Page 86 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

The council—including Kragorn—turned to the Keeper who was spending more time in the village with his Mate these days as he taught our people their history. Now, however, the quiet one-armed man merely shrugged.

“I dinnae see how. Sea raiders require their ships and the stones are on land. Mayhap they have a water-based equivalent?”

“A stone circle in the middle of the sea?” Nan snorted. “’Tis more likely they are lying about confining their reiving to the human world.”

There were grunts and nods around the Council Hall, the fire much lower now that the nights weren’t as cold. Stifling my sigh, I rubbed my temples, not sure why I was bothering to defend the honor of a male I’d only met once.

Aye, he’d given me hope, and aye, he’d helped my Mate and me, and aye, he hadn’t seemed to approve of the other Battleborn revelry. But what did it matter? As long as Bloodfire warriors were never sent to battle against them, we could remain allies of a sort.

Kragorn was asking questions now, pushing the Keeper for more information, and I exhaled, stretching my shoulders. It had been a long day—training in the morning then fixing the head of Torvolk’s favorite battleax. I was sore and tired…and missing Myra.

On long days like these, when she spent the time helping the new mothers of the clan, or those who needed her healing skills, I looked forward to holding her in my arms and hearing about her day. Of course, first I had to bring her pleasure three or four times, butafter…well, I was discovering there were things I could do with a female in bed that I liked almost as much as feeling her climax.

‘Twas as if, as the months went by, my bond with my Mate only strengthened. I loved Myra and I was confident in her love for me. And that was what made all the difference.

Gods below, I missed her. Why did I have to be at this meeting if they weren’t going to listen to my words?

As if I had conjured her, I caught my Mate’s presence. Mayhap ‘twas her scent, or mayhap ‘twas our bond…I just knew she was approaching. My gaze rose, searching the darkness for her.

And then suddenly, there she was, materializing from the shadows as she’d done months ago. Only this time she was wrapped in my plaid…and wearing naught else besides a wicked smile and the beads she’d allowed me to braid into her gorgeous hair.

Orcs didn’t wear ornamentation to show they were Mated, but with our matching beads, no one would doubt Myra and I belonged to one another.

Although Gruptor was in the middle of another diatribe against the Battleborn, Kragorn held up his palm, stopping him.

“Myra. Can I assume ye’re here for my brother?”

“Alas,” she sighed. “I require him. ‘Tis vital.”

Surely I wasn’t the only one who heard her terrible acting skills? Judging from Nan’s smirk, I wasn’t…but I had already pushed away from the support where I’d been lounging and was hurrying toward my love.

“Apologies, Kragorn,” I called over my shoulder. “My Mate requires me. Ye heard her.”

“Aye, sounds important.” There was amusement in my brother’s voice. “Obviously ye must go.”

I snagged Myra’s hand as I stalked past without pausing and she whirled to follow me with a breathless little laugh.

“Thank ye,” I groaned quietly when we were sufficient distance from the fire. “How’d ye ken I needed an escape?”

“Easy.” She tugged me to a stop, turning me to face her. In the spring dusk, I saw her grin. “BecauseIwas quite desperate to seeyou.”

I searched her expression. “Is aught amiss?” Surely I’d be able to tell if something was wrong?

Her lips curled up wickedly, and she pressed forward, until I could feel that she wore naught beneath the wrapped plaid.

“I wanted to go to the hot springs, but…I need you, Mate,” she whispered.

And myKteerhowled in glee.

Mate. Mine. Love. Forever.

Myra was mine, and I was hers, and I would gladly spend a lifetime satisfying her in whatever way she needed.

“Well then, get ready for some pleasure.” I grunted slightly as I lifted her over one shoulder, smiling at the way she squealed indignantly. “My pretty little plaything…”

I couldn’t wait to taste her.

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