Page 31 of Wagered to the Orc
“Ye’ve killed me,” he panted, slumping backward. “Gods below, lass, if ye keep that up, I’ll…” He broke off his threat with a shake of his head, a shake of his whole body.
I was curious, aye, but I hoped now that I had tasted him, I could do it again. As I licked, I twisted to grin at him.
And I found Korvak staring at me in the most unsettling way.
His hands still rested on my thighs, holding me against him. We were as connected as two beings could be, while not actually having him inside me. I was licking his seed, for God’s sake!
But he was staring at me as if I was the answer to his prayers. As if I was food to a starving man, air to a drowning man. As if heneededme.
His eyes were green.
Not the green of some people back in Tarbert keep, which was really just a version of the more common blue eyes. Nay, Korvak’s eyesglowedgreen, an unsettling sight when I knew them to be black.
I hadn’t really killed him, had I?
“Korvak,” I whispered.
How had I ever thought him ugly? The scar was disfiguring, aye, but now I flinched from the pain he must have felt, more than the sight. In the harsh lines of his jaw and cheekbones, I saw strength, and kindness in the lines around his eyes.
“Korvak, are you well?”
“Aye, lass,” he rasped, pulling me against him. “How—” His voice caught, and I felt him swallow as he rearranged my legs to fall over one of his thighs so he could hold me as he had earlier. “How could ye doubt that? ‘Twas remarkable.”
The yawn caught me by surprise, but I quickly hummed in agreement.
Ithadbeen remarkable.
I wanted to do it again. Nay, I wantedmore. I wanted to climb atop him and learn more from him and from the Harlot’s Guide about the pleasures that were possible.
I wanted Korvak to teach me.
I wanted to be worth teaching.
But I didn’t want to be greedy.
So, I pressed my cheek against his shoulder and I brushed a kiss over his skin. He exhaled and I echoed it.
I was hot and breathless and covered in orc cum, but I was at peace.
At last, I knew what I wanted, what was possible. Could I be worth such a future?
Korvak.
Chapter 9
Effie
I slept that night in Korvak’s arms again, warm and safe. I loved it so much I almostachedwith it, with the desperate hope this could continue always. I wanted to stay awake and savor the sensation of being cherished and protected…but after he cleaned me, I fell asleep almost immediately.
The next morning, porridge was waiting for me again, and Korvak was working with the horses. Instead of being worried I had offended him, I saw the gesture for what ‘twas: his way of caring forme.
Yesterday had taught me many things. About him. About myself.
I realized I was humming as I cleaned the kitchen area, but didn’t stop myself. I was alone, and for thefirst time in my life, I didn’t have to worry about anyone judging me.
Growing up in between worlds, I often helped the servants in the kitchen, because it was a lofty enough position the lord wouldn’t think me demeaning myself…although I didn’t receive pay the way the servants did. I learned to cook and bake simple dishes, which had served me well enough during these last days in Korvak’s home.
I shook my head, wondering what those servants would think when they heard of my abduction. Of John’s death. I wondered if I could get word to them—to the keep—next full moon.
