Chapter 6

“Are you feeling unwell, Nora?”

“What?” Nora asked, looking across the table at her husband. “No, I’m fine. I’m just a little … sore,” she bit out.

Kellan grinned, watching his mate try to find a comfortable way in which to sit at their breakfast table. One of the servants had brought in a tray of food, along with a tonic Mara made for Nora.

It smelled terrible. So terrible he came close to forbidding her from ingesting it.

“Yes, well we should take a warm bath later to soothe your aches.”

“We could if I thought that’s all you wanted the bath to do to me,” she quipped.

Kellan laughed, loving his mate’s banter. He was coming to realize that Nora was a spritely creature, full of wit and sarcasm.

And fire. She burned hot for him, whenever his fingers reached for her skin, whenever his lips touched hers.

After they had awoken from their short nap, he made love to her again. It was just as intense as the first time.

He would have tried for a third had she not winced when he stroked her center. He didn’t like that she was hurting. At his insistence, she had allowed him to inspect her tender flesh, including the skin on her thighs.

The succulent pink skin covering her core was swollen, but he did not see any signs of damage. Kellan thought her thighs looked the worst, but she assured him she was not in pain.

Nora reluctantly admitted to Kellan that her nether regions, as she called them, were quite sensitive. He was forced to bite the inside of his cheek to prevent a chortle from escaping. She-wolves lacked such diffidence over their bodies.

Nora would grow used to his affections, but Kellan had to accept his new mate needed a break from them. Wolves healed very quickly, and he hoped that elementals did, as well.

She was still giving him the ugly eye over his bathing suggestion. No aroma of anger was present and he knew she was jesting with her jibe.

His wolf ignored the information. It still wanted to smooth the waters so he could touch her again.

“Nora, I would harm myself before ever thinking to bring you pain. You are safe with me. Besides, I was hoping to show you around our home today.”

Nora perked up at his words, excited to see everything she had missed last night. She knew they were in a castle, but all she really remembered as they approached was her concentration on not falling off her horse.

She was also nervous as to how the Burghards would receive her. Nora assumed they knew by now that she would not be the one to save their forest.

Speaking of, Nora would need to explore the wooded areas near the castle soon. She needed to find a place she could be alone. She had debated telling Kellan the truth, now she was away from her father, but she feared how he would take it.

Maybe once she knew his temperament better she would confide in him. For now, she would just have to deal with things on her own.

“Come, let’s explore,” Kellan held out his hand to Nora.

“Yes, let’s,” she replied, placing her hand in his.

Kellan pulled her out of her chair and kissed her fiercely. In seconds, her desire clung to his nostrils and he squeezed her backside. Nora yelped, somewhat alarmed by his forwardness.

“You are my mate, Nora. Best to get used to my hands.”

“Kellan!” she protested.

“Besides, Mate, I can smell your desire. So, it’s your fault, really,” he teased.

Nora blushed and tried to hide her smile. The truth was, though she was unused to being handled so, she liked his hands on her.

She wished she could tell what Kellan was feeling simply by the scent. Although, his arousal was plainly visible in the front of his trousers.

Would other wolves be able to tell what she was feeling? She wasn’t sure she could get used to others always knowing such intimacies.

She would have to work on better controlling her emotions, as well has her more … base desires. The outlook for mastering such control was slim, but she’d have to figure it out if she ever wanted any modicum of privacy. Before she could dwell on it further, her husband was tugging her towards the door.

Kellan led Nora out of their chambers and into a long corridor. He stopped at a window and directed her to look out over the forest.

Surprisingly, there was a great deal of natural light all the way down the corridor. Nora commented on it and Kellan told her they had designed each wing to have a side that faced in the direction of the rising sun. It helped provide light and warmth, especially during the cold winter months.

“Although, I fully expect you to keep me warm during the winter,” Kellan said against her ear.

Nora shivered, unsure if it was the result of his warm breath on her skin, or from his words. She was happy she had enjoyed their interludes so much. It was nothing like what she had imagined, aside from the small amount of pain at the beginning. Mara had been wrong about almost all of it. Thank the Goddess for that.

Kellan treated her kindly and was constantly touching her or looking at her. He desired her, she could tell, but Nora wanted more than just his desire.

Kellan grabbed her hand and continued down the corridor towards a large area with two staircases, one going up a level and one going down a level. She found it an odd design.

“Why are your quarters so far from the stairs? And not at the top of the castle?”

“Our quarters, Nora. Not my quarters. It was by design that we would be away from others.”

“But there are other rooms close to ours, quite a few that we passed by. No one uses them?”

“No one has ever used this area. Our chamber has only ever accommodated the two of us. I would never have desecrated my mate’s marriage bed. It was waiting for you. Those other rooms are for our children.”

Nora was quiet, almost afraid to speak. Sometimes when she was anxious or worried, she was unable to hold her tongue. Eden would say Nora was born with an antagonistic nature. Nora would have to agree.

“You mean they were waiting for your wife. Had you never scented me, it could have easily been Eden or some other female in there with you.”

Kellan’s eyes flashed wolf.

“No, Nora. That bed was made the year after my birth, from the strong oak at the edge of the castle grounds. It was blessed and carved with my people’s glyphs, with symbols of love and mating. That bed—this entire wing—was never meant for anyone other than my mate. If I had married Eden, we would have been in my old chamber at the top of these stairs.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because, even if I had never found you, I knew I had a mate out there in the world. I would have honored the memory of what I couldn’t find, at the expense of a different wife and her feelings. Nothing is more sacred to a wolf than his mate. And not all of us are lucky enough to find her. I have been blessed beyond measure.”

Nora blinked, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her. She was concerned he could be the kind of man that would have so easily hurt Eden’s feelings, but also elated he would have done this in honor of his true mate. In honor of Nora. Kellan’s face softened, and he bent to kiss her cheek.

“We have a lot to discuss about the Burghards, but perhaps we can save it for when we are alone in our chamber? Right now, I want to show you your home and have you meet some of your people.”

Nora nodded and took his arm. He walked her through the different levels of the castle, explaining each area’s history and purpose. The wolves had been thoughtful in their designs, especially in how connected to nature the castle seemed to be. There were trees and plants growing in every wing with large open holes in the ceilings and walls to ensure plenty of light.

This pleased Nora to no end. Elementals were also connected to nature and found comfort in it even if they could not control earth or water. Allegedly, they were “born of the trees” and thus felt an affinity to them.

He took her around the entire castle, except for the lower levels which were used for storage and as a sort of jail. They walked the grounds outside and Nora was impressed with how much effort was put into the greenspaces.

Nora noticed there were paths leading out of the castle grounds and into the woods. Kellan didn’t take her beyond the gates, but she would have time later for exploring. Quite a few wolves were venturing in and out of the gates, so she would likely be free to do the same.

Anyone they passed was formally introduced. Nora concentrated on remembering names, but it was difficult with so many introductions being made.

Wolves did not curtsy or bow at the waist like elementals. They showed respect by bowing their heads slightly and averting eye contact.

Kellan told her that making eye contact and holding it, especially during an introduction, was a sign of aggression. The wolves were not being rude, they were showing her deference.

“But you look everyone in the eyes, constantly,” she commented.

“Yes. The difference is I am an alpha and also their king. To look away would show weakness. A wolf that would hold my stare for too long would be issuing a challenge, or, at the very least, communicating the consideration of a challenge.”

“Then, I should do the same? Look away when you look at me?”

She really did not like the thought. She may have been shy in their chambers, but she wasn’t one to be cowed.

“No, Nora. You should never look away from me. Even if you were wolf I would want to see your beautiful eyes. They tell me much.”

Nora let go of some of her anxiety, loving his compliments more and more.

“I thought it was my scent that did that.”

“That, too,” he smiled, kissing her chastely.

Nora was already getting used to his touches. She hoped she would not be sore later in the evening and that they could try intercourse again. She doubted he would refuse her if she asked, but Nora questioned if she had the courage to propose such a thing.

Kellan and Nora walked back inside the castle. When they reached the open area near the stairs, her stomach rumbled loud enough for even an elemental to hear. She looked at the large clock and saw they had been touring the grounds for almost two hours.

Kellan heard Nora’s stomach and apologized for not feeding her sooner. He assured her they would venture into the kitchen for something.

“There is one thing left I would like to show you.”

“Oh, okay. Which way?” Nora looked around, wondering what she had yet to see.

Kellan hesitated. He wasn’t used to taking care with his words. However, when it came to Nora, he wanted to execute them flawlessly, to be sure he was clear and concise. She could not scent his emotions, but he wanted her to know what he was feeling without pushing for more than she was ready to give.

“Through there,” he pointed, and Nora’s eyes followed to a sizeable door. It was shut and had a rather large lock on it. She looked up at Kellan and he swallowed, his face growing tense.

“When I returned to Castle Burghard, five and a half years ago, I thought a lot about what it would mean to have an elemental as a mate. I wanted you to feel comfortable here, despite how different our people are. I know how you enjoy the woods and being out in nature, which is true for wolves, as well. But our environment would be foreign to you, so I endeavored to make you … no, to give you something that wasn’t quite so foreign. I know you think of us as strangers, but I have felt connected to you every day since the day I found you. And this room is one of the reasons I did not go mad waiting for you.”

Nora’s eyebrows drew together, trying to sort out what Kellan was saying. What could he possibly have put in that locked room? He undoubtedly had peaked her curiosity.

“What is beyond the door, Kellan?” she asked, eyes still on the lock.

“Come,” he commanded as he walked to the door and unlocked it. He turned to Nora, placed the key in her palm, and closed her fingers around it.

“You are now the only one with the key.”

Then he pushed the door open and stepped out of the way. Nora looked at Kellan, who lowered his head. He had never avoided her gaze before. She realized he was apprehensive about showing her this room.

Nora stepped through the door. She was deeply touched by what she found.

She covered her mouth, afraid she would cry out. Nora’s eyes stung. Of all the things he had given her, this was by far the one she would treasure most.

It wasn’t an actual room, it was an enormous greenhouse, teeming with life. Flowers, plants, and small trees were in neat rows wide enough that she could easily walk to the far wall and back.

There were dozens of rows, and hundreds, possibly thousands of flowers and plants. The same ones that grew in her woods, the woods outside her father’s home.

Along the wall, to her left, she saw benches and gardening supplies. There were also some chairs, a small desk, and a few other random pieces of furniture that seemed out of place.

Nora stepped in further and realized the ground was covered in soil. It hummed and spoke to her, welcoming her, begging to connect to her body. It was clean and pure … and familiar.

Gwydion soil. Kellan had given her Gwydion inside his castle.

She walked around in a bit of a daze. He had done what he set out to do. He had given her a piece of home and she found comfort in it. And, unknowingly, he probably had prolonged her life.

“Say something, Nora,” he spoke softly from the doorway. Kellan couldn’t tell if she was pleased. There were too many scents in the greenhouse and she was halfway across the room.

Nora turned to look at her husband and wondered why he hadn’t followed her into the greenhouse. She observed his large shape, his blue eyes that were now glowing, and his sharp, handsome face. For once, he couldn’t tell what she was feeling. Nora was sure of it.

Finally, she found her voice. “Come here, my husband.”

Kellan opened his mouth, then closed it. He had not been sure if he would be welcome in the greenhouse once he gave it to Nora. He promised himself this place would be her sanctuary, should she need one. And no one, not even he, the King, would trespass.

When he made no move to enter, Nora raised an eyebrow at him. His unease lifted at her challenge. No one had ever beckoned him, and, loving how it made him feel when Nora did it, he knew he would never refuse her summons.

Kellan pulled his weight away from the archway and walked slowly towards his wife. As he got closer, he could see the tracks of her tears. He cursed himself for making her cry again. Once he was close enough, Nora reached up to palm his face.

“Can you tell what I’m feeling?” she asked.

Kellan shook his head. He should be able to read her, but his own emotions were interfering with his abilities. He wanted so badly to please her.

Nora raised her other hand and cupped the back of his neck. Then she guided his face down close to hers. Kellan thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she whispered, “Smell me.”

Kellan put his arms around her waist, buried his nose behind her ear, and inhaled deeply. Innumerable aromas entered his system and he tried to decipher them, to separate the sweet smells of the flowers from the sweet smells of his mate. It was easier now he was touching her.

Happiness. Gratitude. Those were the two most prevalent odors. He closed his eyes tight, thankful he had done the right thing for Nora. She was pleased, happy even—at least in this moment.

He inhaled again and picked up the beginning of a much stronger scent. Arousal. His little mate was aroused by his gift. Well. That was quite unexpected.

Kellan smiled against her neck and then bit gently. Her body shuddered, and another strong wave of arousal emitted from her skin. Kellan swore every pore in sweet Nora was calling to him.

He considered ripping off her dress right there and holding her down in the soil, but the door was wide open, and Kellan would never chance someone else seeing his mate in the throes of passion.

Her stomach rumbled again and they both laughed. He kissed her neck, then her lips, and had to force himself to pull away.

Kellan needed to tend to her hunger first. They could continue exploring their other hungers later. Maybe in this room with the door locked.