13. Zarios

Chapter thirteen

Sorcha snored softly in the chair across from me, paper strewn about her lap. I picked them up and organized them before adding them back to the pile. I worried her exhausted brain may have missed something.

She was such a stubborn woman. I insisted she sleep earlier because I knew this would happen, but she disagreed. Normally, I wouldn't tolerate such disrespect, but something about her made me relent easily.

As I continued reading through correspondence about the latest wheat harvest, my mind drifted to the hall. I had pulled her to me in an attempt to distract whoever was walking by, and while it accomplished that, I didn't expect the desire that arose within me. Her body pressed to mine with only those files between us… I wished to throw them away, so nothing separated us.

Her lips were so soft and small, a fact I forgot with her large attitude. I wanted nothing more than to press her into the wall and rut into her, potentially tie her up, see that beautiful rope against her skin.

My cock came to life once again, but I needed to stop. This was not a true mating. We were both here on a job, one she was being professional about, and I needed to be the same—no matter how much it felt like that kiss meant something to her as well.

I couldn't continue like this. I shut the file and checked to make sure she was still sound asleep. She was curled in the chair, her hair partially covering her face. Every time she exhaled, one of the pieces flew forward.

With that assurance, I went to the bathroom and turned on the shower, activating the magestones used to heat it.

I undressed and stepped in, my hand quickly going to my cock. I took the blunt tip and stroked it slowly. I imagined Sorcha with me in the shower, her tits that were so pushed up in her dress now exposed and her delicious ass on display.

She would get on her knees for me, but not before she talked back to me. I would fill her smart mouth with my cock until she was gagging on it, until she was so turned on she was playing with herself below me.

Then, I would lift her and eat that juicy pussy until she came all over me, and I would continue even after she begged me to stop, lapping up all her juices greedily. I picked up the pace, working my full length, pulling on the piercing that sat underneath the tip.

My imagination shifted to pushing her against the wall and sheathing my full length inside. I just knew she would feel amazing. She would bounce on my cock until I came deep inside her, until she was so full, there was no way she wasn't pregnant with my younglings.

At that thought, my cock spilled, coating the wall in front of me in thick, white cum. I pressed my head to the wall, careful not to bump my horns and let the water beat down on my back.

That was the hardest I'd ever come, and that was from fantasy alone. I washed the wall then myself. This couldn't happen again. I needed to draw a clear line. We were business partners, if that. This was about mutual benefit, and when it was over, we would part ways. Everything would go back to normal.

When I finished, I dried myself and went back out to find Sorcha was still sleeping in the chair. I picked her up and moved her to the bed, trying not to think about how good she felt in my arms.

I put her under the blanket before going back to my files.

The sun was beginning to shine when I grabbed the documents and headed back to the offices. I knew Sorcha would be upset about not bringing the files back with me, but she looked so peaceful in her sleep, I couldn't bring myself to wake her.

The party was sure to have lasted all night, so I didn't expect anyone to be up, but I still made an effort to be scarce. I put them all away and slipped out without being noticed. As I walked back, I saw Atalin strolling through the garden. She noticed me standing there and gestured me over.

I joined her on the bench, admiring the vast plant life surrounding us. Unlike the neatly trimmed and organized gardens of Peradona, these ones were teaming with a more wild life. Though there were cleared walkways, the flora grew where it wanted. Flowers were mixed in all the beds, and even plants people considered weeds grew, living in harmony with the others.

"I expected you to be too exhausted from your mating to be up this early," Atalin said with a smile.

I huffed in amusement. "Who says I've been to sleep?" That was true, but not for the reason she thought.

She laughed before sobering. "A human is an interesting choice. Do you think she's ready for the trial?"

I stilled. I hadn't thought about that. The Grand Clarak's mate was expected to face a similar physical challenge to the one I faced to become Grand Clarak. "I hadn't planned on holding one." It was honest. Not only did I not plan on it because the engagement wasn't real, but it was a silly ritual.

Her eyes widened. "I don't think that's a good idea. It's important to show to everyone the strength of your mate. I think Prator would agree."

I sighed. Those two were still stuck in their old ways. Their representatives on my council made progress hard for me at every turn, and though Naram tended to be pro change, he went with the tide. He didn't normally fight too hard for it .

Though this worry was for nothing. As soon as we figured out what was going on, we would go our separate ways. So why did the thought leave me feeling…displeased?

"I will figure it out," I told her.

She seemed to accept that answer. "Once this is over, I plan to retire."

I nodded. "I will hold the clan leader ritual whenever you are prepared. Do you have any prospects?"

"There are a few," she agreed. "But there is one I have my eye on. She has the head for it."

"I hope one day, I can make that matter more than physical strength." The clan leader trials had almost nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with strength. While it was up to the current leader to put up their challengers—and I trusted Atalin to put up people who were ready—that wasn't always the case. It made nepotism too easy, and it needed to be dealt with.

She patted my shoulder. "I hope so too, though I don't expect to live to see it." In that, we seemed to be on the same page.

I huffed. "You have a long while left."

She stood. "I'm sure you'd rather be in bed with your mate than talking with an old woman," she smiled. "Enjoy yourself. Though I know you hate these silly rituals, it gives you a chance to spend lots of time with your mate. Don't waste a minute."

Her words sat with me as I walked back to our room. They sat with me as I prepared to rest for a few more hours. And they sat with me long after I drifted to sleep.