Page 36 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“Only if you let me wash your hair,” I shot right back.

With a good-natured grumble, he moved me to the edge so I could stand then handed me the soap as he began to untie his braids.

“I have more to teach ye, pet.”

I was beginning not to hate that name at all. My limbs were languid as I sighed happily.

“Good.”

“Will ye come to me tomorrow?”

Feeling emboldened, I teased him. “Is that a command, oh wise teacher?”

He froze. When he spoke again, his words were more hesitant. “Come to me tomorrow night, my little human.”

I smiled in the darkness, pleased to hear his order.

“Aye, Vartok. I will.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Vartok

Frankly,it was amazing I managed to accomplish anything that next day.

I learned long ago that I couldn’t work with metal if my focus wasn’t completely present. That was how mistakes happened and injuries occurred; more than one of my blades had warped during quenching since I’d become distracted by the clan’s business.

There was a long list of projects my clan—and our allies—were waiting on me to make or fix. Since becoming acting chief, I had far less time to work in my forge, so Ishouldspend each available hour working.

But how could I, when I remembered the taste of my Mate’s release on my tongue?

How could I, knowing she would be coming to me again tonight?

And so I didn’t bother trying to work steel. Instead, I pulled out Myra’s mother’s knife. ‘Twas notpoorlymade, just old. I scoured and dipped it, prepared to give it a new life. Then I began to carefully shape a piece of leather for the hilt, which I would wrap in cordage to conform to her hand.

I was just beginning the process of cutting the leather when Klorbkal arrived, grumbling about the Battleborn again. I sat him on one of the barrels near the forge and pretended to listen as I focused on my task.

But when Gornalk and then Gruptor arrived, each wanting to discuss the possible threat, I knew my day would not, in fact be spent at the forge. I wondered if I could convince them to move to the sparring field. At least then I’d be sweaty and distracted by training as I listened to their arguments again.

Thank the gods, it worked, and by the time the sun began to set, we were all exhausted and sore.

At least, my opponents were.Iwas invigorated by the knowledge that Myra would be coming to me soon, that I would teach her more about her body, more about pleasure. So, I washed quickly and made my excuses to hurry home.

Gruptor, however, stopped me.

“Are congratulations in order, lad?”

I froze in the act of swinging my fur cloak around me.

“Eh?”

“Ye’ve been acting normal, but every once in a while, yer eyes will glow. Have ye found yer Mate, then?”

Well, fook.

When an orc was under stress, or tied up in a deep emotion, his eyes glowed green. ‘Twas most commonly seen during the Mating Heat, or afterwards. I’d been fighting myKteerfor a half year, hoping there were no such signs.

So now I offered the other warrior an easy grin and continued to settle my fur around my shoulders.

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