Page 86 of Bound to the Orc Warlord

A wealth of emotion flashes over Ashley’s expressive face, the initial shock burned away by a flash fire of joy.

I’ve never loved her more than when she sinks into the embrace, as if something inside her, held tense for years, finally relaxes. It’s beautiful.

She’s beautiful.

And she’smine.

Possessiveness wells in my chest, straining my cock to ready fullness. A primal need to claim her drives me. I can barely grit out, “Come.”

Yet my hands are gentle as I scoop my bride into my arms.

“Where are you going,warlord?” A laugh fills my brother’s voice. “We’ve got cleanup to do.”

He’s right. I should stay and make sure all of my people are well. Yet I cannot. I exchange a look with my mother, understanding dawning in her eyes. It’s been over a decade since we lost Father, but she clearly remembers the urgency of young love. “Go. We’ve got this.”

I give her a grateful nod and turn toward my cottage.

Gerna shouts out, “Wait! I haven’t attended to your wounds!”

“Is the healing bath prepared?”

“Yes, but—”

“But it will be good enough.” I keep walking.

Nothing will keep me from claiming my bride.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Ashley

The sounds of the village surround us as all the people who didn’t fight pour from their cottages to help those in the village green. Knowing looks and smiles follow us as Dravarr carries me past.

He opens the door to his cottage—no,ourcottage—and carries me inside.

A happy sigh escapes me. This is so romantic!

“Are you all right?”

“Yes!” I smile up at him. “I always pictured being carried across the threshold after my wedding.”

“We had no wedding.” He frowns down at me.

“It doesn’t matter.” I cup his cheek. I don’t need a ceremony to feel the connection between us. “You’re my husband, and I’m your bride.”

Something flashes in his sharp eyes for a split second. What’s he thinking about? Then he takes my mouth in a scorching kiss, obliterating my ability to think until there’s only him.

The door to the bathroom swings open onto a space transformed. A large metal tub sits in the center of the room, a brazier underneath heating the water. Herbs and flowers coat the surface of the bath, filling the air with their heady scent.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“One of the benefits of being warlord. Normally, I soak with my clan mates in the communal baths, but today I need my bride alone.”

So much heated promise fills his words I blush.

He sets me on my feet and peels his shirt from me, so large and loose it lifts over my head easily. His eyes trace over the wounds dotting my arms like big, redder freckles, and he growls, even though he’s covered in the same.

Dravarr’s fingers linger as he slides the leather pants down over my wide hips, painting the outsides of my thighs with little licks of fire.

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