Page 40 of Bound to the Orc Warrior

I dig through the correct saddlebag until I find the medical supplies. Then I wave for Naomi to sit on a soft clump of moss off to the side of the den entrance, while Shadow tells his story to a ring of felines.

His voice and distraction of the others creates an oasis of privacy for me and my bride. Sneaky cat, though I must admit I don’t mind nearly as much when he uses his wiles to aid me and mine.

I peel the sweater from her shoulders, my hands gliding down her arms. She’s so real, so alive.

Yet I almost lost her.

The bloodlust that rides me when I fight keeps me from thinking of little other than victory. Now that it’s faded, the full force of Naomi in danger slams into me so hard I can barely breathe.

I close my eyes and pray for the first time in years.

Moon Goddess, hear your least worthy son and grant me the power to always protect this most precious gift, my bride. Even if she never wants me for a husband, let me stand as her sword and shield until the end of time, protecting her in this and every world.

“Are you okay?” A touch on my cheek makes my eyes snap open. Naomi’s expression radiates concern.

“I hate that you’re hurt,” I admit. “I hate even more that you got hurt in my care.” It grates. Oh, how it grates!

“What do you mean? You were amazing!” A tiny finger gently pokes my chest. “The way you fought that massive kelpie and won? The way you used the tether to get the drop on him? Freaking incredible.”

I grab her hand and pull it to my mouth, pressing a kiss to that fingertip. That she sees me as worthy is the greatest gift of all.

Then I notice the scratches on the back of her hand. Setting it on top of my thigh, I wet the cleaning cloth and carefully wipe at the wounds, anger roiling in my veins. It grows worse as I push up the sleeves of my borrowed shirt to find bloody beak pecks marring her lovely skin. I clean them as gently as I can, spreadelderberry flower salve over them, and smooth bandages on top, making a patchwork of skin that already carries bandages from the first attack.

I don’t even realize I’m growling until Naomi whispers, “Hey, it’s okay.”

My eyes find hers. “I would kill it again for daring to hurt you.”

I’ve leaned forward as I work. Her face is so close her lips look soft and bewitchingly tempting as they open on a little gasp that whispers across my skin.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Naomi

I don’t know what’s hotter, watching Wranth fight for me with all the ferocity of a primal god of war or seeing all of that coiled strength turn to gentleness the moment he touches me.

Both, I realize. Why choose? Knowing the first exists makes the second even hotter.

Though I’m beginning to think gentleness isn’t the only thing I want from him.

His dark eyes stare at my lips with fascination, his mouth only inches away.

My entire body comes to life, a tingle of attraction rushing through me like a wave.

God, I almost freaking died! But I didn’t, thanks to Wranth.

I’m alive, and I want to revel in it. I want him on me, in me, making me feel more alive than ever.

Shadow’s voice fills the air, penetrating the bubble that surrounds the two of us, reminding me we’re not alone. Suddenly, it’s super important that we are—it’s the most important thing in the world.

My hand fists in his shirt, pulling him closer. “Wranth.”

A zip of electricity shoots through me. In a blink, I’m no longer at the den but instead sitting by the side of the pond we found earlier, the waterfall filling the air with the sound of rushing water.

Wranth came with me. But this time, instead of landing behind me, he kneels in front of me in the same position we were in back at the den.

“What?” He leans back, his head swiveling as he takes in our surroundings. “How?”

“I guess my magic finally got better.” I grin.

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