Page 24 of Heart of the Mountain King

Rask stroked a finger under Sten’s chin, tipping the human’s head up until he was looking the bergsrå in the eye. He leaned forward, carefully pressing a kiss to the human's tiny lips, being mindful that he did not injure Sten with his tusks.

"Sten already gift," Rask murmured when he finally pulled away.

The little human was breathing harder, a glow spreading across his cheeks. Sten looked up at him wonderingly, his pupils dilated.

Rask had to admit, it certainly wasn't the worst sight he'd ever seen.

"Oh," Sten breathed, reaching up to cup Rask's jaw.

His whole body followed quickly, twisting as he slung a knee gingerly over Rask's leg. Wonder rising in his chest, Rask reached for Sten's hips as he moved; steadying the tiny human as he perched on the bergsrå's thigh.

"This not part of Bargain," the bergsrå warned as Sten's mouth drew perilously close to his own. "Rask offered teach Sten if visit, nothing more."

"Of course," Sten agreed. "It's a completely separate one."

Rask stiffened. "Rask offered no third Bargain."

He couldn't. The two they shared were bad enough, and further compounded by all the blessings and bindings for Sten that Rask had already woven into the Song. But three? That would mark the human in ways Rask was sure Sten could never, ever want if he knew…

"I know that too," Sten murmured, demanding all of Rask's attention by the simple method of running his finger up the edge of Rask's jaw. "Haven't decided yet if I will either. I've been making this up as I go along. Do you wish me to stop?"

"…No," Rask answered him. "Rask not ugly to Sten?"

"No." Sten smiled softly. "Not to me."

Grey eyes flicking to Rask's own, Sten reached out; hand hovering just a breath from Rask's face. For his part, Rask held still, uncertain but… intrigued all the same as to what the human could want.

"Can I?" Sten whispered.

At Rask's soft grunt of assent, slowly Sten trailed a tentative finger along the bergsrå's right horn where it curled away from his brow, stopping just as it swept back over Rask's hair. Eyes flicking quickly over the bergsrå's face, it seemed Sten grew bolder then, as he curiously explored the curve of Rask's left tusk, the slope, the pointed tip.

For his part, Rask held very, very still. He did not tell Sten this was something only a mate did, or a particularly favored partner. He was as uncertain as to the human's daring, as he was if he wanted it to end.

How curious. What if…?

Rask gave into the urge, dipping his head just enough to suck that finger into his mouth, eyes locked on Sten's face so he couldn't miss the human's expression when Rask sucked —

"Gods. You have to tell me if we should stop, Rask," Sten said softly. "You have to tell me now. Because unless you say otherwise? Then oh — I intend to give you all manner of gifts."

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Chapter 10

A Prelude

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Rubbing his tusks down the smooth slope of Sten's shoulder, Rask indulged himself in a taste, a lick, a nibble; clean, sweet sweat and sauna-warmed skin rolling over his tongue.

Against him, Sten moaned, melting into Rask. The little human clutched so desperately at him, pressing even closer as Rask sucked and kissed his way up that tender neck, exploring the strangely dainty curves of Sten's ears. Rask pulled Sten's heated body against his eagerly, seeking more; smiling to himself at Sten's satisfying groan as Rask bit curiously at the round, human shell.

Carding his fingers in the thick hair of the bergsrå's chest, Sten pressed so firmly that Rask released his prize, curious. Only to be surprised by Sten's mouth on his as the bold little man leaned up to claim another kiss.

Hips rocking against the bergsrå's thigh, Sten proved an enthusiastic thing. The human's tongue flicked against the bergsrå's lips, diving in between the seam to lick the bergsrå's teeth, making Rask's breath hitch.

He let his lips part, allowing Sten access, purring in delight when he didn't hesitate to explore. Rask groaned, leaning into the hands smoothing across his chest and down his belly, Sten showing no hesitation as his fingers wandered further and further south.

"How do you like your bed partners, Rask?" Sten murmured as he pressed in close, his beard brushing Rask's neck as Sten's hand smoothed its way down.