Page 27 of Bound to the Orc King

Aldronn dismounts and lifts me down, my feet sinking into the thick, soft moss that covers the ground.

He removes the packs and saddle, freeing Starfall to go and crop some of the bushes that line the edge of the trees.

“I will hunt for dinner.” He takes a few steps toward the forest, then looks back at me. “There’s a dry shirt in the pack. It’s yours.”

“Thanks.”

He stalks off into the darkness of the trees, soon lost to sight.

I crouch and dig into the saddlebags, pulling out the cleaning cloth before rooting around to find the shirt, which is a lovely dark lavender. At the edge of the water, I undress and quickly wash up using the cleaning cloth. Then I pull his spare shirt over my head. The lavender linen is soft, but it fits like a tent, hanging past my knees and billowing all around me.

“Yeah, no.” I tug it off and turn it inside out. After fishing my travel sewing kit out of my jeans—a trick I learned years ago, the hard way—I dig a spare knife out of the pack and get to work.

“What are you doing?” Starfall asks.

“Taking him at his word.” I run the sharp blade over the cloth, delighted when it parts easily. “If this shirt is mine, then I’m going to make it fit like I want.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Aldronn

When I return to the waterfall, I expect to see May in my shirt.

I do not, however, expect it to look likethat.

“What did you do?” I demand.

She stands before me, the light-purple fabric hugging her curves, the hem hitting mid-thigh and showing off a delightful amount of leg.

The pleased look falls from her face. “I thought you said the shirt was mine.”

“It was. I mean, it is.” I set the food beside the fire pit and scrub a hand over my hair. “I’m just surprised to see it so altered.”

And altered in such a way that makes it impossible to ignore how damned attractive she is. My cock stirs, and I grit my teeth. How the hell am I supposed to share a tent with my bride whenshe looks like that? It’s hard enough knowing she wears my clothes next to her naked skin.

“I thought you’d be happy I know how to sew.” She puts her hands on her hips, her flared elbows showing off that exact skill—she even made the sleeves fit. “Isn’t sewing supposed to be all wifely?”

“It’s not that.”

“Look, I’ll buy you a new shirt just as soon as possible.”

“No.” I stride forward and grip her shoulders, meeting her eyes when she glares up at me. “I didn’t say any of this right. I don’t care about the shirt.”

“Then what do you care about? Because something sure as shit put you in a bad mood.”

“Yes, Aldronn.” Starfall lifts her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. She knows me far too well. “Please tell us what’s wrong.”

I turn my glare on her until she whinnies with laughter.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I lie and go to make the fire, losing myself in the routine of cooking.

How can I explain what I barely understand? After years of meaningless encounters, sex should be easy. Yet I don’t want easy with May. I don’t want her to be another quick roll in the furs.

I’ve talked to her more in these past two days than I have to another woman in years. If we fall into bed now, will we lose this connection growing between us? Will we become nothing but sex? I don’t want that.

And my bride deserves better.

“Look at that!” The excitement in May’s voice jerks my gaze to where she points.

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