Korrin

KORRIN

T he pounding rhythm of drums filled the air, vibrating through my chest. Denna's words about not wanting to discuss the future faded into the background as the infectious energy of the festival swept over me. My blood surged with the primal beat, and I found myself reaching for her hand.

"Come on," I said, tugging her towards the center of the celebration where Shakai couples whirled in a frenzied dance.

Denna hesitated, her blue eyes widening. "I don't know the steps."

"You'll figure it out," I assured her, flashing a grin. "Just follow my lead."

Without waiting for her response, I pulled her into the swirling mass of bodies. The scent of wood smoke and spiced wine filled my nostrils as we joined the dance. Denna stumbled at first, her movements unsure, but I held her close, guiding her through the steps.

"See? You're a natural," I whispered in her ear, feeling her quiver against me.

As we spun faster, the world blurred around us. The firelight caught the golden highlights in Denna's hair, making it shimmer like a halo. Her cheeks flushed with exertion and excitement, her lips parted as she laughed breathlessly.

The dance required us to change partners, and I reluctantly released Denna's hand. Another male, a broad-shouldered warrior with intricate facial tattoos, swept her away. A twinge of jealousy twisted in my gut as I watched them twirl across the clearing.

My new partner, a lithe woman with copper skin, tried to engage me in conversation, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from Denna. She moved with unexpected grace, her body swaying in time with the music. The warrior's hand rested on her waist, and a flash of fury shot through me.

"Easy there, captain," my dance partner chuckled. "You look ready to challenge half the tribe to combat."

I forced a smile, trying to focus on the steps. But every time Denna passed near me with another partner, I felt my Valti nature stirring. The primal part of me wanted to snatch her away, to mark her as my mate for all to see.

When the pattern of the dance finally brought Denna back to me, I crushed her against my chest, inhaling her sweet scent.

"Miss me?" Denna teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Instead of answering, I lifted her off her feet, spinning her in a dizzying circle. She let out a delighted squeal, clinging to my shoulders. The sound of her laughter, pure and joyous, filled me with a warmth I'd never experienced before.

Overcome by the music, the revelry, and the intoxicating presence of Denna, I made an impulsive decision. Without breaking stride, I swept her up into my arms and took off running, weaving through the swirl of dancers and past the colorful tents of our encampment.

"!" Denna gasped, her arms locked around my neck. "What are you doing?"

I grinned down at her, feeling wild and reckless. "Taking you on an adventure."

Behind us, I heard the laughter and whoops of the other Shakai, no doubt amused by our dramatic exit. But I paid them no mind, focusing only on the woman in my arms and the vast expanse of moonlit meadow stretching out before us.

As we left the warm glow of the festival fires behind, the cool night air caressed our skin. The tall grass of the meadow whispered against my legs as I ran, carrying Denna further and further from the camp.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

"Anywhere," I answered, leaping over a small bush, scattering a startled brindil from its slumber. "Everywhere. Does it matter?"

Denna's laugh was carried away by the wind. "I suppose not."

Finally, when the sounds of the festival had faded to a distant murmur, I slowed to a stop. We stood in a small clearing, surrounded by swaying wildflowers that glowed silver in the moonlight. I gently set Denna on her feet but kept my arms around her waist, unwilling to let go completely.

She gazed up at me, her cheeks flushed and her hair tousled from our impromptu flight.

"So, oh mighty captain," Denna said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Now that you've spirited me away, what do you plan to do with me?"

"What do I plan to do with you?" I echoed, my voice low and husky. "I think it's time I showed you my world."

Taking her hand, I led Denna back towards the camp. The sounds of revelry grew louder as we approached, but I steered us away from the main gathering. We weaved between colorful tents until we reached one slightly smaller than the rest, adorned with twisting patterns in deep blue and gold.

"This is my tent," I explained, holding back the flap for her to enter.

Denna ducked inside, and I followed close behind. The interior was dimly lit by a few oil lamps, casting a warm, flickering glow over the space. Furs and woven rugs covered the ground, creating a cozy atmosphere.

"It's... not what I expected," Denna said, her eyes roaming over the various objects scattered throughout the tent.

I watched as she moved around the space, her fingers trailing over the different items. Her curiosity was evident, and pride surged through me at being able to share this part of my life with her.

"What's this?" she asked, picking up a small, intricately carved wooden box.

I stepped closer, gently taking the box from her hands. "Ah, this is special. I got this from a Shakai craftsman in the southern forests." I opened the lid, revealing a set of delicate bone dice inside. "He claimed these dice were blessed by the spirits of luck. I've never lost a game when using them."

Denna raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Maybe we should test that theory sometime."

I chuckled, setting the box down. "Be careful what you wish for. I'm quite skilled at games of chance."

Her eyes fell on a strange-looking contraption made of twisted metal and colorful beads. "And this?"

"That's a puzzle from the eastern plains," I explained, picking it up. "The goal is to separate all the pieces without breaking it. I spent weeks trying to solve it during a particularly long and boring trade negotiation."

"Did you figure it out?"

I grinned sheepishly. "Eventually. Though I may have cheated a bit by asking one of the elders for a hint."

Denna laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. She moved on to a small, leather-bound book resting on a low table. "You read?"

"When I have the time," I replied, joining her by the table. "That's a collection of Shakai legends and myths. Some of the stories are quite fascinating."

I opened the book, flipping through the pages until I found one of my favorites. "This one tells of a warrior who fell in love with the moon goddess. He spent his entire life trying to reach her, climbing the highest mountains and sailing the widest seas."

Denna leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing against mine as she peered at the intricate illustrations. "Did he ever succeed?"

"In a way," I said softly, acutely aware of her proximity. "The goddess was so moved by his dedication that she brought him up to the night sky to live among the stars."

Our eyes met, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe, the air in my lungs crackling with lightning.

Denna cleared her throat, breaking the spell. She turned away, her gaze falling on a small, polished stone resting on a nearby shelf. "What about this?"

I picked up the smooth, iridescent rock, rolling it between my fingers. "I found this in a riverbed during my first solo hunt. It reminded me of the scales of the great serpents that are said to live in the deepest parts of our forests."

"It's beautiful," Denna murmured, reaching out to touch the stone.

Our fingers brushed, and a jolt ran through me. I held her gaze, fighting the urge to pull her close and claim her lips with mine.

"," she said softly. "Thank you for sharing all of this with me."

I swallowed hard, struggling to find my own voice. "There's so much more I want to show you, Denna. So many stories I want to share."

She smiled, a mix of warmth and something I couldn't quite decipher in her eyes. "I'd like that."

I gazed into Denna's eyes, the air thick with unspoken desire. My heartbeat drummed in my ears as I pulled her close, our bodies pressing together. Her scent, an intoxicating blend of wildflowers and spice, overwhelmed my senses.

"Denna..." I murmured, my voice husky with want. "Are you sure?"

She didn't reply with words. Instead, she stretched up on her tiptoes and claimed my lips in a searing kiss. I groaned against her mouth, all restraint shattering within me. My hands roamed over the curves of her body as I deepened the kiss, tasting the sweet nectar of her lips.

Denna's fingers clutched at my hair, holding me to her as our kisses grew more urgent, more hungry. I walked us backwards until her back met the tent wall, pinning her there with my body. She arched against me with a soft moan that sent desire lancing through me.

Breaking the kiss, I trailed my lips along the slender column of her neck. Denna tilted her head back, giving me better access as my teeth grazed her pulse point. She shuddered, her nails scratching lightly against my scalp.

"," she gasped as I nipped at the juncture of her shoulder. "I need you..."

Those breathy words were my undoing. I captured her lips again, one hand sliding into her hair to angle her how I wanted. Our kisses grew messy, frenzied, all control slipping away.

Somehow, in our fervor, we managed to divest each other of our clothing. Piece by piece, fabric fell away until there was nothing separating us. Denna's pale skin glowed in the low lamplight, causing my mouth to water.

I broke the kiss to simply look at her, committing every detail to memory. The gentle swell of her breasts, the flat plane of her stomach, the alluring dip of her waist—she was perfect. A goddess made flesh.

"You're so beautiful," I rasped, trailing my knuckles along the curve of her jaw.

Denna licked her lips at my touch, her blue eyes darkening with desire. "Show me," she whispered, her voice a desperate plea. "Show me how much you want me."

With a hoarse groan, I crushed my mouth against hers again. My hands roamed over her body with fevered urgency as our kisses grew more heated, more wild. Denna arched into me, silently urging me on.

The need coiling within me grew to an unbearable ache. I could no longer resist her siren call. Slinging one of her legs over my hip, I entered her in one smooth thrust. We both cried out at the scorching heat of our joining.

I stilled, fighting for control as the exquisite sensation of being sheathed within her tight depths threatened to overwhelm me. Denna clung to me, panting against the heated skin of my shoulder as she adjusted.

And then she moved.

With a roll of her hips, she silently demanded more. I growled, low in my throat, and began to move within her. Slow at first, then quicker as our passion crested higher. The world shrank until there was nothing but the feeling of her surrounding me, the slick slide of our bodies, the siren song of her cries.

Denna's nails scored lines down my back, marking me as hers as surely as she was now mine. I doubled my pace, each thrust burying me deeper until I thought I might go mad with bliss. This was ecstasy, this was paradise found in the religion of her flesh.

Pleasure built towards an inescapable peak, each brush of my body against hers stoking the flames higher. I angled my hips, changing the angle until Denna cried out my name like a prayer. Over and over, I struck that place within her that made her shatter apart.

It was too much. The wet heat of her, the melodic sounds she made, the desperation in her touch—it obliterated what little control remained. With a harsh shout, I found my release, my seed pulsing within her depths.

Denna followed soon after, her inner walls fluttering around me as she peaked. She trembled against me, her head thrown back in rapture as wave after wave of bliss crashed over her. I drank in the sight like a man dying of thirst, etching it into my memories.

We clung together through the aftershocks, our labored breathing the only sound in the tent. I peppered kisses along Denna's shoulder, savoring the salt of her skin as I slowly drifted back down.

At last, with a heavy exhale, I eased out of her embrace. Denna made a soft noise of protest before her eyes found mine, warm and sated. A smile curved my lips as I tenderly brushed a few stray curls from her face.

"Sleep, my mate," I murmured, guiding her over to the pile of furs that served as my bed. "I'll be here when you wake."

Denna hummed in contentment, already drifting towards slumber. I gathered her against me, reveling in the feeling of her softness pressed against my body. Within moments, her breathing evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep.

I lay awake for a while, simply holding her and marveling at the unexpected gift I'd been given. A sense of peace and completeness settled over me like a warm blanket. For so long, I had lived half a life, always searching for something I couldn't name.

Now I knew—it was her. Denna was the missing piece of me that I had never known I lacked.

With a tender smile, I pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and allowed myself to follow her into dreams, secure in the knowledge that my heart was forever bound to hers.

Sometime later, a soft noise pulled me from my slumber. I blinked awake, momentarily disoriented by the low light levels in the tent. Beside me, the furs were disturbed and still warm, but Denna was nowhere to be seen.

I sat up, my senses instantly alert. The furs beside me were empty, the lingering warmth of Denna's body already fading. A knot of unease formed in my gut as I scanned the dimly lit tent.

"Denna?" I called out, my voice rough with sleep.

No answer.

The silence felt oppressive, broken only by the faint sounds of the camp beyond the tent walls. I rose, my muscles tense, ready for... what? I wasn't sure.

My eyes fell on the small table where we'd examined my collection of trinkets earlier. The polished river stone caught the faint lamplight, but something was off. It had been moved.

I approached, my bare feet silent on the rugs covering the ground. As I reached for the stone, I noticed a slip of parchment peeking out from beneath it. My heart rate quickened as I lifted the rock and unfolded the note with trembling fingers.

Please don't follow me. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me.

Forgive me.

The words blurred as I read them again and again, willing them to change, to reveal some hidden meaning that would make this bearable. But they remained stubbornly, painfully the same.

A low snarl tore through me. How dare she leave? How dare she think she could walk away from what we had?

I crumpled the note in my fist, my entire body shaking with a potent mixture of rage and anguish. The urge to shift, to let the Valti take control and hunt her down, was almost overwhelming.

But beneath the anger, a cold fear gripped my heart. Denna was out there alone, heading into danger. My mate was in peril, and I wasn't there to protect her.

I forced myself to breathe deeply, struggling to rein in the conflicting emotions threatening to tear me apart. My Valti roared, demanding I get her, drag her back to my side, but I knew I had to think clearly.

Denna had made her choice. She'd left of her own free will, driven by a purpose I didn't fully understand. As much as it pained me, as much as every fiber of my being screamed to go after her, I had to respect her decision.

But that didn't mean I had to like it.

I sank down onto the furs, the lingering scent of Denna surrounding me. It was both a comfort and a torment. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to calm the storm raging within me.

The rational part of my mind knew I should let her go. She'd asked me not to follow, had made it clear she believed this was something she had to do alone. But the Valti, the primal part of me that recognized her as my mate, refused to accept that.

I would find her, and I would bring her home.

But only when she wished it.