Page 36 of Bound in Flames

I fought to keep my focus on my people, but my gaze betrayed me, flicking back to her time and again. The way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the delicate curve of her neck, the faint tremble in her fingers as she tucked a loose strand of hair behindher ear. Each detail stirring something primal in me, the need to claim her was an ache that had been simmering beneath my skin since the moment she stepped into my world.

Her scent, a mixture of earth and something sweet, curled around me, making it impossible to stay unaffected. I could feel my pulse pounding against my throat. My hands itched to touch, to take. I had spent years mastering control, wielding it like a blade, but Cleo had unraveled me within a day.

The corridor stretched on, winding deeper into the heart of the stronghold, and with each step, the tension coiled tighter in my gut. The torches cast long shadows along the walls, and I felt her presence beside me like a constant hum beneath my skin. Her smaller body moved with an effortless grace that was foreign yet enthralling, the sound of her soft leather boots whispering in contrast to the heavy thud of mine.

“Your clan is hesitant about me.” she said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice pulling me from my thoughts.

I glanced at her, catching the flicker of firelight in her green eyes. They held an uncertainty she tried to mask, but I could see it. My people doubted her, but she felt it more deeply than she let on. A muscle ticked in my jaw as I fought the urge to reach for her, to reassure her.

“They don’t know what to make of you yet,” I said, my voice rougher than intended. My eyes traced her figure, the way the fabric clung to the curve of her waist, the delicate strength in the set of her shoulders. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away.

Cleo tilted her head, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “I see.”

I smirked, but there was a raw edge to it, my restraint stretched too thin. She was playing with fire, and she didn’t even know it. “They think you’re delicate,” I admitted, letting my gaze linger just a little too long. Her lips parted invitingly, and I hadto force myself not to focus on how soft they looked. “But they’re wrong.”

“And you?”

I had seen her wield power beyond anything my warriors could comprehend, but it wasn’t just her magic that pulled me in. It was her. I stepped closer, the air thick between us. “I think you are far more dangerous than they realize.”

She swallowed, and I watched the delicate bob of her throat, my fingers twitching at my sides, craving to trace that line. The space between us was suffocating, filled with unspoken tension that clawed at my restraint. The way she looked at me, heavy with lust, made my blood roar through my veins.

“You’re staring.” Her voice held an amused edge, but there was something else in her eyes that mirrored the hunger that gnawed at me.

I grunted, tearing my gaze away, but not before letting my hand brush against the small of her back, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver through her. I could feel the tension crackling like a live wire. Her presence was consuming, an ache I couldn’t ignore, and it took everything in me to remind myself of my responsibilities to her as much as the clan. She was exhausted and desperately needed rest. But each glance, each subtle brush of her against me, chipped away at my restraint, fueling my instincts to take her to bed and claim her.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her fingers brushing against mine as we walked.

"To my chambers to retire for the night." I didn't miss the flare of heat in her eyes, and I had to fight against my desires to ravage her body here in the corridors, my clan be damned. "Stop it, I can feel your eyes on me. You need rest before you can play."

Her dark chuckle wrapped around me like a silken thread as we reached my door. The heat in her eyes was a challenge, one I ached to accept, but I had to hold firm. For now.

Chapter 20

Cleo

My hand lingered on the rough wood of the door as I hesitated. Moving into Dex’s quarters felt monumental, not just for our new relationship but for my place among the clan. To be here, beside my mate, meant more than just sharing a room. It was a silent recognition of our bond.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned into the door and pushed it open. The room was vast, larger than any space I’d seen since arriving at the stronghold. The thick stone walls kept out the cold mountain air, while a large hearth crackled in the corner Above the hearth, a mantle held relics of orc history. Carved horns, ceremonial weapons, and a polished stone that emitted a soft, faint light.

To the left, a large table was piled with maps, scrolls, and tools of leadership, a clear sign of how much Dex was involved in the daily life of the clan. I could picture him sitting in these chairs, working late into the night, pouring over plans for the next battle, doing everything he could to protect the stronghold and his people. My heart clenched with worry for him, carrying the weight of his clan’s future on his shoulders.

Across the room was an immense bed covered in furs and thick blankets, far too large for any human. Dex was larger than life in every sense of the word, but the sight of that bed made my heart race. It wasn’t just about sleeping beside him; it symbolized trust and intimacy, something I hadn’t known for so long.

I brushed my fingers over the furs, taking in the strength and simplicity of Dex’s personal space. The tapestries, hung on the stone walls in a deep red and adorned with clan symbols, made the room feel rich in history. I wondered how long it had taken him to grow comfortable here. I wondered how long it would take me to feel like I could belong somewhere too.

I turned to face him as Dex stepped up behind me, watching me explore in his rooms. He had grabbed a basin of hot water from the table, muscles flexing under its weight as if it was nothing. Our eyes met, and a warm smile spread across his face.

“Thought you might want to relax.” Dex nodded toward a small alcove hidden behind a curtain. “The bath’s been drawn for you.”

I followed his gaze and saw the massive wooden tub, big enough for Dex to fully recline should he wish. Steam was rising from the water, filling the air with the faint scent of herbs. Only now did I realize how loud my muscles were screaming from all the walking and scrambling over rocks. My thighs ached, and my mind was heavy from using my magic. A bath felt like a blessing.

Dex added the basin of hot water to the tub and crossed the room to me. His hand guiding me toward the bath. “You’ve been carrying too much. Tonight, let me shoulder the weight. Let me care for you, please,” he murmured, his hand a steady presence on my back.

I leaned into his touch, appreciating his offer. I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to be my rock. Dex moved to the tub and began adding salts and oils to the water, and thesmell of lavender, rosemary, and something unfamiliar filled the air. The room held a cozy warmth as the scents wrapping around me like a soft embrace.

“Please, allow me.”

His fingers brushed against my skin, untying the laces of my dress with such care that it sent my heart racing. Laces undone, he turned to give me privacy as my dress slid down my body, pooling at my feet. The air felt cool against my skin, and I hurried to rid myself of my underclothes and climb into the steaming water.

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