Page 41 of Orc's Mate

I hoped they did too. We could return to the village, and she could tell them what happened from the safety of the forest, but would it make a difference? If they didn’t believe her, they’d try to capture her. I’d never put my mate in danger.

Because I loved her.

The feeling had slipped so easily into my heart, as if that organ knew a piece was missing and waited only for her to slip it into place. Some might say it was fast and sudden, but that was the way with fated mates.

“Where are you taking me?” she said with a low laugh.

I was glad she could shrug off her sadness and focus on now.

“Not far.” I led her up a small hill and down the other side, approaching a series of flat rocks like the ones we’d fished from.

“Will we jump off these?” She released a shiver. “I’m not sure if I’m ready to plunge into the sea when it’s over my head.”

“We’ll swim where it’s shallow and safe.”

“In this huge body of water? We caught some good-sized fish, and that tells me that the things that eat them are bigger than the ones we reeled in.”

“There are enormous fish in the sea. I’ve seen them in the spring. They migrate, and as they pass in huge schools, they leap from the water and splash back down among their friends. Their skin is smooth, not scaled. The tops of their bodies are dark purple and the underside paler.”

“I can’t wait to see them, but honestly, I don’t want to swim with them.”

“You won’t.”

We crossed a series of huge flat rocks and stopped in the middle.

“A pool,” she exclaimed. “It’s in the middle of the rocks, though I can see that water splashes up across the front of the boulders and keeps it filled.” Her gaze followed the water-filled channel all the way to the cliffs, and she pointed. “Is that a cave?”

“It’s shallow.” I’d explored every part of this island when I was young. “Sadly, there’s no excitement in that direction.” I reached for the tie to my loincloth. “Ready for your first swimming lesson?”

“I suspect you have more than swimming in mind,mate.”

“Are you all right with that?” She’d given me the idea she was falling for me just like I was for her, but perhaps she wasn’t ready to take this further.

“I am.” She lifted her top over her head and tossed it aside, revealing her glorious breasts.

As I unwound the leather and dropped it on the rocks, she shimmied out of her skirt and laid it carefully next to her folded top.

Her shoes joined the rest of her clothing, and she straightened, her chin lifted slightly. “My leg’s a mess. Please don’t look at it.”

“I saw it when I massaged it, remember?”

“It was dark then.”

“It’s dark now.” I dropped to my knees in front of her, though this put us at eye level. “I see scars, but they’re badges of courage. They show me you’re a fighter, that you don’t give up, that no matter what happens to you, you keep trying.” I met her gaze, and I hoped she could see the honesty in mine. “I cherish each part of you, including your scars.”

“You’re going to make me cry.” Her lips trembled. “I don’t hate my scars, per se. They’re so much a part of me now that other than my limp and a wish that my leg would work better than it does, I accept myself as I am. How can I do anything else? It’s not as if I can change this.”

“You’re beautiful,” I said in awe. “I still can’t believe you’re even willing to look at me.”

As I rose to my feet, she stepped right up to me, our skin brushing. “You’re perfect. Strong, kind, and gorgeous.”

“Males aren’t gorgeous,” I said with a smile. “We’re handsome or perhaps striking. Nothing as glorious as you.”

“It seems we both admire each other. That’s enough, don’t you think?”

“It is.” I was honored to have this woman as my mate, and I was going to cherish her each and every date the fates granted us.

I couldn’t believe we were standing here naked and only talking. She was lovely, all lush curves and creamy skin so different from my green. Her breasts were high and round, and I wanted to suck on her nipples. But despite teasing her about swimming naked, I didn’t plan to take this too far. I’d let her guide what we did tonight.

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