"Okay," she whispers, and then holds the club, waiting as she stares at the entrance. "I'll be here."
Filled with pride, I gaze at my bride-to-be. She's taken this all in stride, from strange marriage customs to this attack tonight. Nothing fazes her gentle, resilient nature, not even that she's about to marry a half-orc. Truly, the gods are looking down on our union…provided we ever get to the altar and complete the act. But first, safety. I slip back out of the cave, further shredding my tunic, and head back into the trees. A short time later, I'm comfortable that there's no one nearby. All the scents in the forest are old except ours. I circle back toward the cave, giving Iolanthe a warning as I step back inside. "All clear."
With a sigh of relief, she holds the club back out to me. "This is yours, then."
I take it from her, leaning it against the wall. "I have no plans on using it on you. My father will know by our twined scents that I found you and we're spending tonight together."
"I didn't think you were really going to club me," she admits, reaching out in the darkness. When her hands find my tunic, she moves closer and pulls me into a hug. "I was worried when I ran into the soldiers, though."
I stroke her hair, loving the feel of her smaller body pressed against mine. "I was, too. I heard you crying and begging them to take you back, and I thought it was the truth. I thought all this time you were pretending that you wanted to be with me, all so your father could keep my coins." At her choked gasp, I take her by the shoulders. "You do know that you don't have to marry me, right? If this isn't what you want, I understand. I'll take you back to your father's doorstep, no questions asked. I promise I want what makes you happy."
She's silent, and my chest aches with the realization that she's considering things. Of course she is. Marrying a half-orc isn't anyone's dream of a husband. I have a keep and I'm wealthy, but no title to go with it. Likely she was imagining herself in an entirely different scenario and the reality of it is disappointing. It hurts me, but I want her happiness. When I originally approached her father about seeking a bride, I didn't concern myself with her feelings. To me, that wasn't important. But now that I know Iolanthe better and I know what a prize she is, all I can think about is that she needs the best the world can offer.
And it's not me.
"Iolanthe," I begin, determined to pick the right course of action.
She silences me by putting her hand on my cock. "I think you should ruin me, Agakor. Tonight."
CHAPTER 19
IOLANTHE
Agakor is silent. I wonder if I've done something wrong, or perhaps offended him by grabbing his length.
"You…don't want me to take you back to your father?" His tone is confused. I can't see his face in the darkness of the cave. "I thought that was what you'd want."
Is he serious? How could he possibly think that? I rub my hand up and down his length, and it stiffens under my touch immediately. That's both gratifying and exciting. I like that I can make him so excited with just a touch. And he thinks I want to return to my father? To a life of being utterly forgotten? "You seriously don't mean that."
"I want you to be happy, Iolanthe. I'm not cultured. I'm not even fully human."
I give his cock a squeeze to silence him. "I'm marrying you and that's final. I don't like that my father is doing this. I hate it. I hate that he's lied to both of us about everything." I rub the bulge in his pants. "I think you should take my virginity. Tonight. Ruin me so no one can stop a marriage between us from going through."
He chokes for a moment. "You…you can't be serious."
"I'm very serious." I slide my other arm around his waist, pressing myself against him even as I stroke that enticing length. "I don't have much of a reputation to lose. My father is a noble with an old title, but little money. Everyone already thinks we're to be married. What's the harm in taking me now? If you claim me, my father won't be able to take me from you." I outline his cock with my fingers in lazy strokes. "Don't you want me?"
Agakor's breathing rasps heavily in my ear. He squeezes my shoulders. Once. Twice. "Iolanthe. You know I want you."
"I want you, too."
"Your first time shouldn't be in a cave."
"I don't care where my first time is, as long as it's with you," I confess. "I just want to be yours. How many marriage ceremonies must we have before you'll finally make me yours?"