30. Jurto

30

JURTO

A round me, my brothers enjoy the spoils of our victory. Hrogun and Borka feast on some of the dried meats included in the large chest, while Varg and Rogar talk about how they'll split the money amongst the team.

I'm not interested in those rewards. My prize awaits me in the shadows of the arena, and when the rest of my team discusses the riveting moments of the match, I slip away with ease.

Emilia, I think. My heart races at the thought of her and there's a stirring in my loins that only she can manage to elicit. I'm coming for you.

Unsurprisingly, she's waiting for me right where I left her. She's good at obeying me. And she's great at making me happy.

When she sees me, her eyes light up with an unspoken relief. My shoulders relax. I'm finally freed from the weight of the zyrphix match and can enjoy my newfound victory.

"Jurto," she whispers.

At the sight of me, she rushes forward and embraces me tightly, her body trembling with relief. I return her embrace, enfolding her petite form against my powerful frame. When our lips meet, the kiss ignites a flame of passion and affirmation between us. It's a reassurance, a silent vow renewed in the wake of battle's chaos.

Breaking away, Emilia's eyes, wide and shimmering, meet mine. "Gods, I was so terrified when you fell. When that fucking idiot Gargash slammed into you like that," she confesses, her voice a fragile whisper against the din of my still-racing heart.

I can't help but smile, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I'm tougher than that," I assure her, my tone light, trying to ease her worry. The battlefield is my realm, but here, in this quiet moment, I find a different kind of strength in her concern.

"But you were down, and I... I thought—" Her voice breaks, and she looks away, unable to finish.

I lift her chin gently, compelling her to look at me again. "I always get up, Emilia. For you, I always will." It's a promise, deep and unwavering. The truth is, the pain from the match still lingers, a dull ache that pales in comparison to the thought of her fearing for me.

Her eyes search mine, looking for the certainty that always grounds her. "You're sure you're alright?" she presses, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw, tender yet tentative. "You took a lot of heavy hits during the match."

"More than alright now that I see you," I reply, my voice low. The warmth of her nearness seeps into me, dulling the physical discomfort that clings like the remnants of a bad dream. This, here with her, is what victory feels like.

She smiles then, a slow, blooming thing that chases the shadows from her eyes. "I just want to take care of you," she murmurs, and there's a new resolve in her gaze.

"And you do, Emilia. You do," I tell her, my words underscored with the raw honesty of my feelings. She does more than she knows. Her presence, her concern, her touch—they heal me more than any medicinal potion ever could.

"Did you really think I would let anyone take you from me in front of all of Tlouz?" I ask her gruffly, my fingers gently caressing her face. It's more than a question; it's a declaration, a promise that I intend to keep forever.

Emilia smiles back at me, her eyes lighting up with devotion. Her heart swells visible in her eyes, her spirit undiminished by the fear she felt earlier. Together, with our hands entwined, we leave the chaos of the stadium behind, stepping into the quieter, shadow-filled tunnels that run beneath the arena.

As we walk, the noise of the crowd fades into a distant roar, a mere echo of the tumultuous battle that had raged not long ago. Here in the dimly lit corridors, where the cool air brushes against our skin, we are alone, removed from the world and its brutal demands.

We pause, finding a secluded alcove, a haven amidst the stone and torchlight. I pull her close again, and our lips meet in another smoldering kiss. This time, there's a fervor, a desperate intensity as if we are trying to communicate everything words have left unsaid. I no longer care who might see—the world beyond this moment, beyond her, fades into insignificance.

This defiant human, Emilia, is irrevocably mine now, as I am hers. The realization sends a thrill through me, a fierce joy that joins our fates together. It's not just the victory in the arena that has bound us; it's something deeper, a connection forged in the fires of adversity and sealed in the quiet moments like this.

As we break the kiss, our foreheads rest against each other, our breath mingling in the cool air. "I thought I was going to lose you," she confesses softly, her voice a whisper that only I am meant to hear.

"You'll never lose me," I assure her, my voice a low rumble in the quiet of the tunnel. "I fight harder knowing you're waiting for me. You're the prize I always come back for."

Her smile in response is shy but filled with an inner strength that matches my own. "I'll always wait for you, Jurto. Always."

We stand there a while longer, wrapped in each other's arms, the rest of the world held at bay. I feel the weight of my responsibilities, the expectations of my team and my rivals, but they are lightened by her presence. Emilia is not just a prize won in a brutal game; she is my partner, my equal in this strange, new life we are carving out together.

As we step out into the afternoon light, the cool air envelops us, a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere of the arena. The streets are quieter here, the tumult of the crowd a distant echo behind us. Emilia's hand feels small and firm in mine, her grip telling me she's just as determined to not let go.

"Jurto," she says softly, her voice carrying a weight that makes me tighten my grip on her hand.

"Emilia," I respond, glancing down at her with a fierce protectiveness welling up inside me. "No matter what comes, no matter who stands against us, I'll fight them. With every ounce of my strength, I'll keep you safe. You're mine, and I am yours. Nothing and no one will change that."

Her eyes meet mine, reflecting the light and the depth of her trust. "I know you will. I've seen you fight. But remember, we fight together now. I'm not just a prize to be kept safe."

Her words strike deep, reminding me that her spirit is as fierce as mine. "Yes, we fight together," I acknowledge, feeling the truth of that statement more than ever. The road ahead may be uncertain, but our resolve is clear.

As we approach my estate, the grandeur of the sprawling grounds reflects the waning light, casting long shadows over the manicured lawns. This place, once a symbol of my solitude and separation from the world, feels different now as Emilia walks by my side. She is no longer just a presence in the background of my life; she is its very essence.

The gravel crunches under our feet, a steady, comforting sound of the quiet that encapsulates my home. Emilia's hand in mine feels like a declaration, her strength and warmth seeping into me. As we reach the front steps, illuminated by the soft glow of the estate's lanterns, a boldness takes hold of me.

Without a word, I pull her to me, my hands framing her face, and press my lips to hers. It's a kiss not of possession but of partnership. I kiss her deeply, passionately, right there on the steps of my home, under the watchful eyes of the skies and, perhaps, the servants. At this moment, I don't care who sees. Let them look, let them see what true acceptance and love look like.

Breaking the kiss, I look into her eyes, my voice firm yet thick with emotion. "You're not a shadow in my halls, Emilia. You're the heart of this place now. My partner. My equal. My love."

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, her emotions clear. "Jurto, I never dreamed..." She trails off, overwhelmed.

"I know," I whisper, brushing a tear from her cheek with my thumb. "But it's our reality now. Here, you stand beside me, not behind me. Not just in the shadows of our private moments, but in the full light of day. I want you as my mate. I love you, Emilia."

"Nothing would make me happier." Her tears finally fall. "I love you, Jurto. Make me yours in every way."

We step across the threshold together, entering the grand foyer. The familiar statues and paintings look on, silent witnesses to the change between us. Emilia's presence transforms the space, her energy infusing the air.

As we walk through the halls, my arm around her shoulders, I feel a profound sense of completion. The estate, vast and echoing, shrinks around us, becoming a home rather than just a residence. I'm ready to show her this side of my life, to integrate her fully into the world I inhabit.

"We'll have to make some changes around here," I say, thinking out loud. "This place should reflect both of us."

Emilia nods, her smile bright. "I'd like that. But for today, let's just enjoy being here together. Just us. You went through a lot back at the stadium."

"Just us," I echo, feeling the weight of our past struggles lift. Tonight, the estate isn't just a symbol of my status or power. It's a home, our home, where love and partnership reign over solitude and separation.