He strips the dress off me carefully — it’s my wedding dress, after all — but quickly. My underwear is rolled off and soon we’re both naked. Then he’s between my thighs, his mouth on me, returning the favor with devastating skill. He knows my body by now. Knows exactly what I like, exactly how to touch me. His tongue works me mercilessly, his tusks scraping gently against my inner thighs.
I come hard, crying out his name, my hands gripping his horns.
Before I can catch my breath, he’s hard again and sliding inside me. Finally. God, finally. He takes his time at first, watching my face as he fills me slowly. Then his control snaps and he’s moving faster, harder, driving into me with a force that makes me see stars.
“I love it when you fuck me hard,” I gasp.
He continues to hit that perfect spot inside of me and I’m riding the wave of another orgasm. And then he stills above me, as he’s coming again. I love how I can always feel the heat of him jetting inside of me.
Afterward,we bring pillows and bedding and move out to the front room to lie tangled together in the firelight.
Keric cleaned me up gently and now we’re just existing in the quiet. His arm wrapped around my waist, my head resting on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat, steady and strong.
“Keric.” My voice comes out quieter than I intended. “I need to tell you something.” I take his hand and guide it to rest on my stomach. Feel the warmth of his palm against my skin.
“I’m pregnant.”
I watch his face in the firelight. See the emotions move across it…wonder and joy. His hand presses more firmly against my belly.
“I took a test. It was positive.” I pause. “I figure I’m about six weeks along now. I’ll need to see the doctor in town soon, the one I heard about who’s experienced with humans carrying orcs.”
“Anna?”
“Yes?”
“You are certain that you are okay with having only orcs sons as your offspring…”
“Oh Keric, of course I’m okay with that. Remember you, and everyone else here made sure that I knew what I was getting into first, before I made any decisions. I knew I’d get pregnant right away and we’d be starting a family and I’d only have sons.” I meet his eyes. “I’m happy to be carrying our son. And I want you to know, the only person I told before you was Ellie, and she’s happy that we’re both pregnant about the same time and our sons will grow up together.”
He makes a sound low in his chest and pulls me closer, burying his face in my neck.
When he pulls back, his eyes are wet. I’ve never seen him cry before.
“You’ve made me the happiest male alive,” he says, voice breaking. “First you agreed to be my Bride. Then my wife. And now you’re giving me an offspring.”
Happy tears slide down my cheeks. “I found out a few days ago and I’ve been trying to figure out the right moment, I wanted to make it special, so I decided to wait to tell you until tonight. I hope that was okay…”
“The timing is perfect.”
I pull him forward for a big kiss. “I love you, Keric Irontree.”
His hand presses warm against my belly. “I love you too. Both of you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jonus
Istand at the edge of the celebration with a cup of orc ale in my hand that I haven’t touched. The twinkling lights, the music, the laughter…it all feels distant, like I’m watching through glass.
Keric just carried Anna away to cheers and catcalls. A dozen orc hunters are gathering to start a drunken, traditional orc line dance. Ellie and Garlen are wrapped around each other on the dance floor, his hand resting on her pregnant belly.
Everyone is happy and celebrating.
I should be in the middle of it. Normally, I love parties and celebrations. Social situations are where I excel. I know every orc in attendance, most of them part of my extended family line. And I’m the Irontree humans gravitate toward, the one who tells stories and makes humans laugh and puts everyone at ease. Tonight I can’t summon the charm for orcs or humans. My mind is 2,500 miles south, in a Colombian jungle.
I check my phone again but there are no updates or messages. Six days of silence.
“Jonus!” A High School teacher from town approaches, one of the humans who came for the wedding. This honorable male was my Biology teacher, as well as Keric’s and…well, all of us. “Great party. You Irontrees really know how to celebrate.”
