Epilogue

Varkaan

My steps sped as I approached my cottage, not at all impeded by the falling snow. For one thing, Drakolt had done a fine job arranging the village lads to keep the snow piled against the buildings—insulation as well as keeping the paths clear—and for another…

My Mate awaited me.

This winter was a harsh one, but the stores of meat I'd collected in the autumn were holding out. Roxanna had even hunted with me a few times before the frost, and while she was never going to be as quiet as one who'd grown up hunting, her presence—her scent, her smile—centered me .

It had been difficult, leaving her behind on this journey. She'd argued that since I was visiting the human world, she should go with me.

I'd argued that the blizzard the elders were calling for made it more dangerous for her to be with me.

She'd argued that a blizzard was equally dangerous for me.

I'd had to hide my smile at that reasonable response, and gently reminded her that although I would be trading the Tarberts carded wool for horses, her father had little praise for our new life together, and had thrown a wine goblet at her the last time we'd visited him.

No male—no being —would threaten my Mate that way.

Roxanna had merely laughed and waved dismissively before climbing into my lap. My Mate always knew how to diffuse my irritation.

"Father was disappointed we had not crossed through the stones with Sorcha and Drakolt that first full moon after the attack. And he was throwing the wine at you , my love."

Since she'd been nuzzling my neck at the time, I'd dropped the argument, but vowed to keep close to her the next time we visited her home.

Now I was returning with news that her father had welcomed me—and the goods I had brought—as a valued son-in-law, which meant that once again, my Mate had been correct. She would surely crow.

And on the way back from the stones, I'd brought down two bkarn , enough to supply the village during tomorrow's midwinter feast without having to use our salted meat. I'd already dropped the carcasses with Gelma who would arrange their preparation, and now I was free to return to my home.

And Roxanna.

Smoke was pouring from the chimney as I approached, and my steps slowed. Why would she be burning enough fuel to put out that much smoke? Was Sorcha visiting? Nay, now that our chiefess was growing round with her kit, Roxanna's sister tended to be warm.

Unless my Mate had a reason she needed to be warmed? As in…she'd removed her clothing?

The thought of her naked had me breaking into a run, and I burst through the door to find my prayers were answered.

"Gods below," I breathed, taking in the sight before me.

"Shut the door," Roxanna called, smirking at my gaping.

Dimly, I reached behind me and kicked the portal closed, trapping the heat inside our home once more .

"What is this?" I murmured, stepping toward the strip of treated leather where I left my snow-covered boots without taking my eyes from the feast before me. "A midwinter celebration?"

My hands fumbled with the clasp of my heavy cloak, and I let it drop behind me atop the wet boots, rather than risk looking away from her. "Did I forget an important day?"

My Mate was kneeling on our bed, her arse tucked against her heels, and now lifted her arms beckoningly.

"Every day with you is a celebration."

Somewhere, Roxanna had found a strip of brightly dyed wool, the red as bright as sternka berries against the snow, a symbol of hope in the darkest days. ‘Twas long enough to loop around her back and over her breasts, which were as pert and tempting as always, and tie in a bow in the front.

When she lifted her arms to me, her tits—and thus the bow—bobbed invitingly.

"Roxanna," I rasped, palms already itching to claim her as I stepped closer. "What…"

"I missed you." ‘Twas said simply, as if ‘twas enough. "I need you here with me, to keep me warm."

"Gladly." Did my fingers shake as I reached for that bow? I wasn't too proud to admit that. "I want to unwrap ye."

She grinned and did a little wriggle as her hands came to rest on my arms. "That is the idea. I am your Yule gift."

I froze, her words cutting through my arousal, and I looked up at her. "The steward at your father's keep mentioned this word. Yule . What is it?"

Her grin turned impish as she slid her fingers along my now-sensitive skin. "Yule is the human midwinter celebration. ‘Tis when we give gifts and light fires and celebrate the nights getting shorter."

I was able to move again, my fingertips resting against the upper swell of her breasts. I allowed one claw to extend slowly, pressing into her softness.

"It sounds like tomorrow's festival."

"Very similar." She nodded, then squirmed teasingly again. "So I thought tonight , you and I might have our own private celebration. I have been planning this for your return, and somehow knew tonight would be the night for you to unwrap me."

"Palton's Spear," I groaned, "I want naught more. Ye are the perfect Yule gift, my love."

With that, my claw cut through her bow, both sides slithering open to reveal her tits in all their glory .

"Roxanna." Her name was a benediction, a plea, as I bent down to capture the round globes in my palms.

Laughing, she leaned into my touch, shivering theatrically. "You are cold, my love."

"Sorry," I mumbled, already pulling her pebbled nipple into my mouth. "I'll warm ye."

Since this was said around the nipple, it came out as Aww am oo, and her chuckles increased as she shoved her palms against my shoulders.

"Nay, nay, ‘tis my job—as your Yule gift—to warm you !"

I straightened reluctantly, but knew better than to fight when my firebrand had a plan. "What do ye mean?"

But she was already reaching for my belt. "You must be so cold, after your journey in the snow." Ah, mayhap that explained the roaring fire in the hearth. "Allow me to warm you , Varkaan."

Then my kilt was on the floor and she was reaching for my now-erect cock.

Credit where ‘twas due; her mouth was nice and hot.

"Gods below, Roxanna," I groaned, my hands resting atop her head. Her hair was down and flowing—just the way I liked it—and we'd found over the last moons that we both liked it when I curled my fingers through it and tugged.

So I used it to hold onto her, to control the movement of her mouth. Her pretty wee mouth, too small to take all of me, the way her cunt could. But gods below, ‘twas still perfection in itself.

Her talented tongue knew how to tease me, and she even liked the way I shuddered at the sensation of her teeth scraping lightly along my ridges, if her squirm of satisfaction was any indication.

As we'd learned that first afternoon together, she was just a bit too short to suck me from her knees and still be able to reach her own wetness. But here on the bed, there was no such limitations, and when Roxanna's fingers slid between her thighs to finger herself, we both moaned in anticipation.

Her arousal scented the warmed winter air, causing my Kteer to preen.

And why not? I had a Mate I loved, a cozy home, and a future among my clan. We were at peace, thanks to our chief's alliances, and prosperous enough to be comfortable. While Roxanna and I had no wish for kits yet—in fact, she drank a moon tea to ensure it wouldn't happen—we were happy.

I was happy, and ‘twas my responsibility to make my Mate happy .

"Love," I growled, my fingers tightening in her hair. "If ye continue this, I'll spill down yer throat."

She pulled away just long enough to tip her head back and smile wickedly up at me. Or mayhap any smile would look wicked, were it framed by my Mate's twinkling blue eyes and my cock's underside resting against her mouth. "That is the hope, Varkaan."

"Nay." But despite my protest, I used my hold on her to drag her mouth along my hardness, loving the way such a move caused her arousal to blossom through the air again. She loved it when I commanded her thus. "I've been away for almost a sennight. Too many days without yer pretty human cunny to take my cock."

She licked me as her free hand rose to cup my ballocks. "Mayhap I would rather taste you. Choke as your thick cum fills my throat and leaks from my lips."

Gods below.

I almost came right then at the vivid imagery.

Instead, I pulled her up and away from my cock, and her chuckles told me she knew how close I was to losing control.

I tossed her back on the straw-stuffed mattress and she didn't even bother to pull down one of the many quilts. Instead, she twisted herself into position and spread her legs invitingly.

I wanted to taste her. I wanted to make her spend with my mouth and my fingers. But when I reached her, my Mate wouldn't allow it, instead hooking her ankles around the back of my thighs and pulling her closer.

"Do you know what this one is called?" she asked cheekily.

I'd spent the last half year hearing about the miraculous scroll she and her sister and cousins near-worshipped. I'd even helped my Mate experiment so she could help add notes to the copy they were producing.

So now, as my cock probed her entrance, I raised a brow at her. "With ye spread out on the bed like this, and me standing?" It only worked because my bed was sized for me, not for her. "Something ridiculous, I would guess."

She scooted closer, enveloping the head of my cock with her warm folds. "The Falconer and the Oyster."

I snorted. "See? Ridiculous."

"I did not choose the name, Mate." She gyrated, as if trying to push her sweet cunny over my cock. "Are you going to pleasure me or not?"

Challenge accepted .

When I pushed into her, Roxanna came with a breathless wail.

‘Twas not unexpected; we'd been making love for half a year now, often several times a day. But I didn't think I'd ever grow tired of the look of wonder on my Mate's face when that ecstacy surprised her. I'd explained ‘twas a quirk of orc nature, to ensure our Mates were ready for us, but she kept calling it the best type of miracle.

I couldn't disagree.

Tonight though, with my perfect Yule present now wrapping her legs around me, I couldn't wait for her to ride out her ecstasy. I wrapped my fingers around her wrists and pushed them into the bed by her ears.

My Kteer howled in anticipation, causing my claws to grow just enough to dimple her skin, and Roxanna moaned in pleasure, writhing beneath me. My firebrand wanted this. Wanted me.

My thrusts were uncontrolled, accompanied by beastly grunts as I plunged into her hot cunny. She was mine , and I was claiming her without even allowing her first climax to run its course. I could feel her inner muscles milking me, so I knew her pleasure continued as she shuddered and gasped and moaned my name.

When I came, I roared wordlessly, spilling against her womb, and the sensation triggered her second climax. ‘Twas rare for her to reach ecstasy after me, and I basked in the thrill of her cunny squeezing my sensitive cock.

After, I pulled my Mate against me and curled around her. "Best Yule present ever."

She chuckled soundlessly and stroked my back, which was already quite warm. "'Twas your first Yuletide gift, my love."

"Aye, and ‘twill be difficult to beat next year. Mayhap ye should save that ribbon and I can find something else to wrap in it?"

"Deal." She snuggled against me and we were quiet for a long moment.

This was peace. This was perfection. To feel my Mate, the female I loved, breathing steadily beside me, and knowing that we had forever together. I knew I brought her pleasure, and would continue to do so. To know she was happy.

After a while, though, my stomach rumbled, and chuckling, my firebrand pushed away from me. She brought me warm water to wash, and wrapped herself in a warm blanket while she served us both the stew and brown bread she'd prepared earlier in the day.

My Mate had been born a lady, but in a few short months she'd learned to cook like an orc. An excellent cook .

As we ate, I teased her and told her all about my journey. She asked eager questions—not just about her father's household, but everything I'd seen—and I loved the way she was able to offer insights or experiences. Together, we would help the Bladesedge Clan trade with humans up and down the coast.

By the time we were through, the fire had burned down to embers, but we were still warm. Tomorrow we could sleep softly, wrapped around one another, knowing the celebration was planned. In fact…

"'Tis after midnight," I pointed out as we cleaned our dinner.

She hummed, not really paying attention until I wrapped my forearm around her waist and lifted her from her feet. As her blanket gave way, Roxanna squeaked and slapped at me.

"What are you doing, you great beast?"

"Beast?" I chuckled, carrying her toward the bed. "'Tis time for my Yuletide gift to ye ." The heat in my words left little doubt what I'd meant, and she flushed, breathless in anticipation.

"Come to me then," she murmured invitingly. "I will not even make you chase me."

I loomed over her, my cock already stiffening. "I am glad I hunted you, Mate."

Mate .

Her smile was stunning. "And I will be forever glad I ran."