Page 137 of Valpar

I’d cleared out a larger area around the cabin, so my miresa had a place to lie in the sun and I had even extended the garden, so she could plant the flowers she liked so much from the Golden Light Kingdom.

My nose would regret it, but as long as it made her smile.

My horse, Ulam, was grazing just on the north side of the cabin, which had the sweetest grasses. He raised his head in greeting, but I did not let him see my female today. His gaze followed me as I reached the cabin, which I had constructed around the base of a tree that had stopped growing.

There was a tree, called a sorrow pine, that expelled a cool energy from its bark. It was keeping the cabin cooler on the inside, and I enjoyed wrapping up in the furs at night when the tree pushed out the cooler temperatures, once the light sources set.

I hoped my miresa liked it, too. Since my cabin was built around a tree, it might remind her of the home she once lived in with her parents.

As the brisk wind whistled through the air, I cautiously walked past the delicate wind chimes and entered the rustic cabin. The weathered boards beneath my feet emitted a gentle creak as I firmly shut the door, enveloping me in a calming atmosphere. Relief washed over me, knowing that we had found solace away from prying eyes, observing us from beyond the cabin walls.

I carefully placed the heavy crate, filled to the brim with items, onto the weathered wooden table. The table creaked in protest, but I trusted its sturdiness. With the weight supported, I used my hands to caress the curve of my partner’s backside, feeling her squirm within the sling.

I remembered my ogamie carrying Sugha around when he was an orcling. I found it funny how my little miresa could fit inside, just as easily. As I cleaned up our home over the past few days and made it more livable for my female, I kept her by my body because I could not part with her even for a moment.

This male was too afraid to let her out of his sight again, and for good reason. It wasn’t just an enemy trying to take her from me, but her tiny feet would lead her into some sort of strange predicament.

I also did it because I hoped my voice and my touch would somehow let her know I was there.

Goddess, I hoped she knew I was here waiting for her. That I would always be here.

I took her to the only bedroom in the cabin. Thick furs filled the bed. Only the best and the softest. I sat on the bed, then gently removed her from the carrier and her eyes fluttered.

“Little fairy?” My drums beat excitedly. “Please tell me you are waking up?” I tried to keep my voice soft so as not to scare her. I tried to keep my anger and frustration hidden so she would not feel it.

Peace, Moon Fairy, I wanted her to have peace.

Her dark eyelashes fluttered again, and I held my breath. I dared not breathe on her skin, too afraid I would scare her. When she opened her eyes, her bright blue ones meet my yellow ones and her smile was wide.

“Valpar!” Her arms pushed away the rest of the carrier and threw them around my neck.

I embraced her tightly, feeling a surge of relief flood through me. She was awake! Finally, after days of tending to her while she slept, she was finally awake. Her laughter was like music to my ears as she nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair.

“Little fairy,” I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. “You’re awake.”

Her backside rubbed against my shaft. I tried my best not to groan, but she continued to rub, and I grunted, moving her to my thigh.

“I missed you,” she whispered and kissed my neck.

Moon Fairy, help me!

“Miresa, I have missed you, too.” I threaded my fingers through her hair and kept her at my neck. “Are—you alright?”

I let her pull away, reluctantly, waiting to see her droop with sadness, but I saw nothing. I saw nothing but her bright smile and the twinkling of her eyes.

“No, I’m fine. I’m here with you and—” She gazed around the cabin and raised a brow. “Where are we?”

I cleared my throat and pulled her against my chest again. “Our home, in the Monktona Wood. I couldn’t take you back to the palace, your parents’ home. I needed you here, it was—”

“Too much,” she finished for me, her hand cupping my cheek.

I swallowed and let my head rest in her hand.

“You have been gone awhile. Orcs don’t stay away from their homes long, do they?”

I shook my head and pressed a kiss to her forehead. I couldn’t understand how she was not crying, shaking in fear or angry with me that I had taken her away from her home and family.

“It’s so cozy here. I love it.” She moved to stand, but I pulled her back down on my lap.

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