Cathedra - Chapter 1: Trials

Authors Note: hello again 🥰 not much to say for this chapter except thissss is when stuff starts gaining momentum. Also, big huge shout out to Mareike Hartmann for suggesting the name Jakob- it stuck and it suits him so well, so thank you thank you!! 💛💛

CW: language/sexual content 

Enjoy the read my loves ❤

                                                                                           ⦽

 The deep slice marring his palm had finally stopped dripping, the gooey scabs molding over what would heal within a matter of days. It still stung fiercely when he opened and closed his fist, almost as severely as when Lyuda’s reins tugged and scraped against the exposed flesh as they raced away from the starry eyed Princess hidden behind the lush trees. After kicking and yelling at his trusted mare to carry him across the rolling fields as fast as she could, he’d surely owe her any apples he had stored in secret for his own enjoyment. She never once reached back to nip or throw her head in frustration, she only ran.

 Nik looked back out over the rippling surface of the river before him, the brilliant oranges and lavenders of the setting sun coloring the water's surface. The last light had disappeared behind the trees and hills across the water, the songs of nighttime starting to pick up.

 Nothing about this quiet landscape had changed in the full day he'd sat and mulled over his thoughts, staring at the same rough outline of bushy trees or old driftwood knocking across the stones beneath the water, nor had it bored the young Prince like many times before when his mind craved peace away from his people. He wanted his thoughts to wash away with the water, far where he could never follow downstream.

 In his private landscape where tall grass rubbed against his back and the water stayed cool even during the summer, the peace did not silence these revolving thoughts.

 Nik did not trust himself to return home and not demand his parents to explain their poor choice of actions, but what if they could?

 What if this Princess- who now carried his mark- had only ill intentions that he had fallen victim to? Could her desperate pleas have been false?

 Nick groaned, holding his face. She was so convincing.

 If this girl so desired power over the well-being of her people, then why not just slay her sister and rule her own kingdom without me getting in the way?

 He stumbled to recall her words, and the sincerity of them. Everything she said contradicted his own second guessing, but the worry that he’d instead jeopardized the life of others and his own sat heavily on his conscience, churning and bubbling like angry lava. Humans were capable of horrific crimes, could she be any different?

 “I don't care what blood they carry because it's precious blood nonetheless.”

 Those words rang clear in his ears, as did the determination splayed across those pretty features of hers when she first blocked him, dug into the dirt like a tree.

 He scoffed. An uncommon trait in human women, that was. Her hits were so weak against his chest, but the power in her words, in her voice that broke more than once left him convinced, again. Like the first time he’d buckled and told her he’d join her hand in marriage and claim the thrones, he was here, letting the memory of her desperation win him over.

 Lyuda strolled to his side, leaning down to press her soft nose against his arm until he scratched her jaw.

 “You liked her, you traitor,” he spoke softly to his horse, glaring into the big blue eye that peered at him. A loud snort blew across his face when she lifted her head to shake off the flies, walking back to where she’d been grazing in the dark.

 His cheek leaned into his palm, figuring he should've been headed home after his day long absence. They would smell her on him, though, especially her blood that intermingled with his. He rose, walking into the crisp water and leaning over to rinse his hand again. Nik winced, rubbing his thumb up and down the gash, watching the blood come flowing forth again. It was useless and he knew it. No matter how many times he scrubbed, her scent would be with him for a few days. He could only hope fresh bandages and Jasmine stuffed between the folds would help cover it up.

 He stood straight, shaking his hand free of the cold water and blood. He watched the droplets twist down his forearm, dripping off his elbow.

 She’ll bleed when you deflower her.

 He held his face again.

 The loss of his own virginity had happened years ago on the same night he’d taken his former fling’s, but to take a humans? What did human women even look like down there? The claim of halfling children residing in the walls proved that Orcs and humans could breed, but she made no mention of their parents, or caretakers- why? Was it possible that the horrific tales his mother had told him of halflings born deformed were only to keep Orcs as hateful towards humans as humans were to them? Was it to keep the borders from tumbling down to reveal that maybe living together in peace was possible?

 There was too much to weigh and digest, but Nik had made his decision hours ago when he’d sunk his sharp teeth into her palm and let her draw blood across his own, with his own blade. Their fates had been sealed the moment their bloody hands joined, promising one another they would see this to the end, even if their end resulted in death.

 He took in his dark surroundings again, only the flicker of fireflies glittering across the grass lighting up the fresh night around him.

 Tomorrow would come quickly, and he agreed to meet her early.

 “We can meet tomorrow morning,”

 Nik was already atop his horse, reeling back on the reins when Lyuda tried to greet Calista again.

 “Tomorrow we try,” she added, looking up at him, waiting. The smell of her blood was everywhere on top of already coating his tongue, a little smeared across her cheek, and now on his thigh where her small hand rested, ready to grip his cloak if he tried leaving without a word.

 “Tomorrow morning, Princess.” And exclaimed loudly, Lyuda taking off through the trees.

 Nik scrubbed his thigh fervently, splashing water across the skin and rubbing a coarse stone over the cleaned area, but he could still smell her there.

 It was no use. She was as on his skin as she was splashed across his mind.

 “Lyuda,” Nik called, clicking until she trotted and splashed over. She tossed her head impatiently as he gathered her reins and hoisted himself up with a low grunt, choosing to signal her to walk on instead of heeling her in the sides anymore.

 The grass swayed and hissed as the impressive mare walked through, small fireflies bumping into her and twirling around her whipping tail. Nik had to duck and lean often so he could avoid a face full of leaves or spiky branches, sometimes resorting to resting on Lyuda’s crest until she grew irritated. The ride back to his home wasn’t too journeysome, and coming back so late meant he could slip behind the numerous tents and structures to where the horses gathered in the evening. Other Orcs were still awake, many gathered around the main fire where he could smell the last of their Snowy Elk still roasting. It was down to their last rations of jerky and corn, after that meat was gone…

 He groaned- he was hungry, but to face anyone now would be to answer too many questions.

 His horse directed herself to the small clearing of apple trees and lush grass to feed on, and Nik slid off her side, continuing to walk behind her until the low-hanging trees were enough cover.

 The laughter and words passed between fellow Orc’s faded the farther he walked, back to where fewer congregated near his parents' tents and his own. It was darker, only a few torches lit along a path that led to them. He slowly, steadily approached his brothers, careful not to press his ear against the tarp. Low snoring rumbled through the coverings, and he exhaled, stepping away.

 He already knew his parents were not present.

 A matter pertaining to a disrupted border, they had told him.

 Which castle were they visiting today? He wondered, glaring at the dark tent as he passed to his own. He slipped in through the back after lifting the bottom of the tanned tarp, still careful to remain silent. He didn’t strike a match to navigate, he didn’t need to see his way to the soft pile of skins he slumbered upon every night. Nik crawled over it, collapsing into the fur.

 He groaned, an aggravating pressure growing under his skull. The burden of the coming morning left his stomach in tangles.

 His tired eyes opened, looking at the dark space beside him.

 He cursed his mind for putting the Princess there in the dark with him, visualizing the moment he’d lay between her knees. Never had he reacted so uncharacteristcally at the thought of fucking someone. The rattling of his nerves was starting to tug at his already taut reins. Would there be any peace tonight before the dreaded morning?

 Nik rolled onto his back, his arm tossed over his eyes.

 What have I done?

 His eyes opened to the first of sunlight casting across the side of his tent, the space around him glowing softly. His eyes burned with intensity- he’d found little rest all night, and the uneasiness had doubled. Despite exhaustion resting heavy on his shoulders, Nik pushed himself up off the skins with a groan and sat back on his knees, rubbing his dry eyes.

 He could hear the others starting their day; the soft rumble of young children already playing amongst the soft chatter of parents and others, their cooking and cleaning filling in the quiet that the songs of mourning doves and other birds did not.

 Nik looked around, his hand slapping down on his thigh. He sucked his teeth and exhaled. I should eat.

 “Nik!”

 His eyes closed. Not now.

 “Wake up you worthless-“ another towering Orc whose features matched Nik’s remarkably threw open the entrance of the tarp, his two ochre eyes zooming here and there until he spotted his brother sitting on his bear skins still, his back facing him. “Get up,”

 “Go away,” Nik stood, his arms stretching high above his head. Multiple satisfying pops filled his body.

 “Already old and groaning like Father,”

 “Fuck off, Jakob,” Nik spat, but his brother brushed it off.

 “It’s barely morning and you’ve already found the biggest stick to shove right up your ass, haven't you?” Jakob asked, smiling at his brother's seething glare. “You said we would fish today!”

 “I have something to do first,” Nik mumbled, turning before Jakob saw his darkening cheeks.

 Jakob was silent, his lively mood plummeting. “We agreed to this days ago,”

 “Something came up,” Nik argued, leaning his nose into his shoulder when he reached for something. Should I bathe?

 “Like what?” Jakob implored, following when Nik moved him aside to walk out, his cloak in one arm and a horse satchel in the other. The twin Princes smiled half-heartedly and greeted others accordingly as Nik quickly made his way through the crowds, picking small fruits from baskets along the way.

 “Are you going to answer me or do I have to follow you to wherever you’re headed?” Jakob called, squeezing through a small group of passing children.

 “If you follow me I’ll give you an eye like mine,” Nik spun around, pointing at his bewildered brother.

 “Threaten me again and I’ll blind that other eye,” he growled, but Nik only chuffed, continuing on his way to the horses. Jakob’s face contorted in anger as he watched his brother trudge away as he threw his cloak on, but he still followed, waiting until they were out of ear shot to speak again.

 “Are you riding out to Father? Has something happened?” Jakob pressed, looking up at Nik after he’d pulled himself up on Lyuda.

 “No,” he snapped, flipping the satchel across the mare's withers.

 “Nik!” Jakob exclaimed, at last earning his brothers full attention. “What’s happening?”

 With a deep breath, Nik shook his head.

 There was no way he could tell him. If nothing came of today, he wouldn’t need to share his secret. But god, if her plan really panned out how it was supposed to, what could he tell his brother to prepare him for it?

 “Nothing,” Nik said. “I’ll be back soon.”

 Jakob was left in confusion at his brother's sudden, and cold departure. There was not one thing he could come up with that would explain why he needed to be somewhere so early after not seeing him the previous day. Not to mention him sneaking back into his tent after everyone had gone to sleep, that was extremely unlike his brother to do.

 Jakob crossed his arms as the last of Nick and Lyuda disappeared, his suspicions rising, but a coy smile curling the lips the one chipped tusk sat behind.

 He’s going to see a girl, he figured, turning to stroll back to the others.

⦽

 Morn looked her over, her eyes wide with lifted brows and hands on her hips. “That? You’re meeting him like that?”

 Calista glared. “I want something with easy access!” She blushed, fidgeting nervously with the gown that parted scandalously high on her hips to reveal the tips of those plump, freckled thighs.

 “Don't say that,” Morn whined, holding her face.

 “You’re supposed to be my bravery, do not do that!” Calista sobbed, holding her own face and struggling to even her breathing. Her nerves had been bundled and lodged in her throat, her hands steadily tremoring since she’d woken. All night she’d tossed and turned, imagining the great Prince leaning down between her thighs, looking at her with those mismatched eyes of his as he fucked her.

 “I do not think myself capable of this- your highness, this is madness,” Morn held her shoulders, looking her in the eye, but her resolve had already been obliterated when she handed over her fate to this plan.

 “I have to be capable of this,” Calista answered, showing her bandaged hand. “I’m obligated,”

 “You’re not- I’m sure he would remain silent if you threatened him,”

 “Morn!” Calista snapped. “This was my doing! He wanted to run and I stopped him!” She reminded, leaning to keep Morn’s gaze when she tried looking away. “You were the one to explain to me the significance of this mark so how would you expect me to just walk away from this?”

 “I know I know! I just- I can’t wrap my head around this,” Morn told her.

 “I’m having trouble doing the same,” Calista agreed, looking down at her fiddling hands.

 Morn grabbed her by the shoulders, bringing her attention back up. “No matter what he says, go slow.” She instructed, the grave seriousness in her eyes intense.

 Calista nodded, her heart picking up.

 The anticipated moment they’d join had been looming closer since her eyes first opened, but the reality that an Orc was to be the one to steal her virginity was fresh. Even while Orcs bared features that were not far from an Elves, it was the sharp teeth, and tusks, their sheer size that was so-

 Interesting.

 Callie chose not to share this revelation with her friend, biting down a hysterical smile while Morn tied the laces at her back.

 She scoffed under her breath.

 And what makes you think I’d want to bear a halfling with you? She recalled, anger pricking her skin.

 What makes you think you’re any better, Prince?

⦽

 He wasn’t waiting when she arrived this time, or at least she couldn’t see his grand horse from where she stood with her own at the bottom of the incline.

 Her stallion pulled back on his reins once fastened, a loud snort blowing her hair. She eased the jumpy beast, hushing it gently before smoothing down her dress and looking back to where she had Morn, ready to charge at a moment's notice. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that- she wanted nothing more than for this to just go smoothly.

 If he never looked in her direction again after he’d done what was expected, she would be fine with that.

 Calista looked back up at the trees, swallowing her heavy breaths and hoping to calm her thundering heart that was picking up in intensity.

 Still…

 This was terrifying.

 She took a step up, the other joining. Callie broke through into the trees once again to find the Prince riding up on Lyuda at that very moment, water droplets rolling off his dark skin and loose clothing. The sunlight shining through the leaves made him sparkle, his pretty eyes keeping hers as he halted the tall horse, sliding off her side and onto his feet with ease.

 Her big eyes although trained on his strained not to wander across the exposed muscles dripping with cold water, not until he bowed his head and said, “Princess,”

 His tone was softer this morning, but still as rich.

 Calista bowed her head once. “Why are you wet?”

 He nodded his head towards Lyuda. “She took off across a stream,” he lied, forgoing that he took the time to bathe just in case.

 She nodded, glancing between him and his chest, swallowing. “Are you- are we still-“ she fumbled, but he nodded hurriedly, surprised to see a soft, admittedly pretty smile from her. “I thought you would have not shown,” she admitted.

 “I can’t go back on that,” he motioned towards her hand, his sore fist closing at his side. He peered around, his nose lifting to the sky. “Your girl is nearby?”

 She nodded. “She will not interrupt unless I ask,” she advised. When she looked up to him again, he was nodding, his eyes roaming her. Her blush was immediate. “I’ll have you know I’m not entirely inept to this activity,”

 Nik took a breath and let it out steadily. “If this is going to work Princess, we need to be honest with one another,” he suggested, and she was taken aback once she understood his meaning.

 “You think I'm lying?” She panicked, tensing when he nodded.

 “I can smell that you're still intact,” he said, turning towards Lyuda and unfastening his cloak before draping it across her back and tugging her reins in the direction of the meadow below. Calista watched with wide eyes as the horse trotted away, his bare, ripped back facing her.

 He had to hide his laughter when turning back- he’d obviously uncovered something she thought wouldn’t be.

 “We will go very slow,” he assured, but her apprehension, or humiliation, did not lessen at his words.

 Now that he was before her again, stepping closer than he did yesterday, she could see that he absolutely dwarfed her. Whatever he had hiding under that damn cloth was sure to make her head spin when the time came.

 She glanced around them. “S-should I lie down?”

 Nik felt his skin prickle. “Not yet,” he cleared his throat. “I’m not even sure I can fit right now, Princess,”

 Oh my god. “We will have to make sure?” She asked, and he nodded. “With…?” She cracked looking down at his hips. “What do we do?”

 “Firstly, you need to calm down,” he snapped, his nerves rising as hers did.

 “I can’t!” She snapped back.

 “If this is to work then you need to teach yourself to remain calm,” he ground out, glaring down at her.

 “That’s hard when I have to take something the size of my forearm,” she argued, lifting her arm up.

 He glanced at it. Actually…

 “We’re not doing that right now!” He repeated, silencing the words she had ready to fire. “I told you I do not even know if I fit, we have to check,”

 Calista calmed her fury, agreeing. Her cheeks were surely the deepest red they’ve ever been. A tingling had started between her thighs the moment she laid sight on those arms of his again, the tusks, the bright eyes that would catch hers then flick away.

 The handsome Prince held his hand out to her. His palm could cover her entire face, likely lift her up by her skull if he so pleased, and although those palms were rough and scarred from fights she knew nothing of, he led her gently over by the trees, careful to show that he was not carrying a replacement dagger after leaving his with her.

 “You will be careful?” She asked, clearly shaken.

 “I will,” he swore quietly. The thumb rested against her knuckles withheld the temptation to swipe across the skin he could tell was silky.

 “How will we do it?” She pressed, stopping beside a tree.

 This is happening, his mind scrambled, but his actions were still steady and sure. “If I were to enter you right now you’d surely tear, not only because you’re a virgin,” he explained. She fidgeted a little before he continued. “I am certain just by looking at one another we can assume we will have to work up to that,”

 She waited, looking up at him with a trust he already didn’t want to shatter. The freckles covering her nose and cheeks were… cute, actually.

 “I'll touch you with my fingers, that way we can better see what kind of work we have to do,”

 She looked at his hands, taking in the width of his digits. “Alright,” she choked, nodding frantically. She’d heard of this, even done it plenty to herself during the few nights her colorful thoughts wandered and the simple circles of her fingers didn’t quite fill that persistent need, but her body was accustomed to her own touch.

 Nik had convinced himself that when it came to the moment she'd run from him, but once faced with her looking up to him for guidance, he found himself proven wrong, unknowing of what to do next.

 What the fuck now?

 “Would you feel more comfortable facing the tree?” He asked, waiting for her to look around and observe.

 “I suppose I would,” she mumbled; this could be done from behind? “Wait!” She spun, startling him. “You promise- you swear you will not take advantage of me?”

 Nik didn’t mask how offended he was- did she really think him to be that type of monster, even after offering to take it this slow?

 “You think me to be like a human man? Taking what he wants without asking?” He rumbled. “I have no blade or sword, only the clothes and necklaces I wear. Your servant can surely hear every word we exchange-“

 I most certainly can, Morn thought to herself, leaning against a tree with her ear in their direction.

 “-so even if I did attack you, I am already outnumbered. You have my word that I would never commit such a hideous crime,” he barked, observing how she remained steadfast even under scrutiny.

 Calista overlooked him once more. His hands, although she was sure could break a tree in two, were indeed his only weapons at the moment, and he’d apparently not yet seen the small dagger she had concealed in the front of her dress. He really was outnumbered.

 “I apologize,” she spoke. Was it so wrong to assume men were the same across the wide scope of races?

 He nodded stiffly, a little riled.

 Calista faced the tree, turning her chin towards her shoulder.

 She heard him take a step closer, and suddenly could feel the warmth from his chest radiating across her back, goosebumps rising along her spine.

 “I will keep my other hand here,” his voice was low beside her ear, but she still flinched, looking up to where he placed his palm against the worn bark.

 She nodded, her thumbs cracking her fingers at her sides.

 “I’m going to touch your hip,” he told her, stilling when his heavy touch rested at her side.

 Good God- it was glaringly clear now just how much strength he likely held in his hands alone. She imagined it must’ve been close to what a grizzlys massive paw felt like; heavy and lethal. Even if he was technically outnumbered, there was no doubt in her mind that these hands were the only weapons he’d need.

 “I’m going to move now,” he warned, feeling her shift beneath his hand.

 Calista whimpered when his rough fingertips scraped the bare skin at the crease of her thigh and hip, pushing under the high cut of her dress. The intensifying tingling between her thighs provoked small whines to come forth, but she choked them down, her hand reaching to lean against the tree.

 “Are you alright?” Nik asked, his voice breaking. Fuck- get yourself together!

 The soft bumps she made against his chest made his heart skip every time it happened, beating loudly in his pointed ears. Her skin was a softness he’d never touched on another before, wicked curiosity urging him to press his fingertips into the flesh.

 He cleared his throat, shaking his head clear- what the fuck are you thinking!?

 “I am fine,” Calista wavered, glad she had chosen to face the tree. Her cheeks were so warm she could barely keep her eyes from fluttering. “You may continue,”

 She looked down to watch his hand beneath her dress the moment a wide finger tip brushed the crease of her lips, a loud pant blasting past her lips.

 Nik’s ears twitched, his brows rising high.

 There’s hair down here!? He couldn’t believe he was touching curls- was this normal? Were humans this fuzzy?

 She was silent until he pushed between her lips, his touch faltering upon encountering the bundle of soft, slick flesh sitting towards the top that made her jerk and gasp.

 What is this? He was stumped- he couldn’t recall ever encountering something like this. Is this another human thing?

 Calista withheld a soft moan when he rubbed past her clit, her toes curling in the grass. She fought not to clamp her thighs around his hand, for she so enjoyed the sensation of his finger running between her slick sex that it made her instantaneously shameful.

 He ventured on, hopeful to find what he had foolishly assumed up to the point would be the same place dicks went as it was on Orc woman, but who knew at this point. He prayed he didn’t venture into a cavern full of teeth or something else horrific. Nik too fought to keep quiet his labored breathing, his middle finger sliding until he could feel a tight entrance.

 “I’m going to put my finger in, Princess,” he warned softly beside her ear, looking at her nodding head.

 Her eyes were shut, lips parted in low breaths and tender from being bitten into by her own blunt teeth.

 Nik rotated his arm, his hand sliding farther under her warm cunt while his middle finger pushed into the satiny pocket. Her head bumped his chest as she whimpered out loud against him, feeling him sink into his knuckle, the snug walls of her sex making it tricky to push in.

 It made his ears ring- She's so fucking tight.

 Calista’s thighs twitched, looking down at his hand and gripping his wrist in a flushed haze.

 His exit was abrupt, but when she felt the tips of two fingers prodding her entrance, testing her capability, she leaned back into his chest, her loud moan cut off by her free hand slapping over her mouth. She braced, ready for it to happen-

 “I can only fit one,” he mumbled, withdrawing his hand from under her dress.

 She barely caught herself when his presence had left from behind her, additionally leaving behind an intense sensation of wanting that void to be filled again.

 So that’s what it’s like? She turned to him with red cheeks and blinking eyes, watching as he wiped his fingers across the grass at his feet.

 “What?” She asked, clearing her throat when her voice cracked. She could hear a deep sigh come from him before he turned to her.

 “It won’t work,”

 Her expressive brows furrowed. “Why not?”

 “Our sizes,” he said outright. “I couldn’t fit,”

 That startled her some; what kind of size was he keeping hidden?

 “Could we practice?” She asked, trying not to take offense to his immediate recoil.

 “This was supposed to be a one time thing,” he barked.

 “How were we to guarantee I’d fall pregnant the first time?” She asked, giving him a look.

 He didn’t have an answer for that. Even he knew it didn’t just work out like that.

 “We cannot practice if I can not even fit,” he explained, but she stepped to him. He could still smell the arousal that had allowed such easy passage into her cave.

 “We will work up to it. Please, we can still do this,” she begged.

 Nik observed her, how she was here before him yet again blocking his path, and he felt she’d likely block it again until he gave in. But what hung heavier on his considerations was that while she was new and reactive to his foreign touch, she did not flinch away from him or scream. In fact, if he’d really seen what he thought he did, she had actually enjoyed having his finger shoved knuckle deep into her untouched center.

 Nik looked out over the meadow again- could he afford to keep meeting up like this?

 “Please,” she asked again, grabbing his attention.

 Her persistence is annoying- if I said no would she come to my home and raise hell? Nik exhaled. “We will try again tomorrow,”

 “Tomorrow!?” She bellowed.

 “Do you want to tear, dumb girl? Today would not grant us the time to even get half of myself inside of you unless you want to bleed,” he snapped, glaring down at her when she looked up in embarrassment. He was right, even if she didn’t want to admit it. “Don’t be stupid,”

 “I am not stupid!” She smacked his arm. “I am short on time!”

 “Then make time for this!”

 “Our time is now!” She hollered.

 “Fine!” Nik snarled, reaching for her. Calista immediately fumbled back, her heels catching earth beneath her.

 A sinewy arm slipped around her back and pulled her flush against him, his dick cradled and covered in his cloth pushing against her stomach when she looked down. Everything across her body lit up, gawking down at the heavy load.

 “See? Could you take it, Princess?” He snarled down at her, praying she didn’t hear his hammering heart this close. Without any further observation needed on her part, she could tell the length still hidden was indeed tremendous, just as Morn had warned. 

 It took only a blink for her to shake her head, her cheeks flushing crimson.

 Nik released her and grabbed her wrist. “If you want me to be your partner in this, that means listening to what I have to say, too,” he snarled, dropping her arm.

 She smoothed herself down, a sour purse painted across her full lips. She sucked her teeth at him, shoving past his thick arm. “Tomorrow you will come to the castle then,”  she called back.

 “You’re mad!” he declared, spinning to face her.

 “My parents and sister are expected at a neighboring kingdom, and they’re leaving tonight. They won’t be back for at least three days,” she looked at him, her fringe shadowing those big eyes he kept finding himself locked onto. “If tomorrow is the day I become a woman, I don’t want it to be in the weeds,”

 “How do you know we won’t be disturbed?” He pressed, following her.

 “I’ll make sure of it,” she told him, looking up at what she could assume must’ve been fear. She too would be reluctant to sneak into a kingdom she’d never stepped foot in before. “My castle is far from the villages, and we have no guards surrounding the walls except at the entrance. Come through the back where the willows are and I can get you inside,”

 “Princess, if we are caught, it’s the end for both of us,” he reminded, but she nodded.

 “I know, I still believe this to be worth it,”

 He almost laughed. Even after all of that!?

 “I’ve never met a Princess like you,” he shook his head, in disbelief that he was buckling again. “Fine,”

 She visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropping. “Thank you, very much,” she expressed, meeting his mismatched eyes.

 He only nodded, the same silent qualms that haunted him the day before returning. He realized he had come this day assuming he would have one thing to carry out and be done with it all… why did he think that?

 “Princess,” he mumbled.

 “Please, you can call me Callie,” she interrupted. His ears twitched. “We’re going to be getting to know one another very intimately these coming days, I suppose we should get on a first name basis,” she explained.

 “Callie,” he repeated. Callie.

 “I only allow Morn and Rose to call-“ she paused. “Rose used to call me Callie,” she corrected, her mood plummeting.

 Nik saw the misery cloud those pretty eyes; he felt for her. He would surely be lost in his parents' madness had it not been for his brother at his side.

 “What were you going to say?” She asked, breaking through his thoughts.

 He couldn’t muster to tell her he thought them foolish to be doing this- that it was an utter mistake. They had no capabilities to bear a child or run a fucking kingdom!

 “I will see you at your castle tomorrow morning,” he instead told her.

 She grinned, a small, shy one before nodding her head in thanks. Those rich brown waves moved around her cheeks, framing that cute blush-

 Nik blinked back into reality. Enough of that- she’s human.

 She told him the lay of her land and how to navigate back to the castle from the very spot they were at, all the while oblivious to the way he was looking down at her mouth as she spoke.

 “Does that make sense?” She asked, glancing up at him.

 He nodded loosely, clearing his throat. “Morning, then,”

 “I will see you then, Prince,”

 “You may call me just Nik,” he told her nervously, worried she would call him out on copying her.

 “Nik.” She repeated, another small grin to follow.

 Before he could become lost in those eyes again, he turned heel and wide stepped toward Lyuda after calling her back, easily hoisting himself up. With a final look, he was off, thundering down through the trees and riding smoother across the rolling meadow than he did the day before.

 Callie finally let her hands land against her knees, blowing air out in a loud sigh.

 Since he’d first brushed her cunt, she’d been riding a high that left her thoughts in pieces. She knew she was wet from the experimental swirls he left inside her, immediately aching for more as soon as he’d stepped away. Had she not had a duty to fulfill while he had her pinned against his chiseled body, she would’ve asked him to throw her across the ground and give to her what she’d daydreamed for the years she’d spent walking the halls of her castle in solitude.

 Butterflies were still fluttering madly in her belly, her pulse quaking to the apex of her thighs.

 “Good heavens,” she exhaled, taking the moment to calm her rampant reaction. “Calm down, Callie.”

                                                                                      ⦽