Page 23 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

The smile pasted on my face is permanent as we walk back to the palace.

Once we’re back in our room and after Axum hangs my clothes beside his in his extremely large closet, he asks, “How would you feel about going somewhere with me in a few days? I have work that must be addressed first, but after that?”

“I say yes. I think I’ll go to hang out with Duma for the next few days at the market. If you finish early, come find me.”

We go to take a bath then get ready for bed. We’d spent more time at the seamstress’s hut than I thought, as the sun had already set when we were walking home.

Usually, we’d fool around before we go to sleep, kissing and touching each other everywhere. Tonight, I’m too exhausted. So I climb onto Axum’s chest and lie down, getting comfortable against his warm flesh.

He kisses the top of my head and I smile. “I need to take my hair down soon. I didn’t bring any products with me though. I’ll need shampoo, conditioner and something to moisturize my hair.” If I’d known I’d be trapped somewhere without a hair store, I would have packed all my supplies with me.

“Not to worry,” Axum says. “I have been working on a serum for your hair. It shall be ready in a few days.”

“How?”

He shrugs. “There are others in the kingdom with hair texture such as yours. I inquired of them and they told me what their mates made for them. I am using the same formula, but it will have a different fragrance. One I think you will enjoy.”

I sigh, nuzzling closer to him. Just when I think Axum is already perfect, he surpasses it. I didn’t mention before tonight that I need hair products and he already had something in the works for me. Whatever I did to deserve Axum, I want to keep doing it.

“Thank you,” I say, choked up by his thoughtfulness.

“Anything for you, Rainn.”

ChapterNine

Axum

“Thank you, Xolag,”I tell the blacksmith, closing my hand around Rainn’s gift. It is small, so I tuck it into my bag so I will not drop it.

Xolag bows, his cheeks flushing a deeper green. “You are most welcome, Your Highness. I am glad it is to your liking.”

“It is perfect. Please, if there is anything I can do for you, let me know.”

He lifts his head with a wide grin. “Doing this for you was honor enough. I can tell my children and my children’s children that I made a token for the emperor's consort. What a tale for them to pass down.”

Placing my hand over my heart, I tip my head to him. “You honor me with your words.”

With that, Xolag and I part ways and I head back to the palace to retrieve Rainn. I know how much he loves nature and the outdoors. I just hope he loves my secret place.

I only get two steps into the palace before a ball of energy jumps into my arms. I stumble back, catching myself against a pillar, laughing when Rainn wraps his arms around my neck.

“Eager, are we?” I ask when I right myself, my hands going under his ass to keep him close.

“Very. I’ve been up for ,like, an hour waiting for you to come get me. I even packed us a bag. I’m ready.”

With my free hand, I push the flap back of the bag slung over his shoulder and see there are refreshments and a blanket stuffed inside. I did not inform Rainn where we were going, but I am glad he had the foresight to pack a blanket.

Holding him close, I take measured steps down the hallways, not missing the soft grins my guards give us. “We should eat first. Then we can go.”

Rainn pecks me gently on the lips, sending sparks over my skin.

We eat breakfast quickly, then, hand in hand, we walk in the opposite direction of the barrier. We walk along the road for a few minutes in peaceful silence before I turn Rainn down a gully. He looks at me curiously, but I prod him on and he starts forward.

Carefully, we walk along the edges, watching as the water rushes by unimpeded. Rainn looks down and smiles as a school of Kirabura swim by. A few jump out of the water, flapping their fins before descending back into the depths of the gully.

On and on we walk, until we get to a game path. “Watch your step,” I murmur to Rainn, helping him step over a large root. He thanks me and we continue on our trek.

Alone, it would take me a little less than an hour to reach my secret place, but with Rainn and his short legs, it takes close to two hours before I see the familiar break in the woods.

---