Page 32 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

He nips at my throat, sucking the skin between his lips. “I want more of you coating me. Come on, mate. Give me one more.”

“Fuck,” I whimper as my back bows and I cum in a wave, my breath trapped in my chest. It feels so fucking good to come like this—impaled on a large dick with the orc that I’m in love with talking me through it.

Axum hums, nipping at my throat. My body bucks. Is this what it will feel like when he claims me? When he plunges those teeth into me? God, I can’t fucking wait.

Once I’m milked and can’t come anymore, I sag against Axum’s chest, my mouth open dragging in greedy pulls of air. Axum’s rough palms drift up and down my spine, making me tremble and his knot brush my magic button.

Axum chuckles when I moan tiredly. “I am sorry, sweet Rainn. I will hold still.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing I can’t come anymore. I’m drained dry. “Tell me what your brother meant about mates.”

“Nash believes in fated mates. Always has, since we were kids. He told me and Mahk that ours were out there and they would come to us when we least expected them. You came to me when I least expected you, Rainn. And I do not want to give you up.”

“That’s good,” I say, kissing the underside of his chin. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to leave you.”

His knot goes down and Axum pulls out of me, his cum dripping from my hole. He pulls me higher onto his lap, kissing me gently. “I am glad you came through that portal.”

“Me too, baby,” I murmur, planting my lips on his, hoping to express all of my love for him through this kiss.

ChapterTwelve

Rainn

It takesa week for Larek to feel strong enough to return home with his mate. Axum told them they could have stayed longer, but they said they didn’t want to put him out. I believe they were just being polite, that they would be more comfortable around their own things and in their own home while Larek was still healing. I had to nudge Axum to stop pressuring them to stay. His heart was in the right place, but it was obvious my mate did not know how to read the room.

Both Axum and I accompanied them home on a pair of Rhipponek—surrounded by twenty of his most trained guards. Larek and his mate thanked us profusely for our hospitality. Axum told Larek he could come back to work only after he had fully healed, and we also promised we’d come visit every day.

Since Axum is down an advisor, he’s been working longer hours, not coming back to our room until late in the night.

Tonight is no different. Whatisdifferent is the sound of frustration I hear when he’s removing his clothing to take a bath. Most nights, I wake up and he’s already in bed. This is the first time he’s woken me.

“Axum?” I ask sleepily, peeling my eyes open and blinking to bring him into focus. “You okay?”

He sighs and kneels beside the bed, pulling my hand to his lips to kiss the back. “I am sorry I woke you. It has just been a long day, that is all.”

I sit up, sliding closer to the edge of the bed so my legs are on either side of his head. He leans against my thigh, wrapping his arms around me. I rub his hair, my fingers gliding through the silky strands. “What’s wrong?”

Axum shakes his head, sighing into my thigh. “I do not wish to burden you with my problems.”

“Your problems are my problems, Axum. We’re mates. Mates in my world share their problems. Isn’t it the same here?”

He blows out a long breath. “Yes, but…I am the emperor. I am supposed to have the answers to the problems. It is my job.”

“Oh, Axum,” I say in an exasperated tone. “No one has all the answers, no matter their position. If your mate isn’t the one you talk to, then who is? I know Olog and Larek are great advisors, but I know you won’t let your guard down with them because of your position. But you can with me. You are the emperor, but we’re also a team. If your mate isn’t the one that you can lean on, then who is?”

He lifts his head, looking at me with searching eyes. “I have never had anyone I can bare my soul to or all of my indecisions or failures with. If I were to tell my advisors, I fear someone would overhear and deem me unsuitable for my role. I cannot bear that. I want to right the wrongs my sire wrought, but I cannot do that if I am second-guessed.”

Framing his face, I say, “You can tell me anything and I wouldn’t say a word. Do you trust me?”

“More than you know,” he answers without missing a beat.

“Good.” I give him a quick kiss and slide off the bed. “Come on.” I drag him to his feet—with a lot of help from him—and pull him into the room with the bathing pool. I undress him and then myself, leading him into the cold water. Axum warms it with a few words in Orcish and we sink into the depths.

Axum sighs, pulling me to him so I can wrap my legs around his waist. I push his hair back, meeting his gaze. “What is it, baby? Tell me the problem. Maybe I won’t be able to give you advice, but talking about it could help.”

“It is not that I do not know the path forward. It is that the path forward is not what I want. If the band of orcs were just opposing me without trying to assassinate me, I would allow them to disagree in peace. I cannot make everyone assent to my rule. But if theydidtry to kill me, they must die. I do not take pleasure in handing down a death sentence, but the laws of Daz Vrorkrad are clear. Any threats on my life will earn an automatic death sentence.”

I let out a sad sigh. I can see why he isn’t feeling like himself. Axum is not a person that revels in violence and knowing he has to put someone to death will eat away at him.

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