Page 38 of Bound in Flames

I had fallen asleep in the tub last night, and I vaguely recalled Dex lifting me from the water and wrapping me in cotton towels before placing me into his bed, before climbing in behind me. Thinking of the way his hands had travelled along my body in the bathtub had heat curling low in my stomach, and I groaned in frustration.

A soft sound of the door latch drew me from my thoughts, and I clutched the furs to my chest as I looked towards the heavy door. Dex appeared in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His golden eyes met mine, a small, reassuring smile on his lips.

“Good morning, mate,” he said softly, stepping inside. “I didn’t want to wake you, but the clan is eager to meet you. We have much to do today.”

I nodded, feeling a rush of nerves at the thought of meeting more of the orcs. The ones in the hall had been wary of me, to say the least. Though they had recited the prophecy, there was still doubt in their eyes. I wasn’t one of them.

“Are you ready to meet our people?” His voice was gentle, though there was a hint of concern in his gaze.

I took a deep breath and nodded again. “I think so. I just... don’t know what to expect.”

Dex stepped closer and reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “They’re curious about you, but they willcome to trust you. You’ve already proven yourself to me and the others.”

His words were a comfort, and I felt the tension in my shoulders ease. Dex had been a source of strength, and though the growing bond between us was undeniable, I still wasn’t sure how to navigate it. There was something more between us, something that went beyond just being allies. But in the midst of everything else—the prophecy, the dark magic, the orcs’ hopes—I wasn’t sure what to do with those feelings.

“I had your clothes cleaned. The women made some repairs to your dress until we get you fitted for more. Get dressed,” Dex offered me his hand. “Let’s go meet the rest of the clan.”

How could he be so sweet and so deliciously tempting all at the same time?It was like he was immune to the pull between us, while I was a slave to my thoughts and desires. Taking his offered hand, I let him pull me from the bed. Once standing, I turned from him and approached my clothing on the table. I couldn’t help but smirk at my devilish thoughts as I allowed the furs to fall to my feet, leaving me naked, before stepping slowly into my underwear, shimmying as I pulled them up my thighs and into place.

I felt the heat of his presence as I straightened, and he pressed into me, grasping my hip and pulling back roughly back against his chest. His fingers were unyielding, and I watched as they sunk into the flesh of my hip. The sight was one of the most erotic things I had seen, and I rolled my head back, resting it against his chest with a satisfied hum. His claws traced my throat before drifting lower and taking my breast roughly in his palm. His thick fingers pinched my nipple and rolled it softly. The moan that was torn from my throat was desperate, and I ground my hips back against him in response, my breathing quickly becoming ragged when the press of his hard cock nestled against my lower back.

“Fuck Dex, please don’t stop,” I whispered breathlessly, my voice needy with arousal.

“You’re a temptress, little shaman. Gods, how I wish to show you exactly what you do to me.” He groaned, chin brushing against my temple as he pressed a gentle kiss against my temple. The stark difference between his punishing grip and his soft lips made my knees weak, and I could feel heat pooling inches from his rough fingers on my hip.

“Make no mistake, Cleo, there is nothing more I want than to hear you beg for me as I take you apart. But we have things we must do first so we can have the evening to ourselves.”

The crack of his hand over my ass had me squealing. He grabbed my chin and tugged my head to face the far wall, my eyes landing on a giant mirror. I wasn’t surprised by the heat in my gaze, fueled by my orc mate towering behind me. I watched as my throat bobbed tightly when I tried to swallow, the sudden nervousness racing through me at my body being on display for him like this.

“Look at me as you get dressed, slowly. Let me enjoy your body before you hide it from me.”

Heat scorched my chest and moved up my cheeks as he watched, a predatory gleam in his eyes. I fumbled with my clothes as I tried to keep eye contact, my body alight with need. My core was dripping with arousal by the time my dress was back in place. He knew exactly what he did to me, and the dichotomy between his Chieftain side, his playful humor, and this ravenous beast had me all but begging at his feet for him to touch me again.

Chapter 21

Cleo

The warmth of Dex’s touch kept me on edge as we stepped out of the small chamber and into the winding stone corridors of the stronghold. The air was cooler here, providing relief to the over sensitized heat that lingered on my skin, my mind still reeling in frustration.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer scale of this place. The fortress was built with long, spiraling tunnels and chambers that seemed to stretch endlessly into the mountain. Walls were etched with intricate carvings, telling the story of the orcs’ history—scenes of battles fought, of forests and rivers, of a people deeply connected to the land.

“This place is incredible,” I murmured, my eyes tracing the carvings as we passed.

“It’s been our home for generations.”

“Are all orcs trained to be warriors?”

He smiled kindly, but his eyes still held the edge of heat from before, giving me another glimpse of the person behind the Chieftain mask. “Not all. We are a people of the earth, first and foremost. Many of us are warriors, yes, but there are also farmers, hunters, healers. The mountain sustains us, but it is not easy. Everyone has a role to play.”

I nodded, taking in his words as my eyes traced every inch of the new sights in front of me. It was a far cry from the world I had come from, where nobility lived in luxury while others toiled in the fields. Here, the orcs seemed to value every life, every contribution, and everyone was treated equally.

We neared the central hall and the sound of voices grew louder. I could smell the familiar scent of cooking meat and herbs and my stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since the night before.

Dex glanced at me with a knowing smile. “Hungry, little mate?”

The chatter quietened as we entered, and all eyes turned to us, my response died on my lips as I felt a wave of nerves.

“Chieftain Dex,” one of the orcs greeted, bowing his head in respect. “We are glad to see you return safely.”

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