Rath had been drinking too, though not nearly as much as the rest of the clan. He offered me sips of his since I still wasn’t great with the strength of the beverage. I also think he was looking for any excuse to get me closer because whenever I leaned in to take a drink, he found some place to kiss me. My temple, my cheek, my neck. The attention was enough to keep me buzzing with excitement for what would come later. I didn’t care how embarrassing it was to ask outright. I wanted Rath to take me. And after we were alone, I was going to ask him to. He was my bondmate. He wouldn’t shame me for the request.
“You’re blushing,” he murmured against my ear, pressing another kiss just underneath it. “Have you had too much to drink, or are you thinking about what I will do to you tonight?”
I sucked in a breath, biting back a whimper when he kissed his way down my neck. Maybe I didn’t have to ask, then. He seemed to be thinking of something similar.
“W-what were you planning?” I asked breathlessly, shivering when he nipped at my skin.
Before he could answer, an older couple came up to join us, forcing us apart. The man looked like he was fighting back a laugh, but the woman had a patient smile, and she nudged her companion with her elbow before introducing herself to me.
“Hello, Finn. I am Theslei, and this is my bondmate, Odvef. We are Rath’s parents.”
Twenty-Two
My stomach dropped, and I straightened abruptly, shooting Rath a panicked look. He’d told me his parents would be here to celebrate with us, but I didn’t feel prepared to meet them yet. The only parent I’d ever had disowned me and gave me to a barbarian clan less than a month ago. What if they thought I wasn’t good enough for their son? Could they make him take the bonding necklace back?
Theslei’s smile was warm as she took my hands and pulled me out of my seat and into a hug. “Relax, child. I know of your family. It does not make you any less deserving of my son.” She released me and squeezed my hands instead. “You make him very happy. I’m honored with the gift you have given him.”
“O-oh… Um… He’s more the gift than I am. He was my protector when I first arrived, and he takes care of me.”
“You are gifts to each other. As it should be,” she replied. Leaning closer, she whispered, “I always believed he needed a bondmate with a gentle spirit. He enjoys taking care of people.”
I ducked my head to hide my smile. No one seemed to have a problem with the fact that I wasn’t strong or a fighter. They were just happy that I matched Rath so well. I still wanted to find a way to serve the clan, but Zoya said there was no rush. I’d onlybeen here a few weeks, and there were lots of jobs I could help with until I found one that suited me best.
“My turn,” Rath’s father, Odvef, said, nudging his bondmate out of the way. She scowled at him, going to give her son a hug while Odvef wrapped me up in one of his own. While we were so close together, he murmured in my ear, “So I heard one of my sons made you cry. Tell me what he did so I can deal with him properly.”
I rolled my lips between my teeth, fighting back a laugh. Godr really was getting hell for what he did. And he still greeted me with a smile every morning. He was a good brother. Though I was curious to see what his parents would do to him once they heard the story.
Zoya told me the party would go all night, so when Rath offered me a hand and led me away not long later, I wasn’t sure what was happening. We weren’t going back to our tent, instead heading in the opposite direction, closer to the river. When I noticed the solitary tent all on its own, I frowned at him.
“We aren’t moving, are we? I like our tent.”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he led me inside. “No, kolrav. This is just for now. Unless you’d like the whole clan to hear you tonight.”
My face flushed, excitement and nerves making my belly tighten. The only thing in the tent was a bed, with mounds of blankets and furs to keep us warm, and a small table with a lantern and a couple of jars next to it. He lit the lantern before coming back to my side.
“My Finn,” Rath murmured. Looking up at him, I felt my heart leap, the look of love and lust in his eyes making me tremble with want. I suddenly needed to touch him. Needed to be pressed against him.
Lifting onto my toes for a kiss, I wasn’t disappointed. Rath met me halfway, sealing our lips together in a passionate kiss.He drew me against him with one massive arm, the other cupping my chin as he took my mouth how he pleased. I was so lost in the feel of his tongue gliding against mine, I didn’t notice my feet leave the ground until he was laying me back on the bedding so thick, we sank into it.
Rath sat back, pulling off his tunic in a way that I was sure he didn't mean to be seductive, but made me shiver watching him. He tossed it aside, leaving just his necklace and all those tattoos. Shirtless, with the lighting behind him, and his long hair braided, he truly looked like a barbarian, ready to have his wicked way with me. I felt my arousal twitch in my trousers at the image alone.
“Rath…”
A grin spread across his face like he knew the effect he had on me. Dropping to all fours, he loomed over me, only leaning down far enough to run his lips over my neck.
“What do you want, my Finn? Anything you ask of me, it is yours.”
Arousal and embarrassment warred in me, but I trusted Rath. I didn’t need to be embarrassed with him.
“I want… I want you to take me…”
He growled in approval, claiming my lips fiercely. I gasped at the sudden move, and he took advantage, tangling his tongue with mine. Rough hands pulled my tunic free so he could touch my skin. They skimmed up my chest, thumbs teasing over my nipples until I whimpered and squirmed. Then his lips replaced his hands, pulling the tunic out of the way with each hot kiss he trailed over my skin. A small cry escaped me when he flicked his tongue over my nipple, dragging into a moan when he sucked it next. He pulled my tunic off before switching to the other nipple to give it equal attention.
“Rath, Rath, please…” I murmured, squirming and writhing beneath him. We hadn’t even taken our trousers off yet, but I was already on edge. What was he doing to me?
Trailing his tongue down my chest and abs distracted me from him untying my trousers until he was pulling them down my legs. He tugged off each boot and my trousers, leaving me naked and exposed. For a moment, I thought to cover myself, but Rath was my bondmate. I trusted him. I let my hands rest near my head, trembling as his heated gaze skimmed over my body. My erection rested stiff against my belly, so needy it was weeping against my skin. My chest rose and fell rapidly, a whimper catching in my throat when he chose only to stare.
“The gods blessed me when they sent you to me,” he murmured. I wasn’t entirely sure he’d meant for me to hear it. He was too busy devouring me with his eyes for me to be sure.
