promises seriously,” he runs a finger over my leg, dipping into the juncture between my thigh and my mound. “As my mate, you now have access to all the magic at my disposal. Just say the word and I will give you whatever you wish. I would conquer nations for you,” he adds.

My head is spinning. His words are like honey, like a balm and I lap them up. He would really do anything for me? I don’t understand why.

“Aren’t you hungry?” I ask, changing the subject and turning my attention to his empty plate. “You haven’t touched any of the food.”

“Yes, I am hungry,” he says, moving his fingers a little closer to my wet folds. “I hunger, very much.”

“You should eat then,” I say, urging his plate towards him.

“I hunger,” he says, shifting his fingers so his pinky dips into my center. “But not forfood.” With those words, he spins me around in his lap, claiming my mouth with a passionate, wet kiss.

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