Page 55 of Claimed By Stone
“Thavros,” she said, clinging to me. “You’re here.”
“Yes, Seraphina, I will always be here.” I held her, stroking her hair until her breathing returned to normal. “Would you like some tea and breakfast here, or do you wish to go to the great hall?”
She sat up and looked at me before pushing a strand of hair off my forehead and reaching up to kiss me. “Let’s go to the great hall. I want to see if I can help with any of the preparations.”
I don’t think I could have helped the broad grin that spread across my face. The fact that she was trying so hard to become a part of life in this mountain gave me a sense of joy. It was the reminder I needed to get through whatever this was, because what I had to look forward to was a happy life with her here among my people.
After we got dressed, I guided her through the halls until we came to the doors of the great hall. When we entered, I looked down at her and for a moment, a look of trepidation covered her beautiful features, but that melted away as she found Callie waving to her from the table with my sister.
With my hand on the small of her back, I guided her across the hall, but before we got to the table, we were stopped by Cook.
“Well, aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes. I’m just so happy to see more couples in this mountain more ma–”
“Why don’t you go save us a seat?” I said to Seraphina before Cook could finish her statement. I didn’t want any more pressure on her.
“What is going on with you?” Cook said, narrowing her eyes at me.
“It is nothing. How can I help you?”
“I was looking for Khuldruk to see if there was to be anything different in our prep for the New Year's feast this year.”
“Why do you ask?”
While the mating celebration added the Yule Feast, it did change things. This was the same New Year's celebration they’d done every year.
“Well, with the visitors we had this morning, I wanted to make sure that there would be enough food.”
“Visitors?” I ask.
“Yes, there was another orc and two humans here this morning. Khuldruk said they were guests.”
“Do you know where they were from?”
“I’m the one asking the questions here. I just want to know if I need to prepare more food for the feast tomorrow. If I do, you need to send someone to the village to get more provisions.”
I scanned the hall for Khuldruk, but couldn’t find him. We were not expecting visitors, especially not now. The time between Yule and New Year's was always seen as a time to set intentions in your home for the rest of the year. Most people in the north stayed home.
“Thavros, please. This is not the time to be changing plans.”
“I will find Khuldruk and find out, you have my word.”
That seemed to appease her, and I gave a curt nod and headed back into the kitchen.
By the time I made it over to the table, Seraphine already had her plate filled. When I approached, she scooted down the bench and smiled up at me. I gave my head a little nod, holding her gaze as I sat down next to her. Just being near her settled something deep inside me.
When I looked up, breaking out of the moment, I saw my sister grinning at me. “Good morning, brother.”
“Where is Khuldruk?” I asked before she had the time to say anything inappropriate. This was Frema after all.
“He and Ulgar had something to take care of,” she said carefully.
Callie and Seraphine chatted happily, but the concern in Frema’s eyes wasn’t lost on me. I raised an eyebrow at her.
“They have it handled.”
I nodded as I took a spoonful of porridge. Why couldn’t things just be simple? That was all I wanted. I wanted a simple life, especially now that I have Seraphina. I wanted to spend my days researching in my study and, at night, lost in Seraphina. In time, if we could fill our spare time with the care of orclings, I would have everything I could have ever wanted. It looked like it was going to be a struggle getting there, but if that was where it led us, I would do it happily.
When we finished lunch, we went to my study. For the first time in a long time, I had some ideas of where to start the research. The meeting yesterday had unlocked a few ideas.
