Page 30 of Bound to the Orc Warlord

Dravarr turns from the erected tent and grunts, “Good.”

The dragon droops a little, clearly not getting the reception he hoped for. He might be old enough to leave home, but he’s still young, with all the combined vulnerability and bluster of a teen.

“Thank you!” I push enthusiasm into my voice.

Drake’s crest raises as he does a few head bobs.

Dravarr carries the rabbit into the trees, only to return with it skinned and ready a few minutes later. He also holds a few straight sticks in his injured hand. Settling onto the ground beside me, he says, “I don’t wish to light a fire. Will you do us one more service, Drakonisrevener?”

“Yes!” The dragon’s clearly thrilled to be recognized.

Dravarr uses his knife to carve the meat into bite-sized pieces, which he skewers onto the sticks in thick clumps that leave no gaps between them.

We hold them out in front of Drake as he spouts a continuous flame for us, spinning the sticks until every side of the meat cooks. The savory smell makes my stomach growl, and Dravarr must be even hungrier.

As soon as it’s finished cooking, I wave my skewer in the air, waiting for the meat to cool, but Dravarr dives right in, his tusksripping entire chunks from the stick. He finishes one whole skewer before I take my first bite.

“Thank you, Drake.” I lick the salty flavor from my lips. “This is wonderful.”

“Yes, andIcaught it.”

“You’re a good hunter.”

He hops over and leans against my side, his wings tucked close.

I wrap an arm around him in a hug and finish my food, enjoying being here with the two of them. I should be afraid—the last few days have been some of the scariest of my life—but I’m not.

I might be in a new world, but I also have new powers. Drake’s going to teach me to fly, and Dravarr…

God, I want him, want this attraction to mean something. But even if it doesn’t go anywhere, I somehow know Dravarr’s going to keep me safe, no matter what.

That’s got to be enough. Right?

As soon as we’re done eating, we go to bed. Dravarr crawls into the tent, moving easily even though he can’t bear weight on his bad arm. As soon as he’s settled on his good side, he tugs me down to the furs beside him and wraps his injured arm over me.

“Wait!” I push at this hand. “Using that arm’s going to hurt you. We can make the tether short instead.” I’m not actually sure I can go to sleep while floating, but I’m willing to try to keep him pain free.

“Nonsense. Now come here.” He gathers me close, tucking my head under his chin, my bent knees tucked into his stomach,my shins running along the tops of his thighs. He’s a mountain, and I’m a flower petal blown into the protection of his side.

God, I love the feel of him holding me.

“Go to sleep,” he whispers into my hair, his deep voice rumbling, even though he’s trying to be quiet.

His scent surrounds me, and the regular sound of his deep breaths soothes, reassuring me. All the exertion of the day finally crashes over me, and I fall asleep surrounded by a feeling of strength and safety.

Sometime later, I wake to the first light of dawn filtering through the tent along with a few warbling cries of birds.

My front feels cool, but warmth and the firm press of a hard body envelop my back. I rolled over at some point and now rest within the curve of Dravarr’s long body until he touches me from heel to head. His arm wraps over my stomach in a band of strength.

I’m at my normal weight again—going to sleep seems to turn off my magic—so my body feels everything about him as gravity pulls us together.

He shifts slightly. And… oh, god, that’s not something in his pocket—it’shim. He’s hard and big.

I give a little wiggle.

Oh, yeah.Reallybig.

A sleepy growl sounds behind me, vibrating through my back, as much felt as heard. His hand flexes on my stomach, pulling me closer until my butt’s pulled tight to the length of his erection.

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