margaritamama

cathedra update & upcoming content

hello loves 🥰 i hope you're all doing well and staying safe in the world rn 🖤

cathedra! i wanna have it out by the end of this week! my health improved but i still had to give my mental health some time to kick back into gear, but i'm starting to feel like my old self again! thank you all for the continued patience, it means more to me than i can convey in words.

as for content like drawings and whatnot, i wanna hear what you all wanna see 🥰 non-human or not, what's something that you've been itching to see or even something from a past poll that wasn't voted for? 👀 favorite movie or game couple? something solo? 😌  

i love you all so much 🖤

tarzan & jane completed

i don't remember drawing the background and when i opened up my ipad today i was like ☺️ then 😀 then 😐 then 🤔 so HERE IT IS

again i would like to reiterate that tarzan definitely has a praise kink, thank you and goodnight 💕 we're going back to monsters after this y'all, i need my fixxxxxx 😩

tarzan & cathedra update

so i'll get the hard stuff out of the way- no, there won't be a chapter today. my health recently has taken a slight decline, so please grant me a few more days to bang that chapter out 😭 i'm alllllmost done 

as for tarzan and jane! lineart done 😌 as for the background, i'm going to forgo any lines this time and really just try to paint it, i really need to practice more depth in my backgrounds instead of grounding them with big bulky lines. also, he'd have scars right?? how WOULDNT he have scars 

i love you all, thank you for being so patient with me 🖤🖤

tarzan & jane

so it's been 2 days and they've stayed in the lead, so we're starting 😩 i feel like tarzan would have a praise kink, i don't know why but i'm going with my gut. 

where do we want them? tree house? a tent? the TREES? 🤔🤔🤔

Next Patreon Piece

Thank you to my eternal love Hannah for helping me with your giant fucking big brain ideas MUAH I LOVE YOU 

here comes another poll but seeing as it’s beennnn kinda hard to come up with monster couples, let’s switch it up just this one time and do some Disney couples? 👀 

belle & beast finished

i think i'm gonna start adding more little windows to my drawings lol DONE AND ONTO THE NEXT 🖤

i didn't render the background myself, it's a still from the movie 👏🏼

LAST belle & beast wip

LAST ONE I SWEAR i just changed shit again lolololol speech bubbles? do we want them? 

thank you corazon for helping me with those fucking horns 😩🖤

belle & beast wip

had to tweak around a little with his hands and the entirety of the drawing lmao, but how do y'all like the window and discarded heels? i figured she would've kicked those suckers off hella fast 😩

Cathedra - Chapter 7: Blessed

I won't bore you with the excuses- I'm sorry it's so late, I'm trying to do better 🖤 please be patient with me

CW: language 

⦽

She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth, her eyes shut tightly and concentrating solely on making sure the nausea that crawled up her throat stayed down. For days she’d been plagued with steady waves of the overwhelming urge to retch, and two times now that day she had found herself bent over a bush and emptying the burning bile since she’d not been able to handle any food.

Saliva pooled in her mouth, whimpering. Handle your shit, woman! Don’t you vomit on this dress!

The pressing need to give in slowly subsided, leaving her a sweating, pale mess that leaned against the stone wall by the entrance, fanning her cheeks and taking deep breaths. The usually quick walk to meet her husband who’d she spotted riding up the mountain had been interrupted by this lingering illness, slowing her usually productive days.

The heavy hoof beats against the earth outside prompted her to push off the wall and tug tiredly against the iron lock, the heavy door creaking open and her tall, thick Orc of a husband striding up to her with his blood red cloak flowing behind him while Jakob and his men corralled their horses.

“Always cutting it close,” she scolded, grinning up at him.

His brow cocked in observation once he passed her, getting a good passover of her slouched shoulders and clammy skin. This was not how he had left her only six days ago, and it made his ears twitch in concern.

“Are you sick?” he asked, reaching to press the back of his knuckles against her cheek. No fever.

“I think so, my stomach has been so upset,” she sighed, eyes closing and leaning her face into his cool fingers.

“Hm,” he hummed, reaching to grab her hand and pull her wrist up to his nose.

There was something alarmingly different about her scent. It held a sense of familiarity, but hers had shifted, intensified more so than a flower ever could.

Nik’s eyes flew to hers, and she immediately read the alarm across his features after pushing the door closed behind him.

“What-” but he had kneeled before her in a flash, bringing her in by the hips so he could press his nose into her stomach. She held his shoulders, glancing around nervously.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her playful grin falling when he looked up at her.

“You’re pregnant,” he said, his heart kicking.

She blinked, looking away then back at him. “I am?”

He nodded, pressing his nose to the same spot again. “You’ve not taken Jasper's Thumb today?” he asked, studying the change.

“Not for a few days, actually,” she revealed, and he couldn't help but smile.

“You’re pregnant, Callie,”

Butterflies of the greatest magnitude she’d ever felt overtook her form, and she was glad Nik’s hands were there to steady her when she wavered.

It had only been a baby- just a child to raise as the result of their cunning, trickster marriage. It had been something she didn’t take all too seriously.

Now, it was her baby that she was providing with life.

It would be their child, a perfect mix of human and Orc.

She held her hand flat against her stomach when he stood before her again, looking off into her thoughts more than who was in front of her, overwhelmed by an insane spell of emotions thinking of the days and milestones to come, and eventually meeting this little one…

She looked up at Nik, his eyes just as filled with emotions as hers.

What could she say when the words didn't come? How could she tell him that she was strangely excited but also crushed by fear when imagining holding him… or her, in her arms for the first time? Or seeing Nik hold them?

But Nik spoke first, and without a clear grasp on exactly what he was thinking. “I suppose we don’t have to keep trying anymore,”

The moment crumbled, and she looked up at him with a dying smile when the same realization registered in her eyes.

“I suppose you’re right,” she exhaled softly, but the sting left behind such a small suggestion was unmistakable. She hadn’t considered that making it to this point would thus end the touching, the kissing, the arching so high off the ground he had to press her down so she wouldn’t wiggle from his hold. This ended falling into the arms of the man she’d so come to love.

The stunning disappointment flashed in both their eyes, but rather than confess that both had come to desire and adore each other, Callie straightened herself out, and swallowed her sadness.

This was part of your plan, Callie. “It would explain why I’ve felt so sick lately,” she tried to smile, but it was weak. The upset was mounting.

When was the last time I kissed you? He thought forlornly to himself, nodding at her obviously somber response.

“Well we did it,” he cleared his throat. “Congratulations,”

His face soured- why did you say that?

She faltered a bit- why did he say that? “To you too, my King. You’ll soon have an heir to carry on your name,”

That was a weird concept to try and picture. Had they gotten so cozy with just the two of them fucking about the castle that they’d so forgotten their ultimate game plan? This was completely knocking both of them upside the head and although they were in utter disbelief and showered in stunning amazement, the pair couldn’t help but also feel extreme upset knowing there was no reason to pass those intimate moments with one another now.

Nik nodded, looking down a brief moment before straightening back up, offering his elbow. “I believe we’re expected in the garden today, My Queen,”

Oh, she definitely recognized that expression of his.

Callie knew Nik liked to think himself unreadable when he grew emotional, but he didn’t believe her even after all the times she’d told him that the smallest turn of his emotions would turn his entire demeanor dark. Right now, he looked like he’d been robbed of happiness, and it was straining across his features.

Her hand slid into the crook of his elbow, her fingers squeezing the muscle.

They walked, and she thought of the times his arms had been a cage at her sides while kneeled between her thighs.

She felt the distinct, low burning sensation at her face when she fought the tears barely withheld, a slow plummeting swirling her stomach as she thought of the love she’d thrown her heart into and was now seizing right before her.

Why did you fall in love? Why? She scolded herself, blinking carefully as to not tempt the overflow of emotion that gripped at her throat.

Nik heard the small breaths she took beside him, the same ones that sounded similar to breaths of composure she’d take when flustered. He wanted to hold her hand and tell her it was okay- he knew by the way she walked stiffly beside him that her frame was gripped with the nerves that often turned her stomach sour.

He wanted to hear it, too. He wanted her to tell him that this wouldn’t be the last time they would ever exchange another touch. It made his heart ache mightily, something he’d never expected to experience with her.

The garden entrance slowly came into view after the small walk across the castle, the voices of the visitors inside low amongst the noises outside.

Her nausea seemed to worsen again as they drew closer, her hand flattening against her stomach.

So you’re the one who has caused such misery, she greeted the small one who only recently made itself known. It was bittersweet- she wanted to share this moment with him.

They turned the corner into the garden, Nik moving aside the hanging ivy and leading her through the stone archway adorned with flowers and vines.

A group mixed of humans and creatures alike that made up of former rulers and smaller diplomats littered the wide garden that sat at the back of the castle, the spring storms that had been persistently plaguing the land finally parting to allow the sun to warm the lush leaves around them.

Callie’s eyes met her parents, stood at the far end of the garden and overlooking what used to be there's. Still dressed as tacky as ever, but the disheveled state of her mothers hair told her how difficult she’d been adjusting to their new lives.

She felt her stomach further rile, and the urge to press her face into Nik’s arm and hide grew. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with right now.

Nik met his parents' critical glares too, his father taking in the attire he now wore and the cloak that dragged behind him that once sat on his own shoulders.

He squared his shoulders and puffed his chest, unflinching under his fathers gaze.

I’m King now. He had to remind himself.

Their entrance was announced, and in silence they all gathered at the massive stone table sat at the center, taking their places at the benches carved from the roots that shot from the earth around them and stones chiseled away to make surfaces.

Nik waited for Callie to sit before finding his spot beside her, her scent wafting under his nose.

He wanted to pull her into his lap and inhale deep from the spot against her throat he knew would be fragrant, or anywhere her pulse was strong beneath her skin. He wanted to revel in the fact he’d put a baby in her, his first one, but he had to only sit and face his people and keep his rampant thoughts from showing on his face.

When the area remained silent after they’d all sat and looked on at their King and Queen in either malice or fear, Nik looked at her, finding her to be staring off silently, a dead expression in her eyes, but one that showed her mind was moving too fast for her face to even bother trying to cover it up.

“My Queen,” he called softly, and she blinked, looking at him before the others.

She cleared her throat, but her voice still shook when she announced, “We’ve called you here today to discuss the matters of our borders and who is allowed to trade,”

Many of their faces soured or looked on in confusion, notably her parent’s who had dealt with this very issue continuously throughout their former reign.

Her heart was beating in her skull. All she wanted to do was sit alone and process, but also couldn’t help but feel she’d just lost something more dear to her than she’d cared realize before.

Nik saw her struggle, and the words hesitate on her quivering lip.

“Starting today,” he spoke up instead, “Orcs, Brezziks, Ogre’s- anyone and everything, are allowed to cross one anothers borders for trade. For the first time starting today, Castle Flores will also partake in this trading, to any race,”

Immediately there were noises of disapproval, and disgust, of surprise and disbelief.

“Castle Flores has never needed to open its walls!” Callie’s mother stood, her face red and glaring hatefully at her daughter.

“Is that true? Or did you really never bother to look at the faces of the people you once ruled?” Callie snapped, her bubbling emotions rising in her voice.

“We did our best-”

“You mishandled your power. I thought we were on the brink of starvation and ruin and you- all of you, let your power and greed turn this land rotten! We’ve been tasked in picking up the pieces you couldn't, so if another person objects to my laws that I put on my kingdom, I will banish you to the farthest end of this Earth and make sure your eyes never fall on another’s face again.”

Although the glares that were aimed at their queen were of only hate, and the one her mother wore was even colder, she still slowly shrank back into her seat, her own anger barely bridled.

The tears brimming Callie’s eyes did not spill, but it felt good expelling the emotions that had turned her mind upside down.

Callie breathed, squaring her shoulders and looking at Nik. “Continue, My King,”

He nodded, seeing now exactly where her emotions hung and how flammable they really were.

He wanted to hold her cheek and tell her it was going to be okay.

Nik went on about explaining to them how no matter the race, no harm would befall any travelers or merchants coming to trade, and that talks with neighboring nations re-opening borders that were once closed suddenly from past feuds would soon be up and running again. It riled their visitors something fierce to learn the walls they’d erected all because of their silly feuds would come crashing down. Some, especially the same Ogre that had approached Nik and Callie on that fateful day, clenched his fists tightly on the table's surface.

“This will only lead to disaster,” he ground out, chuffing angrily.

“How do we feed the onesss that will inevitably ssstay and make home on our landsss?” a former Brezzik princess hissed, her bright eyes jumping smoothly from face to face, her big, scaly hands splayed across the table.

“The surplus in shipments formally being made to Castle Flores will be dispersed amongst the settlements you all govern in case those travelers make home,” Nik answered.

“You can’t guarantee that would work!” the former human King of Green River stood, his chains and bells and necklaces noisily clashing together across his body when he rose.

“Could you, you fool?” Nik asked, silencing the man into a stupor. “I have no guarantee but I have enough gall to try. One more interruption from any of you and I’ll wear your tongue as a necklace,”

A stark silence fell after Nik’s voice filled the garden, the trees, turning their stomachs over and even his father’s gaze away. It amazed him how a group of adults that had been the ones to carry his roles before could act so childish and unwilling. It often tempted him to wipe them from the face of Cathedra and start new, but even though his laws were absolute, there were ones above him he could never change.

Callie smiled softly at him, her pride for her husband who once shook under the glare of these people now silencing them in swift blow.

She wanted to lean her head against his arm and whisper how proud she was, but the bittersweet thought only brought her back to the sadness that was sitting in her stomach like stones.

You should’ve told him when you had the chance.

She sighed, looking back out to their people as Nik went on to explain and list the new rules and regulations that came with this groundbreaking development the nation had not partook in almost thirty years. Although they obviously disapproved of each and every thing that came from his mouth, their objections were smothered into glares and low huffs, some growls and hisses here and there, but the King’s words never faltered.

When the last of his announcement had finished, he took another look around at all of them either staring up at them or absently ahead of them, taking in who was begrudgingly accepting this new regime or who he could pinpoint would be an issue after this meeting closed.

“Now you may speak,” he told them, him and Callie both tensing for the outcry.

But where they expected all the heat on themselves, it surprisingly dispersed amongst one another, men and beasts screaming at one another about how they refused to trade with non-humans or didn’t want the diseases of humans coming to their lands.

Callie almost scoffed, shifting in discomfort. As well as nausea plaguing her days, fatigue had lingered, making her body ache in ways that reminded her of sweaty illnesses.

Nik looked away from the chaos, his ears twitching and quickly understanding she was in discomfort.

“Do you feel sick?” he asked softly, easily tuning out the noise around them.

“I suppose I feel pregnant,” she whispered back, a blush darkening her cheeks just as one did to his.

His eyes fell to her stomach, and where he once struggled to imagine her body swollen with his child, her incredible, new scent brought only clarity when he pictured her colorful dresses hanging over a curved belly.

He wondered when it had finally happened, and how soon until he could press his hand to her stomach and feel life move beneath it.

Nik looked back to her face when she was looking away after a cool breeze washed in and blew the leaves and pedals all around them up into the air with the soft ones floating down from the trees above, landing all around the ones who still screamed at one another, and into Callie’s thick hair that fanned around her shoulders.

She picked them out gently, the jewels in her hair twinkling besides the silver chains around her hands and wrists.

He watched a pedal fall onto her plump thigh showing through the part of her dress, and felt his stiff composure falter when he recalled the last time he kissed the insides of those thighs, her sweet gasps filling his ears.

Without thought, he reached to brush the pedal away, the rough pads of his fingers sliding across her freckled, tan skin.

Her spine stiffened and toes curled at the sensation, a soundless gasp catching in her throat, and without thought, she reached to hold his huge hand there when he started to pull away, their eyes meeting.

“I like how your hands feel,” she whispered headily, pulling it back to lay flat across her thigh.

He was silent as he gazed at her intensely, his heart pounding like a drum when his hand engulfed her thigh, squeezing his fingertips into her supple flesh.

Her eyes fluttered, looking back out at the noise around them, but her mind only intimately on him with his hot palm against her skin. She kept her touch over his, guaranteeing he couldn’t pull away and break this contact she’d craved since his first arrival.

He looked back to the others, the sounds of their disputes slowly coming back to his muffled ears, and the swell of emotion when realizing he could no longer indulge in touches like this drove him to a fury he struggled to contain.

She moaned softly when his hand squeezed her thigh, her cheeks flushing bright red and wanting to spread her knees so he could touch where she ached for him.

But instead, his voice boomed over the commotion, his deafening roar silencing the fighting and spitting insults with one Orcish order.

Goosebumps erupted across her arms and sides, his hoarse voice turning their guts as hers flipped in excitement.

She wanted this to be over already. These twists and turns of emotions were worse than the nausea that had turned her pale the past few days, and the building arousal for the man she couldn’t have anymore only filled her heart with more ache.

Callie sighed when his hand slid away, standing to shout and scream at all the people around them.

Tears pricked her eyes again. I want this to be over.

When the meeting had finally closed and everyone was filing out in silent fury, Nik and Calle stepped aside, watching them slowly walk up to bow before departing, most of their horses ready and others leaving by foot.

Callie’s eyes fell on her parents who tried to leave without a word, her nose scrunching in annoyance.

“Mother,” she called coldly, watching her shoulders flinch before turning to face her decorated daughter who no longer had hesitant smiles to offer in hopes of peace.

The former queen approached, her demeanor flighty and head hung before stopping a few feet from her daughter's Orcish husband she was secretly extremely intimidated by.

Her mother bit back what she truly desired to say, speaking through clenched teeth. “Yes, my Queen?”

Callie almost smiled. It was the first time she’d acknowledged her like that.

“Where’s Patricia?” she asked instead.

Her mother’s eyebrows flickered. “She- she never came back,” she disclosed, confusion coloring her face. “She’s not been here?”

Nik stepped closer to Callie. “She was never permitted to return here,”

Her mother flinched, collecting her nerves. “After that day she came back with us but left the next morning, saying she would be off to take her place as your Wing Maiden,”

Callie scoffed. “You believed she’d do that amicably?”

“You’ve always spoken so low of your sister-”

Callie’s hand raised, silencing anything more. “I will extend the same courtesy you did to me when I came to you in need, and end it here. You may leave,”

“Calista!” she implored, her father coming up to pull on her shoulder, unable to meet his own daughter's glare.

“LEAVE.” She demanded, her patience and love for her parents spent.

“Luciana!” her father hissed, yanking her arm harshly so she stumbled to his side. She fought to talk sense into him as she was dragged away, her finger jabbing towards Callie and spitting insults at her in their tongue.

Nik stood closer to her, glaring over Callie’s head and his lips pulled back slightly over his sharp teeth until the pair had gone like the others.

“You don’t think it would’ve been wise to ask further questions?” he asked softly, looking down at her conflicted expression.

“I’d had a feeling Patricia was still at large, and now I know she’ll likely come along sooner than later if she’s not been home,” she exhaled, a hand resting at her stomach. Her own safety was no longer just her own, but also for the small one she was growing.

“You think she’ll attack?” Nik’s own words made him uneasy, even glancing around in the garden they still stood in.

“I do,” she said easily, but the gravity of the situation always hung on her. Despite the castle now sitting quietly without her family's rage screaming down the halls, she still found herself glancing over her shoulder or flinching away from cracked doors she sometimes still expected to find Patricia lurching from.

“What about your other sister?” he asked, following her out.

“Rose is dead, I’ve known this since she first went missing. The only thing I can do for her now is one day hopefully find where Patricia hid her body so I can bury her properly. Until then, life goes on,” she mumbled, looking down at her stomach as they stepped into the stone corridor.

Nik didn’t know how to offer support, and struggled to conjure words, but Jakob’s arrival along with a few of the ones that had once been gathered around the table gave his mind reprieve from that conflict.

“They wish to speak to you, My King,” Jakob told him, his scowl telling him that this conversation would likely result in a headache.

Nik nodded, looking at Callie. “One moment,”

She watched him greet the goblins who chattered and asked him hurried questions as he ushered them back outside to the garden, leaving Callie with Jakob who stood by stiffly.

Her kindness had undoubtedly dwindled for him, but still, something stubborn within herself kept pushing forward to keep trying to crack him open.

“How are you doing, Jakob?” she asked, taking the moment to lean her tired frame against the wall without the judging looks from her people around.

He nodded curtly. “Fine, your Majesty,”

Her lips pursed as she nibbled the insides of them, her fingers tapping against her arms that were crossed. “I owe you an apology,”

She caught his ear twitching, and was even given a glance. If being the first to buckle was what it took to end this silly feud between them, she’d do it.

“No matter how you feel about the entirety of this situation we’ve all struggled to adjust to, it wasn't my place to bring it up, or tell you what you were feeling, and for the things I said and assumed, I’m deeply sorry,” she pushed off the wall, mindful to stay out of his reach but close some of the awkward distance between them.

When he looked at her again his eyes didn’t flick away, and his glare that had been ferocious that night had cooled. He shifted a little more as the silence prolonged, the words he obviously wanted to say bubbling in his chest. With a quick turn he was facing her, his towering form not as intimidating as the first time.

“I was never given the luxury of being asked, or even being told what was happening yet you and even my own brother have expected me to accept all of this without even a thought of disapproval,” he explained calmly, glancing at his brother who still fought to speak over the Goblins. “You say you made a King out of my brother, but all I see is another human who took what they wanted without asking,”

It stung, his words, to be accused of something so opposite to what she had done, but from the outside looking in, she could see that that’s exactly how some could’ve seen it.

“I hope over time you can come to see that Nik means more to me than just a King, but someone I’ve come to admire and cherish by my side,” she told him, her words softening. “I’m sorry I did this the wrong way, and that I didn’t have your trust before this all happened, but I’m also confident you will come to see that we both made this decision, not only me,”

He exhaled, his scowl growing around his single tusk. “I know that,”

“Then kindly, Jakob, I think it’s time for you to stop looking at me for closure and instead accept that this is our life now. If not for me, then your brother,” she told him, only a moment for him to take in her words and process before Nik came back, the Goblins now chattering quietly and waddling back towards the exit of the corridor.

He worried coming up to his brother and Callie that he would have to throw himself between another altercation, but instead walked into a space not occupied by stifling tension, and met his brother’s calm expression.

“Is everything alright?” Nik asked, glancing between them.

Jakob nodded, his temper settling. “Our men and horses are waiting to return home,” he passed along, his higher thoughts still circulating Callie’s words.

“Hm,” Nik pondered, looking at Callie. “I think I’ll stay here today, actually. Do we have any further errands to run?”

Jakob shook his head, inwardly relieved to know that he could take the day to kick back somewhere in the trees and think, maybe even nap like he used to before their days grew busy.

“Take the day, we’ll meet up again at sunset,” Nik instructed, and reached forward to bump his forearm with Jakob’s.

“My King,” Jakob acknowledged, then facing Callie to nod his head. “Your Majesty.”

“Have a good day, Jakob,” she grinned, watching him depart.

Nik waited until he was clear out of earshot before looking at her in mild panic. “Did you push him again?”

She snorted. “We actually had quite the civil conversation,”

He eyed her. “No broken wrists?”

She giggled, shaking her head. “Now then, I’m assuming the first place you’re going to want to visit in this wretched castle is the kitchen, no?”

His lips flattened into a straight line. “It’s the only good thing about this place,”

“Yes, you’ve made that quite clear, my King,” she turned to slip her hand into the crook of his arm, following close-by as they strolled.

It pained her to know their intimacy wouldn’t carry on past these touches, but in her heart, she still found herself thankful that she could proudly say that he stood at her side, but it also made her wonder how they could raise a child together without carrying out a proper marriage, or relationship, no less.

The trek to the kitchen was brief, and to their delight only a few maids were left inside the wide room when they arrived, bowing their heads and finishing their tasks quickly.

“They didn’t have to leave,” he mumbled, moving to a cabinet he knew held the jerky once the room was theirs.

“It’s me, I bark at them all day to leave me alone,” she winced in guilt, following him in to lean against a counter, her pretty dress kicking up around her feet.

He took a hearty rip of a bite off the piece he pulled out, snarling lowly and reaching for a small loaf of bread off another counter.

“There are sweets in that one,” she pointed across the room, but he shuddered.

“I don’t care too much for sweets,” he said around a mouthful, easily lifting himself onto a counter to sit down, his feet almost touching the stone floor still. “My father wouldn’t allow such delicacies,”

“He’s quite the frightening thing,” she admitted, recalling the striking similarity of their glares, but still vastly more intimidated by his father’s. The thought, however, sparked more, bringing forth questions she’d had since first learning more and more details about him and his family.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked, pushing off the counter to come stand by him.

His ears twitched, his eyes focused on her as he chewed. She almost giggled- he could be awfully cute sometimes.

“How did you and your father come to have matching scars?” she asked softly.

He rotated the loaf in his hands, looking off before himself. Although he looked at himself daily in the reflection of water's surface, he’d learned to repress the memory upon seeing his scar and blind eye looking back at him. “When I was much younger, he had taken me and my brother out hunting. It hadn’t been our first time, but we were so small- we still didn’t know the game like he did,”

She listened intently, not even acknowledging the early summer rain that started to fall outside and splatter across the stone window seals.

“We had come across a mountain screamer, and because I couldn’t take the shot, he attacked my father and swiped across his face. When we returned home, he was so enraged he took his knife and carved the same designs into my face and eye,”

Callie blinked, digesting his words. “How old were you?” she asked.

He scoffed lowly, taking another small bite. “I was seven,” he mumbled. “I think and try to understand what kind of lesson he was trying to teach me, but I think he only hated me in that moment,”

“And your mother?” she asked, desperate for any kind of hope.

“She made Jakob watch,”

It made her feel faint. How could someone do that to a child- their own, no less?

He looked at her midsection and pointed with the loaf. “That little one will never know the burning of a slap or a knife across his skin,” he told her sincerely, although shyly. “I am not my father,”

She shook her head, tears pricking the back of her eyes when she couldn’t help but envision how small he’d been, and how he must’ve screamed at the hands of the man he was supposed to have been able to turn to.

“Do you think we can actually do this?” she asked softly, holding her stomach.

He chuckled. “You’re asking that a little late, don’t you think?”

“You are not worried at all?” she asked, stepping closer.

Nik shook his head. “I know you are fiercely strong, and loving, and don’t bend to other people's words or wills. There is no doubt in my mind you could raise and nurture another to be as furiously brave as you,” he told her, reaching to bump her chin with his knuckles.

She leaned into his touch even for that brief moment, butterflies fluttering in her occupied belly. “Do you think the same way of yourself, Nik?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps. I know that I will love that child and not just raise it to be another King,”

She smiled, moving to pull herself up onto the counter beside him with a grunt and scooting into his side. “They’re blessed to have you and no other as their father, my love,” she rested her head on his shoulder.

Nik felt his heart skip a beat or two, an unexpected comfort washing over his apprehensive body when she so confidently spoke. Throughout their time together, he’d come to learn that her words always held honesty, and compassion, so when she spoke of something like this that filled his days and nights with worry, it was hard not to fold under the anxiousness that drifted from his bones.

He leaned his head back, his cheek atop her head and blinking away the extra moisture.

“I’m blessed to have you, belovun.” He grinned, the pair soaking in the tender moment with the one who would one day carry on their reign.

⦽

poll winner: belle & beast wip

and so the next drawing begins 😌💕 should this one be color or black and white? idk why but i'm feeling b&w lately, but the color from that fireplace could be luscious 👀

and i think i'm going to put a little window up in that blank space so you can see his 👅 on her 🐱 

what do y'all think? 💕

Cathedra (post-pone)

Hey everyone!! I’m so sorry to do this again 😩 the next chapter has to be post-poned until next week due to surprising unforeseen events, but following that- Cathedra will start posting bi-weekly instead of weekly!

I have some projects I’m working on and I need to free up a little more time in the week, and in the long run this will be a schedule I can better keep to without delays 😌 

thank you so much for sticking around and reading, I love you all soooo much!! 🥰🥰

Next Patreon Poll😌

hello loves 💕 it's been a slow month and i'm sorry for that, i've had a lot of covid related bs to deal with 

here comes the next poll though! 🥰 let me know if there's any other suggestions that you haven't seen listed yet! (i'd also like to remind everyone that all people/monsters drawn are definitely of age- far above 18 and it's all consensual) 

venom completed

pencil shading is my comfort zone. i was gonna make this a cell shading drawing but my god it was a disaster 🥲 i'm so sorry it took so long to get this done! all in all this was fun but def a learning experience

that tongue was fun to shade tho 🦋 might be drawing venom again in the future, he's so hunky 

Cathedra - Chapter 6: Mine

I'M HERE, I DIDN'T MISS IT I'M HERE

listen. don't get used to the fluff. 

CW: sexual content, language

⦽

With every step came greater clarification of the kingdom's current state, and with every step farther into the muddy, smelly streets and run-down homes that circled the castle, she realized what poor rulership her parents had provided to the people that had kept this corner of the world standing. The ones she did see were angry, and verbal about it. Although she came with Knights, the people who lived in these conditions still yelled at her, trying to get past her protection.

You’re letting us starve!

Your family was a curse on these lands and now you brought a pig into the castle!

You’re nothing but a whore who took the throne!

The abuse came, but Callie didn’t lash back. She listened quietly, apologizing, moving on and taking it all in.

It wasn’t her place to claim innocence to their rage.

“How did this happen? How did they slack so much?” Callie asked out loud, her eyes full of the grief she’d witnessed on this torturous walk. “How do I even begin to fix it!?”

“I don’t know, my Lady,” Morn sighed, her face covered and head wrapped so she didn’t receive too many glares.

Everywhere she turned there was another family or child with sunken eyes, some crawling after them with their palms upturned for any morsel she may have had to share. She wanted to scoop them into her arms and race them to the castle's kitchen, but just looking out at the bleak surroundings filled her with a dread she didn’t know if she could fix.

“My Queen-!” came a desperate voice, and just as Callie had turned, a thin man who’s clothes barely hung on his boney body flew at her, collapsing at her feet and gripping her dress. “Please, please, my family is starving!” he sobbed, yanking her down. “We need FOOD!”

“Please, please let go- I want to help-” Callie struggled, Morn trying to detach the man's grip, the Knights pulling at his arms, ordering him to let her go.

“YOU CAN’T LEAVE US LIKE THIS!” he screamed, spitting and hitting her legs.

“I won’t leave!” she yelled back, clinging to Morn and the shouting Knights, but the stranger's strength was unbridled. He sobbed and pulled at her in the mud, the fabric of her dress ripping as he was yanked by the ankles.

More had started to circle them, yelling in the same manner and growing closer, but the Knights only stood their ground with their crystal spears in hand, ready to push and impale.

The sharp, debilitating impact of a stone striking her forehead knocked Callie on her side, the muddy hand that caught herself coming to touch the gash at her forehead once the man was finally dragged away, screaming and trying to claw his way back to her.

She looked at the chaos around her, Morn trying to get her back on her feet and the Knights pushing the crowd back, yelling at their Queen to return to the castle.

“Wait- wait!” Callie shouted, the order she’d come with broken.

Callie looked down at the dried mud on her hands and caked under her nails.

The ruined yellow dress had been peeled away and the scratches on her legs and arms had been dressed, as well as the gash on her forehead that throbbed dully in her skull.

She sat alone in her bathroom at the edge of the wooden tub, the water steaming and waiting, but she couldn’t move from this place of deep concentration, and reflection as she quietly swiped away stray tears that slipped down her dirty cheeks. Their transition of power had been nothing short of bumpy, but now she could see where her own inexperience had fallen on the homes and shoulders of the people she led.

She looked at the water, dipping her fingers in. “How do I fix this?” she asked her reflection, the water rippling and distorting her image.

Callie sighed and reached for her scented rose petal box, sprinkling only a few of them across the glass surface to save her last for later since they were no longer in season.

She paused, looking down at the box in her lap, a light going off behind her big eyes.

With haste she bathed and scrubbed the mud off her body, uncaring of the wet ends that dripped and smacked against her back as she pulled on a clean dress; a pearl one that hugged her form loosely and was no cover against the gusts that had swept through the trees all morning, but with her crimson cloak locked at her shoulders, she flew out of her room, startling Morn who had been waiting on the other side.

“Y-your majesty!” she stuttered, skipping to match the Queen’s speedy walk. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m going to see Nik,” Callie answered, skipping down the spiral stairs.

“Did something happen!?” Morn asked more urgently, following her down.

“No, I just need to speak with him urgently,” Callie told her, twisting the ends of her hair that were soaking her back and ringing out the water onto the pavement at her feet.

“Well what’s happened? Why the sudden departure- could it not wait for morning when he’s due back?-”

“NO,” Callie snapped, glancing at her. “For us that is but one meal we would have to miss- a mere inconvenience. For the families in these walls, who know how many days they’ve gone without a single one,” she scolded, the strength of the screaming man’s grip around her ankle still felt. “I cannot wait for tomorrow, I need to do something now,”

“Well what do you plan on doing?” Morn questioned heatedly, about ready to step on the tail of her cloak if she didn’t answer her.

“I’m going to speak to my husband about it and fix it!” Callie implored, pushing the heavy doors of the stable entrance open and walking down the stalls filled with colorful horses.

Although her trusted stallion who spooked easily yet carried her valiantly on her journey to Queenship was a retired horse that would be used for easy strolls; he’d earned it after enduring his own battle scar from Patricia.

Callie shuddered; how long before she pops up again?

“Hello my love,” Callie beamed, walking up to the stall that housed the Vanner Nik had gifted her. She popped her head out, ears forward and big black eyes looking at her as she stroked her blaze. “Are you up for a ride today?”

“Let me gather the Knights, your Majesty-” Morn was already moving to call them over.

“No no, Nik has some men gathered here, I’ll go with them,” she stopped her, meeting Morn’s puzzled stare. “The Knights are awfully pushy,” she whispered in distaste, grabbing the Orcish bridal from the pillar and stepping back to the horse. “It makes better sense to just leave with his men instead,”

Morn blinked a few times, fixing her dress. “You’ll be alright?”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Callie smiled, fixing the Vanner’s forelock after she’d secured the loose bridle.

The week she’d spent amongst his people had been eye opening as much as it was exciting, day after day learning the ways that were such a mystery to her before, but were just as normal as any other activity she’d find herself doing during the day.

“Let's go, big girl,” Callie grunted, pulling herself up onto the back of the sturdy horse. It knickered and tossed its head a little, looking back to press its lip to her leg.

“I’m not afraid to kick you in the nose,” she warned, waiting for the nibbles to turn into bites, but with a loud snort, the Vanner looked forward. Callied nodded her head, settling atop the horse. “Vamos,” she tapped her sides with her heels.

“You’re sure you’ll be alright, your Highness?” Morn asked, moving aside as the horse exited her stall and stepped around impatiently, her plated hooves clopping loudly against the stone pathway.

“I’ll be back today, it’ll be a quick visit,” Callie grinned, drawing the cloak around her shoulders. “Have our steward tally all the food we have in the castle before my return.” She finished with, finally allowing the horse to trot down the pathway.

The mare snorted and threw her head once outside in the cool air, gracefully transitioning into a canter as Callie led her down the bare path through the trees Nik and his men had carved to allow easier access to the castle. It took only seconds for three Orcs to appear behind her, riding their own massive horses with spears and archery in hand and wearing the crimson sashes around their wastes that matched the color of their King.

She allowed the horse to come to a stroll on its own once she’d exhausted herself, still learning its quirks and signals. From the beginning she’s known she was a vivacious girl, and had already tried to throw Nik once when he wanted to see the horse’s capabilities, but no manner of hostility had been shown to Callie, aside from the occasional pinch of her teeth.

Callie observed the lush green around her before looking back over her shoulder at the Orcs who rode at a distance, the one in front nodding his head at her.

She returned the gesture, turning forward.

The ride was dull compared to the parade they had been first visiting his tribe, but the beat of hooves against the soft forest floor and the rhythmic sounds of the forest life around them was always a step into tranquility. She tipped her head back once under the canopy of the singing Ora birds, grinning up at the tunes they passed back and forth.

Following the ride through the winding trees, the men who’d followed her stopped Callie at the tree line, wordlessly telling her to wait there as they scanned the meadow she was to cross.

They galloped away, calling to the others stationed around the tribe and sweeping through the tall grass that could be hiding anyone, but no enemies laid in wait for them this day, and they called her across.

It wasn’t the same celebratory greeting as last time, but many still greeted her kindly once she rode up to them, smiling and speaking to her in words she didn’t understand once slipping down from her horse to greet them. Thankfully she’d remembered to eat the polka-dotted Jasper’s Thumb before coming here as many now reached for her stomach and patted.

She smiled and nodded, allowing the pats and touches nervously; maybe I should push my stomach out…

Nik roused from his nap when he heard commotion rise outside, but before his eyes could even open he was greeting the headache he’d hoped would’ve gone by the time he woke, but neither that or the fever that clung to him like a wet sheet had dissipated. It’s when he knew it would linger for days, as would the insatiable appetite to fuck that would soon come; it was only a matter of time.

“Moon fever,” he exhaled, pushing off his stomach with a groan.

The agitation ached in his bones with vigor as he sat back on his knees, rotating his head and stretching his neck, listening to the commotion outside.

They must’ve seen a bear or something.

Nik finally stood, his big body stiff from an awkward sleeping position and staggering over to the opening of his tent. He rubbed his eyes before straightening out the pants he wore low on his narrow, defined hips, moving the flap aside and curling the end over one of the support beams so he could observe from the warmth of his tent.

How was it that the very person whom he would choose to relieve this smothering tension with was making her way through the tribe, visibly struggling to understand what anyone had to say but still smiling and offering hugs to the young ones that giggled around her.

He chuffed and leaned against the support beam when she saw him waiting. It had been a few days since he’d seen her, but he wouldn’t readily admit out loud that those three days had been rather lonesome after having her company for that week.

When the mob still followed after she made it before his tent, he snapped loudly, harshly, the children giggling away and adults leaving the last of their smiles and praises with the Queen whose head was spinning from the interaction.

He looked her up and down. He hadn’t had a piece of those sweets in a few days.

A break had been sorely needed; they both ached and burned from the constant attempts, sometimes twice daily. The surplus of Jasper’s Thumb had given them the coverage they needed to allow a pause in their activities, but he knew too that she was expected to be showing soon.

As always, they were running out of time.

“This is a surprise,” he rumbled, looking down at her with heavy eyes, but then his brows furrowed. “What happened there?” He asked, stepping out of his tent and reaching to touch her forehead.

She’d forgotten the cut was there until he poked it, hissing at the stinging sensation. “It’s part of the reason I’m here,” she waved his hand away. “I have something important to talk to you about,” she exhaled, pulling her cloak around her arms to hide from the chill of the day.

He shook his head and motioned in the direction of the stream that sat behind the tribe. “Would you like to walk and talk?” He asked. It would be better to stay in fresh air as opposed to the closed space of the tent where her essence would swarm him. She’d eaten the flower again, which was expected, but now her scent was blooming around her colorfully, and it made his mouth water.

His senses were in a heightened state of arousal, his sense of smell and taste being the ones to take most of the assault, and knowing how sweet his dear Calista was only made the desire to touch her more grand.

“Sure,” she grinned, using a hand to pull her dress up around her feet and taking the elbow he offered. “Have you been busy?”

“I have. There’s always some sort of ridiculous matter at the borders between Cathedra and Otherrland,” he grumbled bitterly, strolling beside her.

“Otherrland?” She repeated. The world outside of Cathedra had always been a mystery to all except for the ones who met at the borders to negotiate treaties and the exchanging of goods, and it piqued her curiosity. “Are they humans?”

“No, I don’t know what to call them,” he mumbled, recalling the creatures that walked upright but weren’t shaped normally beneath their layers of clothes. “They’ve only ever dealt their trades and said nothing more,”

She looked forward, a little put off by that. “That unsettles me,”

He nodded. “I think we are okay for now. They don’t seem hostile, just… a little frightening,”

“Good,” she nodded, noticing that his usual upright and proper posture was loose, almost as if he was having a hard time standing straight. “Are you alright?”

His hairless brows furrowed at her. “Why?”

“You look ill,” her nose scrunched, leaning a little away to get a better look over him. “Have you been feeling sick?”

He shrugged, the tension in his frame making his gait stiff. “Somewhat. I’ve just felt a little under the weather lately,” he lied.

Callie looked up at him, the pair walking through the tall grass. “What’s wrong?”

Maybe this one Orcish thing was best kept to himself…  but what would he do when it came next time? And the time after that? Married life meant she would likely be the one this very matter would befall second to him- it would only make sense to warn her.

Nik took a breath, keeping his eyes forward and posture tight despite a fresh sense of embarrassment overcoming him.

“It’s moon fever,” he grumbled.

“Hm?” She asked, letting her dress down to trace her palms over the tops of the wisping grass. That sounded awfully familiar…

He didn’t know how to even explain it. “Every moon phase- males… we-“ he struggled.

She looked at him. Morn had mentioned this before-

“His moon fever used to be quite intense,” she said offhandedly, brushing through Calista’s hair.

Callie furrowed her brows, looking up from her nails she’d been picking at. “Moon fever?”

“Oh, it’s like um,” she snapped her fingers to find the words. “You, a human, have your monthly bleeding? Orcs have cycles where we go into a sort of heat, you can say. It’s our body's way of telling us it’s time to breed,” she explained, the comb tugging on a knot.

Callie listened intently, processing her words. “That happens to you all at the same time? Like on a full moon?”

“Oh no,” Morn laughed. “Whatever moon your day happens on becomes your fever moon. Mine is a young moon so it’ll be coming up.”

“It’s the heat cycle, right?” She asked outright, and he looked down at her in mild shock.

So she knows. “Yes, that,” he grunted. “I woke up this morning with it,” he exhaled.

Callie looked down at her hand splayed across his thick forearm, now noticing that his skin was alarmingly warm, as if a fever was gripping him. She rubbed the rough skin with the length of her fingers.

So moon fever is a literal term. “Is there any way to relieve it?” She asked without thinking.

He patted her hand holding his arm, his grin crooked. “My sweet wife,” he smiled, shaking his head.

She furrowed her brows at his actions and words, blinking, thinking… oh.

“So how do you get it to go away?” Callie asked ignorantly.

Morns laughter was melodic, her head tossing back. “You fuck until you can no longer,” she giggled. “The body wants what the body gets.”

“Breeding,” she said, the pair coming up to the embankment that led to the quiet stream.

Nik looked at her, and she could see the dilated pupils behind his heavy eyelids from the fever that was making his breaths heavy.

The only thing that would help.

She felt her cheeks heat; it had been some time, but not a day had gone by she didn’t think of his voice or imagine his hands on her. The break had been nice, much appreciated-

“Well,” she pulled away from his heated gaze. Her throat felt dry, a familiar excitement stirring in her gut. “I suppose with the absence of your baby in my belly, your fever found itself fit to make itself present,” she suggested, her eyes jumping nervously around.

He listened as he stepped over the edge of the embankment and offered his hand to her, helping her walk down the brief incline, but her words had stirred a strong flush of butterflies in his gut.

She gasped when her footing lost, his colossal hands flying to her sides.

Her eyes found him when her hands moved from his arms and to his thick chest, her fingers pressing into the firm muscle, his skin burning under her touch.

“You’re so hot,” she said softly, finding her footing and standing right before him.

He chuffed when her hands slid down his front, her fingers slipping into the dips and crevices of his chiseled stomach.

Callie looked down, finding the bulge growing in his pants. She glanced over to where they had left the tribe undetected, biting her lip. No one knew they were here, not even his men.

She looked back up when his big hands held her cheeks, angling her face up to meet his mouth and place a warm kiss on her lips. She moaned, standing on her toes, reaching to get her arms around his broad shoulders.

“Someone- someone could see us,” she breathed against his mouth, glancing at the tribe again.

Did she really care about that?

No, no she didn’t.

“No one will even hear us,” he growled, placing kisses on her cheek, leaning down to pull the back of her thighs.

Callie leapt into his arms, moving her weight into his hold when he wrapped a strong arm around her waist.

Her back hit the ground of the embankment when he lowered her, his hot kisses meeting hers as he landed between her spread thighs, his elbows supporting most of the weight she felt against her chest.

Her cloak kept her from pressing into the damp earth that was riddled with sticks and leaves, becoming the blanket they’d fuck upon when Nik unclasped the locks easily at her shoulders.

She reached for him again once the heavy fabric was freed, her feet pulling his hips down as she moaned, and kissed him hungrily.

He looked to his sides when she peppered kisses into his face, her small hands bringing it back to hers after he made sure there were no curious eyes that had found them.

“Kiss me,” she gasped, his ears twitching at the command.

He did, pressing his tongue into her mouth, grinding his cock against her cunt when she whimpered. His growl was loud, and startling, but he couldn’t control the force driving through his body at that moment.

She whined, her nails carving down his arms.

“Oh!” She remembered- this wasn’t why I came here.

“Nik,” she breathed his name, giving him another kiss before he pushed her jaw up, his teeth scraping her collarbones. “Listen to me-“ she couldn’t even listen to herself- his kisses were so sweet, his tusks creating the most brilliant of sensations when they poked her supple skin.

“Huh?” He was struggling to keep from blacking out- these usual rushes of blood to his head were easier to manage, but the heat, the intensity- it was stifling. She was stifling him in the most delicious of ways.

“I need to talk to you about something,” her eyes fluttered, her knees rotating out when she felt his knuckles graze her lips after pushing the sheer layers of her dress up around her bare hips.

“Now?” He asked, looking down at her naked sex.

“It’s why I came here,”

He scoffed, the ties to his pants undone and pumping his heavy dick in his hand that she eyed hungrily, her lip pinched between her blunt teeth. “Well what is it,” he mumbled, the precum dripping off his piercing.

“We,” she gasped, her fingers digging into his wrist when he massaged his tip against her clit. “Oh fuck,” Callie whimpered, loudly, her face turning into his arm that came to rest beside her.

“Tell me,” he growled, kissing her face, switching to swaying his hips to drag his length between her lips, up and down so he could hold her jaw when he kissed her, but his own moans could not be held at bay. Although his skin was flushed, her center was hotter, and it made his patience waver.

He wanted to feel the way her walls parted when he dipped in, and fill her with all he had. He wanted relief from the pressure in his head, the stiff ache in his cock that made him curl his fingers into the cloak and ground beneath them.

Nik soaked in her cries, the sound of his flesh sliding against hers, how her pulse thundered under her skin.

“I can’t speak when you do that!” She breathed, tightening her thighs at his sides so he couldn’t rock forward again. “Listen to me!”

Nik chuffed loudly in her face, his brows flattened in anger and looking at her directly.

She took a breath, moving her hair from her face. “I want to hand out rations to the people surrounding Castle Flores,”

His brows twitched, as well as his ears. “Food rations?”

She nodded, her hands resting on his shoulders. “I walked through some of the markets today-“

“Alone!?” He asked.

“No, fool, I had the Knights with me,” she waved off his concern. “Anyways- Nik,” she looked at him in utter seriousness, grabbing his face. “Those people are starving to death, we have to do something,”

He thought about it a moment, shifting his weight to lean on his other knee, still between her thighs. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,”

Huh? She blinked- did he say that? “What?” She barked.

“Hungry people act hungry, they'll swarm or attack,”

“Because they're hungry, Nik,”

“I know, Callie, but the castle is understaffed and there aren’t enough Knights to fend off that many people if they decide they want more than what we can offer,” he explained, waiting for it to make sense in her head.

The look she gave him was of mild disgust- is that really how he thinks?

“No,” she pushed against his chest, “Move please,”

“Where are you going?” He asked, sitting up and watching her wiggle from under him.

“Something needs to be done and I’m going to do something about it,” she snapped, standing and reaching down to tug on her cloak he still kneeled on.

Nik’s eyes narrowed at her. “Callie,”

“Get off,”

“It’s a bad idea, someone could get hurt,” he said sternly, putting his shrinking cock back in his pants and tying the front.

“I know what you think now get- off!” She yanked, flying back into the embankment when he rolled back onto his feet and the cloak gave way.

She grunted, gasping when Nik’s big body was over her again, her hands pressing into the hot skin of his chest.

“Look at me,” he growled, and she did with a hot chill shooting down her inner thighs. “Wait until we can figure out a better way to get them food. Please just wait,” he asked softly. “I don’t want you to get hurt,”

Her eyes softened. “Then come with me,”

“Not even I can fight back so many humans if they decided to turn,” he told her, scoffing. “What am I saying- as soon as they see me, they would turn,”

“They have not turned the weeks you’ve ruled by my side, Nik. Come with me,” she begged.

He stared down at her, eyes pleading. How did she not fear for her own safety?

Nik shook his head. “It’s not wise,”

Callie exhaled, her look of disappointment making him feel small. “Fine,”

He pushed off the ground, standing to offer a hand and pull her from the ground. He helped dust the leaves off her dress and hair, and when the cloak was returned to her shoulders he asked, “Will you stay the day?”

“No,” she snapped. “I’m going back to hand out the rations,”

Nik stood a moment after her sudden departure, watching her start up the incline again. “You just said you wouldn’t do it,”

“No I didn’t,” she called back, almost falling again.

“You said-“ but he cut himself off, she really hadn’t said that. “Calista!”

She made it to the top, smoothing down her dress and carrying on along the same path through the grass they’d taken. She turned when Nik’s steps approached behind her, halting when he got in her way.

“Wait,” he held a palm up.

“No, you told me what you think, I know what you have to say,” she pushed past his big shoulder, but he turned and grabbed her wrist.

“Can we at least wait a few days to gather more Knights from the borders?” He asked, hanging on when she tugged against his hold.

Please Callie, just listen to me this one time, he wanted to beg.

His body was on edge and on fire, and all he wanted to really do was curl around his wife and relax but she was pushing him to a limit she didn’t know existed. The thought of a mob going after her made him frantic, like he had to throw her over his shoulder and run just to make sure no other could lay a finger on her.

“Those people don’t have time, they truly do not,” she shook her head, the faces of the people who screamed at her still fresh in her mind. “They weren’t even people, Nik- it was like, like skin stretched across bone,” she tried to convey, her face twisting.

“I’ve seen the hungry,” he assured her. “But this has to be done right,”

But. Always a ‘but’.

“No,” she snatched her wrist from his hold, her skin stinging. “Nothing we have done has been done the right way so I’m not going to start now,” she said through tight teeth, leaving him with a dead glare before walking away.

If she’d done her work on the less than conventional side this entire time, she’d continue to do so if it gave her the results she so desired.

“CALLIE,”

She stopped and turned at the intensity in which he called her name. He was already almost to her, his steps heavy against the soft ground and his frame looming over her.

He heaved with deep breaths, the light mist of sweat starting to shine across his skin.

She looked up into his eyes, but didn’t see the rage she expected. He looked exhausted, almost as if teetering on the edge of something.

The moon fever. She took a step back that he claimed as his own, looking directly down at her.

“Don’t be stupid,” he snarled.

“Don’t be a coward,” she hissed back, her glare just as mean as his. If the time hadn't been narrow, she would’ve thrown her fist into his ribs for that one. “I expect to see you there.”

He chuffed when she again turned heel and walked away, not even a glance spared over her shoulder at him.

“Why did you even come if you weren’t going to listen to me!?” he called angrily, his rough voice carrying.

“Because I thought you would support me!” she screamed back.

It stopped both of their rampages, bringing Nik down from the high level of frustration he was at, but she didn’t wait to hear what else he may have had to say.

On his Queen he saw the hurt his actions left, her expressive brows furrowed rather than arched. The crimson cloak flowed behind her speedy steps towards the tribe, her hood pulling up over her head and her lips unflinching even for the smallest of smiles as Orcs approached her again.

She slipped by their hands reaching to touch her and the kind words she knew they had to offer, finding her horse tied at the front where she had been left.

The looks on their faces was of questioning after she hoisted herself up onto the mare's back, the bridles collected from her mane and jabbing her heels into her sides with a loud vamos!

The horse reared, its front hooves swinging and a steaming snort billowing out from its flared nostrils.

And then she was racing away, the Vanner stretching its legs as it galloped across the field Nik’s men had not had a chance to sweep before her departure.

The sting of hurt feelings sat uncomfortably in her chest.

Perhaps he doesn’t find me capable of doing this, she considered, the crisp wind freezing her cheeks. The endless thoughts and emotions rampaged her as she broke through the tree line, the shade of the trees even cooler against her shoulders covered by the cloak.

Callie pulled back on the reins, the Vanner eventually coming to a walk. It still tossed it’s head, her mane bouncing around her face and crest.

She patted its shoulder, easing her with soft shh’s.

The horse walked on, strolling easily along the path, but Callie’s thoughts took her elsewhere.

Don’t be stupid.

She exhaled. That word made her so mad it would bring tears to her eyes.

“I’m not stupid,” she ground out, using the back of her arm to wipe the hot tears.

Even if I were stupid it wouldn’t take brains to know that what’s happening is wrong.

Heavy hoof beats approaching rapidly from behind spun her on her spot atop the horse, her glossy eyes flying open and heart rising into her throat.

Bandits!?

Nik and Lyuda’s familiar form barreling towards them immediately vanquished that terror, but the residual was still tingling on her skin. She fought to calm her breaths, a hand on her chest and turning forward to compose herself as he rode up to her side.

He slowed Lyuda who chewed on her bit noisily and came to walk beside Callie’s mare.

She could feel his eyes on her, looking down at her even when sat on their horses. She looked down at her hands and the leaves upon the branches, everywhere but his face that had tilted and leaned forward to try and catch her sight.

With a huff she finally looked at him, and he found the shine of tears cast across her big, beautiful eyes.

The irritation that had driven him to ride up on her and chew her out was gone, and he was left staring at her as she looked away to wipe the back of her hand across her eyes.

“If you’re here to keep calling me stupid then please just leave. I can do this on my own,” she sniffled.

Fuck, keep it together- why are you even crying? In front of him?

“What!?” She yelled, her chin trembling.

“I’m sorry,” he told her, sincerely.

She glared at him, lips pressed tight together and breath held, waiting.

“Your idea and generosity isn’t stupid, or unwise. I just don’t understand why it has to be done right now,” he shrugged, struggling to see her vantage.

“Nik, time is their enemy,” she said. “Waiting for some can mean waiting for salvation, but to others it can be waiting only for the death you fear to come,”

He took her words in, recalling the time she beat her hands against his chest in fear that her own days were to come to an end from the hand of her family. Her time was once limited and it turned her into the same person who’d clawed at her feet in desperation and fear of death.

“They waited for my parents to help them and now they’re waiting on us,” she added. “This is our Kingdom but those were my people first,”

He nodded, his understanding of the situation growing. “I want to come with,”

A flicker of resolve flashed across her brows. “You do?”

“I’m your shield upon your back. I swore I’d stand by your side,” and he meant it.

Even if she drove him mad to the point he sometimes wanted to tear a tree apart, he always found her words unscrambling the mess in his mind, making sense of things that otherwise frightened him until he’d come finding her like this.

She wanted to do what was right, and he loved her so for it.

Nothing gets in your way, not even me, he realized silently, the pair riding through the quiet of the forest, that was before Nik brought his fingers to his mouth and blew a loud, carrying whistle.

She recognized that one. With a turn to look behind them, a small group of his men came from the tree line, trotting after them at a distance.

Callie looked back to Nik who was also turning forward, pulling the cloak around his arms.

A small smile tugged the corners of her mouth as she gazed at his handsome face, his stubbornness eventually giving way and returning the small grin. She tugged her reins ever so lightly to the side, the horses bumping shoulders and their legs touching.

Jakob chuffed lowly from his place at the back, matching pace with another male that had known the twins for years.

“What’s your problem?” The Orc, Kentu, asked, his brow knit together in confusion.

Jakob motioned towards the two. “She came and tossed a fit again and now he’s buckled,” Jakob explained, his tone of utter annoyance.

Kentu chuckled, his belly shaking. “You would give in during your fever moon, too,”

Jakob sucked his teeth, hissing. He glared at the back of Callie’s head, his eyes narrowing when watching her then reach and touch his brother's arm when they spoke.

His resentment towards Callie had been tapering off until her arrival that morning.

He’d seen her come only to leave his brother melancholy, yet somehow had turned the tables and made him feel bad about the outcome of their conversation.

Nik had told him the specifics of their argument didn’t matter, that he’d been the one in the wrong before he ordered him and some of their men to accompany them to the castle, but what else couldn’t be as obvious as what he’d seen?

“Bah,” Jakob chuffed, diverting his eyes. What a brat.

⦽

Callie approached the stone banister of the grand balcony at the front of the castle, an additional pair of thrones set under the overhang for the King and Queen to sit upon as they addressed their kingdom, but she didn’t give them a second glance once coming out into the nighttime air.

She leaned over the stone banister, watching below as the wooden carts pulled by their strongest horses rolled out across the heavy draw bridge of the castle, the food that had been collected for weeks stacked high and covered in tarps.

Knights on their own horses rode beside them, announcers yelling at the top of their lungs from atop the carts that rations were being handed out.

She watched quietly in anticipation, her arrival going unannounced by her order.

The first of heads started to poke from run down houses or shacks, people who kept their veggie or fruits stands up all night in hopes of a buyer lifting from their crouches after passing out from exhaustion.

“One bag of rations per person! Each head gets beans, wheat and meat! Line up at the carts- children and mothers at the front!” They shouted from the horse drawn carts, stirring people from their homes and sleep.

They filtered out slowly, confused and disbelieving such an event was taking place, but still gathered around as the other carts raced away, down into the valley where the outlying homes sat. Some took quick notice of Callie at the top, pointing and directing gazes of other angry citizens, but as soon as one stepped forward with palms raised and the bag was handed over, they all started to stumble and reach up.

A step at her side turned her head, and from the doorway she could see Nik lingering in the shadow of it, watching her with eyes that reflected in the dark.

God, I love that. She motioned her head towards the crowd. “Come see,”

A look of displeasure flickered across his face. “I’d rather not,”

“Are you scared?”

When he couldn’t just say yes, he shrugged, leaning against the stone of the doorway. Not even the days following their snatching of the thrones had he seen so many humans collected in one place. Nik went out of his way to avoid this entire area of the castle where he knew the humans lived just on the other side of the walls, but even just being there at the balcony was enough sounds and smells to make him want to haul ass home.

When she walked to him with her eyes locked on his, he tensed, his skin tingling as she drew closer.

He let her grab his hands and pull, still resisting a little as she led him to the banister.

“I’m right here with you,” she told him, her thin arm sliding around his and her cheek resting against the burning skin of his bicep. “I’m your shield upon your back,”

Although he was silent in his response, his heart felt full, warm. Her words enveloped him, making it possible to look down and meet the curious eyes of the creatures that had hated and attacked him for simply existing.

His first instinct was to run when someone pointed up at him and Callie, but she held steadfast to him.

“They need to see our faces,” she told him, looking up at his troubled expression. “They need to respect the face of their King,”

With a deep exhale he planted his feet and remained at her side, watching the shouting and clawing grow more urgent down below, but although many of the starving, angry people screamed up at their young leaders that stumbled along the way, they took their food quickly and ventured back to their homes. Still, Nik couldn’t help but feel a little disturbed staring down at them.

It was like skin stretched across bone!

She was right- how had her parents let it get this bad?

Callie didn't want thanks, or even smiles- she wanted to know that the ones in those homes who had likely been suffering through sleep that night with empty stomachs could now share a few smiles with each other.

In a matter of only a half hour the carts had been cleared and the last of single men or teenagers that had fled from their homes were taking their rations, leaving the night to quietly settle once again.

The Knights looked up at their leaders and signaled the completion, the heavy drawbridge lowering slowly and it’s chains rumbling through the castle.

“I saw no swarms,” she commented to him lowly, meeting an aggravated stare.

“You were right this time,” he replied, the tension easing from his stiff frame. Thank the heavens- how would he even have handled a human mob?

She narrowed her eyes, weighing her hands. “I’ve been right on a few other occasions,”

“Few and far between,” he grinned, grunting when she elbowed him.

“Nik,”

They turned at Jakob’s voice, finding him standing in the same spot Nik first showed up in.

“A nobleman needs to speak to you,” he told him, gesturing his head to the inside.

He nodded, looking at Callie. “I’ll be right back,” he told her, his hand lingering at her side before stepping away.

She grinned at him and watched him walk away, but her eyes shifted to Jakob who had stayed in the doorway, looking bitterly at her.

“Good evening, Jakob,” she greeted with a warm smile, but his face was unmoving. “Have you seen this side of the castle yet?” she asked.

There was a pause, but he still shook his head.

“Why don’t you come look? You should know the lays of the land up here on the mountain as well,” she offered, turning back to rest her hands on the stone banister.

She didn’t look again, for she didn’t want to put any pressure on him to join her, but he did eventually wander out after a few minutes of chuffing and huffing, even standing beside her to look down at the last of the people walking around.

Vermin, he said to himself, his lips scowling against his single tusk.

She looked at him from the corner of her eye, trying to gauge the attitude of the silent brother of Nik’s, but when he was around her he was only an unflinching prick. Her hands slapped the stone gently, turning to face him.

“Can I ask you something?” She asked.

He looked uncomfortable when she faced him, shifting a little away, but still didn’t speak.

“Do you hate me because I’m human or because I made a King out of your brother?” She asked outright, looking up at him with eyes full of determination.

He was taken aback- he hadn’t expected that question.

His tongue slid across his teeth under his lips, the malice growing on his face. “Both,”

Her brows bounced up. “You’ve never even spoken to me,”

“I don’t need to, I know exactly how you humans can be,” he finally hissed, his voice smooth compared to Nik’s.

“You think I’d do that to him?” She hissed back.

He paused, looking her up and down. “I think you’re capable of it,”

“Why would I take him along with me to the thrones if I wanted to harm him?” She rolled her eyes, her hands on her hips.

Jakob chuffed, glaring down at her. “Why did you even choose an Orc? Why him?” He growled, taking a half step forward and challenging the scowl she wore on her own face.

“Maybe you should ask yourself why that bothers you so much instead of asking me. I’m not the one who has a problem with your brother, you are,” she snapped.

He blinked, her words making him hot. “What?”

“You’re jealous that Nik took the throne before you had a chance,” she read him, only a brief interaction needed to understand where all of his rage was actually spewing from and now she knew exactly why he could barely stand to speak to his brother let alone her.

“Shut up,” he snarled.

“He told me about how you two would’ve had to fight for a spot after your father stepped down, and I’m sorry you lost your chance,” she implored, staring up at his pained eyes. “However Nik is a good king, he did this for you as much as he did for me,”

“Shut up!” He yelled, making her flinch. “You don’t know what you’re talking about-“

“You shut up!” She hollered back, reclaiming her step and pointing her finger up at him. “Now I hear that you’re mad and you have every right to be but taking it out on Nik and stomping around like you’re going to blow the castle down isn’t how you sort that mess out!”

“Now you listen-“ he nearly roared, snatching her wrist tightly in his hand and squeezing to the point she cringed and whimpered. “You don’t know what you’re talking about you stupid little-“

His insane grip was ripped away from her wrist painfully, her arm yanked harshly and her eyes lifting to find Nik’s back stood before her.

Jakob stumbled back against the vicious shove Nik pushed into his chest after he’d torn his hand away from Callie, his eyes glowing with rage and lips pulled back over his teeth.

“You keep your hands off of her-“ the words ripped through him like the roar of a lion, pushing Jakob back towards the entrance. “If I see you lay another finger on her I’ll rid these lands of you, Jakob- get inside!”

Callie watched with her ringing wrist pressed to her chest as Nik shouted at him in a tongue she didn’t recognize, Jakob glaring back at her a few times as he was shoved away.

Nik looked back at her in shame, his rage coming down from the miraculous level it had been at. “I’m sorry,” he told her.

“Nik!“ she called, but after shoving Jakob who protested loudly through the doorway, she could hear their bellowing argument carry down the hall, likely startling anyone else who would bear witness to two giants like that fighting.

She stood on the balcony alone, feeling as though she should have followed, that this was her fault.

She’d let her annoyance get to her and speak for her.

Callie sighed, holding her face. I messed up.

⦽

The crackling fire warmed her folded legs, leaned on her hand and looking down at her wrapped wrist resting in her lap.

Although the sprain ached, it didn’t bother her. What did was waiting for Nik to return, assuming he ever made his way back after he departed with his brother.

She felt irritation towards Jakob for being such a fucking hot head, but she’d contributed to this fight too, and she worried he was telling Nik lies about what she’d said. If he twisted the story, who was she to say Nik would take her side over blood?

I’m not even a real wife, she realized, anxiety stirring in her belly.

The iron handle of the door moved, her head spinning back to look. Her heart fluttered when Nik stepped in, quickly standing to rush over to him.

“Is Jakob okay?” she asked, meeting his puzzled expression as she walked backwards in front of him.

“You mean are you okay?” he corrected, grabbing her arm to look at her wrist with heavy scrutiny.

“It’s just a sprain-” she winced when he rotated it, apologizing softly as he let her go. “Is he okay?”

Nik exhaled. “He’s fine,” he grumbled, moving to the spot before the fire she was once at and sitting down on the plush rug with a groan. “He had quite a lot to say, though,”

“Nik I’m so sorry,” she sat beside him, leaning closer to catch his eyes. “I really wasn’t trying to start anything- I meant to just talk and then I got mad,” she confessed, slipping off her knees and onto her bottom.

“It’s alright,” he looked at her calmly, his body obviously rigid from exhaustion as he rested an arm over a propped up knee. “I think whatever you told him stuck with him because I couldn’t even get a word in with him after we left,”

Her brows furrowed, scooting closer to listen.

“You told him he was jealous of me?” he asked, and she shrunk a little.

“Not so blatantly,” she mumbled, but he only scoffed.

“He kept going on about how he wasn’t jealous, he was fine, he didn’t need a skinny little human to tell him what he felt,” he listed with a small smile.

“I should’ve been calm when I made my point,” she stressed, holding her hands over her face.

“No, no,” he pulled her hands down. “You said what needed to be said weeks ago,” he admitted. “I’ve been trying to find a way to tell him nicely that he just needed to suck it up and get on with life but I couldn’t find the courage,”

“He was mad for the right reasons, too,” she understood, plucking at the wrap around her wrist.

“Regardless,” he shook his head. “He shouldn’t have laid his hands on his Queen,”

She scoffed, swiping at his thigh. “He’s never seen me as that,”

She saw his hand reach to catch hers, his thick digits carefully, softly rolling her lithe fingers.

“He should not lay his hands on my Queen,” he clarified, holding her small hand in his, his rough palm moving beneath hers as he caressed her skin.

Their gazes were locked, the air trembling around them.

When his hand that had held hers ventured forwards to touch her knee, she held her breath, her thighs starting to slide apart.

The fever had lingered in his skin all day as they prepared the rationing, and he’d kept his irritation at bay, willingly helping her put together her spur of the moment plan, and he’d not once made any complaint about it or the work that was put into it.

“You helped me today,” she whispered, her legs stretching before her, and knees raising as she leaned back on her hands.

His touch grazed down her legs, holding her ankle gently and his thumb stroking the silky skin. He chuffed softly, watching her every move intensely.

“Perhaps I could return the favor,” her voice cracked, and she saw him swallow, his eyes glancing down at the junction of her thighs when they slowly started to spread.

“Perhaps… we should take advantage of your fever,” she whispered, her voice unsteady.

The ferver he’d woken with that morning was shooting back into his limbs and head, pulling deep breaths over his tongue.

Nik whined low, rocking forward onto his hands so he could crawl over her, following the alluring sparkle of her eyes as she reclined onto her elbows, then falling on her back as her knees grazed his sides once his big body was over her.

He breathed in again- god, she smelled like she wanted to be fucked. It made his heart rampage in his chest, his dick throb painfully in his pants.

Callie could hear the deep breaths, and she saw the flutter in his eyes when she stared at his face and dragged her nails down his chest, pushing into the robes he was wearing.

Her brows furrowed after touching his skin. “You’re so hot,”

“It’s the fever,” he groaned, at last kissing her when she pulled his face down.

Having his body over her was like having hot water splashed across her; she couldn’t believe how much heat was coming off of him, or how he shook over her, holding her head as he adored her with wet kisses.

Her small hands clung to him, her ankles locking at his lower back. She wanted him to stay in this spot forever, where she could always wrap herself around him. She wanted his hands to keep roaming the spots he’d already caressed before, always bringing forth the butterflies that left her breathless and wordless.

Callie gasped and looked at him in confusion when he sat up, but was left to hungrily watch the way he pulled the layered shirt away from his chest and off his arms.

She reached to trace her fingertips down his stomach that clenched under her touch, her fingers hooking into the top tie of his pants and pulling the tie loose, then the crosses below it, one by one.

The rosy flush across her cheeks was intense, watching the fabric part and the bold vein that led to his dick straining in the pants travel farther down the patterned skin of his lower stomach.

Nik’s head dropped and he landed back on his hands over her when the pad of her fingers dragged down his shaft, his heavy dick twitching.

Her touch was pulled away when he pushed her onto her back once again, scooting closer between her thighs.

She pulled at the dress under her, bunching it around her waist when he stopped her hands.

“Can I see you naked?” he growled, both of their eyes hazy when they met.

“If I can see you the same way,” she breathed, nodding loosely as he did when he reached down for a brief kiss.

Callie gasped when he pulled the ties at her waist loose with one finger, her body lifting as he tugged until the knots were gone.

The dress was pulled away; split at her chest, off her arms, across her thighs.

It was the first time never having any material to cover her scantily, and was the first time he  could press his huge, naked body to hers after he’d kicked off his pants.

“Oh-” she sighed, her head falling back against the ground when his tongue flicked one of her standing nipples before sucking it into his mouth. His monstrous hands that could cover her chest instead pushed her freed breasts together, placing kisses and licks across them, his teeth clamping down around the supple skin.

She flinched, smacking his arm. “That hurts!” she hissed, whining against his mouth that had come to claim hers.

“You are so pretty,” he said against her lips, holding her jaw still.

Her core clenched, her thighs tightening at his sides with a loud whimper.

Where did that come from?

Callie’s world spun when he grabbed her shoulder and flipped her, now sprawled on her stomach and his fingers pulling her hair back from her cheek.

He tilted her jaw up, his fingers splayed across her throat as he kissed her, a soft moan pressing against her mouth.

She broke from his lips to moan when his warm cock pressed between her cheeks, the hot skin of his thighs against the back of hers sending goosebumps across her ass.

They both groaned when she reered into him, her fingers gripping the discarded clothing beneath them.

She knew to lift her ass higher when feeling his dick prod her entrance, the blunt tip already slippery from his own juices as he slid up and down.

The pressure in his head was insane, the heat in his face almost stifling.

“Put it in,” she whined, her body writhing against his pokes.

“You,” he chuffed, moving her hair aside so he could see her face.

She looked over her shoulder with half lidded eyes as he kissed her forehead and temple, sliding her knees forward and elbows beneath her.

She was clumsy, and grew frustrated easily. Everytime she’d get his tip at her hole, he’d skip off and land between her cheeks or pointing down, flustered grunts and whines starting to rattle in her throat.

“I can’t do this,” she exclaimed breathlessly, smacking her hand against the rug.

“Sh sh sh,” Nik hushed, and his hand slid between his stomach and her cheeks to align his rigid cock.

Callie gasped, bouncing her ass until his tip poked in, making her stomach clench.

She whined long, and loud as he pushed in, her walls slicked and pushing back on her hands until her cheeks touched his lower belly.

He breathed as harshly as she did, fighting to keep air in his lungs when he looked down between them. Nik let out his own pathetic whimper, circling his hips against her ass, feeling how he wiggled and slipped around inside her.

“Mi rey,” she cried, her chest to the floor and back arched deliciously for him to touch, her body filled to the brim and trembling for more. “Nik, please-”

“Lay back down,” he muttered, pushing her flat to the rug.

She whimpered when he slid back in, her ankles crossing and toes curling. His forehead rested against her head when he withdrew, her nectar sparkling across his dick.

This is what his body had screamed for all day.

His mind was unraveling more with every slow drag in and out of her sweet pussy, his head hung and fingers digging painfully into the ground beneath them.

“Ah- ah- ah!” she shouted with every impact, the jolts of his dick invading her body enough to make her see blurry, but the pleasure that stemmed from his thrusts- it was unbelievable.

His rhythm was always graceful, his pelvis smacking her ass and rolling back into another thrust, over and over again, never missing a beat, until he decided to quicken his pace.

“Oh fuck- oh my god-” she sobbed, gasping and clawing at the ground.

He snarled loudly with his eyes pinched shut, his knees sliding out. Callie’s head tossed up when he fucked her like an Orc would, his hand catching under her jaw to keep her head stretched back, placing kisses at the corner of her mouth and lips that parted in the wake of loud sobs.

She was perfect, and so beautiful, and-

“Mine,” he growled low, his lips pulling back over his teeth and biting her jaw carefully.

Callie shouted, her body shaking and stretched beneath him as the pleasure built brilliantly.

“No one can touch you-” he huffed, “because you are mine.”

And he was so utterly in love with her.

⦽

Cathedra “bundle”

Hey everyone! 🥰 I’ve come to gain your opnion on something I’m being asked now quite frequently, and since it’s to do with Cathedra’s development that you've all been involved with, I’m giving you all the chance to tell me what to do with this new conflict 🤔

I get asked quite often if people can buy the entirety of Cathedra and it’s art, but I don’t have it all done, that’s why I post chapter to chapter. 

However, this question pops up enough now that I wonder if completing the story and compiling art of it to sell for like $5 might be better- I’ve already had one delay, and with my kids home because of Covid, interruptions may keep coming up and I don’t want to test anyone’s patience 😭 

so! What would you prefer, loves?

if you have any comments or concerns please feel free to bring them up here or message me!! 🥰 (I’m posting this survey on IG too) 

Abandoned Titanic AU

I was in love with it for a hot second but never got around to finishing it, so heres some old art! I might start depositing dumps of drawings like this so I don’t loose them, after my first IG was deleted I lost a lot of old art I still miss 🥲

fluff 🌹

venom is coming!! so is that missed chapter of cathedra next week cuz the computer is up and running again!
in my free time tho i've started role-playing for the first time ever and i cannot express how much fun i've had pairing up Leo with my friend Jeseka Hun's beautiful girl Rosalie who is depicted in this fluffy lil sketch (they're both missing their tattoos 🙈🦋)

 extremely excited to see where these two go and safe to say im officially hooked but a little upset i didn't start this years ago lmao 

venom coming soon!! thanks for your patience 🥰 

chapter 4 art

"wrap your legs around me." 🦋

Cathedra Update

hello everyone! just a heads up that this upcoming Friday there wont be an update for Cathedra, unfortunately! I've run into some technical issues and the computer I work on (my husbands) needs some maintenance 🥰 my apologies! the following week (the 27th) will continue with the normal posting schedule unless otherwise stated! 

Thank you everyone who's showed it love thus far, I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it! 🥰😭

angry face

lighten up Jakey 🦋 

okay back to the smut lmao 

i forgot all his scars- 

oodles of doodles

stress art cuz my complex is flooding from the storm lmao i hope my car doesn't float away 🤭

Cathedra - Chapter 5: Forever

now pay attention: don't get too swayed by the fluff 😩

CW: sexual content, language

⦽

She adjusted her grip at the back of his neck, letting one arm dangle at her side. It relieved the ache in that arm, but it was only a matter of time before it would give out, her legs eventually following. Her thighs already burned after bouncing in his lap for what felt like ages.

“Y’okay?” Nik breathed, his eyes still closed.

“Uh-huh,” she moaned, whimpering when the big hand that had been splayed between her naked breasts dragged down her soft stomach. She moaned and shuddered, her head dropping back when his thumb that had disappeared into her curls circled her bud.

He knew this spot well now. These past weeks of intimacy spent with his writhing Queen had taught him the ins and outs of her body, as well as what made her pleasure peak, this being the one spot that was always guaranteed to make her scream. He’d learned that just as he loved canvassing the plains of her supple body, she adored the way his hands could engulf her.

He felt the muscles clench and twitch below his hand still stretched across her belly, her body faltering and losing rhythm.

Nik cracked a small smile, feeding into the temptation to take his turn.

“We don’t have time for this,” Callie sobbed, the drops of her ass harsher. God, she wanted to scream and dig her nails into his chest every time his dick hit the back of her pussy, though she could’ve gone without how jarring it was every time he found his way in.

Just that first push in though, she rationalized with herself, circling her hips at his base. Nik inhaled sharply, his hands skipping up to her sides to keep her pinned.

Callie pulled herself in, his arms circling loosely around her as she ground in his lap. Low growls and groans rumbled from him, and she held his head against her chest when he dropped it there. She panted, face up towards the ceiling and biting her lip.The rubbing did to her what it did to him, hitting every delicious spot within her.

Nik hissed, his eyes cracking open. “Be nice,” he growled, her nails cutting into the back of his neck.

“Sorry,” she retracted her claws.

The pair looked between them after she leaned back, and Nik mumbled something unintelligible and non-English when she rocked, the smooth hill below her belly button pressing outward.

He exhaled harshly, his face pinching and teeth bared in a loose snarl.

“Fuck me,” he ground out, dragging her back and forth across his lap, his grip on her the only thing to keep him from floating away as he relished in the slippery passes in and out of her honeypot.

Feeling, and imagining how deep he was in her gut made him want to laugh because sometimes, he just couldn’t fucking believe that his life had taken such a turn, but one heavy eyed glance downward struck him with that delicious, juicy slap of reality.

“You’re making that face again,” she giggled.

“Shut up,” he snapped with a cold glare and hot cheeks, but she only snorted in the face of his anger, pushing off her feet to bob in his lap.

Callie watched him tense and cry, smothering her own to listen to the way her Orcish lover, who’s mere size was enough to intimidate most, melted into a helpless puddle of moans and twitches.

Nik’s eyes dragged to the tall doors across the great hall their thrones sat in, ensuring that their guests waiting on the other side had not yet heard them.

It must sound like applause in here, he chuckled under his breath, the clapping sometimes echoing loudly off the stone walls.

“How long are we staying with your tribe?” she asked breathlessly as her movements became progressively sluggish, her stamina waning.

“A week,” he growled. His body felt electric when she tightened around his dick after his big hands slid to her cheeks, bringing her up and down when she’d grown too winded. Every impact was met with a short moan, her body craving the next thrust again and again.

He glanced at the doors again, his eyes heavier. With a low groan he wrapped his thick arms around her waist and stood, startling a sharp yelp from her.

“Why?” she asked exasperatedly, letting him spin and press her back into the seat of his wide, decorated throne. He could let her weight rest below him in the seat, his hands slipping behind her thighs to push them to her chest.

“We didn’t have time for it,” he cracked, glancing down to see where he poked. Her pussy was flushed from fucking, her juices still coating his skin.

“But we have time for this?” she glared with her ankles atop his shoulders and a fine sheet of sweat coating the skin of her chest.

Nik leaned far in, his hips following the drop and his dick squeezing in.

He smiled although she could not see the toothy leer with her eyes firmly shut. Her arms fell uselessly beside her when he pumped at a leisurely speed, the sound of their flesh sliding together louder than the deep breaths that expelled from her body every time he pushed in.

Oh how she wished she could just draw these moments out instead of rushing through them.

Through the numerous fucks filling the two weeks after their first time, she had realized there was only the most limited time to bask in these gentler moments where she could look up at him and see her emotions reflected on his face.

This also wasn’t the first time she’d wanted him to close the distance between them and kiss her.

She had felt the sharp tusks at her chest when he’d first asked if he could taste her skin. On the third time they’d ever fucked, he mumbled the question with his fingers buried deep in her cunt. It took only seconds for him to rip her dress apart after she’d said yes, his massive hands pushing her breasts up into his hot mouth. She remembered the most intense wave of goosebumps overtaking her body as his tongue wrapped around her tingling nipple, mindful of his teeth when he sucked on the thin flesh.

She wondered if they would poke her lips if they ever closed the intimate space between them in positions like this, but she’d never had the courage to make the move. It wasn’t something that bothered her terribly, not when he so perfectly fucked her like this whenever the moment found them.

“Taking your time?”

Her eyes snapped open. “Shut up,” she tried to smack his forehead, but Nik’s reflexes were sharp as ever and he snatched her wrist.

“Keep your hands to yourself, wench,” he played, snickering when she tried to use her other hand, but he caught that one too. Now both of her wrists were pinned against her stomach, and with a shimmy of his shoulders, her ankles dropped.

“Fuck you!” she spat, twisting her arms in his strong hold.

“I’m trying, your Majesty,” he puffed with a tired smile. Nik leaned into his hand, his pace increasing and their skin slapping together.

She choked and stiffened, a familiar pressure starting to expand in her stomach. “Hurry up then,” she forced out.

He nodded loosely, saliva pooling in his mouth upon watching her breasts bounce. “Can you make it?” he asked breathlessly.

Callie shook her head, squirming fervently below him. “Just, just finish,” she slurred.

He chuffed lowly, panting, watching her pitiful attempts at hiding her pleasure. “C’mon,” he urged. “I can tell you’re almost there,”

He moaned when her walls fluttered around him, her back arching off the seat. It would come crashing down around her soon, but instead of running towards that end, she was hesitating again, soaking in the sensation of having him exactly where she wanted him.

It was a treat to watch her like this. Moaning, sighing and writhing, those big sparkling eyes flickering to his as he fucked her.

It was like this everytime. The pep talks he gave himself before scoping her out in the castle could never linger long enough to keep him on track. It would take but one gaze upon her to turn his mind backwards, the more logical side of him gladly stepping out so he could bathe in these brief visits to heaven.

I just can’t help it with her.

Nik shuddered, a low wave of distorted pleasure signaling that his end was approaching.

“Cal,” he chuffed, his breaths coming in deep heaves and his pace slowing.

“It’s okay,” she moaned, her sore wrists finally freed and her touch moving up his chest to feel his heart pound under her palm. “Cum,” she encouraged, watching his eyes slide shut and head hang when it finally happened.

A few of his loud cries echoed through the hall as he emptied, and she could feel the pulses in his meat as he laid motionless in her after a few more slow pumps, his head pressed snug against her womb. His body rocked with deep breaths and his arms shook, at last looking at her with tired eyes and a goofy smile.

Her brows raised. “Are you done?” She tried to ask cooly, but she hadn’t finished and it was aching.

“Mhm,” he mumbled, looking down to watch where he pulled out. Callie grunted, the pressure in her stomach freeing. Nik slapped his wet dick against her lower stomach a couple times, smiling deviously at her and saying, “That one should do it,”

What a freak! “Says the one who hasn’t been able to do it in two weeks,” she pushed against his stomach with her foot so he’d stumble back.

Nik looked at her in shock as she stood with unsteady knees, her thighs pinched tight together. “How do we know it’s me? What if it’s you?” he retaliated, reaching for his pants as he pointed at her.

She looked at him as she pulled her dress back up around her breasts. “It’s not me,”

“It’s not me!?” he boomed, and she shushed him vehemently. “It’s not me!”

“IT WAS A JOKE,” she wanted to shake him, but the loud knock from the double doors drew them both to look over. That was Morn’s signal that they would be entering within seconds.

“Impatient,” Nik growled, finishing the ties at his hips and fastening his thick cloak back at his shoulders.

He finished just as she’d scooped their heavy crowns up off the ground, shoving it under his nose when he looked down at his father’s creation with malice.

“Just a few more hours,” she reminded, her arm growing tired from holding it up. How does he hold his head up when it’s on?

Nik took it begrudgingly, placing it on his head with a low growl, but drew his cloak closed and crossed his arms angrily. She giggled, placing her own crown atop her head after fixing her long hair that was likely tangled at the back of her skull.

“Who’s out there?” he asked, finding his place before his throne and turning towards the empty hall. He found himself having to shake some of the wobbles from his legs; he wouldn’t be caught weak kneed around the ones who didn’t respect him as their King.

“Humans only, today,” she answered lightly, her hand slipping into his arm and waiting.

He snorted. Especially not humans.

“Good thing they can’t smell you right now,” he squared his shoulders as he teased, a cocky grin splayed across his tusked lips.

She jabbed her elbow into his side just as the doors opened, smiling at his low grunt.

Their guests whose faces were painted and caked in mismatched tones poured in, arms raised in mock elegance and looking every which way at the hall Nik and Callie had both had a hand in re-designing. They chattered and cooed, pointing here and there as they fawned over the hall they’d seen repeatedly but still gushed over in hopes of gaining a sliver of praise from their Queen. But Callie’s stiff stare remained absolute even as one by one they came before their King and Queen to bow and reveal the gifts they’d brought on the momentous day.

“This was cutting it too close,” she whispered to him.

“If you’d let me fuck you this morning you wouldn’t have it leaking down your thigh right now,” he whispered back.

“You were dripping wet and took your time tearing the kitchen apart,” she whispered hotly, but he remained unphased.

Rugs, food, silks, exotic animals- all were gifted to the Royal rulers that were to be officially married that day, the presents piling against the far end of the hall where servants scrambled to manage the hissing servals and a laughing hyena. The pair watched in masked amusement, unbelieving of the chaos that had poured in so quickly.

The last of the flashy guests finished presenting, but not a single gift had been shown even the slightest interest from the King and Queen, further unsettling the wary visitors that had once ruled these lands.

Nik’s ears twitched, watching the guests he didn’t care for mingle and whisper, often glancing up at the two sat in their thrones and observing the party around them.

“They have a lot to say about you,” he looked at her, and she followed his eyes to the three women huddled and smiling brightly at Callie once her eyes met theirs. They were quite droopy looking, with the silliest of features between them they could’ve been a child’s rendition of three poorly dressed trolls.

She scoffed. “They should worry about the things I have to say about them,”

Nick chuckled. “They’re probably trying to see if you’re showing yet,”

“Your people won’t have to see to know we still haven't succeeded,” she whispered softer. The anxiety over the issue had steadily risen as the days passed and she didn’t fall pregnant, and today being the first time she would ever ride out to his home meant her nerves had been at a steady rattle all day.

“I have it under control, Calista,” he again told her, but nothing would calm her fear that once stepping close enough to another Orc after weeks of avoiding it, they’d call out their secret and her world would come crashing down.

Her concern was obvious, but she could only trust that whatever he had planned to douse her scent would be enough to fool a few hundreds worth of Orcs.

Callie nodded, looking back out to the guests filling the hall with talking and laughter.

She wanted all of these people gone and to quietly contemplate the day that was to come, meaning having a back-up plan ready in case Nik’s back-up plan failed, whatever it was.

Everyday his nose would press to her neck or hair in search of the telltale signs that he’d at last laid a baby in her, but so far it had been only disappointment that met the busy pair. Each time it was found she wasn’t pregnant, it sparked urgency in the pair, thus meaning that whenever the moment found them would be where it happened.

Somehow they had not yet fucked in a bed, but had ended up by the willows, in the kitchen and even the staircase leading to the watchtower. Her screams had echoed in empty halls and out in the trees surrounding the castle, sometimes muffled into his palm when her cries of delicious agony grew too powerful. And although he could make her face red with fury in a split second, it was from those fights that the colorful memories she held closest were created.

It was exactly how a mere half dial ago they had gone from screaming in each other’s faces to Callie pushing him back into his throne and crawling into his lap right before they were to host a party for their official wedding.

Yet even amongst the fighting, the deception, even while he so adoringly cradled her body against his in the heat of the moment, she wondered if this was the normality of a couples life together. A rulership and the stumbling kingdom that followed their lead should’ve turned her green with worry, but as soon as Nik would show up, her trepidations felt so meek.

If he were to tell her everything was okay even with the castle on fire, she’d believe him, so when he said he had everything under control, she believed him again.

Callie watched him. He was doing nothing more than quietly observing the vast room and it’s occupants, but this calming presence alone brought peace, happiness even; something no other had ever done.

The intensity she once thought was lust upon seeing her King had bloomed into her first love, and today she was to be married without knowing if he at all had similar feelings.

Love was never an option for you, Callie. She turned away, sighing softly.

When the priests came with their ceremonious robes and swords, Callie didn’t face them with nerves as she thought she would on her wedding day.

Instead, she found confusion occupying her heart. This had been the day she dreamed of, to finally solidify her place at the head of Cathedra, but these thoughts were the farthest from her mind.

How had she let her emotions slip from the careful control of her grasp? She wasn’t supposed to be concerning herself with whether the King loved her in return, or even held any emotions remotely close to love.

But as they faced one another, she found herself wanting nothing more than to have this moment in privacy. She didn’t want strangers' faces peering up at them in false elation, or the priests praying from their bibles and the servants- she only wanted this moment to be theirs.

All she could do as the ceremony started was focus on him as their matching swords and fitted robes were bestowed upon them, the first blood across their blades being their own. Although their marks had healed from their first pact long ago, the blade was still drawn across the crescent scar in her palm before their palms joined.

Callie looked up to find him looking down at her with impassion, ears twitching as the vows were told and the mingling blood dripping from their hands was collected into small vials they both would wear about their bodies for the remainder of their lives.

“Death will never find this union, for your commitment will carry into the afterlife,” the head priest dressed in robes of black silk and pearl white crosses brought the twisted dagger he carried against their hands, his blade ringing and glowing.

Nik took a hesitant step back, gripping her hand tighter when feeling the blade grow icey.

“This day marks your souls tying so you may find one another in a different life, and carry on the duty bestowed. The child you bear will carry on the Code of Cathedra and lead our people to golden lands of prosperity,”

They looked at one another, controlling their little smiles.

The blade dulled, the warbling around its length softening until it was silent, and removed from their hands. No mark or cut had come to harm them, but they both felt as if they’d received a shock up their arms.

She got to see the splendor in his eyes when presented with the polished, black crown she’d had carved from the plates of a Stellar Dragon, its weight matching that of one made from steel. The one he’d worn with malice was taken from his head, and the new one shining with bloody rubies and the points painted in the red paint from his tribe was placed upon his skull. His head rocked side to side in test of its weight, a shy smile splaying across his face when he looked at her.

His shoulders squared, his back a little straighter. This was a crown he would be proud to wear.

He too got to see her eyes twinkle in unrepressed thrill when the much more delicate crown that would decorate her hair was brought into light, the baby pink crystal melted into the sharpened studs that made the crown making her heart sore. She could not resist first to reach and touch the braided band crafted at the base of the crown. Her disbelief showed across her wondered expression as she looked up at him again, surprised that he’d had a hand in designing something so pretty.

He grinned as she did when the crown fit her head perfectly, undisruptive of the pretty waves in her dark hair.

“By the power bestowed from this holy union, I now present the rightful and true King and Queen of Cathedra,” the priest's booming voice rang in the halls, their visitors standing from their seats that Nik and Callie turned to face.

“King Nik and Queen Calista, guard our holy land and uphold the Code that shelters these people with peace and bountiful life. To you, we trust our lives.” He finished, and the room silenced into a bow before their leaders.

Nik shuddered. “Why do humans do this?” he hissed at her.

Her brows furrowed, hushing him.

Their guests stood, but only to find their young leaders walking away towards the back of the room, Morn coming to stand where they once did with a polished Knight beside her, his crystal spear forever at his side.

“Your King and Queen apologize that they’re expected at neighboring lands for royal matters, but encourage you to enjoy the rest of your day in the castle and the food they’ve provided.” Morn announced, bowing her head and wasting no time in following the same path as her leaders did before when exiting the room.

Before they walked out of the matching set of doors that were hidden behind tall floor to ceiling curtains, Nik looked back to chuckle at the way they all stood gaping and confused after watching them walk off like that.

“You humans are so bizarre,” he commented. Callie looked back at him before splitting off into a separate room to change, Nik carrying on with his chiefs and advisors.

“The red or the purple, My Lady?” Morn asked, the two dresses draped across her arms.

“Uhh,” Callie pondered. “Purple. I need to lay to rest that nickname I keep hearing,”

“I think it’s quite deserving, actually,” Morn shrugged.

Callie glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Do you think so?”

“The Crimson Queen is a name I’d fear before I respect, but that’s exactly what you need in a twisted nation like Cathedra,” Morn reasoned, the dress slipped over her head and pulling at the ribbons across her back.

“As long as I’m not looked at in the same light as my mother I’ll take it,” she mumbled. “Bring the red one for tomorrow.”

“What was that you were saying in there?” she asked, meeting Nik in the courtyard at the center of the castle with Morn and her advisors.

His brows furrowed, matching her pace as she approached. “Oh, I was saying the way humans bow to one another is weird,”

“Why?”

“Just because I’m a King doesn’t mean I need you to be so openly submissive to me like that all the time,” he cringed. “You’re still a person, that doesn’t change,”

“Hm,” she nodded, facing forward on their way to the stables across the castle. “I never looked at it that way,”

When they arrived, a small group made up of Knights and Nik’s men were waiting for them with their horses packed and ready for travel, but upon finding Lyuda in the crowd, Callie only found herself circling in the mud a few times in search of her stallion.

“Come, my Queen,” Nik’s hand against her back brought her alongside him.

“Where is he?” she asked, stopping beside Lyuda who instantly bumped her cheek with her soft nose.

“You won’t need him,” Nik told her, double checking the girth strap.

Her face mushed against Lyuda’s gentle nickers, pushing her giant head aside. “Am I no longer invited?” she asked as he went about lifting his horses hooves to check their condition.

Nik snorted. “Of course that’s what you would think first. You’re riding with me today,”

She blinked a few times as she processed being pressed against his firm back for that ride. “Why?”

“You’ll see,” he grunted, letting the horse’s last hoof down. “But first,”

From Lyuda’s back he pulled down the fabric she had not paid any mind to, the thick material unraveling like the ripples of a waterfall. Its color matched Nik’s cloak, but the golden embroidery that consisted of beads and jewels absolutely took her breath away. She touched the unique material, looking up in confusion when he draped it around her shoulders.

“For me?” she asked, looking down to observe him clasp it at the front with a small iron hook.

“For you,” he affirmed, stepping back to watch her pull the cloak in around her arms, her nose burying in the material. Goosebumps rose across her arms; it smelled like him.

“Did you make this?”

“I only told them what I had in mind,” he admitted, happy to see he’d correctly judged its length despite repeatedly telling himself there was no way he couldn’t remember how tall she was.

She smiled, her hands smoothing over her shoulders and down the edges. “I adore it,”

God, that seldom seen smile made his heart weep. It only appeared in moments of privacy rather than intimacy, and those opportunities to spend honest time together were equally rare.

What he would give to go on another walk with her to just talk.

“Everything is ready to go, your Highness,” Morn approached them, bowing her head.

Callie’s face soured. “No more bowing, please, but thank you Morn,”

“Oh,” Morn piped. “Your wish is my command.” She smiled, turning heel and walking back to the group she’d been collecting with.

Nik was a little taken aback; he hadn’t expected his brief rant of disgust to so quickly stick with her. “We’re off then,”

She stepped back and watched Nik easily pull himself up onto Lyuda’s back, tugging gently on her reins to steady the small steps she pressed into the muddy ground after storms had plagued their day.

“Come,” Nik reached a hand down, gripping her forearm carefully when she held onto his. With an easy lift that made her stomach flip, she was situated on the massive horse behind him, their bodies pressed tight and left with no choice but to hold his sides.

“I’ve never seen a Queen travel like that,” one of Nik’s men commented as he strolled by on his own silver draft, nodding kindly to Callie as he passed.

“Why are we traveling like this?” she asked, looking back at the numerous Orcs and men following them with their swords ready in case of an ambush. “No one else is sharing a horse,”

“You’ll see,” Nik only responded, his heels tapping Lyuda’s sides gently.

Callie’s hands rested at his hips when the group moved, leaning around his wide shoulders to see where they were headed before she turned head to observe the people around them.

Her eyes met Jakob’s, who she had not realized had been with them. She was quite used to his glare now where it used to unease her, but after realizing Jakob was more bark than bite, she found the most effective way to deter his looks was to just stare right back.

So she did, even grinning and waving when he visibly tried to dominate the glaring battle.

He rolled his bright golden eyes at her, snapping at his dun stallion and cantering past them.

Nik furrowed his brows watching his brother take off before them, glancing back at Callie who wore a small smirk.

“I told you to leave him be,” he scolded.

“How else do you expect us to get used to each other if we don’t even talk?” she asked.

“He just needs time,” Nik replied, his white eye looking back at her.

“You’re babying him,” she whispered, her chin on his shoulder blade.

Irritation erupted across his features immediately. “Shut your mouth,”

“Make me,” she fired back, knowing the blush that she could feel on her ears was obvious to him, but still couldn’t stop staring up at that mean glare.

Nik knew better than to halt their journey that had only just begun, but the obsessive thought of fucking her until his name echoed through the trees could only follow the sensation of her fingertips brushing the tops of his thighs.

It was near impossible to pull away from her gaze, not even when the soft sprinkling of rain hit their cheeks and heads.

A soft clap of thunder made her eyes flutter, the glamour falling and Nik turning forward again flustered as all hell.

She smiled listening to him mumble and chuff while he pulled the hood to his cloak up, following his lead when the sprinkles turned heavier.

Her crimson cloak fanned generously around her legs and even across Lyuda’s rump, shielding her from the weather and crisp breeze rolling through. Admiring the work of the fabric was bittersweet; while she adored the gift, she wondered if Nik had fought to have his people make this for her, a human.

She looked ahead at Jakob who’s own fur cloak was wrapped snugly around him, his bald head still out and on a swivel at all times.

What if the others hated her just as much as he did? Is he ready to accept that could happen?

“Nik?” she said his name softly. He turned his hooded head towards her. She opened her mouth to speak, but struggled; she felt foolish. “I’m nervous,”

“About meeting my people?” he asked, and glanced back to see her nodding. “They will not harm you if that’s what you’re afraid of,”

“I don’t- that’s not what I’m worried about, I’m worried they’re going to all feel the same way as him,” she gestured towards Jakob, Nik following her direction. “I know you’ve faced the same back at the castle but I’ve never done this before,” she expressed.

Truly he understood her worries as well as he did his own, and although walking through the castle or the kingdom's grounds was easier than it was before, he still remembered the day it all happened, and how fearful he was even of the servants.

“Even though some are bound to dislike you, the worst that can happen is just that, Calista,” he told her. “I will be by your side the entire time we’re there, and I can guarantee the most hate you’ll receive is your daily dose of Jakob’s glares,”

Callie giggled, hiding her smile from the others with her hood.

“I almost forgot,” Nik exclaimed under his breath, reaching back into one of the bags perched on Lyuda’s side. He dug and grunted until finally sitting straight again, but Callie couldn’t see what he messed with.

“Here,” he reached a hand back, and from his palm she grabbed a small, white, dainty flower with brilliant red spots all about it’s pedals. “Eat it,”

She looked up at him. “Excuse me?”

“It will make your scent increase,” he whispered, moving his hood to look at her. “Eat it,”

“How will that help?”

“Pregnancy doesn’t have a scent, it’s yours just… amplified. This does what your body will do when it eventually happens,” he explained.

She eyed the flower, hesitant. “Does it taste bad?”

“Unfortunately,” he confessed, and he could hear her groan. Nik didn’t turn so she wouldn’t see his grin as he listened to her chew and gag on the flower. “Don’t you dare puke on my horse,”

“I’d aim for you before the horse.” She coughed, the awful taste coating her tongue.

The trek was filled with deep mud and crossing streams that were swollen with rain, but traveling under the protective canopy of the forest saved them all from getting soaked. Callie had not yet taken the path Nik and his men had made after countless journeys up the mountain, but it was much easier to ride through then the steep one she’d always taken.

The trees were green and lush, multitudes of forest birds calling around them even with the gentle sprinkles filtering through the leaves above. She smiled and hid her blush against his back when he whistled the three tone note that was instantly picked up by the nearby Ora birds, stirring a disgusted glare at their flirtatious behaviour from Jakob.

After the easy hour of riding and the soft conversation between the ones traveling dwindled, the vast, sprawling meadow Nik’s tribe made home in finally started to come into view between the dark trees. She couldn’t understand the Orcish words Nik used when speaking to his brother and men, but they raced off into the meadow, likely to scan its surroundings to make sure no enemy was laying in wait.

“What’ll happen when we get there?” she asked, pushing her hood down.

“Change, marry, eat the rest of the day and celebrate. Normal wedding,” he replied cooly, but still felt some unrest. There was no predicting exactly what would unfold today.

He snapped from his daze when he caught her soft snort. “This isn’t a normal wedding,”

“That should make it more exciting then,” he smirked back at her, carrying on into the field when Jakob signaled.

She could see small fires lit around the numerous tents, the tops of heads moving here and there starting to appear as the distance closed.

“I almost forgot again,” he suddenly said, pulling her arm forward. He pressed his nose against her inner wrist, his breaths tickling her skin as he sniffed. “It worked,”

She smelled the same spot he did when he let her go, but couldn’t smell any difference. “What do I smell like?”

“Yourself, you oaf,” he played, taking the hard jab in his side.

There was a group of women dressed in colorful robes and wraps waiting for them upon their approach through the long grass, their kind smiles framed by flowers and vines that had been crafted into headdresses and decorative pieces. Little ones and curious adults quickly gathered when their King came into view, tightly packed together and chattering loudly.

Callie pressed her face to his back one last time, struggling to gather her nerves.

She understood now how he must’ve felt coming to the castle; she really had been insensitive to the matter.

Almost all smiled and waited for the horses to stop, the men that had tagged along sliding off their horses and greeting their families and friends, Jakob included.

Callie reluctantly let Nik go when Lyuda stopped beside the women, his leg throwing over her crest and landing on his feet before turning to her.

“You’ll be okay,” he whispered, reaching to grab her sides after pulling her leg over.

She had no choice but to trust him. Callie too landed on her feet with his help, facing the Orcs who all held flowers and fruit in some of their arms, but almost all smiled or showed a look of endearment. Her heart still raced, but it was already off to a better start than she’d anticipated.

Nik’s hands landed on her shoulders when standing behind her.

“Everyone, this is your new Queen and my wife, Calista,” he announced in Orcish, her name being the only thing she recognized.

She flinched when they all exclaimed, the bundles in their arms she thought were flowers actually being thousands upon thousands of pedals now thrown into the air and sprinkling all around them. She was approached by the women amongst the clamor and excitement, braided vines decorated by colorful leaves and flowers weaved into the plants. They spoke to her as they wrapped them gently around her shoulders, smiling around their carved tusks.

She glanced back at Nik when they led her away, a separate group of women surrounding Nik to prepare him also. With Morn coming to her side though she found it easier to depart from him, trusting the small smile he gave her. With a nervous grin and leaning heavily on Morn to help translate, she followed the woman who studied her hair and passed orders back and forth as they approached a tent.

Jakob approached Nik, scowling at the Queen as their people ushered her away.

“You’re not going to supervise her?” He asked, and faced Nik’s puzzled expression.

“She’s not a child,”

“She’s never been here before,”

Nik shrugged. “She needs to get used to how it is,”

“What if she says something stupid to them?” Jakob pressed.

“She won’t,” Nik scoffed, following his own mob of Orcs that led him through the tribe towards his tent to ready him for the wedding that they’d been preparing days for.

“You can’t predict how a human will act around us,“

Nik looked at him flatly. “You really think we need to be on alert with her? The one who’s marrying me? The Orc?” He asked, waiting for it to register.

“That’s not what I mean-“

“Think about your words before speaking next time, Jakob.” Nik finished, the look to his brother more pleading than demanding.

Nik walked into his tent with the chattering women, his brother left flustered and irritated before turning to stand guard outside his King’s tent, but not without a few loud, angry chuffs.

It had not been the way Nik wanted to start this arrival back home, especially when his brother was already so reluctant to join him when the time came to seal his fate to the human he so despised, but Callie’s words had resonated in him since that ride.

He needed his Hand of the King to be sharp and vigilant no matter how his emotions affected him, but maybe allowing him so much time to stew in that negativity had had the opposite effect Nik hoped for.

Later, he reminded himself. There were more urgent matters to tend to.

It didn’t quitte strike home what was coming until Nik’s hand, which had already been sliced into that day, was prepared for but another ceremony. They painted his dark skin with the reflective reddish, purple-y paste made from flowers and berries, and stung upon sitting on his skin. On his face, down his arms, even across his chest it all went, his crown replaced on his head when they’d finished helping him dress.

Nik placed the blood vial back around his neck himself before he exited the tent, again facing his brother who looked him up and down in shock.

“You’re really doing this?” Jakob asked quietly.

“Did you think before you spoke?” Nik asked angrily.

“I am asking as a brother concerned for his own. Are you sure you want to do this with your life?”

He could hear the sincerity in his voice, and before him saw the veil of anger fall when speaking his true words of concern.

“I have been sure about this decision for my life, not yours. That’s all I have to say about it anymore, Jakob.” Nik made clear, letting the silence pass between them when seeing Jakob process what he really meant.

And he understood that this was it. All the questions that had been answered but were to his dissatisfaction would always be so, just as the decisions Nik would make from here on out, but it wasn’t his burden to carry like it had been when growing up.

He nodded, dropping his eyes when Nik walked away.

Repercussions wouldn’t come to strike across his skin just because his twin brother had done something wrong, like their father had beaten into them. Nik was tied to this great duty, and although Jakob had taken on his own, he, like his brother had become, was free to do what he pleased.

He followed Nik with his eyes up but lost in his own thoughts, the world around him taking on a new perspective- that was before the women who had dressed Nik snagged him by the arms to drag him into the same tent and prepare him as well.

They found one another again when the sun was setting, and the remaining light was shining against the paint on her bare arms and cheeks. He was awestruck upon approaching his Queen, then left completely breathless when she looked at him. Callie was draped in thin robes that cascaded down her form elegantly, flowers of the same colors collected in her hair and on her crown in pretty bunches.

He found it difficult to speak even as they made their way to each other and to the spot they would exchange hands. He’d not felt the impact of this momentous day until standing with her small hands sliding into his palms, her wrists covered in the braids and bracelets crafted by the women who’d dressed her.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, and she nodded with a smile.

“You could’ve told me they were going to bathe me,” she whispered, evoking a chuckle from Nik.

“Was it bad?”

“Morn said they kept saying I was hairy,” she replied hotly, bringing forth another laugh.

They quieted as the others gathered, hundreds of Orcs alone or with their families coming to surround the couple joined in hand before the head priest of the tribe. He was tall, taller than Nik and much bulkier, but in his hands he gently held the bracelets they’d exchange and the silk that would surround their hands.

Nik watched her breathing increase when the crowd silenced, the priest stepping closer.

“Don’t be nervous,” Nik whispered, catching her attention and giving her hand a light squeeze.

She listened to the priest speak in words she couldn't understand and to each of them, wrapping their hands in the white silk that was heavier than she expected. He gestured to Nik, and he said his own name, then pointing to her so she could say her own.

There was a warm sensation that was hidden by the silk, and when it was removed she found the same bracelets he’d been carrying now around her wrist.

Her eyes widened in surprise; how had he done that?

“From this day,” the priest spoke English, further surprising her. “Your devotion will be the shields upon your back, and your guidance will light each other's way. When eternity ends, you will still be joined at the hand to take on the struggles that lovers face together,”

Their palms were upturned again, but Callie tensed and flinched when the small, less flashy blade then the Priests at her castle was drawn from his hip and pulled smoothly across their skin.

“Here today, you promise everlasting, and today here this promise cannot be shattered,” he pushed their palms together, his massive hands clasping over them. “Do you swear?” he looked at Callie, his missing eye making his face twist into an angry frown.

“I swear,” she looked at Nik. I do.

“Do you swear?” he then asked Nik.

“I swear,” he promised her.

“Blessed by our ancestors who guide us to the next day and the ones who shower our lands with life, I name King Nik and Queen Calista of Cathedra, husband and wife.”

Callie flinched, but smiled when the crowd around them erupted in shouting and cheering, something she’d not expected after witnessing multiple, silent weddings at the castle, but she found herself laughing when flowers were thrown into the air all around them, landing against her head and shoulders as they tumbled back down from the sky.

Just as she’d turned to face her new husband, his big hands she could recognize with her eyes closed gently held her face, his lips sealing hers in a soft kiss.

Callie’s world shifted so fast it made her stomach knot, and the noise around them for a moment was silenced when she could solely focus on him, and how his thumbs swiped besides her eyes before he parted just a hairs worth to kiss her again.

She held onto his wrists, her heavy eyes closed and body alive with the intensity.

Callie’s eyes lingered shut a few seconds after he pulled away, meeting one another's steamy gazes.

“Why did you do that?” she asked when his hands fell from her face and he grabbed one of hers.

“Keep up appearances,” he answered.

“Yeah,” she smiled, mild upset flickering across her face. Appearances.

“C’mon, let’s eat.” He pulled her by the hand gently, waiting when she hesitated, and only moving when she did.

Her heart both sang and wept when his thick arm curled around her, holding her tight to his side as they made their way through the crowd that cheered and sprinkled them in blessed water and grains. They laughed and covered their faces, the widest smile she’d seen from him gracing her when she looked up.

God- how could he fake that happiness? Could someone even be capable of such deception?

Even if this day has been orchestrated for purposes outside of love, did he not feel even the slightest hint of compassion?

He hoped by the time they made it to the wide fire they sat at the head of upon skins she could see his intentions had not all been simply for appearances. Nik kept her tight to his side, a hand always rested at her thigh or hand, often turning to whisper what his people spoke of.

She’d felt his breath brush her shoulder when watching a performance, waiting with tingling skin for his lips to rest there, but it never came. She tensed every time he drew close to her, but every time it didn’t happen she cursed herself for being so easily swayed by such immature emotions.

All of this is for appearances, don’t forget.

“How are you feeling?” he asked around a mouthful of food when they’d all sat to eat, the chatter around them loud with robust conversation and laughter, but she could still hear his rough voice perfectly so close like this.

“I’m good, actually,” she nodded, looking out. “I thought this would be scary but it’s been fun,”

“It has?”

She nodded. “When I was getting ready I don’t think they knew what to do with my hair,” she giggled, touching the flowers braided into her tresses. “But I like how they did it,”

“You look very pretty,” he spoke without thinking.

She felt her exterior weaken, her heart weep. Shut up you confusing, stupid, handsome son of a bitch.

Callie cleared her throat. “If it’s always this lively here I can’t imagine our eventual child would want to grow up anywhere else,”

“Not even at your beloved castle?”

She glared and swatted his thigh. “Enough about my castle! If my parents hadn’t been so poor with its care it would be a beauty. But, yes, not even the castle. I don’t want them to grow up looking at the same stone walls I did everyday,” she recalled grimly, her mood dampening.

Nik felt the energy shift, her eyes distancing.

“That ride alone isn’t something I’d want to make often,” she added, snapping back into reality.

“Oh!” he piped up, quickly standing. With a final bite of the food he’d been digging into, he dropped it at his feet. “I need to show you something,”

“What?” she asked, pulled to her feet against her own will and away from the fire. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. We’ll be fine, Jakob,” he told his brother while passing.

“Hello, Jakob,” Callie grinned, just to see him glare.

Jakob only nodded his head.

Her head spun faster than he’d ever seen an arrow fly as they passed, staring at him in surprise as Nik continued to drag her away.

“He spoke to me!” she hissed excitedly to Nik, turning to wave but did not receive the gesture in return.

“He didn’t say anything,”

“That’s a whole lot to say on his terms, though.”

Through the tents connected by thin sand paths made between the homes and small booths covered for the night he led her away from the glow of the fire and laughter, their path still lit enough by torches to see they were coming upon a grove of apple trees. In the quiet of the field were the horses they all herded, massive drafts of every coat pattern grazing peacefully in the crisp wind that made the grass hiss around her hips. They turned their big ears to the couple as they walked by, some greeting Nik in search of treats and others sleeping with their babies at their sides.

“I see Lyuda,” she smiled, reaching to smooth her palm against the shedding fur across her crest. The horse’s ears perked forward, following Nik close behind when they passed.

They wandered deeper into a small gathering of horses clustered together, and with a few shoves from Nik against the beasts that flared their nostrils at him, a smaller breed was revealed at the center, its striking chestnut and white markings making her gasp.

“Is that a Vanner?” she asked in awe, approaching the horse slowly.

“It is,” Nik smiled, watching her.

The horse was young, but friendly, unflinching when she stepped forward to stroke the blaze on its face. Its creamy white mane was brushed and tied into a loose braid made from the stems of wild flowers, its tail decorated with small blooms.

“He’s quite gorgeous,” she mumbled, completely captivated by the gentle giant.

“She is, and she’s yours,”

Callie turned to face him, her mein amiss. “Excuse me?”

“She’s a gift,”

She was still silent, stepping to better face him. “Excuse me?!”

“It’s why I told you not to bring that stupid stallion of yours,” he laughed.

“My stallion isn’t stupid!” she frowned.

“He constantly throws himself over the fences,” Nik reminded, but she snorted.

“He’s cooped up,”

“Anyways, you’ll be here for a week and need a horse that’s more reliable when we travel, and one that better suits you,” he explained, leaning against a tree.

“You don’t think my stallion suited me?” she asked, and he shook his head.

“You aren’t stupid,”

She grinned, walking up to him. “You also said this horse was gorgeous,”

“You said that,” he fired back.

“But you agreed,”

Nik’s ears twitched. “I’ve already called you pretty once today,”

“But this is the second gift you’ve given me,” she noticed, her head cocking. “Are those for appearances too?”

He paused, swallowing. That was more upfront than he expected. “No, they weren’t,”

She collected her nerves, taking a breath. “But that kiss was?”

Nik’s heart was thumping loudly in his ears. “No,” he confessed.

She nodded stiffly, glancing down at her hands that were fiddling before her. “Then can I have another?” she asked softly, looking back to the intrigue filling his mismatched eyes.

In three great steps he was before her, holding her face again when he leaned down to press his lips to hers. He relished in the soft moan she gave, her hands gripping his tightly to make sure he wouldn’t pull away so quickly this time.

He was careful, and patient, knowing this was likely to be the first time she’d ever done this, but he so adored the way she gently kissed him back when he pecked her waiting mouth. He could not stop taking small glances of her face, and the flush that coated her freckled cheeks as he pressed soft smooches to her soft mouth that grew more curious.

He felt her fingers curl in the shirt at his chest, her calves starting to burn from standing on her toes, but she didn’t want this fire to smother when he pulled away to look at her.

Again the air between them pulsated, their breaths shallow and quiet in the space they occupied closely together.

“Was that your first kiss?” He asked, and she nodded against his palms.

“It was,”

Why did that make him feel so guilty?

Far off calls in their name came from the direction of the tribe, bringing their hazy eyes over to see. A couple of them shouted from the distance they were at, and Nik looked back down to her, smoothing her hair away from her cheek when another breeze washed past them.

“They’re calling for us,” he mumbled, dropping his hands to her shoulders.

“We should go back,” she said, but his attention was only on her mouth.

With a final, hard kiss that had her holding his cheeks this time, he parted, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and taking her back to the others.

“So that’s the horse!” he exclaimed loudly, stirring giggles from her that she smothered with her hand.

Callie at last wrapped her arm around his waist when strolling side by side, the conversation passed between them made in whispers with secret smiles as they came back with the promise of dancing and more food, but with her mind racing and heart reacting anytime he’d touch her or smile, the night carried on in a daydream like state.

Until the rain they had prayed would stay away came crashing back down over their celebration they danced, but once the sky had opened up, it sent them all scrambling and laughing, running head on into their tents and each other.

Nik and Callie stopped twirling with their faces to the sky, the heavy drops landing on her cheeks.

“C’mon!” He called over the roar of the rain, dragging her through the crowd and mud.

She laughed and stumbled, covering her face as they weaved.

Nik drew back the tent flap after they finally made it down the crowded path leading to it, ushering her in and following behind.

Callie wiped her eyes and moved her wet hair back, looking around in the dark.

Nil grunted when he bumped into her. “Sorry,”

She heard him rummage around, and waited with rain dripping from her face until he lit a small torch at the far end of his tent, at last illuminating the space around them. She grinned at the small treasures he’d accumulated from traveling; trunks, rugs, paintings.

“You’re quite cultured,” she glanced at him, stepping closer to a tapestry that hung crudely from a support beam.

I stole that one… “Ehh,” he shrugged, flopping down onto his wolf skins at the center of his ‘room’.

The rain beat harshly against the top of the tarp above, drumming down its sides.

“I hope Morn is okay,” she mentioned.

“I’m sure she found someone’s bed to cuddle up in,” he smirked, patting the spot beside him. “C’mon, she’s fine,”

With reluctance she joined him, her robes damp but bearable when pressing into the warmth of the skins. She settled on her side, pressing her cheek into the thick fur. Ugh, it felt like paradise letting her sore feet rest.

Nik grunted and flopped onto his back beside her, his heavy limbs slapping against the layers.

The paint that was left after they’d sweat it off was now washing away with the last of the rain left on their skin, the pedals once in her hair scattered and falling out. It had been hours of dancing, laughing, and small touches in between, but it was a night she would never forget. Callie had expected the ceremony to be much like the one at the castle- formal, strictly down to business seeing as this whole arrangement was made on business.

She looked at him through the dim light, watching in amusement as he rubbed his tired eyes clumsily.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

Nik’s head snapped in her direction. “Huh?”

“That you didn’t celebrate with someone of your choosing,” she mumbled, her brows arching when he snorted.

“I chose this life with you, I’m well aware of the decisions I made, Calista,” he sassed.

Her grin was small. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as you were when you met me that first time,” he gazed at her, finding her sleepy eyes in the low light. He also caught that shy, personal smile again, and when she wiggled her way across the skins to press her forehead against his shoulder.

“I knew to trust you when you said you’d make a good husband,” Callie yawned, wiggling her head deeper into the fur.

“How did you know?” His curiosity pushed him to ask, maneuvering on his side to press his forehead to hers.

“You’ve never broken your word.” Were her final words before she fell under.

He knew the moment she fell asleep after watching it happen so many times, and waited until it happened to push her damp hair from her face and behind her ear. Nik touched the back of her hand that was half under her cheek before he rolled onto his back again, staring up at the rain pattering against the top.

But again he looked at her, stuck staring at the beauty in the dark beside him.

“I won’t break our promise of eternity.” He whispered, his hand carefully landing on her thigh to pat.

His eyes fell heavier as the exhaustion set in, eventually sliding shut and her soft snores beside him lulling him to sleep.

⦽

LAST venom sketch i swear

i had to tweak some stuff and add some stuff and decide how i'm gonna render this but here is the final sketch before i lay this bitch to rest 😌🖤

the dong won 

Urgent: Venom

i'm in dire needs of y'all's help 😤

VENOM DONG? OR NO DONG? 

Cathedra - Chapter 4: Lover

listen, if this chapter had a rhythm, it would be All Eyes On Me by Bo Burnham. that's all i'm gonna say 🤍

CW: sexual content, language

⦽

It took her some time to recognize her surroundings after springing up from a nightmare, and that the moonlight casting through the tall windows wouldn’t have the shadow of her sister standing there in the corner anymore, waiting and watching as she slept.

Calista fell back into her covers, sweat clinging to the thin garment she wore over her flushed skin. Reality had come boomeranging back to her once the dreams had parted, but panic came with it when the previous day's events also returned to the forefront of her mind.

She looked at the crown and robe hanging elegantly on their stands at the foot of her massive bed. Even in the low light like this, the polished gold and jewels her mother personally designed sparkled uncharacteristically in the dark. Calista frowned; she hated that crown, but until she could have a new one made, it was hers.

Her hands moved to cover her face, exhaling slowly.

“Are you alright?”

She sprang up again, reaching under the covers beside her, but once her hand had wrapped around the hilt of the dagger, she spotted her Prince- no, King, sitting under the window, watching her.

She glared at him. “Are you trying to make my heart stop?” she snapped, the muscle clapping loudly between her ribs.

He frowned sheepishly. “I’m sorry,”

Calista pulled the dagger out and kept it on top of the covers, but strained when laying back down, rolling on her side to face him. The agony of recovery had only grown with sleep; her center felt as if it had been ripped in half.

“I thought you had returned home,” she commented.

He looked down at his fidgeting hands. “I did, but I came back,”

Her brows furrowed. “Did something happen?”

“Not… really. My brother and I returned home but our parents had left already without a word to our people, not even our warrior chiefs,” he explained, tossing away a small bundle of vines he’d snatched from her window after sneaking in.

“They did not say where they would settle?” she asked, and he shook his head. “That’s cruel on their part to be so cold,”

“They’ve always been,” he mumbled, but quickly started chuckling. “I had to stand there in front of everyone and my brother ‘nd tell them what had happened. When it was done no one said a word, they just quietly went back to what they were doing but I couldn’t stop puking afterwards,”

Her brows twitched in amusement. “You were scared?”

He looked at her, and she withheld a soft gasp when his eyes reflected in the dark. “Are you not?”

“I’ve been scared since I first sent that letter to you,” she half smiled, the two stuck staring at one another. She sensed he was just as uneasy as she, judging by the fact he was even in the castle of his own accord.

“Did your mother or father say anything to you?” he asked, but she shook her head.

“I feel foolish for being so upset over it, after wanting them gone for so long,” she mumbled, her brow raising when he grinned at her. “What?”

“I felt the same way,” he told her, clearing his throat when his voice cracked.

She could hear in his tone the great unrest in his heart, but before she could offer any comfort, he’d stood, pressing down the outfit he wore in the cold night. “Leaving already?”

“I was there for a while,” he mentioned, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He moved silently, but the bed still creaked loudly under him, making them wince. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged. “It’s uncomfortable,” she answered softly, plucking at the sheets.

Nik looked away. “I’m very sorry,”

“I asked this of you,”

He shook his head. “It was still awful,”

Her brows furrowed. “For you?”

“Yes. I did that to you with my own body. No part of that was easy,”

She flipped his words over like a stone in her palm. It was the first time she’d taken into consideration that her body wasn’t the only one left marred after that. “I am forever in your debt because of this, I hope you know that you can call on me if need be,”

It was the first honest smile she’d seen from him. Even if it had been meager, he had quite the dazzle with those impressive tusks. “Well we are to be married soon, so I’m sure that’ll come along sooner than later,”

They both looked away after their nervousness collected; that was a concept both were still having a hard time wrapping their minds around.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, but was cut off by his hand raising.

“Can we agree from here on out that we won’t apologize anymore over the equally horrible things we’ve done in the extremely brief amount of time we’ve known one another?” he asked, and she blinked in surprise. “It’s just-”

“I understand, I agree,” she reassured him softly, meeting his troubled gaze.

He couldn’t decide what was to feel happy over and what was to grieve, but guilt trumped both of those, and climbing into her window that night when he found himself searching for her silhouette in the dark trees had left him stewing in that emotion when he could smell her open wounds.

“Where will you be off to then?” she asked. “Will you be back soon?”

“I don’t know yet,” he admitted shyly. “I know there are duties to be expected of me but… I don’t know what,”

Calista giggled, wincing when her sore stomach tensed.

His grin faded, his thoughts darkening. “There are still expectations from both of us,”

She hoped he didn’t see the flush on her cheeks. “I know. We still have time,”

Nik almost laughed. Time seemed to have flown by them, collecting and growing even though this was only the fourth time they’d ever seen one another. So much had transpired, but so much was still to come. This brittle plan of hers that was barely held together by a lie could only survive if their timing was executed correctly.

He looked at her, trying to imagine her stomach swollen with his child.

Nik cleared his throat, standing abruptly. “Go back to sleep,”

“When will you be back?” she asked, sitting up on an elbow and watching him step to her window. Of course that’s how he got in.

“Sooner than later, most likely. I don’t know who I report to or ask for direction from,”

Her brows furrowed. “You answer to yourself now, my King,”

Her words halted him. She was right, afterall. Even if his new, sprawling kingdom did come with the cost of unrelenting responsibility, he was free to make any decisions he wanted.

“Then I will see you soon, your Majesty.” He told her, a soft grin gracing her in the dark. “By the way,” he pointed to the foot of her bed. “I brought you some herbs. They’re leaves from a Blasting Lily, they’ll help speed up your recovery.”

Her head snapped in the direction his finger pointed, finding the small parcel nestled in the messy covers.

With a final glance from those glowing eyes, he had easily slipped out of the window, landing heavily on his feet against the grass below.

She moved too quickly to remind herself to go slow, and crawled stiffly across the bed until she could reach the parcel. With a pained groan, she slipped back under the covers, taking a moment to calm her erratic heart from that spike of discomfort.

Calista rested back in her pillows, the parcel in her lap and glancing again at the open window.

The work on this fabric was meticulous, she could alone tell by touching it. Every design coming down the material was braided into the worn and dyed roots they used to braid the fabric ends together, the colors fanned out in a display of earthy tones and blues. With care, she undid the loose knot and opened the flaps to find a small bundle of wild flowers; baby blues, whites and yellows sat beside fruit she had never seen before. They were soft like peaches but came in a striking lavender color and could fit soundly in the palm of her hand.

Callie smiled, finding a small, folded and tied piece of parchment below the fruits. She wondered how his brute hands managed to tie something this small, struggling herself until the knot gave way and opened to reveal red flakes that had stained the parchment around it.

She smelled them, retracting a little. That smells foul, she almost gagged, tightly wrapping the parchment back up.

The flowers were bound and wrapped at their ends, maybe to preserve them longer? And the fruit was still cold from being washed in a stream, a few beads of water left across their soft surfaces.

Never, not even by the countless suitors that had tried to woo the former Princess, had she been offered gifts such as this. Gifts in general had never been something she’d found herself a mess over, but the small bundle in her lap that she didn’t know had been put meticulously together beside the same river where he often thought of her made her heart so flutter.

Great conflict also consumed her when stark recollections of herself pinned against a tree with his grunts in her ear filled her vision.

Her eyes pinched shut.

“No.” She told herself. What had happened was of her doing just as much as his. She couldn’t allow this stirring of remorseful emotions to consume her. Although her virginity had been taken in a manner she’d never expected, it was done, and needn't be a worry anymore. If she could detach herself from those brief minutes of memories, this was something she could get over.

She rolled onto her side carefully so she could better see the rich, dark night through the open window. She decided she could see the taking of her virginity as a great event; something to mourn over now that she would never lay with another man again, or, she could take this as her freedom.

The constraints of living a girl's life were no longer shackled about her wrists and ankles.

She had tasted raw, gratuitous desire and what followed, and the harshness of that world that came with being a woman, but never before had such a drive ignited in her belly.

Her head nestled into her pillows, the parcel sat on the table beside her bed as she gazed between it and the window, just a minute amount of her wanting the King to return.

“The world is changing.” She told herself, her heavy eyes sliding shut.

2 Weeks Later

She had not seen him once, not even for a fleeting glimpse while being pointed here and there to the next of endless duties that came with ruling Cathedra. It seemed he had jinxed them the moment he said he’d found himself without a task to do, for they now were spun so fast from chore to meeting that it left her dizzy. She’d asked Morn to keep an eye out for him, and often she was the one to see the elusive King when he would only stop by to drop off a message before riding off with his men again. More than once she’d tried waving him down for her lady the Queen, but had never made it in time to catch his attention.

It left Callie feeling more anxious than before. She’d told him that when they were throned he could turn away and never speak to her again as long as they kept their kingdom standing… but could he have chosen to do that?

She convinced rulers from neighboring lands who came to bear witness to the young King and Queen that their new leader was simply busy tending to every corner of their nation, but it didn’t do to rest her own uncertainty.

She had no idea where he was, only that he was out across the lands.

Her own King, a mystery amongst the castle he ruled.

She sighed, pulling her fingertips along the carved, stone walls she wandered beside, her day that should’ve been filled with meetings now free due to urgent matters back at her former visitors homeland. It had taken only moments for her to shed the heavy garments and robes she was stuck under when formalities were told to be met, in addition chasing away the possy of advisors and servants that were at her heels from sun up to sun down. If she was Queen now, she was going to make it a point to alter the archaic rules her and her people were following.

“The Queen should be allowed to wear what ever the fuck she wants,” she smiled to herself, fluffing the thin, layered material of the carnelian red dress she wore. Its weight was almost undetectable, and that’s what she liked. Carrying the tremendous weight of those smelly robes often left her overheated and snappy.

Callie made a mental note of it, coming to the corner she’d turn to finish making her way to the willows she could already hear hissing in the cool, gloomy wind. Sunshine had been sparse today, and she hoped for rain. It would do her soul good for a spring storm to wash away the troubles she’d taken on, and if she could enjoy this day alone, without the pestering of her advisors, maybe she could sort out why she was so bothered by Nik’s absence.

He’d stepped into view just as she rounded the corner, a lush breeze blowing leaves from the weeping willows around the thick fabric of the blood red cloak that flowed around his legs. Nik turned when he saw her, the excitement consuming him just as it did hers when their eyes met.

They both were frozen as if this had been the moment to first lay eyes on one another, not weeks ago.

Oh my god- this is getting awkward, she panicked, composing herself. “I didn’t expect to find you here,” she went with, walking closer.

He was relieved she moved first, but he still questioned that odd statement. “Why?”

She scoffed. “I haven’t seen or heard from you in two weeks,” she recounted, stopping before him.

Had the brief time apart so dulled his memory of her? When he rode across fields and mountains, her memory had glimmered in his mind like a small ray of light, but here he was gazing before the brilliance of the sun. Maybe it was the rich, red dress she wore; with it on, her beauty resembled that of a blooming rose-

Nik blinked- beauty!?

He felt hot, his energy lifting. Two minutes ago he was ready to sleep for a week, but now?

“I’ve been riding all over Cathedra,” he explained, his body showing the sore days worth of horseback. “Speaking to the neighboring nations outside our borders and the ones within,”

“The same ones who’ve told me how odd it was to meet a King away from his Queen?” she asked with a small smirk.

“I take it you’ve had your hands full over here too,” he grinned in return.

“Mm, commanders who threaten war over blades of grass leaning over their borders and others who want to tear up their treaties are pouring out of my ears,” she replied lightly, but the way her shoulders grew rigid upon recalling the countless people she’d met with only showed irritation.

“My sword has come to draw a few times because of those rulers you speak of,” he recalled with exhaustion. “They’re lucky I wasn’t my father- he would’ve had them be-headed had they pulled their swords on him,”

They chuckled, her small smile fading as the quiet seconds ticked by. They both fidgeted, her fingers cracking at her sides as he chewed the insides of his lips.

“How are you feeling? You’re on your feet again,” he blurted, louder than he meant.

“Oh I’ve been on my feet,” she waved her hand, turning away to wander around instead of standing before him. “Those leaves of yours worked wonders, I was told. Recoveries like that aren’t swift,”

“I’m glad they helped- I worried about you,” he spoke freely before thinking. Her surprised smile made him nervous as all hell- he hadn’t meant to be so open. “I’d have been enraged if I was roped into this arrangement only for you to never recover and leave me to carry the burden alone,”

“Always with the dramatics,” she teased. He chuffed loudly, his feathers a little ruffled. “Are you expected anywhere?”

“Not today,” he answered, leaning against a stone pillar that was cracking and slowly losing its face under the growing ivy.

“Then what brought you here?” she asked, leaning on the pillar opposite to him.

He hesitated. “I was checking on you,”

She grinned. “Only because you wanted to make sure this arrangement you were roped into wasn’t yours alone to carry, hm?”

He swallowed. Of course she didn’t believe that, you fucking fool. “That and that only,” he sassed back, growling when she rolled her eyes.

“Well, seeing as we both have open afternoons and you’ve taken the tremendous task in watching over your greatest investment,” she smiled sarcastically, further bugging him. “Would you like a tour of your castle?”

He blinked at her, his eyes jumping around.

“I doubt you’ve even had the time to learn its layout, have you?” she asked, and he shook his head. “Come then, we can catch up along the way,”

“Your workers will see me and scream in horror,” he remarked quietly.

“You know what to tell our workers and advisors when that happens?” she asked, walking to his side. His heart swelled a little watching her look straight up at him like that. “Fuck off,”

He eyed her suspiciously, wondering if her guidance on the matter was actually the way to go about handling that, but he still pushed off the pillar and followed her past the willows, her adamant questioning eventually getting the chatter out of him.

As they turned corners to follow pathways he’d never seen and entered vast halls he didn’t expect to fit in, the two conversed, often diving into more personal questions that really had nothing to do with their current duties. Though they’d start on the subject of something diplomatic, it only took a few moments for one of them to wander into a memory and retell it for its hilarity, or surprise. Although she didn’t have as lively a childhood as he, she still laughed when he told her of the predicaments he would find himself in with his brother, always running for the hills when their father found them behaving mischievously.

The kitchen had been a sight to behold for Nik. He’d only heard of rooms like this, letting her lead him into the cellar where they stored their hanging meats. Although his mind was exploding, he composed himself enough to only ask for two rolls instead of eight when offered.

By the time they’d made it across the castle, and had gone through at least twenty spare rooms that only housed dust and spiders, the two’s tone had turned more serious.

He listened intently to the stories that seemed endless; watching rulers come and go, offering money and food for their people being used as bribery for protection. Of the trading dwarves and Brezziks as slaves between one another, and the cemeteries overflowing because of the rate people were dying inside the walls. When their conversations lasted longer than the tour, they, without a word about it, turned and started wandering back along the same twisted path they’d taken across the castle grounds, their words remaining uninterrupted.

“Now I have those Queens from Castle Vedall bribing me with knights and opium- they come here at least every two days,” she implored, her hands throwing up in annoyance.

“What do they want?” he asked, the familiarity of this particular corridor striking him.

“Protection from gangs,” she shrugged. “Stupid games I don’t want any part of,”

He chuckled. “Our parents definitely left a mess for us, didn’t they?”

The exasperated widening of her eyes said everything she didn’t need to express in words. Since the morning after their throning, it had been a nightmarish spinning of galactic sized problems they both struggled to untangle. To think such a small group of individuals had done so much damage in such a short amount of time.

If he thought back on that morning he found her calling for him in the forest, he’d still grow nauseous.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he spoke up. “Did you plan on always choosing the Ogre to check if you were pregnant?”

She bit her lip, shaking her head. “I thought of that on my feet. After my sister attacked me that morning, almost all of it was improvised, actually,” she admitted, turning the corner with him. Nervously she met his gaze, and was not surprised to see him carrying a look of annoyance.

“That’s stupid and reckless,” he mumbled, put off that his fate had been loosely handled like that. “My brother was there with me, he could’ve been killed if it hadn’t gone well,”

“I know, I’m sorry,” she apologized, fidgeting with the dress at her waist.

He grumbled, the pair walking in silence.

“There hasn’t been any sign of my sister,”

Nik’s head snapped back. “What?”

“She ran off. I know where my parents settled but she,” she stepped into a warm ray of sunlight casting through a window. “Is a ghost as of a week ago,”

Nik came into the light, realizing they’d wandered all the way to the garden they once sat in. The grass had grown taller, the flowers in full bloom and weeds snaking up the stone walls around it.

“What about your other sister?” he asked carefully, but her eyes stayed down.

“I had people search every corner of the castle and kingdom, and they couldn’t find her anywhere, not even a body,” she explained. “If I hadn’t kept some of her dresses there would be no proof Rose even existed,”

Fuck. He didn’t realize the older sister he’d heard so briefly about was capable of pulling off something like that. “Are you safe here?” he asked.

“I actually have guards posted around the castle, she can’t get in,”

He winced; that still wasn’t any guarantee. “Maybe you should come back home with me for a while,” he offered, noticing how her eyes lit up.

“If Orcs didn’t have such a keen nose, perhaps I would,” she half smiled.

Oh, that’s right. “About that,” he cleared his throat; why was he suddenly having trouble breathing?

“If we’re to keep our places at the thrones, we likely need to act fast,” she replied softly, but couldn’t meet his eyes- why was she so fucking nervous again? This wasn’t the first time! “It would be best if you stayed close from now on,”

He nodded stiffly, glancing down at her body. When walking, he’d had ample opportunities to scent her, and every time he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that his own had vanished. “I agree,” he cleared his throat again, looking out across the garden.

She joined him, the pair in desperate need of a short silence to collect their racing thoughts, but staring out at the spot where she once straddled his lap only brought back every encounter with him, her mood dampening.

“Was that how first times usually are- that painful?” she asked suddenly, looking up at him.

Oh, he could see the upset on her features- that must have still been hard for her to think about. “No, not like that. That was unfortunate you had to endure that, I’m sorry,” he looked away, ashamed.

“You were as kind as possible in a situation like that, so please don’t apologize anymore,” she comforted, stepping closer.

“Were all of our times together painful?” he asked hesitantly- why had he never considered that before?

“No, Nik. In fact-“ she said nervously. “The time here,” she motioned behind herself towards the garden. “That was quite lovely, I remember,”

She witnessed the darkening flush across his cheeks, watching as he barely shifted, just a few breaths closer. “Had we more time, I’m sure I could’ve taken better care of you,” he said quietly, only so she could hear it in the space they occupied alone.

“You still have an obligation to fill, my King,” she whispered, her chin lifted high when looking at him. He counted the two freckles at her chin, as he always did upon seeing her face.

Nik felt his throat run dry after how deep he kept sucking in breaths, her enthusiasm coming off her skin in bursts.

“Here?” he cracked, his body reacting and rocking further into her space.

He hadn’t seen or spoken to her in weeks, but she’d occupied his every waking thought, even coloring a few of his dreams. He’d always look up at her castle as they passed, waiting for her form to appear, so of course he was ready to get down right here.

“This is our castle,” she whispered again, her lower back hitting one of the ledges that separated the pillars lining the garden. Her hands pulled herself up, sliding her bottom back across the ledge.

Nik pushed off the pillar, stepping before her. She watched him look her up and down, his gaze darker than just a few moments ago.

The material of the dress was easy to move once his rough hands started at her knees and slid up flat along the supple skin of her thighs, his huge grip parting them.

“Although I’m much more acquainted with your body, can we still take it slow please?” She asked in a breath, watching his hands.

“You would still like to warm up to it?” he asked, pausing, but his thumbs stroking. She almost whimpered, nodding. “Would you like me to treat you like a virgin again?”

Her brows arched in irritation. “I’m not a virgin, I know what to expect and I do not fear it,” she snapped. His face twitched, and she could hear him pull in another deep breath, testing her words. “You said you would take care of me, did you not?”

Nik nodded loosely, his body starting to ache from the desire, squeezing the meat of her thighs. With every breath he hoped would clear his screaming mind only came more of her essence, coating his tongue.

“Can I put my mouth on you?” he asked roughly, leaning closer. He kept thinking of that soft bundle in her folds, the one that made her eyes roll back when he finally figured out how reactive it was.

Her look was of pure confusion until he motioned down to where his hands were headed, her look of realization priceless.

She looked at the sharp teeth behind his lips, the tall tusks, imagining them inching closer to sex. Shyly, quietly, with sparkling eyes looking through those thick fans of lashes, she asked, “Show me?”

Nik kept his eyes on hers as he pushed her dress up, his fingers brushing her bare hips under the fabric. She touched his arms as he gently pushed her back, gathering folds of her dress to rest over her belly. Her sex was exposed to him, her soft curls glistening with arousal. She yelped when he tugged on her hips to draw her closer to the edge, watching as he kneeled between her spread thighs.

“What is this-“ she tried to ask, but the only noise that cracked from her throat was a loud, sobbing moan when he gave her sex a long lick, his tongue buried in her folds.

“Oh-“ she gasped. This was what he meant? “Ohh,“ she exhaled, her stomach trembling and head bobbing back. She wobbled back onto her elbows as he circled and folded his tongue against her needful center, twitching when the exhilarating pinch of his sharp teeth startled her.

Again! She chanted, biting back a wide smile.

Callie cried when he sucked her clit, his fangs careful around the sensitive flesh. Onto her back she finally collapsed, gripping the dress bunched around her stomach and soaking under the sun as he fucked her with his mouth.

“Is this okay?” He parted to ask, his lips wet and eye dilated- she almost laughed.

“Please don’t stop,” she told him straight forward.

He blinked; oh?

He indulged in rubbing her plump thighs that squeezed his head just as much as he did lapping at her nectar once his mouth was on her again. The same sweet euphoria he’d tasted on his lips before was making his thoughts come to a screaming halt. She was the only thing that mattered in that moment, and the first warmth he’d felt in his bones for what seemed like an indeterminable amount of time. With her thighs now rested on his shoulders, twitching deliciously as he flicked her clit, he could explore the stunning creature writhing below his mouth.

The skin of her stomach and ribs was as silky as on her thighs, her chest heaving with shallow pants under the hands that ventured up under the fabric of her dress, squeezing her narrow sides. She held his warm palms against her body, his touch slipping from under her hands when he pulled them back down to massage the sensitive flesh of her pelvis.

Witnessing her brilliance made him question how he’d gotten here, how this could be transpiring when greater duties were to be upheld without interference, but an answer couldn’t come quick enough to calm that hunger that craved to feel her pulse.

He wanted to feel her heat against his bare skin, and dip into the abyss that was claiming his mind.

His thumb placed a few soft strokes over her clit before he used the knuckle of his index finger, sliding down between her slickness until his two fingers rocked into her cunt. Her entire body tensed, feeling it around his digits.

This can’t be real- this feeling, the way he was making her tremble- it can’t be real.

He coaxed her gently, his fingers buried and massaging. Without the need to prepare her, he could touch her freely, drumming gently against the point in her body he questioned if she even knew existed.

Her body jerked up, eyes fluttering. “Nik-” she gasped, but to his delight, her hips wiggled with his method, her eyes closing in bliss as he brought back the same exhilaration as the first time he touched her.

He leaned in slowly, captivated by the way she moved and sang, letting his hot breath blast across her cunt.

“Tell me what you want,” he licked her again, grinning when she shivered.

“You,” she gasped. “Please, I want you,”

Did I say that? She hoped when she opened her eyes he wouldn't be running, disgusted by her open desire.

The dress remained around her waist when he pressed his body against hers, lifting her into his arms and pushing her leg back around his waist. She clung to him with a loud gasp, watching the spot she once laid crying on grow farther away over his shoulder. Callie buried her face against his neck, blushing madly and whimpering softly to herself when she could feel his swelling dick against her groin.

Nick's mind had never been further from reality as he was in those moments. Fuck his new role in the world, fuck Cathedra and the obligations- he wanted her so bad he could sob.

It was only pure, filthy lust that drove her to reach between her spread knees to fumble and tug at the straps wrapped about his narrow hips once she was laid in the same spot under the tree. It tickled when he pushed her dress farther up her stomach, his heavy touch dragging back down her naked skin to push the rest of his fabrics away, his pierced dick falling into her caress.

He panted lowly when she pumped him with both hands, twitching in her palms and dripping precum across her stomach.

“This feels good?” she asked softly, and followed his slow nod, the beginnings of a loud whine working its way up his throat.

His hands replaced hers gently, her palm parting the folds of his clothing and pressing against his hard stomach. Nik looked into the exhilarated eyes of his Queen when he pressed against her wet entrance, waiting with bated breath.

Her nails scraped his skin when he pushed, tensing, sighing when his head slid in with ease, the inches following.

There were no words, for she couldn’t find any when the pressure filled her lower belly, stars twinkling before her eyes. He stopped halfway, the pair breathing together and looking down to where he’d not fit before. “You’re almost there,” she panted in awe, a stifling heat covering her body.

Her heels hooked around the back of his thighs, pulling his hips in and causing Nik to groan loudly. The pressure increased, something delicious and powerful shocking through her stomach.

She blinked, trying to bring clarity to her clouded sight.

Adrenaline rushed her. “Is that…?“ she breathed, gasping when he withdrew. Her hands slapped down against his arms, taking his re-entry and watching a small hill on her stomach appear. She touched it, her fingers rising and falling when he rocked.

Nik’s hand joined hers, smoothing his fingertips over the bulge, poking. He could feel the applied pressure at his tip, and his eyes fluttered heavily. You’ve gotta be kidding me-

“Oh fuck,” she whined, her head bouncing back against the ground.

“Can I keep moving?” he asked, already adjusting his knees.

She nodded hurriedly, gasping and touching her lower stomach again when he gave his first thrust.

There was no way he could wrap his head around the sensation, the experience, the sight before him. It absolutely turned his mind rampant when she pulled his hips down as he rocked, enjoying the sharp pinch of her nails digging into his arms.

The rise and fall of his hips was slow, thoughtful.

He didn’t push to her limit or race to brand her into the earth, but instead found himself stuck in a trance watching him disappear into her body over and over again, her thighs starting to slide against his sides as she unfolded beneath him.

He was transfixed on the rising and falling bulge on her stomach, almost biting into his lip when he gave a few quick snaps of his hips. She choked, her lower half twitching against the rapid pokes scrambling her guts.

Nik dropped to his elbows, whimpering pitifully.

“I’m sorry- I can’t-“ he struggled to get out, his face pressing into her hair.

Her eyes could barely open as she held him, her brows furrowed in confusion and trying to see him. He was hot to the touch when she grabbed his jaw, making him look at her.

“What? What’s wrong?” She asked. Did he not want this? What did I do wrong?

He shook his head. “You feel so good,” he panted, almost shamefully as he looked into her big eyes that softened upon his confession.

She stared at him, the fingers once gripping his jaw tracing his cheek gently.

So he liked this, too?

“You feel good too,” she sighed, their noses almost touching. She could feel his breath when he exhaled harshly, his eyes shutting.

He paused with his head still hidden in her to adjust his body, his elbows sliding up across the grass.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he growled, his powerful hand angling her knee up.

She listened, but her feet at first tangled in his cloak, kicking wildly a few times to move aside the thick material. Her ankles locked against his lower back and her arms circled loosely around his neck when he pressed his face into her hair, his pace increasing and the claps of their skin filling the quiet garden.

Shock, shock, shock- he abused that spot deep within her, sending delicious quakes ringing to the ends of her body and back.

“Oh God,” she sobbed, her body bouncing beneath him. The air was chilled, but in the small space between them, it was static and hot, their wet flesh sliding and slapping.

“Are you okay?” He looked at her again, leaning on an elbow to glance down where they were connected. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she breathed, smiling, her fingers curling into his shirt and tugging him back down.

“You’re sure?” He asked, his hips resuming.

“Absolutely,” she bit her lip when he laid over her again, feeling his nose press into her cheek. His weight was intense, but the warmth that came with his bulky body pressing her into the grass was comforting.

His strokes were long, purposeful. He focused his power not on the speed, but the force, pulling on her thigh again when her knees started to loosen around his waist.

“Oh fuck Nik-“ she choked, a shudder shaking up her body. “Nik, Nik-“ she was crying, pulling harshly at his clothes.

“YOUR MAJESTY!”

He was sitting up faster than she could open her eyes and turn her head, the blurry outline of a servant and guard standing across the other side of the garden, looking at their King and Queen in horror.

He’ll run, she knew, and looked up to find him frozen, but knew it was only a matter of seconds before he bolted.

“FUCK OFF!” Nik bellowed, his sharp teeth and tusks bared viciously at the intruders while he threw his hand in the air. “GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!”

She blinked in surprise, looking over at the pair to watch them scramble and debate whether or not to stay and help Callie, but ultimately obey their king and look out on them hesitantly as they fled.

Nik kept his fury in place until they were no longer in sight or could be heard, looking back down at Callie with the same rage, but softer eyes.

She reached up when his hands found purchase in the grass beside her again, looking down at her disheveled state. “I’m sorry,” he apologized softly, evening his breathing. Confusion flashed across her face.

“For what?” She asked.

“That they interrupted,” he told her.

Oh. “Please finish,” she said softly.

His ears twitched when feeling her feet slide down the back of his thighs, looking down at her mouth when she licked her lips.

It was the first time he had to resist kissing her.

With his eyes keeping hers, he rocked back and poked in, slipping back into the pool of ecstasy. They groaned in unison, his face falling against her throat when she bowed and cried.

God- she feels so fucking good.

Her touch slid up his strained arms, holding the back of his neck. He fucked her sweetly, cradling the side of her head and another hand securing her thigh against his side, grunting and groaning beside her ear. She melted under his heat, the tingling pressure in her belly growing, expanding, warming. She liked how his breath felt blasting across her neck, his deep moans vibrating in his chest.

Her head started to thrash, her soul craving more and more.

“Harder,” she whined, a deep breath filling her chest when he did so immediately.

Looking down brought him the sight of her breasts bouncing, and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his tongue around a nipple. He whimpered; if he kept staring down at the beauties across her body, he’d spoil this moment prematurely.

The growing rumble of a brilliant end was approaching though, stilling the blunt nails that clawed and the wiggles beneath him. She cried, her cheek bumping his as she stumbled around her words, holding onto his shoulders with a surprising strength.

Nik peeked at her when she gasped his name, sitting farther up after recognizing the agony splashed across her pretty face.

He followed her strained face, watching the moment approaching until her eyes met his and locked there.

“Cum,” he said, her mouth starting to drop open. “Cum- ugh,”

Callie’s breath stopped, her frame tensing and rising into an arch. The pleasure blinded her, downpours of bliss coating every inch of her existence as she rode the most powerful orgasm she’d ever experienced. Nik smiled down at her, watching her head rotate back and the screams catch in her throat as she rode the waves of dark magic.

She milked him, her walls pulsating around his meat, his thrusts weakening.

“Callie-“ he choked, his stomach clenching.

Her brilliance faded just as his took off, watching him shake and shout, fighting to keep from crushing her when he emptied himself against her womb. He slowed his thrusts, smothered between her quivering walls and collapsed into her arms when the pleasure storm silenced. He found clarity in their complete moment, feeling as if nothing, nothing bad could come after this.

The only noise was the leaves rustling above and birds singing as they flew their way to their nests in escape of the storm rolling in. Sometimes one of their arms would move in the grass flattened below them, or their heads would rotate under the sparse sun that kept them warm.

He didn’t know she would purposely drum her fingers against the grass so she could see his ear twitch in response; she couldn’t get over how adorable it was to watch them flicker like that, hoping he wasn’t growing irritated when he stirred. His eyes opened, sleep heavy on them when he looked at her to his side.

“You fell asleep,” she mumbled, grinning when he chuffed.

“No I didn’t,”

“You snore,”

He glared at her from the corner of his eye. “We’ve been here for an hour, what do you expect?” he grumbled.

“You said you wanted to lay down for a while,” she sighed, lifting her face back to the sun. Its warmth sent goosebumps down her arms, a delicious sensation to feel after she’d finally been able to put her mind back together after that psych shattering orgasm.

“You said you couldn’t stand,” he yawned, his sharp teeth flashing.

When a decent comeback fell short, she glared, her skin heating under that killer stare. More than once she’d been tempted to hook her finger around one of his tusks and pull him over when the breeze grew too crisp.

They laid on their backs under the shifting sun and talked quietly, the air around them still static. What was only intended to be a few minutes fell into an hour, fleeting glances filling the pauses between nervous words. He’d watched the stars clear from her eyes as the minutes ticked by, mindful to keep the glee buzzing under his skin in check. His scent was sinking further into her core, melding with hers seamlessly. Too many times he had wanted to lean over and press his nose under her jaw and inhale; to soak in the perfect mix of their essences, but he didn’t. He spoke softly, and only dared to tug a lock of hair even though it was only minutes ago that he’d fucked her until she drew blood across his arms.

She’d wanted to scream and roll around instead of laying there delicately; it had been nothing she’d expected. Where she assumed their first official, unhindered time would be a basic exchange of bodily need, she instead found passion, and lying under the branches of the birch tree with him beside her had been a step into peace she’d never before experienced. She wanted to stay in that garden forever, absorbing the gentle lull of life carrying on around them and Nik’s slow, deep breaths beside her.

Callie’s eyes softened. Forever.

“We’re to be married soon,” she reminded.

Nik nodded, his face turned to her but eyes elsewhere. She wondered what he thought, and worried if he dreaded the day to come. Her body still hovered dreamily, but that entire interaction could’ve just been another day to him. He was the experienced one.

Callie looked to the dark clouds above, wanting to push those thoughts away.

Why does that even bother you?

“I would like it if we had a wedding at my tribe, too,” he spoke, bringing her attention back. “With my people,” he finished, looking at her.

“What if they hate me?” she asked, and his brows flattened.

“I’m hated here,”

It was a reflex to immediately dismiss such a thought, but… it was true. It had not been a secret amongst the people working in the castle, or the residents of their immediate kingdom, that they already held bitter, narrow minded opinions about their new Orc King. Not everyone was as enamored with her companion as she, but to not even give him the courtesy of exchanging words to prove he was no monster to fear brought boiling anger to the surface.

“I’m sorry,” she spoke sincerely. “I didn’t consider that,”

“You’ve never faced the issue, why would you?” he reasoned, but she shook her head.

“That’s no excuse,” she sighed, looking up. “If a King is unbiased then his kingdom should reflect that. I won’t allow this to keep happening,”

“You can’t change the mind of men,”

“But I can change the laws,” she stated firmly, meeting his shocked eyes. “I won’t allow our nation to undermine or actively fight against us. Cathedra would fall before it even stood,”

His hairless brows furrowed; it couldn’t be that easy. “How are you so confident when our place on the throne isn’t even absolute yet?” he asked, more sour than intended.

“No one would trust me as their Queen if I showed how scared I really was,” she confessed. “But I have to believe this can work, and that everything we do will work out,” she explained, her hands resting over her stomach. “Including making a baby before our time runs out,”

He sighed. “My parents always told me marriage should come first,”

“We make our own rules now, remember?” she asked coyly, stirring a reluctant grin from him.

It was a peaceful few seconds they spent staring at one another before a rumbling thunderclap ahead snatched their gazes away, a cool wind sweeping through the long grass they hid in.

She saw him lift his chin higher to smell the air, sitting up. “It’s going to rain soon,”

“Does that mean you have to leave?” she asked, also sitting up stiffly and keeping her thighs pinched shut. It was sticky between them after letting his seed soak for so long.

“I’d rather not be caught in a storm,”

There was no arguing that; summer storms were bearable, but spring storms in the mountains turned the terrain treacherous and nights deadly. “When shall we meet again?” she asked, watching him stand and smooth down his cloak covered in dead grass and petals.

“If you’re feeling up to it, tomorrow,” he told her, his hand reaching down for her.

The realization of his words hit her while he carefully pulled her up, his hand on her shoulder until he knew she was stable. “I’m feeling quite fine, actually,” she realized, shifting her thighs to test her center. Some soreness, but what's to expect after taking an Orcs meat?

He swallowed. “Good, I’m glad,”

She nodded up at him, an awkward silence passing between the two.

You can sleep in my bed tonight, is what she truly wanted to offer, just like Nik wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and take her home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she grinned, her hair whipping around her shoulders when another breeze kicked up the leaves and grass around them.

Every fiber of his being wanted to stay, but with less grace then when they’d reunited hours ago, they parted. He wanted to look over his shoulder after leaving her in the stone walkway beside the garden, but he knew if he did, he’d buckle and push her up against one of the pillars.

She hoped for him to turn and look at her again before disappearing down the corridor, but with the last of his red cloak whipping behind him, he was gone, only the developing bruises on her thighs and seed left in her belly to show their phantom King had been there.

Callie breathed in deep and let it shake out, her eyes closing and hands holding her warm cheeks.

She turned to wander slowly through the halls and pathways, her dress looser and tied crudely to keep from falling apart. Flowers and grass stuck to her hair fanned messily around her shoulders; even her necklaces were twisted and tangled around her neck.

“Your majesty,”

Callie spun and shrieked, finding Morn in the doorway of another room she’d just gotten done preparing. Callie covered her smile when her friend looked at her knowingly, waiting with her arms crossed under a few folded robes.

“Where is the King?” Morn asked, walking towards her.

“He left again,” she answered, clearing her throat.

Morn was at her side, and without needing to even take in the scent of the King left embedded in her body, she knew well of the events that had unfolded.

Morn’s eyes narrowed. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, starting to giggle. “I’m very much okay,” she laughed, covering her face when the blush grew too prominent.

Morn’s golden eyes rolled, her arm coming to link with the Queen’s and pulling her along. “Tell me all about it, then.”

⦽

That same goofy smirk that had curled his lips more than once during the ride back home was forcing its way up again as he came upon the vast meadow his tribe sat in. Nik would try to wipe the smile from his face, but his actions did not follow his orders. He found his palm splayed across his mouth plenty of times, vivid images of Callie below him driving him mad. He looked over his shoulders often, worried someone would see him acting so foolishly, but the only stares he received were the ones of his own people once riding up to them.

They watched the young King slip off Lyuda and pat her in the direction of the other horses, his eyes remaining low in heavy, immersed thought. The woman walking towards him with armfuls of fruits that needed to be washed wrinkled their noses upon passing, turning to look at him in confusion.

Nik didn’t notice them, nor did he notice the other countless Orcs he passed while making his way through the ones going on about their day but now stopping to look at him in mild disgust.

His eyes still did not raise, for all of his attention was being put on not cracking another damn smile.

This is fucking annoying. How was he to carry out anything if he couldn't stop thinking of how excited he was to return to the castle the following day? Nik cleared his throat and squared his shoulders, his head finally lifting. His first kind smile and nod towards a family was met with hushed whispers and critical stares, his expression hardening when the same tone carried over to another family he tried greeting.

“It’s about time you got back,” Jakob greeted, retracting once approaching his brother.

“Why is everyone looking at me like that?” Nik mumbled, looking everywhere but his brother.

“Nik-”

He turned on his heel to observe that almost everyone he had passed had too stopped to turn and gawk at him. “What?” he asked loudly, his anger bubbling.

The others shied away, most scrambling to return to their business but some still lingered, whispering amongst each other.

“WHAT!?” Nik snapped, about to stomp over to the men staring at him, but Jakob’s strong grasp hooked around his elbow and yanked him back.

“You smell like human cunt!” Jakob hissed, the disgust evident on his features.

Oh shit. He’d forgotten to bathe on the way back-

But that thought fell short. Nik shifted in irritation, glaring at his brother who’d really had the nerve to refer to Callie like that, but to also speak like that in front of their people whom he’d already confided in him about their lack of respect. He’d had weeks of others belittling him, questioning, insulting, and now that he was home, his own brother was going to lash the same bullshit?

“You mean I smell like your Queen’s cunt?” Nik boomed, looking out over the others who still stuck around after staring into Jakob’s appalled eyes. Most broke apart after that and allowed Nik the moment to look back to his brother, stepping closer to him so they met eye to eye.

“If you don’t wish me to be a cruel King like Father, you will never speak wrongly of her again.” He ordered, the brothers exchanging low growls before Nik stalked away. He couldn’t tolerate anyone, not even Jakob undermining him when he already carried the weight of a nation belittling him for the human he chose. He feared Jakob would come to hate him, but when he took this oath, he knew this was one of the risks, and he was too far in to back out now. He prayed his brother would come to understand his decision, but he had prayed that two weeks ago it would only take a few days for that moment to come.

He’s not even accepted the invite to speak with her, Nik recalled bitterly. He chuffed angrily, throwing open the flap for his tent.

Jakob hid his embarrassment with anger, his fists cracking and clenching at his sides before he too stomped away, wanting nothing more than to wrap his hands around his brother's neck and strangle some sense into him.

He shuddered, disgust rolling through him. “Your Queen,” he repeated.

The human woman he’d seen at the castle with his brother was not what he would call a Queen. He expected someone sizable to match up to an Orc’s size, or at the very least the same race, but that only left Jakob to ask why he even did this.

No matter how many times he’d ask and receive the same answers, nothing could make sense of it. He didn’t understand how this could have all happened right under his nose, but he also couldn’t understand how Nik could’ve done this in secrecy from the beginning.

Had he so little trust in him, after all they’d been through? He turned to a human before his own brother.

Jakob glanced back to see Nik was gone. There was no talking today, not after the tension that had ridden home with them.

He’d try another day to understand his brother better.

⦽

another wip

wip's are all i have to offer rn i'm so sorry 💀 

but, what do we have here?? possible upcoming chapter art??? this drawing goes hand in hand with another one already posted here, but this drawing follows the events of the first one 🤭 

i'm actually pretty proud that i was able to get the pose i had in my head down on the canvas cuz that's not usually how drawings ends up 💀

im also kinda diggin how his pants ended up and now i'm really rethinking the entire wardrobe i originally had planned out for these orcs 🤔 gonna do some brain storming 

Patreon Vote: Venom WIP

so i know when they're together venom typically hides in his little whispy form but for the sake of having those HUGE muscles out in the open we're bending some rules 🥵 i'm extremely intimidated by his design but i am so fucking excited to work this illustration 

also huge thanks and credit for this position goes to my girl HanCorinne (y'all seriously need to check out her patreon if you like IPB and ACOTAR and smut in general) cuz without her big brain ideas i would not have been able to conjure anything up for this, i was so stuck 😭😭😭

quickie gif wip

it's rough but i've been dying to make smutty lil gifs and nothing can stop me now 😤 i'm gonna render this up and add some more frames n whatnot 

 i have eddie and venom coming for y'all, i had to consult some geniuses (Hannah) 

Cathedra - Chapter 3: Runaway Princess

CW: language, sexual content, blood, potential dub-con(?) 

⦽

Staring out over her worsening kingdom was onerous, further darkening her already cloudy heart. It no longer bustled and cheered with happiness, even mild contentment amongst the people. Instead, they wandered, begged, laid in the muddy roads that only a few frequented. She could only see the more prosperous businesses close to her castle, but far out over the hills and plains, she wondered how the homes of families and workers were doing.

Hardly any farmers came to sell their grown goods anymore; were they unable to grow?

What about the widows with babies on their hips?

Callie exhaled, leaving the window she stood beside. She felt angry at herself for being unable to muster the gall to gaze upon the Kingdom she so fought for, but the misery was almost too much to bear. Everytime she turned her chin and peeked from one of the castle windows, she was reminded of the pressure she’d put on herself to ensure the people who truly ran this kingdom remained standing, and could soon look up to real leadership.

It was the kick in the ass she needed to keep her head up and focused, knowing the moment she let her guard down would be the moment it all fell apart.

Callie continued on her walk, her mind picking and placing the next course of action she’d need to take. Soon, any day now she expected to be seeing the Prince again, and when thinking of the tall, irritable, ripped figure, she found herself biting back a small smirk.

That was until Patricia’s sandpaper-like voice stopped Callie dead in her tracks, fear cloaking her frozen frame while her eyes jumped here and there in search of the threat. She could not yet see her sister, but the muffled hisses of her words still came.

Callie faced the door she had passed, now noticing it to be a soft breeze away from closing.

Although she knew better to turn and run, Callie silently, slowly, approached the door, fearful that even her hair would be too noisy when it slipped off her shoulder.

“None of you know how to do anything right!” Patricia lashed from inside the room. Below the sharp slaps of her hand making contact with something, she could hear the pitiful whimpers of one of the tongueless maids Patricia had tortured and kept around even after ensuring she’d never be able to tell of the secrets she stumbled upon. “You’re all filthy animals!”

Callie cringed when another slap filled the quiet, a choked sob falling from the maid.

I should intervene. She patted her dress, sighing.

She’d forgotten Nik’s dagger in her room. She wanted to help, desperately, but since her parents’ and sister’s arrival home, something had shifted tremendously in Patricia.

She’d left barely a sister, and had come back a complete stranger.

She no longer looked at Callie in sick amusement, but as if Callie herself were the danger to the kingdom she so viciously desired for herself. Her eyes never left her when they stood in the same room, perhaps lying in wait for the optimal moment to attack. She was steady, collected, graceful- all things Patricia had never been. Of course their parents didn’t catch on; nothing would convince them that the daughter they held so highly was mad for their power and on her way to take out whoever stepped in her path.

If she were to step in now, it might result in another afternoon of cowering from her sister's beatings and screams, maybe even worse.

Callie withdrew her hand that had been on the door, her knuckles bumping the iron lock that clanged noisily against the wood. She gasped, flinching back, but didn’t wait to see if it was the tongueless maid or Patricia coming up on the other side.

She’d rounded the corner of the long, stone hall just as the door she ran from was banging against the wall, the ends of her dress whipping wildly behind her.

“CALISTA!” Patricia shrieked loudly, provoking a frightened scream from her sister as she bolted.

She struggled to silence her bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor, running past the path that would take her to her room.

“Come back, little sister!” Patricia teased, her voice echoing down the halls.

Callie cried out; how was she so close!? She didn’t sound like she was running!?

The curve of the corridor had been too sharp and she lost her footing when trying to take it without slowing, her shoulder slamming into the opposite wall when she couldn’t stop. The pain rang in her shoulder bone, but she kept running, eventually coming to one of the unoccupied rooms that was covered in a fine layer of dust.

She tried to slip in silently, to make sure her body didn’t bump the cracked door. She struggled to calm her ragged breathing, scanning the room. Of all the obvious places and corners, the heavy curtains hanging before a window that stretched from floor to ceiling was her best option. Coughs stung in her throat when the dust flittered all around her, the curtains smelly and old and pressed right against her nose.

The door creaked open, snapping loudly.

Another scream was suppressed just as she’d settled behind the smelly fabric, her hands over her mouth and shivering madly.

Her eyes shot down- she forgot to check if her toes were showing.

Hot tears brimmed her eyes, staring head on at the curtain, listening to Patricia’s steps.

“This room was a poor choice,” Patricia teased.

The tears slipped down her cheeks- she knew she was in here.

Her breath fought past her hands, her chest starting to burn.

“You’re always running away,” she whispered, moving around. “Always hoping Mother and Father will see past how useless you are, always wanting the easy way out,”

Callie glanced down at her feet, but she couldn’t see them past her dress. She needed to run, but she had no idea where Patricia stood in the room.

“How were you to ever rule this corner of the world when you couldn’t even face me? Your sister!?” Trish asked, shoving aside a knight's armor that had been propped in the corner.

Callie flinched, her fingers digging into her face, and eyes pinching tight as the ringing metal clattered through the wide room. She wanted this nightmare to be over when she snapped her eyes open, but no matter how many times she blinked back into clarity, she was still in that room, waiting for a knife to plunge into her gut.

“Rose was the same way!” Patricia screamed, more crashing around them. “You’re both cowards!” she continued, the chaos moving in every direction around her. “Don’t make her mistakes, Callie! Rose was a fool who’s heart was too big to carry- she would never have made it as a Queen!”

The noise settled, the scrape of Patricia’s bare feet against the stone floor the only whisper left in the room. Her steps moved closer, closer- Callie stopped breathing.

“And neither you, sister,”

The air trembled around her, her wet eyes red and straining. She was positive Patricia was on the other side of the curtain, waiting, but for what? Callie could not move, or breathe, but she would have to eventually. Was this how she would do it? Striking at her gasping breath?

“Can I tell you something?”

Callie dropped her hands as the curtain pulled back, meeting those wide, dry eyes of hers that never blinked. They were so close, she could feel Patricia’s breath when she spoke. The smile was what unsettled her the most. Wide, toothy, flickering faster than her eyes moved.

“I would have let you live,” she grinned, laughing to herself silently. “If you’d remained loyal,” in her hand rose a shining blade beside Callie’s arm. She whimpered, leaning away from the dagger. “If you could have turned to me after Rose left, I could have taught you the right way,” she snarled, drawing the blade across her skin.

It stung as soon as her flesh parted beneath the polished iron, a sharp cry ringing from her lungs.

“I could have saved you- we could have done this together!” Patricia laughed, grabbing her by the arms and pushing her against the window. Her sharp nails dug into the wound, Callie screaming and pushing at her sister.

“What did Rose say to you!? What did she say!? What do you two have planned!?”

“LET ME GO!” Callie sobbed, pushing her as hard as she could.

It was meager, but enough to grant her the space to yank her arms away and make an attempt at running, that was until Patricia’s arm swung and grabbed a fistful of her thick hair.

Callie screamed, pulling and twisting against the fire along her scalp so she could face her sister again, only to find that she had her arm lifted in the air, the knife clutched in her palm.

A lock of hair was left behind in Patricia’s fist, but Callie swerved the diving blade, frantically flinging the door open and running faster than she ever had in her life.

She ignored the warm prickling at her arm, the adrenaline so loud in her ears she couldn’t hear anything else going on around her, not even the numerous guards she flew by yelling after her.

The castle was a blur around her, her vision blurry with dripping tears and burning in the crisp wind.

It was time to leave. She’d waited, and planned, and tried to do this under the radar, but it was time to abandon the safety of the blueprint and complete this risky arrangement.

If she went to her parents like this, surely they’d ask what she had done as opposed to what had been done to her. Patricia was a master manipulator; who knew of the lies she’d filled their head with on their recent trip while she stayed behind. It would be easy to make it look like Callie had been the one to attack, likely stringing Rose into this somehow, all to damn her innocence.

She sobbed, trying to round the stone of the stables wall in a sprint, but her heel slipped in a deep puddle, her body splashing harshly against the muddy ground. It splattered across her face and dress as she slipped and stumbled to stand, glancing over her shoulder for Patricia.

Go, go, go! Back up on her feet, clawing until she was flying down the aisle of royal horses that kicked up at her noisy entrance, all the way down to her white stallion at the end of the stalls.

Without his bridal or blanket or saddle, she’d hoisted herself up onto the horse with a loud shout, warm blood dripping off her elbow and across his cleaned mane. Her leg threw over his back, hugging her body close to his crest and jabbing her heels into his sides.

He reared and whined, stomping out of the stall stubbornly. She yanked his mane and jabbed her heels until his body was cleared of the stall, his eye on the exit and darting down the isle of neighboring horses.

Patricia spun around the corner, her hair flying and wild eyes dead on Callie as she came racing towards her.

She screeched as Callie raced by, the blade of her knife slicing the stallion's chest and her leg, the pair crying in response, but still he carried her away, down the hidden grassy path trailing behind the castle.

“STAY AWAY, LITTLE SISTER! IT’S ALL MINE!” Patricia laughed uncontrollably. “YOU AND ROSE ARE NOTHING BUT GHOSTS HERE NOW!”

Her voice was fading quickly, but she heard every word, every clap of mad laughter.

She clung to her stallion's mane as he soared, his hoofbeats loud against the damp earth and following her ques when she took the hidden path that would lead to Nik’s homeland.

Callie couldn’t stop glancing over her shoulder, waiting for Patricia or a group of guards to come racing after her, but it was only her on the lonesome path.

Patricia could’ve been running back to the castle at that moment, screaming and declaring the self-inflicted wounds on her body were from Callie. It made her chin tremble in disgust.

The last morsel of peace she had in that castle she called home was now ripped away, and the only way she could go back was with more power than before, but that made her question.

Would she still be a Princess when she returned with Nik?

⦽

He waited, listening intently over the low clamor of his tribes usual day to day chaos, the ringing strikes of a hammer against iron interrupting his intent.

He could’ve sworn he’d heard it.

A few times since he’d arrived home in more of a rush than usual, he thought he had caught the tune he’d taught his Princess, but that one had been the clearest yet. Instead of returning to the fishing lure he had been piecing together beside his brother, he kept his head up, patiently anticipating the moment he had to rise at her call. If she were here, actually nearby, it meant something was wrong.

“What are you looking at?” Jakob asked around a mouthful of jerky, struggling to tie off his lure before he noticed his brother seemingly distracted by the trees.

“Shh,” Nik hushed, ears twitching.

The three note whistle floated smoothly through the small cluster of Ora birds that had been scattered across the trees surrounding them, filling his chest with dread.

“I have to go,” he said after standing abruptly, dropping his utensils.

“What- why-” Jakob called, scrambling to stand and take off after Nik who was on the verge of running. “Nik!”

With no response he stormed into his tent, searching frantically for his replacement dagger and his sword, strapping them to his hip and chest just as Jakob threw open the flap.

“Nik-” he grunted, his brother pushing past him in a hurry to the horses. “Come back!”

So many things could have gone wrong- what if she’d confessed to another and now they were both in danger? Was he going to meet his fate? It almost stopped him, filling his body with a fear that made him want to surrender and scream for help, but his legs still carried him until he found Lyuda grazing under a low tree.

“NIK!” Jakob yelled, yanking back harshly on his arm. “Answer me!”

“I cannot!” Nik boomed, knowing Jakob saw the conflict of fear on his face.

“You can but you choose not to!” he replied, watching Nik turn and easily throw himself up onto Lyuda’s back. “You have to tell me something!”

He was right- he couldn’t leave him hanging like this. If he was off to find danger instead of the Princess, he’d need his brother's help to ensure the safety of his people.

“Gather Zig and Gemon, be ready when I need you,”

Confusion flickered across Jakob’s demeanor, taken aback by his brother's request. “What’s coming?”

Nik chose to look away. “I’ll tell you soon.” And he was off, snapping at Lyuda so she took off right away. The Prince’s race across the field didn’t go completely unnoticed by the other Orcs, but without their parents there to raise questions, Jakob was the only one left questioning what had transpired in such a brief amount of time to make him act like that.

Had she been close enough? Had her pitiful whistle even carried over the buzzing of the woods around them?

She tried to blow past her fingers again, but wet tears and a small fit of sobs stopped her, her face dropping into her bloody palms. She’d been standing here for what felt like hours, trying to call to Nik whom she wasn’t even sure was nearby. He’d told her he would likely be traveling during this time apart, so all of this could be for nothing.

This could be the day her life was written off, but would she run away, or run home, and plead with her mother to show mercy?

She whimpered, holding herself. I didn’t do anything wrong!

She wanted to collapse and sob and hide from the danger nestled comfortably in her castle. It made her rageful, almost. She’d had such high hopes for this to work, to finally be free of the tormented existence she’d been dealt, but it was falling down around her feet before any real progress had been made.

She felt foolish to let her emotions get so ahead of her. She’d dreamed of peaceful mornings that weren’t filled with screaming, and let herself believe she could actually do this-

Her glossy eyes looked up, searching for the source of the rapidly approaching hoofbeats.

Her heart fluttered when she spun, finding her Prince atop his mare and flying through the trees she had been concealed behind. She hiccuped, her big eyes following him as he weaved through the trees until he was easily sliding off Lyuda and rushing to her. He looked as frantic and sweaty as she, quickly taking in her battered and dirty appearance.

“You’re bleeding,” he said before even greeting her, holding her arm out then looking at her tear stained face. “What- something has happened?” he questioned fearfully.

She fought to steady her voice and breath, wiping her bloody palms across her cheeks. “W-we ran out of time, we need to do this now,”

He blinked in confusion.“What do you mean?”

“My sister- Patricia- she tried to kill me and I- I barely made it out and I came here,” she rambled, looking at her arm when he looked the wound over. “She’ll go to my parents, she’ll make me look like I’ve been the one to commit something heinous,”

“Would they believe her?” he asked, lifting the end of her own dress to wipe some of the blood away. She winced, pulling away. “Princess-” he flinched when she went for the ties at his hips, grabbing her wrists. “You just said-”

“We still have a chance! The Code of Cathedra is more powerful than her word against me!” she yelled, her eyes starting to fill with tears again.

“Why- what if we just killed her?” he offered, immediately regretting his words. That was a frightening concept, far scarier than the thought of ruling a kingdom.

“Killing her would lead my parents right to your tribe! Don’t be foolish- this is the only way,” she tugged against his hands, but he was reluctant, trying not to harm her thin wrists. “We’re already bound, Nik! We share each other's mark, we can’t go back now!”

“We can find another way, no one has to know-” he tried, but she snapped her arms away.

“I can’t go back!” she hissed. “My sister tried to kill me! I don’t accept the fate I’ve been handed and I cannot sit by while everything I’ve worked for falls apart!”

He watched the rage collecting in her sad eyes, her body shaking. “What else has she done to you?”

She shook her head, the sobs collecting in her chest- it was not time to recount those memories. “Please,” she begged, her hands pleading. “I have to see this through,”

“Princess, we were foolish to think this could work,” he sighed, rubbing his hand over his head.

“Fine! Think me a fool then but you made an oath!” she stomped right up to him, jabbing her finger up at him. “Now I don’t care if I cry and scream and bleed- do what you have to!” she demanded, shoving against his chest.

He barely flinched, glaring down at her. “This isn’t going to work anymore,”

He got only a seconds worth to prepare before she swung her hand into him, her small fists surprisingly capable of landing a solid punch that was luckily just in his chest.

“Princess!” he was about to scold, but she threw another, and another.

“YOU MADE A VOW!” she shouted, slugging him again, but he blocked it. “I DON’T WANT TO DIE OR RUN I WANT TO LIVE!” she screamed, her hits starting to weaken after a few more hits. “I didn’t do anything to deserve this!”

Nik grabbed her arms, halting her attack, watching her fall to pieces before him.

How many times had Nik considered running away and abandoning the great responsibility that had been bestowed upon him since birth? How often had he recalled the times he feared his father would slip into a blinding rage while he was disciplining him and strike him just a little too hard?

It was not nearly as vast as the amount of time he’d spent pondering that very thought, sometimes convinced that death might’ve been the reprieve he so wanted.

“I don’t want to live like this anymore,” she wept, her arms falling limp in his strong hold.

His heart felt so heavy. I don’t either.

He let go of her arms, his decision made.

Everything would change after this.

“Princess,” he called, and she looked up at him, watching him untie the knots at his hips holding the patched, handmade pants together. “This will not be easy,”

She blinked, her emotions brittle and teetering. “I know,” she cracked, wiping the back of her hands across her wet, flushed face.

His hands were unsteady, finally finishing and letting the worn material fall to his feet. She kept her eyes on his when he walked up to her naked, leaning down in one smooth movement to scoop her up into his arms. She gasped, her legs closing around his narrow hips and clawing to hang onto him. She looked over his shoulder, her teeth clattering and the moment dawning on her. This was it.

Her back hit a tree, and she gasped with his massive body pressed to hers. “Nik,”

He looked at her, eye level and noses almost touching. Even if he was suppressing the full torment he could’ve been feeling upon finally, fully accepting this great oath he made, she could still see that he was frightened.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the gloss returning over her big, bloodshot eyes. “I’m scared,”

“I’m scared, too.”

He caught her when her knees buckled after placing her on her feet, clinging to her limp body.

“Princess?” he asked fearfully, holding her up as she fought to straighten her legs. “Calista?”

She slowly pushed off his chest to reveal her pale face, her body covered in sweat and the sickly perfume of blood swimming around them.

“Callie!?” he said again breathlessly, his big hand angling her face up at him when her eyes did not focus on him.

She had screamed, but smothered it against his shoulder.

Her nails had dragged and even pulled skin up, but she’d not asked him to stop even when it felt like her frame was being ripped in two.

His apologies had been muffled against her arms locked tightly around his neck, but he had done what he needed and left his seed behind. The blood that was smeared and peppered across his skin was the same that now slipped down her inner thighs to her ankles.

Callie steadied herself against him, holding down sobs and nodding up at him, her eyes fluttering near unconsciousness.

“I have to go-” she forced, voice tight under the rage of pain. She tried to stand straight, but her center cramped tightly into a fist, buckling back over into his arms.

“You can’t do anything like this-” he pleaded, but she pushed off of him, stumbling towards the spot their horses still stood. The blood and movement stung madly, her eyes pinching shut when she made it to her stallion.

“Calista stop!” he chased after her, swiftly lifting her onto the horse when she screamed against its mane when trying to pull herself up. “Callie please!”

She rested her body against his crest, panting and barely managing the agonizing pressure whilst sitting atop the horse. The ride would be brutal, and long, but she could do it- she had to.

“Come to the castle,” she breathed, sitting up and tugging on his mane. The stallion shook his head, stepping around nervously. She cringed, her knees tightening at his shoulders. “It’s time.”

And she was off, stifling a pained scream as the white horse galloped frantically through the trees.

“Callie!” he shouted after her, covered in her blood and absolutely damned if this didn’t work out. He cursed loudly, collecting his clothing as quickly as he could and leaping onto Lyuda’s back.

⦽

It was unclear how much time passed when she woke up splayed across the stallion's body, her head hanging and the horse walking leisurely along the hidden grassy path behind the dark castle. Consciousness hit her like a slap in the face, her body jarring back into the state of pain she’d succumbed to while riding home. Any way she sat up hurt, her teeth grinding and looking past the double vision to see the willows shading the secret entrance.

She had to wake up, she had to be composed. The time was winding down, and it all had to fall into place no matter how scattered the arrangement now was.

She waited until the horse chose a spot to graze, slowly dragging her knee back over the stallion’s spine and closing her thighs before sliding off his side. She whimpered, her stomach clenched into cramps and feet hitting cool grass. Her knees shook, clinging to the horse until she could stand.

It took a few seconds to compose her breathing and to align the spinning in her head, her hands dragging across the horse as she slowly rounded him, wobbling through the tall grass and splitting the flowers of the willows swaying leaves on her way to the entrance.

She wanted to vomit and sleep- everything hurt for different reasons.

As quietly as she could, she peered around entrances and corners, the stinging of sweat dripping into her eyes blurring her vision of the stone walls around her. The castle was quiet, vacant of the usual number of servants or guards wandering, but that must’ve meant her parents and sister were collected in the main hall. It gave her better peace of mind on her way to her room, taking the winding steps two at a time before stopping to breathe.

“Your highness!?” came Morn’s desperate call, Callie’s shoulders flinching. She turned, leaning back against the cool wall with her eyes closed and waiting for her to ascend the stairs.

Morn froze in panic as soon as her eyes befell the battered Princess, her hands unknowing of what to do first, but stepping closer brought clarity from a quick collection of the scents around her. Callie’s shoulders started to shake in quiet sobs before she opened her eyes, her fingers curling into the bloody, muddy fabric of her torn dress.

“Oh, Calista,” she wept, kneeling down to hold her dirty face. “What’s happened? What’s going on- did he hurt you?”

“No, no- Patricia,” she blubbered, wiping her face. “Help me up- I need to change,”

“We need to tell the Queen-”

“NO!” Calista pushed and pinned her against the wall with wild fear filling her bloodshot eyes. “If I step into that hall now my mother will strike me down for surely Patricia has twisted the matter in favor of herself! It has to he done according to the plan, Nik is on his way here,”

“To the castle!?” Morn hollered, following her up the stairs again.

“NIK!” Jakob hissed vehemently, crouched over his horse like the other two that followed the brothers upon approaching the back of the crumbling castle. Nik trotted on, his sword in his grasp and an anxious sweat broken out across his body that still had remnants of Callie’s blood across his thighs and stomach.

It wasn’t until he could see the familiar curve of the grass path did he swing a leg over Lyuda’s head and slip off the horse, speed walking towards the willows he knew were at the end.

“Get back here- Nik!” Jakob seethed, pulling on his brother's arm but it was only yanked away. “You’ve not answered who’s blood you’re covered in!”

No answer.

“THIS IS A HUMAN CASTLE!” Jakob snarled, his alert high and head on a swivel with the others.

“I know, shut up!” Nik replied, storming up to the trees and pushing through the willows to reveal the hidden entrance the others now gaped at.

“We’re not going in there!” one of the other Orcs hissed, hesitating with a dagger in his palm.

“If you don’t follow me now I’ll have you banished from the land,” Nik growled, flashing his sharp teeth.

They flinched, looking at one another and then at Jakob who held the same level of confusion. Reluctantly, they followed the twin Princes into the narrow, cold hallway that Nik navigated easily. Jakob ducked and kept tight against the walls, his head snapping in the direction of every small noise.

Nik bolted up the stairs, his shoulders bumping the walls as his sword scraped against the stone. He could smell Callie nearby, the pungent tang of her blood lingering in the air.

Just as he was about to step towards the end of the dark hall where her room was located, Jakob’s mighty grip kept Nik still, bringing him back to stare him down.

“Enough of this shit- what the fuck are we doing here? Why are you covered in blood, Nik?” he growled dangerously, but the brothers turned just as a door creaked open, the gathering of Orcs lifting their weapons and ready to strike, but halted when Calista emerged, still wobbly, still pale, but dressed in clean clothes.

Nik and Callie both felt relief grace their trembling frames upon seeing one another, his sword dropping to his side.

“You came,” she spoke breathlessly, her hair plastered to her sweaty cheeks and neck. She was surprised to see her Prince had a twin, but he didn’t carry the same branding across his eye.

“Who is that?” Jakob questioned quietly, tensing when she walked toward them with Morn until she stood looking up at Nik. He saw his brother's dagger in her palm, and the blood dripping from the hand that held it.

“Are you alright?” Nik asked softer.

Jakob looked at his brother again. “You know her?”

“Are you ready?” she asked up at him. She didn’t know if she had the strength within herself to stop him from leaving if he chose, but the fact he was standing before her rested some of that worry.

With a deep breath, Nik nodded, accepting the worse outcome of today could only be death.

Callie moved past them with Morn’s help, her eyes reflecting in the sunlight leaking through the pillars as she kept her glare upright under Jakob’s. His scowl wasn’t as intimidating as his brothers, but his demeanor still spelled dangerous.

The stench of blood and fresh deflowering came off of her in blooms, but his brother's implanted scent blossoming from her clammy skin turned his world upside down.

His shocked eyes met his brothers. “What have you done?”

Nik moved past him, leaving his brother at the top of the stairs. “What have you done!?” he called again, stumbling down the steps after his brother. “Nik!”

Nik was already catching up to Callie who too heard his horrified screams, grabbing her arm carefully. “How do we do this?”

“I don’t really know,” her bottom lip trembled, suppressing tears. If she let go of that careful control over her flailing emotions, she’d collapse. Now was not the time for that, she kept telling herself. Now had to be all the courage she’d ever mustered to take these people head on and come out victorious on the other side.

“Calista,” he implored, stopping her. “Can we do this?” he asked desperately when she looked up at him. “What if we just ran?”

She shook her head, unwilling to even entertain that proposal. “I’m not running away anymore,”

She kept him there with her gaze alone, her hand coming to grip his forearm as he held hers, trying to leech off of the waning courage left in her bones. “I will be beside you in every moment,” she promised, her words as steadfast as her hold. “If this is our end, we’ll meet it together,”

He looked at his brother who was lost somewhere between confused and infuriated, shaking his head at Nik.

Whether he’d come to understand or not, by choosing Callie, he was also choosing his brother’s life.

He didn’t nod or say a word, but allowed her to lead him away, instead.

“Nik!” Jakob called, desperate for him to even look back.

They sped down the halls he’d not walked through his first time visiting, the walls around them expanding until they turned a corner and came before a set of massive wooden doors that were carved with intricate designs and lined with iron reinforcements. They could all hear the commotion of a hosted party on the other side, loud laughter and music muffled through the doors.

“The King and Queen are hosting neighboring monarchs right now,” Morn informed, and Nik and Callie looked at one another.

“Which ones?” she asked.

“The Ogres, Centaurs, Dwarves and Orcs,” Morn explained.

Calista looked up at him with tired eyes. He took a deep breath, fighting to push down the tremendous terror building in his chest, but didn’t flee from her side when she pushed against the old grain. The doors swung open slowly, all of them cringing away from the loud cracking and snapping of the old hinges until the doors were bouncing off the walls inside.

The two additional Orcs the twins had brought with them bolted, their weapons sheathed and making a run for the nearest exit.

The visitors, man and beast alike, all turned from their booming laughter and veined discussions, gawking at the mixed group standing at the entrance. Yellow eyes, pointed ears, ready claws, all poised and alert as Callie stepped forward, fighting to control the breathing flaring through her nostrils as she scanned the room.

Her mother, draped in layers of fine silks and robes and hair knotted into the mess she deemed suitable for presentation, was sitting beside her father, equally decorated in their wealth, but the pair had the most perplexed expressions plastered across their wrinkled faces upon seeing their daughter. The crowns upon their heads sparkled when they turned to look at Patricia, staring with wide, sunken eyes at the sister she thought she’d scared away.

Callie’s eyes kept hers, the grip around Nik’s dagger tightening and the warm blood dripping by her feet.

“Calista,” her mother spoke, slowly rising from her glistening throne. It was the same tone she carried before a beratement of screaming came. She sounded calm, but below the surface she was calculating how best she could land a slap across her daughter's cheek, and how to even better tear down the foundation that kept her daughter stumbling through the days.

Don’t let her rule the room. “I demand an audience before the nation's leaders sat here before us today,” she announced loudly, her voice ringing through the impressive hall.

Patricia tensed, her eyes unblinking, but she glanced at her parents when they did at her.

“On what terms?” the Old Ogre King of the Fire Mountains asked. Despite never holding a rank as high as a human, he was the only King that had ruled his nation the longest, and knew better than anyone the rules that made these lands. He eyed Callie curiously, noting her disheveled form.

She felt nauseous, collecting her words, reminding herself to speak loudly. “I, Princess Calista of Castle Flores declare I carry the Code of Cathedra and dismiss the current rulers,”

The silence carried longer than she expected, looking at the numerous creatures and men picking apart her words, the realization coming to some faster than others. Murmurs grew to loud questions, priests that accompanied the rulers starting to oppose in their native tongues as the noise grew into thunder.

“Who declares this with you!?” The thin, dappled Queen of the Centaurs demanded, her diamond plated hooves clopping loudly amongst the growing clatter of people standing from their chairs and yelling at the young Princess.

Callie looked back at Nik, her eyes full of fright.

He didn’t want to step out there and speak.

The room was erupting and people were slamming their hands on the vast table, pointing and shouting at one another but mostly at her, but she was still standing there, waiting for him. They’d seen his face now- there was no running away.

He stepped to her side, his hands clenched in a tight fist at one side and his sword at the other. The moment he made eye contact with his father, he bore witness to a new level of rage building in those cold eyes.

“Prince Nik of the Eastern Redclaws. I too declare to carry the Code of Cathedra beside the Princess,” he spoke, watching his Father’s gaze widen in disbelief.

The shouting grew, some of them at each other but mostly demanding to prove their validity, screaming at their priests to make sense of the law they all were obligated to uphold, but said Priests were in their own storm amongst themselves, flipping through secret bibles and journals they’d been tasked to carry all their lives for the rare chance a moment like this would unfold before them.

Callie stepped just a hair closer to him, trying to keep her chin lifted high under the intense, booming scrutiny they were facing from the red faces of screaming rulers. Her parents too, were amongst that hollering, but they pointed at her as they directed their rage at Patricia, still staring at her sister in silence.

The Ogre King raised his massive hands into the air, calming the roars into dull rumbles as he approached the pair.

Callie thought Nik was tall, but the King stood before them proved otherwise. His decorated, braided hair hung around the ashen grey of massive shoulders, the prized and desired robes of his people covering his old body that was bathed in the golds and jewels they mined and shaped.

He studied Nik with his orange eyes, a low growl rumbling in his chest. Nik returned one, his body just below a tremble but still capable of displaying territorial rage.

“They’re liars!” a Dwarf yelled, but the Ogre King raised his scarred hand once again.

“SILENCE,” he demanded, his eyes looking to the priests, their hands a blur through their bibles. “How do we handle this?” he asked, his sharp teeth ground together.

The priests of various sizes and species silenced their whispering, the language shared amongst them unique to the order they’d devoted their lives to upholding, but in the time since the Great War had passed and the law had been placed, this had never happened.

The Priest she recognized as the one dutied to her own family stepped forward, his face hidden by the white and crimson robes shielding him from the light leaking in.

“This code is only absolute if an heir is born between the joined nations,” his voice was rough and unsure, the other priests calming with the crowd.

“I carry his child, and we bear each other's marks,” Callie spoke, and could hear her mother gasp in disgust at her bold lie.

Nik felt his blood run cold, what the fuck was she doing!? She knows she’s not pregnant-

More shouting, but Nik didn’t see the agony on his brother's face as he stood watching all of this unfold before him. He was watching his parents, and how they instead of adding to the screaming, whispered lowly between one another as they stared at their sons.

Callie looked back to the Ogre King. “You could prove it,”

His nose scrunched, glaring down at the small human woman before him.

Nik’s brows furrowed just below noticeable. Ogre’s sense of smell is pitiful, he won’t be able to tell-

He looked at the Princess after it registered, her eyes wild with adrenaline.

Was this deception all that was keeping this plan intact at this point?

The rulers demanded the Ogre to carry out the task, most risen and waiting with their swords or daggers in hand to defend their place as heads of the Cathedra, but she could tell they felt the threat of her words. No unthreatened person would act as animalistic and frightened as they did now, already whispering to their guardsman to have their horses ready to flee.

The King snorted loudly, glaring at Callie’s parents whose faces were red in suspense.

She could almost smile watching them clutch their thrones like that, but she flinched when the King stepped forward, leaning far down to get eye level with her. She stiffened, leaning away when his massive head entered her space and sniffed her shoulder loudly.

His nose grazed her hair and cheek, but she fought to stay still, digging her nails into her palms.

Nik was next, still growling loudly as the Ogre gave him a once over, slowly standing to look down at them with wide eyes.

The room was quiet, the last of the shouts halting when the Ogre turned.

“She carries the Orcs child,” he declared, his voice carrying the stinging tone of defeat everyone felt across their hearts as soon as the words left his tusked mouth.

They all looked to the priests, their bibles held open in their palms and the one that spoke before glancing down at the archaic words, then back to the others.

“The Code must be upheld,” he said forlornly, and the room erupted.

The Knights of Cathedra that were directed by the head of priests and stationed in every ruler's Nation left their posts behind the screaming crowd, calmly walking over to Nik and Callie who were frozen where they stood.

Had she heard that right?

She watched them turn and stand, facing the mob with their crystal spears tight at their sides.

The others screamed as the polished knights lined up behind their newly appointed, young leaders, the priests severing the tie they’d had to their former King’s or Queen’s who flailed and screamed desperately for clarification, some hollering lies, others already gathering the goods they’d been gifted and fleeing.

The Ogre King stepped back as the priests surrounded Nik and Callie, tearing pages from their journals and chanting words around them as they baptized them with the holy verses passed down by generations before them.

The messengers were bolting, their instructions to alert the neighboring kingdoms that new rulership was unfolding sworn to be delivered unless death stopped them.

A small handful of cloaked priests ordered the Knights here and there, their once quiet voices now booming over the chaos and tantrums of monarchs breaking down around them were ushered out, ordered to return home and hand over their crowns and titles.

“Nik-” Callie hissed, grabbing his wrist sharply for support, but he was frozen.

He tried to mask the shaking when his parents approached silently, his mother passing without a look, but his father halting a few feet from him.

There were no words left to scold, no number of blows to land upon his cheek. Instead, he tossed his heavy iron and gold crown at son’s feet, following his wife away.

Nik’s stability was weak, but he didn’t crumble under the glare this time, for once being the one to watch his Father’s back turn on him and leave with his head down.

He let his breath go, his head feeling light. Was this actually happening?

Callie watched with watery eyes as her parents were torn from their thrones, her mothers jewelry falling from her neck and wrists as she thrashed and shouted, clinging to Patricia.

She didn’t even feel the cloak that was once her mothers now resting on her shoulders, nor did she hear the words of the priests speaking directly at her. Her only focus was on Patricia, and how she walked calmly and quietly behind her screaming parents, their eyes never parting. She could almost hear her eyeballs scraping inside her sockets as she passed, Callie keeping her shoulders squared until the last of her curly hair was disappearing behind the heavy doors they’d first bursted through.

She wavered, feeling as if the snake that had kept her constricted was finally releasing its deadly hold.

“And so, declared by the Bibles that first carved this land from God’s palm, and with the power summoned from this holy Union, we the Guardians of Cathedra declare Queen Calista,” the priest pulled a twisted dagger from the cloak covering his chest, the tassels of various nations hanging from its hilt and beads blessed by virgin nuns wrapped around the base coming to rest on her shoulder, then rise. “And King Nik, the rightful and true rulers of the now joint lands of Cathedra.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks, her jaw hung open. She wanted to ask him to say it again- Queen?

Did we do this?

Did this actually work?

The dagger was placed back in his cloak, the priests coming to gather before their King and Queen who were stricken with silence and stillness.

“From here on out, we do not act as Priests serving separate Kingdoms,” a different one spoke, and although his face was covered in wrappings and a lowhung, deep purple hood, they could tell he wasn’t human. “We are servants to the single rulers of Cathedra and will uphold any orders given, but our final duty is to preserve the laws that keep this land standing,”

Nik stared at them, his throat dry.

“What is our first order?”

Callie looked around at the mess, the quiet of the once thundering hall sinking in and the throbbing returning to her skull once the adrenaline slowly drained from her limbs. A cramping ache started to grow in her stomach, her shaking limbs trembling madly. She looked back to the empty thrones, her world starting to spin.

We did it- but she was stumbling back, her vision closing.

“Your highness!” Morn darted forward, catching her before she hit the stone floor.

The painful reality of her actions was boomeranging back, her center stinging madly and fatigue landing over her like a blanket.

We did it, she wanted to cry, leaning down onto an elbow. She just wanted to lay down a moment, and just absorb this realization.

“Calista?” Morn called her name, trying to keep her up.

Nik looked down, watching her finally succumb to the damage he’d done to her small body just hours before. He blinked, taking a step to the side. She fooled them, she really did.

Callie whimpered when Nik’s thick arms slid under her shoulders and knees, easily lifting her up against his chest. She was trembling in his hold, her face ashen and big eyes dull. He looked at her with all the words he wanted to say, but couldn’t get them off his tongue.

“Your first order is to tend to your Queen,” he spoke bravely, turning to face the priests who remained still. “NOW!”

They flinched, some turning to yell for the maids and servants lingering by the entrances and unsure of what to do.

They came rushing, shyly directing their new non-human King to where he could carry her. He followed their instruction, led out of the hall where Jakob stood staring at him silently and towards a small room at the other end.

The bowls and food scattered across the table's surface was swiped off by servants, the small group working around him as he entered the room. He felt her lithe hand grasp at his chest, her heavy head bumping his shoulder as he carried her, carefully laying her down on the wooden table at the center. She winced, hesitant to let him go once his hands had slid from under her.

Her touch snaked down his arm, into his hand where he closed his grasp around it. The pair gazed at one another for a prolonged moment, the servants waiting in confusion as she kept him there.

Before she let him go, she mouthed thank you, hot tears brimming her eyes.

He was gentle in pulling his hand away, stepping back as help stepped in.

Until she was shielded by others, he watched her, backing away and bumping into the door frame as he left. Small droplets of blood were warm under his feet, trailing in and out of the hall where she’d made a path.

The humans that served the castle stared at him, unsure of how to approach their new King, but Jakob was all Nik concentrated on.

He stood alone, waiting for his brother to approach him, but his thinly veiled composure was crumbling. Taking a beating from his brother would’ve been better than facing the confusion and betrayal splashed across his features.

“Brother,” Nik spoke, Jakob shaking his head. “I’m sorry,”

Jakob’s breath flared through his nostrils, his face constricting in rage, but he held his fists still no matter how he wanted to bludgeon and demand why he’d made such a reckless decision. He wanted to know what drove him to break apart the fragile nature of their lives, and affect the well-being and opinions of the people they still had to return to, but now he would return as… King.

He turned away, his hands on his head.

“If I told you from the beginning you’d have stopped me,”

“No shit!” Jakob hollered, chasing away the last of the servants. “What were you thinking? What was going through your head when you thought this was a good idea?”

“I was thinking of how neither of us would have made it this far under Father’s rule!” Nik snapped back, silencing some of Jakob’s argument, but he was still visibly bothered, his face contorting and shifting between emotions.

“But like this? With that?”

Nik exhaled, his eyes darkening. “We did what no one else would,”

Jakob scoffed, turning away again.

“Where does your loyalty lie, Jakob? With Mother and Father, or me?” Nik asked. That question was a slap to the back of the head. It woke his brother back up, facing him with wide eyes and a decision he didn’t expect to have to make.

“You are a fool,” Jakob spat, stomping up to Nik. “You dare ask where my loyalty lies when I was the one who followed you to this godforsaken place?”

Nik nodded, still unable to handle his brother’s disappointed stare. “I’m truly sorry, Jakob- that it happened like this,”

A raised hand stopped any more of his words. “I can only trust in you now that you have a plan, and this wasn’t just an irrational act, my King,” Jakob begrudgingly responded.

Nik let go of some of the tension in his gut now knowing Jakob wasn’t going to bolt. “I’ll need my right hand man to trust me in these coming days,”

Jakob’s ears flickered, his eyes skeptical. “Hand of the King?”

Nik nodded. “Will you accept?”

With a held breath, Jakob agreed, joining Nik’s hand in a tight shake. He didn’t, however, expect a flying punch to swing right into his gut, buckling the new King as Jakob walked away.

“I’ll stab you the next time you do something like this without telling me.” Jakob called back, leaving Nik on his knee and coughing.

⦽

sleepy snuggles wip

i've been wanting to draw leo and zeke foreverrrr now, i needed the pick me up 🤌🏼

bubbles:

• Leo i can't keep my eyes open...
• *kiss* then go to sleep *kiss*
• youknowyoudnibhcbdjcbjdjs... 
• mhm 💕