Page 21 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“I should not have said that.” Swinging my focus back to the fire, I tried to save face. “I do not think you arrogant. I just did not like the way…”

You did not like me.

When I trailed off, he turned to face me fully on the bench.

“Aye? What do ye no’ like about me, my pretty little human?”

I scowled. “The way you treat me—”like I’m different.I bit down on the rest of my complaint. “I do not like that you belittle yerself. The Bloodfire Clan is lucky to have you to act as their chief.”

Vartok was studying me. “Theirchief, Myra? Ye dinnae think of yerself as one of us?”

I did. But…I lived in borrowed beds in another’s home. It was a situation I’d long grown used to, so I shrugged and tried to make light of it.

“I doubt I will ever fully belong.”Anywhere.

“I dinnae like the sound of that. I want ye to belong here.”

“Well, I suppose, since youarethe chief…”

“Shite,” he muttered, pushing himself to his feet. “I’m no’ the chief. I’m just the puir bastard who happened to be next in line,” he growled as he paced. “The full moon is in a few days…”

If Torvolk could tear himself away from his Mating Heat with Isadora—the whole village was smirking about their enthusiasm—he’d be going out to look for signs of Kragorn again.

“You would still have to wait another month to hear back,” I murmured sympathetically.

“Aye, and each month that passes…” He trailed off but ran his fingers across the top of his head, catching his topknot and squeezing it hard before shaking his head again. “I’ve prayed more in these last six months than I ever have,” he whispered. “Prayed for Kragorn’s safe return.”

I watched him pace. “For your brother’s sake, or for yours?”

He scowled over his shoulder at me. “I miss him. Malla the Beginner kens I miss him. But I’m…” He trailed off and ceased his pacing to face the fire. When he whispered the confession, I almost didn’t hear it.

“I’m scared, Myra.”

Somehow I found myself on my feet.

“Of what?”

He didn’t turn. “That I’ll have to stay chief. I wasnae meant to be this responsible, this commanding.”

His torment pulled at me, and I was standing at his back before I realized what I was doing.

“I am sorry,” I murmured, placing my palm against the middle of his back. “But you are notbadat it, Vartok. You are good at taking command.” I should know. “I…We trust you to…lead.”

He was still for a long moment—not just still, but frozen. I imagined I could feel him struggling with himself and wondered if he was debating whether or not he should make a flippant comment about last night. About how I’d allowed him control.

About how I’d come undone at his command.

But when he turned suddenly to grasp my shoulders, heavy fur cloak sweeping around him, he didn’t seem flippant. His dark eyes glowed with a spark of green I’d seen just faintly last night.

“Do ye ever get scared, Myra?”

I was taken aback and answered before I thought it through.

“Aye, often.”

“Of what?” he asked intently, and I knew he wasn’t going to mock me for admitting my lackings.

Still, I couldn’t tell him that I was afraid of my body’s reaction to him, could I? I locked mygaze on his chest.

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