Page 11 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

He holds a device in the air and scrunches his face. “No service. Where can I get bars around here?”

I shake my head. “Your human machines will not work here. I am sorry. You cannot contact your friend.”

Rainn sighs and tosses his device back in the bag. “Just my luck, I suppose. When can I go back home?”

Slowly, I shake my head. “Not right now. There is…not right now.”

“That blows.” He lies back on the bed, then moans sinfully. One of my hands drops in front of my groin, my cock growing half hard at the noise. “Holy fuck, this bed is soft. What is it? Memory foam?”

I frown. “I am not sure what that is, but it is made from Leocsela feathers.”

“Leoc—what?” he asks, his face a mask of confusion.

Smiling, I explain what Leoscelas are, as well as telling him a few more animals native to Belzod. “But our pillows and bedding are made from their feathers and fur,” I finish.

“So weird for an animal to have feathers and fur.” Rainn smiles at me, tucking his legs under him. His smile wavers. “I like this place, from what little I saw of it, but my best friend will be worried. I hate that I can’t tell him what happened.”

I feel for him. I could ask a human that has been claimed to deliver the message, but any human that comes through the portal has no desire to leave but for a short time. And wherever they are from is where the portal sends them back to. The human may not want to travel to the “Merry-land” Rainn spoke of.

I broach the idea to Rainn, but he only shakes his head. “No, that’s okay. It would be best for him to know, but I don’t want to put anyone out because of my curiosity.” I wonder at his statement, but do not ask questions. Rainn lets out a humorless laugh. “Besides, I think Kai would try to come here himself and would beat himself up if he couldn’t get through the portal. It was solid for me when I tried to go back, so I know it will be solid for him trying to get in.” Rainn pulls his knees to his chest. “I guess it’s for the best. I’ve always wanted to meet an orc.”

My eyebrows now rise on my forehead. “Truly? Why?”

His cheeks darken with a blush and he lowers his gaze, picking at the sheet. “For… reasons.” He glances around nervously, taking in my room as he fiddles with his fingers. “Is this your room?”

“It is. Would you like me to show you around?”

Rainn perks up, his eyes bright. “Yes. Oh god, yes. Please.” But when he stands, he sways on his feet.

I rush over to him and lower him back to the bed. “Maybe tomorrow. The healer said you would need to rest for a day or two after you hit your head.”

He nods, then hisses. “Good call. Can I sleep here or will I?—”

“You may sleep here. I can sleep in another chamber.”

“No,” he rushes to say, holding up his hands as if to stop me from leaving. “No, you can stay here. This bed is gigantic. There’s enough room for us both. Besides…” He lowers his eyes and lets out a shuddering breath. “Something inside me doesn’t want you to leave quite yet. Even the thought of it makes me feel jittery. Weird, huh?”

It is on the tip of my tongue to tell him about fated mates, but from what I understand about his species, they do not believe in them. I am sure I would scare him if I broached the subject. Soon. I will tell him soon. Just not while he is healing from his injury.

I sit on the bed beside him. “No, it is not. If you would like, you can rest. It is close to dusk. From what past humans have said, there is a time progression of close to six hours when you cross the barrier. Your sleep cycle will regulate quickly though.”

Rainn nods, eyes wide with interest. “Yeah. Okay. Crazy how crossing what felt like a freezing cold waterfall could basically teleport me to the future.”

I give him a small, reassuring smile. “Would you like something to eat? I can go to the kitchens and gather you an evening meal?”

“You don’t have to do that,” he says, trying to sit up.

I press my hand lightly to his shoulder so he can lie back down. “It would be my pleasure. I will just be a moment. Rest until I come back. If you are up to it after dinner, we can talk more. Alright?”

He smiles at me, still unsure, but not exactly scared. What an odd human. “Alright. Thank you, Axum.”

With a smile on my face, I leave my chambers to gather dinner for my mate.

ChapterSix

Rainn

The bedI wake up in is fucking heaven. God, I’ve never slept so well, especially in an unknown place. A whole new world.

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