Page 17 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

“Do you trust your brother with this?” Olog asks. “He is a great fighter, but not a great lord. He never shows up to court and when he does, he pays little attention to the goings on. Will he take this task seriously?”

Standing, I make my way down the stairs of my dais, knowing they will follow me. I put my hands behind my back, clasping my wrists. “Nash may live…unconventionally, but he is loyal to the realm. I have no doubt he will do what needs done to ensure I am not hurt or usurped, especially because it is from his group the rogue orcs broke off from.”

Larek and Olog walk flush with me. Larek says, “I trust in Nash’s abilities. If he is not able to free the land of this infestation, Mahk will. They are both formidable.”

I push through the doors of the throne room and walk onto the palace grounds, making my way to the forge.

The necklace Larek gave me for Rainn when he arrived works perfectly, enabling us to communicate in his native tongue while I teach him orcish, but I see how it annoys him when it gets in his way or if it catches on some of his clothing. Well,myclothing. Even though he would like some of his own, he is content to walk around in my tunics. And I like seeing him in them.

After about ten minutes, the forge comes into view. I have something specific I want for Rainn and it is not that necklace that causes him grief.

The blacksmiths see me coming and all but those working bellows or hammering hot metal drop to one knee to bow.

“Rise,” I say as I step under the awning and am immediately engulfed by the sweltering heat. They all get to their feet. “Who is in charge here?”

An orc a few inches shorter than me starts, but steps forward, bowing at the waist. “I am, Your Highness. I am Xolag. How may I be of assistance?” He appears nervous, as if he believes I am here to cause trouble for him.

“There is something I would like crafted for me. Walk with me so we can discuss.”

He falls in step beside me as we start down a lane adjacent to the forge. It is the same lane that leads to the barrier, but I try to ignore that, pushing down the excited feelings I have when I think of Rainn.

He has been in my kingdom for a week and it has been the best week of my life. We talk and laugh about any and everything. He is hilarious, able to make me laugh like I have not since I was a youth.

Our time together has been superficial, however. We discuss nothing of importance. But I would like to. Rainn is my mate and I want to get to know everything about him.

Xolag asks again, “How may I be of assistance?”

“I would like you to make something for me. For my mate.”

Xolag stops beside me, his turquoise eyes wide. “You wish…me to make something for the emperor’s consort?”

That title brings me up short. I knew when I mated someone, they would become the my consort. I am not sure why it slipped my mind to tell Rainn that myself.

I incline my head. “Yes, I would. Is that agreeable?”

Xolag bows his head. “Yes. Yes it is. I would be honored. What is it you need? I am quite adept at making shields and spear tips. Any form of weaponry you, or your mate, would like.”

I chuckle. I don’t think Rainn is the type that would be in the thick of a battle. “No, nothing of that nature.”

I tell Xolag what I want in as great a detail as I can. I give him the measurements I acquired from Rainn’s wrist while he was sleeping. Xolag nods, listening intently. He informs me that I will have my order in less than a week. Once I receive it, I will imbue it with magic for Rainn.

Clapping him on the shoulder, I thank Xolag when we return to the forge. Larek and Olog inquire about what I needed and I smile, a giddy feeling dancing in my chest. “Something for my mate.”

Larek rolls his eyes, though he smiles. “You are far gone, are you not, Your Highness?”

“No denying it.”

They both laugh and I join in.

We head back to the palace so we can continue our business for the day. But when we walk in, Rainn is knocking on the door of the throne room, looking edible in one of my dark green tunics. He has on those heavy duty boots he wore when he entered the barrier, but nothing else. I can tell from the outline of his backside that he does not have on any undergarments.

My cock twitches in my trousers. Rainn and I have been touching and kissing each other for the past week. I do believe I know every inch of his body by feel, my hands itching to touch him again.

A deep chuckle from Larek brings Rainn’s head up and around to us. His cheeks pink as he walks over to us. “Hey. I was coming to see?—”

I cut him off by grabbing him around the waist and hauling him to me, kissing him deeply. Rainn moans in my mouth and wraps his arms around my neck. Everything around me disappears as I ravage his mouth. Nothing else exists but Rainn and how he feels in my arms. If it were up to me, I would have him against the wall, his legs around my waist as I pump in and out of him, pleasure oil be damned.

Throats clearing interrupt me and my mate. I growl and pull my lips from Rainn’s. I look over my shoulder at Larek, who tries to look innocent.

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