This is forever.
Forever and always.
* * *
Corathe Fearless walks beside me, her chin held high as we walk through my kingdom, the orcs welcoming her like family. That’s what she is. Cora is as much a part of the orc kingdom as I am. Each warrior bows their head in respect as we pass, not just to me, but to my queen beside me, and every child stares at her shining skin in awe, giggling at the magic that dances at her feet. Every now and then, she sends out small sparks to amaze them. They are enamored with Cora, and it’s easy to see why.
I’m just as enamored with her.
Today is a celebration of the solstice, an important orc event, and Cora had quickly agreed to attend with me. As a king myself, I must still attend to my duties, so my time is split between my kingdom and Cora’s castle. We utilize the tunnels, making the trips quicker, but every moment I’m away from her, I yearn for her touch and laughter.
For this event, she has blessed me with the sight of her in traditional orc clothing, the warrior’s armor beautiful against her pale skin. Her hair is braided and beaded in a way that tells me she planned this in advance, and the markings painted on her skin proclaim as her the queen she is. Today, no dainty crown sits on her head. Instead, it’s a crown fit for an orc queen—a gift from me. Tiny golden bones form the shape, holding a beautiful sapphire in the center.
We reach the square, and I stop us as everyone waits for the moment the celebration will begin. I look down at her at the same moment she glances up at me and smiles, the fierceness in her love making me want to sweep her off her feet and carry her away, where I can have my way with her. For orcs, it’s not uncommon for orgies to happen in the streets, but that won’t be until later. For now, we start with a feast.
“I have a solstice present for you,” she says, her eyes glittering. She passes a package to me and waits for me to open it.
“I assume this is what Bracken told me I would bellow my joy for,” I say with a grin, knowing it’ll make her scowl that the fey dared to spill a secret.
“That fey is going to get a tongue lashing for gossiping,” she grumbles.
My lips curl. “I’m sure he’ll like that.”
I open the package, and a large, golden chain is revealed. It’s simple but intricate. It was clearly made by skilled hands and forged with a creativity I don’t possess. It’s exactly the kind of jewelry I like, and I stare at it in surprise.
Cora waits expectantly, watching me with eyes that see it all. “You don’t have to wear it if it makes you feel…wrong.” My warrior is always conscious of the trauma from my past. “But I wanted you to have something from me with you always.” She leans in close. “Besides, when I’m riding you, it’ll make a great place to grip.”
Heat fills me, but in the way of orcs, I don’t thank Cora. Instead, I hold the chain in the air above my head. “My queen has gifted me a chain!” I shout loud enough for all those gathered in the square.
Cheers go up at the claiming, at the profound statement that I am spoken for among orcs. With bright eyes, I place the chain around my neck and lift Cora into the air, bringing forth more cheers.
She flushes bright red as they begin to chant.
“Cora the Fearless! Cora the Liberator! Cora the queen!”
“Cora,” I murmur, pressing my lips against her. “My warrior queen.”
* * *
The landbelow us flashes by as we fly through the air, Cora nestled safely in my arms. We often fly together when we are able to. My mate loves the feel of the wind in her hair and seeing the land beneath her. It’s not uncommon for those below us to wave in excitement as we pass, monsters, humans, and halflings alike in awe of their queen.
Just as I’m always in awe.
My mate is everything a queen should be.
She is beautiful, regal, strong, fierce, and powerful.
She’s everything I could have ever hoped for in a mate. I even got her handprint chipped into my stone back, a permanent claim that she’d been afraid of because the process is painful. I assured her that all mated gargoyles wear the mark of their mates, and in return, she wears a scar from the barest scratch of my nail along her collarbone, her own mark that the others nearly killed me for.
In the end, only her reassurance that she’d asked for it had kept me alive.
I’m proud of their fierceness—fierce mates for my mate.
She’ll never be unprotected. She’ll never be alone.
A family I’ve never known is now mine, and I couldn’t be happier.
As we fly through the kingdom, her kingdom, the golden tips on my wings’ claws glitter in the sun. She found those tips for me and embedded them with her signature stone, placing her magic inside of them so they pulse with her soul. As I soar to the right, holding her tightly in my arms, I know I’ve never been happier.
