Page 34 of Wagered to the Orc
I slowly nodded, picking my way through the confession ahead. “Aye. Drakolt, my brother and chief, will publicly claim his Mate on the night of the new moon, the darkest night of the summer. Yer cousin will become his partner and will rule Clan Bladesedge until their son is auld enough to take over.”
“Sorcha is not going home.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded. Lifting my fingertip to her cheek, I traced my claw along her jaw. “She has a new home now, love. Kenning my brother, she’ll be happy.”
Effie leaned into my touch, but her gaze didn’t leave my face. “She is Drakolt’s Mate. And Drakolt isherMate. So, they are…married? Nay, you said Mating is more than marriage...”
Gods below, was it finally my time to confess? The rage from moments ago was slowly turning to fear. Fear of rejection. Fear I might hurt her.
With my heart pounding fiercely in my chest, I nodded. Then shook my head.
“To an orc, finding one’s Mate is…aknowing. Here.” My hand went to my chest, my claws digging into my skin, trying to tear out the horrible uncertainty I’d been living with for the last few days since Isuspected the truth. “’Tis part of who we are, our verra nature. Like when we make our Mates climax when we enter them, in order to soothe the way for our fooking. ‘Tis just part of who we are.”
Her eyes had widened. “When you penetrate a female, she climaxes?”
Flicking my fingers, I dismissed the question. “’Tiswho I am,Effie. Finding a Mate is more than just falling in love and marriage. ‘Tis a certainty, a knowledge, apeace. In my Mate’s arms, I am where I belong, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make myself worthy of her.”
“And you…” She shook her head, obviously still not understanding. Or possibly stuck on the little fact I revealed about the way orcs fooked. “Sorcha has found that, and you want that too? Well of course you do—it sounds lovely. Imagine being absolutely certain of your future!” My sweet little human smiled up at me. “I can see that would be something to wish for.”
“I dinnae have to wish,” I whispered harshly, willing her to understand. I returned my hand to my chest, then moved the fingertips to hers. “I have found my Mate. Ye, Effie. I realized the truth…ye are my Mate, and I am yers.”
I held my breath, praying to all the gods she wouldn’t reject me.
Chapter 10
Effie
You are my Mate.
My breathing slowed as my eyes widened.
And I am yours.
My hand rose to press my fingers against his chest, the way he had touched mine.
There is a certainty.
Suddenly, I sucked in a breath.Aye. Aye, therewasa certainty. It was not one I would have recognized either, had Korvak not explained it, butaye.
That was what I felt when I was with him.
“Mate,” I whispered, and I felt something shift inside of me.Sawsomething shift in his gaze. That green glow flickered briefly.
“Effie.” His voice was low, serious. “Just because I feel this, doesnae mean I expectyeto—”
“I feel it,” I breathed in awe. “Ifeelit, Korvak.”
His expression eased and his shoulders slumped. “Oh, thank the goddess. I’ve been terrified—” He broke off with a shake of his head. “Effie, I cannae expect ye to understand the imperative, theneed—”
“Explain it, then.” My heart felt suddenly so light, I had to move. I jumped from his lap, grabbing his hand. “Make me understand.”
His lips twitched, but he refused to allow me to pull him upright, which meant I ended up standing between his spread legs.
“Love, ye—”
“You called me that before,” I gasped. “Love.”Love.That is…that is what I felt for him, was it not? The awe in my chest began to bubble out, the sheer joy invading all my senses. “You love me?”
His nod, however, was slow and somewhat pained. “I…Idolove ye. But love isnae a strong enough word. I love my brothers, and they are pains in my arse. I love my grandmother but am also frustrated by her. What I feel for ye…”
