Page 18 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

Rainn giggles sweetly, pasting himself to my side. “Hey, Larek, Olog.”

Since he has been here, Rainn has become acquainted with my advisors, asking after their families and about their work. If I am not mistaken, they are all half in love with him.

Not many people inquire about our days or our work. Our job is a thankless one. So I understand why Larek and Olog are always eager to talk to him. Looks as if my mate has found loyal servants as well.

Olog bows, making Rainn blush. “Rainn. How do you fare today?”

“I’m well. You? How’s your mate?”

My advisor's face brightens. “She is fantastic. She works the booth in our market if you would like to meet her.”

“I would love to.” He looks up at me with a smile. “Can you take me to the market tomorrow?”

“Anything you want.” I look at Larek. “Cancel my schedule for the day. I will take care of everything the day after tomorrow.” Larek and Olog bow and leave us. “Did you need me?” I ask Rainn.

He shakes his head. “No. Well, yes. I wanted to see if you’ve eaten. You told me yesterday that you don’t always eat while you’re working.”

It was a throw-away comment when he laughed at how much I ate at dinner last night. I did not think it was information that Rainn would latch onto.

My heart warms that he came to check on me. I have spent so much time alone, so much time taking care of myself that it is disconcerting that someone else does it—but in a good way. If I was not aware from a biological standpoint, this small act alone would tell me he is my mate. Rainn is perfect.

“I have not. Let us go to the kitchens and beg food. I will have you fed before I take you upstairs with me.”

His eyes become hooded before he tucks himself to my side.

We enter the kitchens and the cooks scramble to make whatever Rainn asks for. He has gotten accustomed to our cuisine here, loving the oxiolly. He says it reminds him of something he calls a carrot where he is from. I am sure to tell the cooks to make extra oxiolly for my sweet Rainn. Once we have plates piled high with food, we go to the dining room to eat.

As always, the food smells delicious. My stomach growls from the scent wafting up to me. I did not notice how hungry I was until this very moment.

“Tell me about your brothers,” Rainn says after we have been eating for a few minutes. I told him I had two brothers, one that stays in isolation, but that is all I divulged. We were too busy touching each other to say more.

I swallow the food in my mouth and say, “Nash and Mahk. Nash is the middle brother and Mahk is the youngest.”

“What are they like? Why don’t they live here?”

I shake my head. “Nash would not want to live here. He is…eccentric. He and his band of loyal orcs roam around and live in tents. He loves his own space. He is a lord, but does not conduct himself as such.” Though I say it as a rebuke, I find myself smiling.

“Is that a bad thing?” he asks, stuffing a piece of oxiolly in his mouth with a pleased groan.

“It is not. In fact, I envy him sometimes for his freedom. He comes when he is summoned, but he does not hold to the duties of a normal lord. I am sure if I were not emperor, he would be stripped of his title. But it is unfathomable to me to do that to anyone, let alone my brother.”

“And your other brother?”

I look at him, my gaze searching his face. I am not sure he can handle what Mahk does, but I will tell him because he asked. “He is the royal assassin.”

Rainn’s eyes widen. “Oh. Well…that’s…”

“It is a position he is good at, though he is not needed much,” I defend, not wanting him to think less of Mahk. My youngest brother chose his job, but he is not evil. He dispatches those I order him to, and nothing more.

He nods. Rainn looks nervous about the information, but not afraid.“That’s Mahk? Like Mark with a Boston accent?” He giggles, then says“Maaaaahhhhhk! Pahhk the caahh!” and giggles harder.

I look at him with a tilt of my head, wondering what is so funny.

Composing himself, Rainn says, “I’m sorry. If you knew about Boston, you’d understand why that’s funny.”

I only smile and nod.“Yes, Mahk is the assassin. Nash is the lord.”

“Are they next in line for the throne? I’m not sure how royal succession works for orcs.”

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