Page 88 of The Widow and the Orcs

Theywere hers.Hers.

ItwasKillikwho finally moved first, carefully shifting his softening length out ofLouisa’smouth, before guiding her upright again.AndthenUlfarrhelped to lift her the rest of the way, releasing her from his cock with a thick squelch, and unleashing yet another unholy mess from between them.

ButKillikbetrayed a low moan at the sight, andUlfarr’seyes were blatantly watching too, fluttering with undeniable hunger. “Ach,”Ulfarrsaid, a low breathless rasp, as he slowly setLouisaback onto her unsteady feet. “Ach,Louisa.Thiswas — you are —”

Hiswide shimmering eyes on hers looked wild, suddenly, almost alarmed, and asLouisaswayed and blinked up at him, the colour seemed to drain at once from his face, his hands skittering against her skin. “Are— are you well?” he croaked. “Ihave not — we have not — harmed you — have we?”

Theurgency in his voice snapped throughLouisa’sown hitching, hazy thoughts, and she belatedly shook her head, clutched back at his broad sweaty shoulders. “Of— of course not, sweetheart,” she gasped. “Itwas — perfect.”

Ulfarrkept staring at her like that, the distress still deepening in his eyes, and thank the gods, here wasKillik.Leaningin besideLouisato pat reassuringly atUlfarr’sheaving chest, and flash a swift, stunning smile up at his pale face.

“YoukenIwas scenting her all this time,Wolf,”Killiksaid firmly. “AndIkenIhave never scented her so happy, as she was amidst this.Aswhen she was stuck upon our two strongSkaipricks, and squealing and dancing for us.”

Louisashot a sharp look towardKillik, elbowing at his side, but he only gave a cool smile back, his brows raised. “Youshould have only been happier if we had filled your third hole also,” he said placidly. “Oughtto have broughtWolf’srassja— or another hungrySkaior two, mayhap.Iwonder how loud she shall squeal then,Wolf?”

Louisaattempted another glare atKillik, even as something clutched deep in her groin — and wait,Ulfarr’ssoftened length had slightly spasmed against her, too.Buthis expression shifted again, his face a little less pale, his eyes flinty onKillik’sface.

“Killik,” he said reprovingly. “Iwished to come here to thankLouisa, and honour her.Notto — to frighten her with talk of ruts.”

ButKillikrolled his eyes, and smirked atLouisa’shot-feeling face. “Youken this is frightened?” he drawled. “Iken she was more frightened by her breakfast this morn.Ormayhap by” — he flipped up the dagger he was still holding, pointing it toward a nearby tree — “that squirrel.”

Louisa’smouth opened and closed, her eyes narrowing on the chattering squirrel above them, whileKilliklaughed, and gave a light slap to her arse.Asif he wasn’t at all bothered by the thought of such a thing.Asif he might evenwantit…

Louisashot a helpless glance atUlfarr, who — curse him — didn’t look at all bothered, either.Andthat was another faint stirring of his softened length against her belly, his eyes glimmering with warmth, with… with hope.

“Now, enough hankering, you two,” cameKillik’scurt voice, as he pattedUlfarr’ssweaty chest, and reached to unfasten the chain’s latch. “Wehave much work at the camp to do first.”

Right.Louisashook herself a little, gulped down a shaky breath, even as her eyes kept searchingKillik’sface.Muchwork to do…first.Becausethat wasn’t… another challenge, was it?Itwasn’t him again saying,Proveit.Showme.Wasit?Especiallysince after this, they would be down to three more nights… right?

Buteven so,Louisadrew herself tall, and smoothed out her dress.Shecould face this.Shewould.

“I’mready,” she said, with as much certainty as she could muster. “Let’sget started.”

43

Ashort time later,Louisawas standing withKillikandUlfarrin the middle of the camp’s clearing, and gazing up at the camouflaged shelters above them.

“Whatelse, exactly, do you want to do to get it ready?” she asked. “Italready seems so well appointed, don’t you think?”

ButKillikfollowed her eyes, and sharply shook his head. “Weneed to build a newkofi,” he said, waving toward the little shelters. “Onelarge enough forSimonandMariaand their sons.Wealso need to dig and build a latrine, and more ladders.Anda garden, and a smokehouse —Thomashas been asking for these, and they should show us well ready to host more humans here, ach?”

Right.Louisa’seyes settled on whereThomasand his sonAnguswere crouched at the edge of the clearing, perhaps gathering herbs.WhileFloraandGalmrwere both seated nearby braiding rope, and above them, multiple orcs were climbing up in a large oak tree, no doubt seeking a location forSimonandMaria’snewkofi.

“And,”Killikcontinued, as he waved irritably toward the nearest tree, “Sunehas told us he wishes to build akofiof his own here, also!AndWolfhas gone andagreedto this!”

Louisa’sgaze snapped up, followingKillik’shand — and yes, yes, there wasSune.Standinghigh on a new little platform above them, and givingKillika cool, imperious glare.

Louisa’sgrin flashed across her face, because gods,Sunelooked so much better — and he didn’t have his crutches anymore, either.Andwhen she swiftly signed a hello up toward him, he inclined his head, and signed a hello back.Followedby a brief, furtivethank you.

Ittightened inLouisa’sthroat, prickled behind her eyes.Andas she kept beaming up towardSune, it occurred to her that if he really wanted to build akofiof his own here at the camp, maybe — maybe he wanted to stay here, too.Maybe— forever.

Fixthis, he had begged her, back inUlfarr’sdark little room.Fixthis.

“Ach,Iam glad to help our son build thiskofitoday,”Ulfarrcut in, as he clasped firmly atKillik’sshoulder. “Andmayhap you andLouisacan fetch wood for us — if you are yet sure you wish to help,Louisa?”

Hiseyes were searching, uncertain on her face — butLouisainstantly nodded, without a moment’s hesitation.Because— yes.Yes.Shewas facing this.Provingthis.

Soshe willingly followedKillikout into the surrounding forest, and carefully listened to his instructions about what kinds and sizes of wood they needed.Andsoon they were tromping through the woods together, gathering fallen trees and logs and branches.Tyingwhat they could into bundles, and hauling them into the camp for the orcs to use, and then heading back out again.

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