15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Valpar

My miresa gasped. "You cannot tie me to you! I am not a child!" She squirmed, attempting to free herself from my lap, but I held her firmly, enclosing her in my embrace. I inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of her hair as I pressed my nose against it.

"You are quiet and tricky like a fae, I will not have you running off on me again."

Calliope stilled and turned her head. "You think I'm like a fae?" She smiled widely. "Truly?"

I frowned and brushed her wild, pink hair from her face. "Why does being a fae mean that much to you? You are human, be proud of your species. You are soft and smell much better than those flying balls of glitter and light."

Calliope scoffed and shook her head. "I was raised by fae, so, I think it's only natural to want to be like my parents."

When I gazed over my mate, I saw she looked nothing like King Osirus, and I had not seen her parents, whom I now believe are fae. It made me wonder what her lineage was and how she was here.

"Where do you come from, little fairy? Why do you have the fae raising you?"

My miresa bit her lip, the sound of a soft whimper escaping her delicate lips. I gently used my claw to pry her plump lip from between her teeth, feeling the warmth of her skin against my touch. A powerful urge surged through me, compelling me to bring her lip into my mouth, to savor its taste and engage in this intimate mouth dance, that I had witnessed countless mated couples perform at the balls.

Thorn had always been oblivious to the mouth dance. He was always talking to the kings and queens about the security since the wall came down, letting the ogres roam their lands. But I had watched, and I very much wanted to mouth dance.

"Tell me, female." I urged her as she continued to stare at me.

"My dad isn't really my dad," she admitted. I took a minute to hunt inside my head for the term dad and tilted my head upwards. I believed it was a common term that humans, and even creatures around here, used. Dad had the same meaning as orgamo, which orcs used.

I nodded for her to continue.

"And my mom, well, she isn't really my mom. She is my mom's sister."

Mom is ogamie.

I gently glided my hand, tracing a soothing path up and down her back, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. As I did so, I noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor - my miresa appeared to be filled with a sense of shame. I remained perplexed as to why her ogamie's sister had taken on the responsibility of caring for my beloved miresa. However, I chose to be patient, allowing her the space and time to reveal the truth in her own way.

Drawing her closer to me, I could feel the warmth of her presence against my chest. A low, comforting rumble emanated from deep within me, as if offering solace to her burdened soul. In that moment, she surrendered, leaning into me.

Yes, I was being a good mate. I could do this.

"I don't remember my real mom. I remember little of Earth. Mom, that isn't really my mom, but I call her that because I don't remember my other mom—" My miresa continued to ramble and I smiled.

I don't think I have smiled as much, since the day I found out the wall would come down and I would find a miresa of my own.

"Mom said she took me from Earth, with Birch. That is Uncle Osirus' brother. He found Mom— her name is Theresa by the way," Calliope played with her fingers, "and they brought me here. That's what they said, anyway. The only memories I remember are waking up in Uncle Osirus' palace with everyone standing around me. Osirus, Melina, Mom, Birch and a sorceress named Tahlia."

I hummed and threaded my claws through her hair. I did not like where this was going. She had no memories of her past? Of Earth, where she was born, or her birth ogamie? "And how old were you then?" I tried not to sound upset, or pry. These were things I needed to know. I wanted to know everything about her and her connections with the royalty here and her parents.

Where were her parents?

"It was just after the war when I was brought here; fifteen?" Her finger traced over a large scar on my knee. "What happened here?"

I delicately weaved my fingers through her hair, gently untangling each knot. The lustrous texture of her flowing locks captivated me, shimmering like silk under my touch. The subtle fragrance wafting from her tresses enveloped me, calming the drums in my chest. "I didn't get it from the war, if that is what you are thinking. I was a foolish orcling and caught myself in a trap."

Her eyes widened. "It's a big scar."

Does she always skip to the next subject so quickly?

I chuckled. "My seeded orgamo, that is my father who planted his seed in my ogamie,- my mom , set a trap for an ogre. Have you heard of them?"

My miresa nodded quickly. "Yes, if I ever hear or smell one, because they stink something hideous, I am to hide, preferably in a field of flowers, so they can't smell me. They have bad noses."

My miresa was smart. "My good, fairy. You always do that. If for any reason I am not around, you continue to do this, but you will not have to worry about being alone anymore because I will protect you." I squeezed her hip, and her eyes widened. "You like it when I say you are my good fairy, don't you?" She nodded slowly.

Did her orgamo and ogamie not praise her enough? Did they not watch her enough? By the gods under the soil, why would they let her be alone.

Unless she was escaping all the time, she seemingly has a tendency to get into trouble.

"But, yes, my orgamo told me to stay home and tend to chores. I didn't listen, and the trap he set had serrated edges to snap onto the leg of an ogre. I decided to track my orgamo, and instead of looking at the footpath where a trap could have been set, I placed my foot in the middle, setting off the blade. I wasn't quick enough to escape. It grazed my leg, leaving a large gash. If I was a second later, I would have lost my leg."

My miresa placed her hand over it. "How old were you?"

"A young orcling, many, many moons ago. I healed quickly but my ogamie was furious with me. She made me stay in the cabin for weeks as punishment. Just as I will make you do if you disobey me."

Calliope crossed her arms. "How can I disobey you if I'm always tied to you?"

I barked out a laugh and rubbed my hand over her head. "Ah, that will keep you out of trouble and not hidden in our cabin, won't it?"

"No, it won't, I'll find other ways to annoy you." She stuck out her tongue.

My miresa was feisty and bratty. Her innocence and freedom were clear, and I couldn't determine if it was due to her upbringing by the fae or her memory loss. What in the Moon Fairy's name happened to her?

"Miresa, you are twenty-five now?"

She hummed in agreement. "Yesterday was my first time attending a ball, though. Uncle Osirus has been trying to get me to go since I was eighteen, but Mom is really protective of me. She doesn't let me do anything." She rolled her eyes. "I have to sneak out to have any fun and then I get caught. She just tells me not to do it again, so, of course I'm just gonna." She laughed and slapped her knee. "Silly Mom."

Hmm, yes. Silly.

My miresa should have been attending the ball for years, so that meant her brain was not that of a child. She was considered an adult in both body and mind. Then, why was she so playful?

But even the queen could lack common sense when she was playful with the king. Perhaps this was just a courting gesture?

I scratched my chin and watched her as she petted her companion. I dared not even think to call this goat a pet, because I believe she would scold me. She had an intuition about certain things. She did not fear me, and she seemed to trust me.

For now.

I had vows to keep, and Calliope is one who would be devastated if I do not keep them. I could tell just by her personality. If I said I would hang a star for her in the night sky, I best do it.

I placed another bite of muffin in her mouth. She said nothing as I fed her and continued to thank the Moon Fairy for this gift in my lap. It wasn't long until the peace was broken when I heard murmurs down the passageway, on the other side of the rock wall I replaced so no one could get inside.

"We know you are in there," I heard. My hearing wasn't as strong as a shifter, but I did know it was a male, muffled voice. "Valpar, you need to come out. We must speak with you."

I growled and held my miresa tightly in my lap. Mine.

"What's wrong, big guy, did you want a muffin to?" She took a muffin from the table and placed it next to my mouth. I took it in one bite and sucked on her fingers. She gasped as I licked each one, and the blacks of her eyes grew wide.

Bassza! I wanted her now! She tasted so good on my tongue, and it wasn't even her cunt I was tasting.

"My miresa, you need to stay here. There are visitors on the other side of the boulders."

Calliope's body perked up and she tried to get off my lap. "Oh, I wanna go meet them! Maybe it's Uncle Osirus and Aunt Melina!" She threw her hand out in front of her, reaching for the passageway.

I gently grasped her waist, lifting her effortlessly, and guided her towards the plush bed. As I reached down, I seized the smooth leather ropes strewn across the floor. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and forbidden desire. She resisted, refusing to stay put, while I remained resolute in my decision to shield her from her family's gaze. No soul should lay eyes upon her until she was rightfully claimed and marked by the undeniable imprint of my brand; my cock.

"Hey! What's the big idea! Put me down!" Calliope yelped, when I set her on the bed and tied the leather on her ankle, and then to the bedpost.

"We don't know who is on the other side. You will stay here, tied to the bed until I return," I growled, tying her securely.

Her tiny drum beat as quickly as a hummingbird's when she tried to kick me. "You cannot tie me up! That's... You can't!" I grunted and stood as I gathered the other rope and tied her wrists. I will not be outdone by this female.

"What if I have to pee!?" she argued.

"Do you need to go now?" I raised an eyebrow.

Her jaw tightened. "Yes, I do. Now let me go." I took her wrist and felt her drum beating in her body, feeling for the lie.

"Do you need to go to the bathroom, my little fairy? Don't lie, if you lie you will be punished. If you tell me the truth, I will reward you."

My miresa's cheeks turned a beautiful pink. "W-what kind of reward?"

I smirked, leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "I shall taste between your legs again and stretch your body so you can take me. You are quite small for my shaft."

Calliope gasped, but along with it I smelled the hefty scent of musk that fluttered into the air.

Hmm, rewarding her will be much better than punishing her. The thought of her over my knee, though, her tiny ass in the air and reddened by my hand. Why does that seem so appealing?

She calmed.

"Good fairy. I will be back soon. Don't move." I turned my back and made my way down the passage.

"Ha, sure thing, Mr. Meanie," she snapped. I turned my hand and held up my finger. "That is one, if I get to three you will be punished for your sharp tongue!"

She licked her lips. "That a promise?"

This. Female.

My steps hastened, wanting to get back to my miresa. More and more, I want to take her into my mouth and explore her. My shaft was constantly restrained, rubbing against the leather. I groaned as I tried to get relief from the tightness of the bond to my leg, but there would be no relief. Not until she learned of my anatomy.

I stopped, regardless of the incessant yelling on the other side of the boulder.

Had she seen another male's appendage? The thought had come to me before, but now I was even more angered by it.

I would have to kill them.

I grunted, finding my strength and pushed the boulder to the side. A male voice told people to step away, and the dust settled to reveal King Osirus, his mate and my brother Sugha, on the other side.

Bassza! Why not bring the entire tribe?

I stood in front of everyone, my fists clenching, my breath still heaving from moving the heavy boulder. I would not let them inside.

"Did you think that we wouldn't find her?" Osirus gave an amused smirk. "Simon, obviously, doesn't trust you."

"You gave the goat the basket?" I jutted my chin toward the King.

Melina raised her hand and waved. "I did. He came right to the palace. I gave Simon the basket to make her think that he just went to the market. Calliope and Simon always go, it's their thing. One of the guards followed Simon back and told us where you were. And I would be careful how you speak about Simon. Simon and Calliope are besties."

I sighed heavily. "The goat doesn't like me."

"You threatened to eat it, didn't you?" Sugha snorted, trying to contain his laughter.

"I did not know the goat was her companion. Once you get a miresa, I cannot wait to watch how you handle her!" I stomped toward him to hit him in the face and match bruise on the other side of his face. He dodged and hopped on my back to pull my hair. "Get off, you worthless piece of fungus!" I pulled on his leg while he laughed, and I slung him onto the ground. He continued to laugh as I huffed.

Osirus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Valpar, we have something important to discuss. First, where is Calliope? Melina and Sugha can keep her company."

I cleared my throat and straightened my shoulders. "No one will see her. She's mine. I don't need my brother to try and take her from me." I glared at him. "And I don't need your miresa trying to talk her into leaving the cave without me. She's mine!" I roared, banging my chest.

Sugha covered his mouth, his eyes darting between me and the king. "Wow, I guess orcs get unstable with this whole miresa-mate thing, huh?"

The king nodded. "Noted. You orcs are possibly more possessive than the shifters. It's rather fascinating to me, but her parents won't be pleased."

Melina scoffed. "This should have happened years ago. Valpar should have taken her sooner; my girl needs to get laid. With that being said, I need to go talk to her. She snagged herself an orc and I need to tell my girl some moves." She pushed her hips forward and backward. "I'm super jealous. She will be one of the first humans to get some orc dick—"

"Darling!" The king snapped. The king's eyes lit up a bright gold, his eyes narrowing at his female. "Calliope will be quite fine. She's read enough of those books you kept sneaking into her room. Now behave."

The queen's smile turned mischievous. "You think so? You know how she can be sometimes. A bit oblivious, but she is quite resourceful. Where is she, Valpar?" Melina smiled sweetly, and I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

"She is tied to the bed where she will remain. What do you want? I will not give her back."

The queen's bright wings fluttered excitedly. "I bet she loves that," she whispered to Osirus.

These fae.

The king untied the top part of his tunic, letting the light sources beam down on him. "Come Valpar, it's best we talk about Calliope in private. I'm sure you will want to understand where she has come from and why she is the way she is."

"She's perfect," I roared as I stepped forward. "I wouldn't change a thing about her. I dislike how you speak of her that way."

Osirus gave a small smile, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "It's true you are best for her, no doubt about that, but even you must recognize she acts differently than most of the souls you've met in Bergarian thus far?"

My rigid stance softened, and I loosened my fists. It was true, she was different, but I hadn't spoken to any other human before. The only concerns I had were why she did not remember her past and why did she hold hardly any fear. The king would have the answers.

Whatever it was, Calliope was perfect for me.

"Fine," I heaved out a breath. "No one enters the cave." I crossed my arms.

"Fine." Melina crossed her arms in return. "We will wait until you and Osirus are done. Just hurry, I can't guarantee how long your bonds will keep Calliope in place." She brushed her nails over her dress.

"What?" I turned around as she stood guard by the cave entrance.

"I've taught her everything she knows when it comes to restraints. She can get out of any knot." She wiggles her eyebrows.

I chuckled deeply. "Well, if she wants to be rewarded, she won't leave the bed."