Page 92 of Bound to the Orc Renegade

Ashley lets out a surprised giggle. “That good, huh?”

Tingling warmth zips through me as I remember the feel of Krivoth’s fingers working me to a mind-shattering orgasm. I shoot him a sly glance out of the corner of my eye and grin so wide both tables break into laughter.

We say goodnight to Mist and Storm at our cottage door, and as soon as it shuts, Krivoth and I are alone for the first time, with no one expecting us to be anywhere or do anything.

“Krivoth, I want to—”

He falls to his knees in front of me, which brings him down to almost my height. His dark eyes search my face as he gathers my hands in his. “My bride, can you ever forgive me?”

“Uh, sure?” I wrinkle my nose. “But what exactly am I forgiving you for?”

“I let my drive for glory overwhelm any consideration of what was best for you. I pushed us to complete the quest so I could get a position in the king’s guard when I should have brought you straight here, where you’d be safe.”

“Hey, now. I’m a grown-ass woman, and I decided to go on that quest, too.” I wiggle our hands. “Don’t take my agency away from me.”

“Agency?” He frowns.

“My right to determine what I do with my own life.” The only place I want to give up full control is the bedroom.

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” He nods. “While you were in the deathsleep coma, I realized so many things. I didn’t hear you when you told me what you wanted for the future, but I hear you now. I will tell the king I cannot be one of his guard. I will stay here with you in Moon Blade Village, if that’s what you want.”

My heart skips at his words. They’re so sweet. But also… “Just like you don’t decide everything for me, I don’t decide everything for you. If this marriage is going to work, we need to be a team. We need to decide things together.”

“Together.” The edges of his lips curl in a small smile. “I like the sound of that.”

“So what do you want to do? Where do you want to live?”

“I originally left here because of my father, but I faced him while you were unconscious.” Pain flickers across his face.

I pull a hand free so I can smooth my thumb over the crease in his brow. I wish I could make all the hurt disappear as easily. His father really did a number on him. To go against all of that childhood programming is effing hard. “I’m so proud of you.”

I kinda wish I’d had a crack at his dad, but it’s better that Krivoth got the chance to stand up to him—closure and all that.

“Dravarr’s sending Father away, and I don’t want him to steer my life any longer. Moon Blade Village is my home, and my clan mates are my true family.” His dark eyes meet mine, full of sincerity. “You—and them—are more important than any position or glory. Would you like to live here, with me, my bride?”

“Yes.” Tears prickle my eyes. “I’d like that very much.” We can figure out what we’ll do for work later. Our quest proved we can tackle anything, as long as we’re together. And with theantidote, we have time—deathsleep didn’t steal my whole life from me.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I wouldn’t want to do a lot of magic just yet, but otherwise I feel fine.”

“Good.” His eyes heat as he pulls me flush to him, the firm warmth of his body making me tingle. “Because I want to show you how much I love you.”

Oh!My heart skips.

“My bride, any second I spend not telling you how much you mean to me is a second wasted. You are joy itself, come to fill my life with love and laughter and all the things I’ve most longed for.”

“You love me.” It comes out a little breathless. I mean, I knew he cared. But that’s nothing compared to this.

“Before you, I wore blinders, charging through life along a narrow, barren path, unable to see all the beauty that surrounded me. You’ve given me you, and in doing so, you’ve opened me up to a wide world full of color and magic and wonder.” He drags his thumb over my trembling lower lip. “I love you with every beat of my heart, with everything I am and ever will be.”

Emotion fills me to overflowing like I’m channeling the biggest hit of magical power ever. Yet nothing about this hurts. Pure joy sings through my body as Krivoth devours my mouth, pressing heavy, drugging kisses into my lips that make me melt against him.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Krivoth

I break our kiss and start to stand. I want my bride sprawled across my furs, calling my name as I knot her for the first time.

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