My stomach dropped and I straightened abruptly, shooting Rath a panicked look. He told me his parents would be here to celebrate with us, but I didn’t feel prepared to meet them yet. The only parent I’d ever had disowned me and sold me to a barbarian clan less than a month ago. What if they thought I wasn’t good enough for their son? Could they make him take the bonding necklace back?
Theslei’s smile was warm as she took my hands and pulled me out of my seat and into a hug. “Relax, child. I know of your family. It does not make you any less deserving of my son.” She released me and squeezed my hands instead. “You make him very happy. I’m honored with the gift you have given him.”
“O-Oh… Um… He’s more the gift than I am. He was my protector when I first arrived, and he takes care of me.”
“You are gifts to each other. As it should be,” she replied. Leaning closer, she whispered, “I always believed he needed a bondmate with a gentle spirit. He enjoys taking care of people.”
I ducked my head to hide my smile. No one seemed to have a problem that I wasn’t strong or a fighter. They were just happy that I matched Rath so well. I still wanted to find a way to serve the clan, but Zoya said there was no rush. I’d only been here afew weeks and there were lots of jobs I could help with until I found one that suited me best.
“My turn,” Rath’s father, Odvef, said, nudging his bondmate out of the way. She scowled at him, going to give her son a hug while Odvef wrapped me up in one of his own. While we were so close together, he murmured in my ear, “So I heard one of my sons made you cry. Tell me what he did so I can deal with him properly.”
I rolled my lips between my teeth, fighting back a laugh. Godr really was getting hell for what he did. And he still greeted me with a smile every morning. He was a good brother. Though I was curious to see what his parents would do to him once they heard the story.
Zoya told me the party would go all night, so when Rath offered me a hand and led me away, I wasn’t sure what was happening. We weren’t going back to our tent, instead heading in the opposite direction, closer to the river. When I noticed the solitary tent all on its own, I frowned at him.
“We aren’t moving, are we? I like our tent.”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he led me inside. “No, kolrav. This is just for now. Unless you’d like the whole clan to hear you tonight.”
My face flushed, excitement and nerves making my belly tighten as he lit the lantern in the corner. The only thing in the tent was a bed, with mounds of blankets and furs to keep us warm, and a small table with a lantern and what looked like a bottle of oil. Did he plan on leaving it on all night?
“My Finn,” Rath murmured, stepping up to me. Looking up at him, I felt my heart leap, the look of love and lust in his eyes making me tremble with want. I suddenly needed to touch him. Needed to be pressed against him. But we were both still dressed and that was too many layers between us.
Lifting onto my toes for a kiss, I wasn’t disappointed. Rath met me halfway, sealing our lips together in a passionate kiss. He drew me against him with one massive arm, the other cupping my chin as he took my mouth how he pleased. I was so lost in the feel of his tongue gliding against mine, I didn’t notice my feet leave the ground until he was laying me back on the bedding so thick, we sank into it.
Rath sat back, pulling his tunic in a way that I was sure he didn't mean to be seductive, but made me shiver watching him. He tossed it aside, leaving just his necklace and all those tattoos. Shirtless, with the lighting behind him, and his long hair braided, he truly looked like a barbarian, ready to have his wicked way with me. I felt my arousal twitch in my trousers at the image alone.
“Rath…”
A grin spread across his face, like he knew the effect he had on me. Dropping to all fours, he loomed over me, only leaning down far enough to run his lips over my neck.
“What do you want, my Finn? Anything you ask of me, it is yours.”
Arousal and embarrassment warred in me, but I trusted Rath. I didn’t need to be embarrassed with him.
“I want… I want you to take me…”
He growled in approval, claiming my lips fiercely. I gasped at the sudden move and he took advantage, tangling his tongue with mine. Rough hands pulled my tunic free so he could touch my skin underneath. They skimmed up my chest, thumbs teasing over my nipples until I whimpered and squirmed. Then his lips replaced his hands, pulling the tunic out of the way with each hot kiss he trailed over my skin. A small cry escaped me when he flicked his tongue over my nipple, dragging into a moan when he sucked it next. He pulled my tunic off before switching to the next to give it equal attention.
“Rath, Rath, please…” I murmured, squirming and writhing beneath him. We hadn’t even taken our trousers off yet, but I was already on edge. What was he doing to me?
Trailing his tongue down my chest and abs distracted me from him untying my trousers until he was pulling them down my legs. He tugged off each boot and my trousers, leaving me naked and exposed. For a moment, I thought to cover myself, but Rath was my bondmate. My body was his to command. I let my hands rest near my head, trembling as his heated gaze skimmed over my body. My erection rested stiff against my belly, so needy it was weeping against my belly. My chest rose and fell rapidly, a whimper catching in my throat when he chose only to stare.
“The gods blessed me when they sent you to me,” he murmured. I wasn’t entirely sure he’d meant for me to hear it. He was too busy devouring me with his eyes for me to be sure.
Just when I thought to sit up and take matters into my own hands, Rath moved, standing long enough to shuck his trousers and boots. It was my turn to stare, my mouth going dry at the sight of him. I’d obviously seen him before, especially this morning when I took him into my mouth, but it looked bigger standing up away from his body. Godr explained to me what needed to happen to help me take it, and he warned me that it could be uncomfortable, but still I was eager for it. I’d dreamed of being taken in that way, and I was finally getting my wish with the most perfect bondmate in the world.
Rath turned momentarily, returning to the table to pick up the oil. I frowned when he turned back with it in his hand.
“What is that for?”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk, but he didn’t answer me. He showed me instead.
Dribbling the oil on his fingers, he settled over me again, his weight on his hand by my head as he sipped and teased at mylips. When he reached between us, I thought he would touch my arousal again. Instead, he went further, tracing his fingers along my crease. A sound I’d never made before escaped me, like a strangled groan only louder. Desperation dumped into my veins and I grew frantic, pushing back against his hand, until Rath stopped me, settling on his elbow so he could blanket me with his body and stop my movements.
“Shh… slowly, kolrav. We have all night.”
“P-Please. I’ve never– I’ve always wanted– Please!”
