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My words untether whatever control he has. He slowly rolls his pelvis, pushing his knot deeper, until his entire length is buried inside me. He begins a punishing rhythm, thrusting in hard and almost fully withdrawing before thrusting in again and again. His calloused fingers brush my clit, circling it, teasing the sensitive nub. The pressure builds. The tingling spreads. Then…it bursts. Sparks fly and colors explode. My release hits me with an unexpected speed. Ortak’s thrusts gain momentum.
I scream out a wild sound. His groan echoes in my ear. He goes rigid, and hot seed fills me. My pussy stretches so far around his swollen knot that it almost borders on pain, but doesn’t quite get there. Instead, pleasure overrides it. At last, he collapses on top of me, his weight heavy and warm.
“We will stay connected until my knot recedes.”
I huff out a short laugh. “I’m good with that.”
“As am I.”
Since neither of us can move, I stroke my fingers up and down his back. “I know we haven’t talked about this before now, but do you want more children?”
“If we are blessed enough to be provided one, I will be more than happy.”
“I’m hoping for at least two more. I want to hear the sounds of my many children calling me Momo. When I was growing up I always wanted siblings. It was lonely being an only child, and I know Gannen has already had fourteen years of it, but I’d still like to be able to give him at least one brother or sister. He’d make the best big brother.”
Ortak rubs my cheek with his. “I believe he would as well. He can teach them to swim and how to throw an axe. How to hunt. How to love.”
“That sounds lovely.”
I have no idea how much time passes while we lie connected to each other, but finally Ortak shifts and slowly withdraws from me. Already I feel too empty without him. He rolls to my uninjured side and tucks me in close.
“Don’t let me wake up alone again, please. I want to be cuddled up against you in the furs we’re going to share from now on.” I sigh at how pleasant the thought is. “I want you and then Gannen to be the first things I see when I open my eyes in the morning.”
“We will rest for a little while and once we have dressed again, I will carry you back to our dwelling so you can sleep in our furs with me.”
I snuggle closer to Ortak and close my eyes knowing he’ll keep his promise. Sleep is coming fast, too. I can feel it. Before it claims me, I say one more thing. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, sivalla.”
The words are only a whisper, but I carry them with me as I surrender to the night, my heart fuller than it’s ever been before.
Chapter 25
Ortak
The heat of my mate’s body seeps deep into my flesh. Elodie has not roused since I replaced her chest and leg coverings I had removed prior to our mating and picked her up from the furs inside her tent to bring her to my own. I slept deeply with her tucked against me throughout the night.
Rustling sounds come from Gannen’s side of the tent. He sits up slowly and rubs the sleep from eyes that widen when they land on a sleeping Elodie. His gaze shoots upward to meet mine, and his silver eye stars spark to life.
I caution him to remain quiet so as to not disturb his new momo. Gannen jerks his head in a sharp nod and carefully rises from his furs. He is quiet as he moves around the tent, splashing water on his face and exchanging his leg coverings for a clean pair.
He tips his head toward the door and gestures that he’s leaving but will return. I acknowledge him and draw Elodie tighter into my side. She snuggles closer and releases a heavy sigh, but does not awaken. While I will have to rise soon as well, I want to enjoy the closeness of my mate for longer.
Given her reluctance to awaken early, this may be one of the few times I am able to hold her in the morning. When I join the other warriors and warlords for hunting, we will leave well before the morning meal, which means I must take advantage of this time together.
Perhaps Elodie senses my alertness or another thing draws her from her rest, because she shifts and her breathing changes. I glance down and watch as her eyes blink slowly open until they lock onto mine. The corners of her mouth curl upward until her lips part and her blunt human teeth are visible.
“Good morning,” she says quietly, her voice husky and breathless.
“Good morning.”
Elodie stretches and hums a sound that travels straight to my cock. I will the stiffness away since our kit could return any moment.
“Did you sleep well?”
She nods. “Extremely well. Getting dicked down will do that to a woman.”
I am uncertain of the exact meaning of her human words, but I believe I understand. Pride swells that I was able to satisfy my mate. Elodie gasps and shoots upright as she scans the tent. Slowly, she sags and throws her hands over her face with a harsh laugh.
