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"I wanted to let you sleep," I responded, leaning into him, savoring his warmth against my neck.
"Well, I am awake now and more than ready for breakfast," he murmured into my neck before joining me in front of the fire.
Agnarr took several pastries and twice as much gautr as I could consume, covering it liberally with syrup and dried fruits, before sitting next to me in front of the fire. I made a garbled noise in my throat, watching Agnarr sit and prepare to eat, fully nude. Eating breakfast with a naked Agnarr was a bit more than I was prepared for.
Hearing my unintelligible shock, Agnarr looked up at me, brow raised, "Is this too much for you?"
"Well—you're naked. How can I focus on breakfast with my naked mate sitting beside me?" I said, my voice sounding somewhat hysterical.
Agnarr huffed a laugh before setting his meal aside. He headed to the dresser, pulled out a fresh pair of leggings, and pulled them on before returning to our breakfast. While I appreciated him fully on display, I would never be able to finish my breakfast if he sat there eating, covered by nothing but his tray of food. I was grateful for the leggings. We continued to eat in companionable silence as Agnarr reached out and gently stroked his fingers up and down my thigh.
"What did you have planned for today?" he asked.
"I was hoping to speak with Billie today about taking on more of a leadership role for the human women. I’m going to ask her to join the elders," I said.
Agnarr nodded thoughtfully. "So you've accepted my proposal? Billie has many qualities that would suit the position."
"My thoughts exactly. I'd also like her to oversee the new living quarters project with Osif so that I could focus more on the tribe as a whole."
"You have my full support, Piper. I’m pleased to see you empowering others to use their talents," Agnarr replied.
We discussed our plans for the day and how to include more voices in shaping the tribe, with the addition of the human women. Agnarr would meet with Astrid while I met with Billie and Osif. I was still finding my way but was grateful to have a partner committed to building a community based on our shared values. Though we came from different worlds, Agnarr and I shared the same ideals. We wanted everyone to feel seen and heard, regardless of background.
After finishing breakfast Agnarr returned to the dresser, pulling on a tunic to match his leggings, before approaching me expectantly.
Right.This was something I was still getting used to. Agnarr needed me to braid his hair. Over the last few weeks, Saela and Tora taught me several intricate braids. Agnarr was to be jarl, he needed his plaits to be perfect. I paused to gather some of the beads I had collected from some of the other mated females, incorporating them into the design of his braids as I continued to maneuver his beautiful locks. He leaned into me, exhaling softly at the attention I was giving him. I finished what I would call a double Dutch braid that wove together at the base of his skull and tied it with a piece of leather.
I stood back and surveyed my work.
"It looks respectable," I murmured. "With time and practice, I’ll do better."
"I am sure it looks amazing," Agnarr said, pulling me to him.
He was still seated, giving him full access to me while I stood. His fingers roved along the swell of my ass before grabbing it firmly. He pulled me to him, smelling me as I pressed into him.
"You're in want of your orc," he said knowingly.
I cursed his ability to scent when I was aroused before finding my voice. "Perhaps I am, but you and I both have responsibilities to attend to," regretfully pulling myself from his embrace.
Agnarr looked at me, face full of want, but let me slide out of his grip.
I dressed myself until we were both ready to meet the tribe. We headed to the door of his room before parting ways. He pulled me close and brushed a kiss to my temple before heading off toward the center of the village. I waited for a beat, glowing from the embrace, before heading toward the smithy. I arrived to find Billie and Osif already engaged in animated conversation. Osif had initially hesitated about Billie, having never experienced a female so outgoing and forthright, but they'd come to solid common ground. It was clear, as I approached that I was no longer needed in these conversations.
"Hi, y'all!" I said, grinning with authentic enthusiasm.
"Piper!" Billie crushed me into an embrace.
I was learning to accept physical attention in many different ways—hugs being one of them. Instead of going stiff, as I would have in the past, I welcomed Billie's embrace, pulling her into me. I realized with Billie that I didn't hate hugs. I hated hesitant hugs. So many people gave hugs that they weren't really interested in providing. Like, if you don't want to hug me, don't bother.
Billie's hugs were never hesitant, and I accepted her with open arms. She pulled back from me, eyes shining."Do you want to see what we are working on?"
"Of course!"
I sat down at the workbench that Osif and Billie were working at, examining the plans and proposals laid across the table.
"Any hiccups?" I asked.
Osif and Billie exchanged glances for a moment before Billie responded.
