In his palm lies a flower.
It’s made of metal, twisted and shaped with rough care. An orchid, every petal perfect despite the crude craftsmanship.
"What..." My voice fails me.
"Forged from the axe of the orc rebel Akaloth." His voice. "Hemvald fortress is yours now."
The words sink in slowly.
Svenn has won me another fortress.
All over Aelfheim tonight, lovers exchange red orchids. Tradition says they ward off evil and protect the heart from darkness.
But I don't need protection from darkness. I married it. And now it kneels in the snow offering me a flower forged from the weapons of my enemies.
An eternal flower that will never wilt.
6
Chapter 5 Svenn
The cottage sits at the forest's edge, abandoned by some long-dead woodsman. I found it on my way back from the fortress. The roof is intact and the walls are solid enough to keep out the wind. A place where we can be alone, away from the court's watching eyes and whispered judgments.
Rhianelle moves through the single room like she belongs here, checking the stone hearth, testing the wooden shutters. Three weeks apart, and I've forgotten how the sight of her can stop my breath.
She kneels by the hearth to coax flames from the kindling I gathered. Her silver hair catches the firelight as she studies the growing flames. Even the simplest tasks draw my attention like nothing in this world ever has.
I cross the room to her. She turns at my approach, firelight dancing in her eyes.
"I missed you," she says quietly. "Every night I woke up reaching for you."
The words shatter whatever restraint I've been clinging to. I cup her face in both hands, thumbs stroking across her cheekbones. She leans into the touch, eyes fluttering closed.
"I missed you too," I say against her forehead.
She latches a hand on the back of my neck and tows me down for a kiss. My cock is hard before her tongue even enters my mouth. A grunt leaves me when it does, sliding through my parted lips.
I back her against the wall, my hands working at the ties of her cloak. The fabric falls away, pooling at our feet.
She breaks the kiss and pulls my tunic over my head. My scars catch her gaze, but she doesn't flinch. She traces one with her mouth, and I nearly groan from the restraint it takes not to take her right then.
I bring her face up to mine and claim her lips again. This earns me a little gasp that I want to eat right up. Nel always kisses like she may never get a chance again. She gives it everyhing. I chuckle at her eagerness.
She tugs at my breeches, her fingers fumbling with the leather laces in her haste.
The laughter dies in my throat.
Her soft hand slides along my stiff length and I shudder. I close my eyes, letting her delicate touch tease me for a moment longer.
"Slowly." I catch her wrists, pinning them above her head.
“Tell me you won’t leave me ever again—”
I crush her lips to mine, rougher this time. My free hand traces the column of her throat, feeling her pulse race beneath my palm. I move lower to the neckline of her dress. The fabric parts under my touch, revealing the pale curve of her breast.
I take one nipple into my mouth. She moans louder, her back bowing off the wall. I lavish attention on the sensitive flesh, using teeth and tongue until she's writhing against me. My fingers skim her ribs as I suck ravenously then nip the tip.
She arches against me, breath coming in short gasps. "Svenn, please—"
