Page 40 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“Yewilllisten to my commands, pet.”

Her dark eyes widened as she sucked in a surprised breath.

“That was—you cannot—” She lowered her voice and hissed, “This is not aboutpleasure, Vartok.”

“Aye, ‘tis.” I couldn’t help my smirk as I pulled her against me, my arm around her waist. “Come along. I’m taking ye to the hot springs.”

Not for pleasure, but because she genuinely looked as if she needed to relax.

Myra glanced over her shoulder, chewing on her bottom lip in worry. “If Nan is with her, I suppose?—”

“Good lass,” I murmured, marching us toward the door. “Mkaalad, dinnae sleep until Nan is here.”

I’m not sure if my cousin heard me before we were outside. ‘Twas only then that I realized Myra’s steps were dragging. I realized she might be uncomfortable—and not telling me yet—so I turned to peer down at her in the dawn light.

“What is it, love?”

“That washorrible.” She dragged in a shaking breath. “I have never had to attend to someone I loved so much.” Another breath, half a sob. “’Twas so difficult, trying to remain calm, hiding my worry from her. I…”

Clucking my tongue, I pulled her into my arms. “Och, lass, I am sorry. We expect so much of ye, but ye were so strong, so steady. Ye got them both—Avaleen and her lassie—through it. I’m proud of ye.”

And that’s when she burst into tears.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Myra

Dimly,a part of me was ashamed that I was showing my emotions so readily. I should remain in control at all times, especially after the ordeal I’d just watched Avaleen go through.

But…Vartok was different. In the last few days, as we’d become closer, I’d shown himplentyof emotion. What’s one more? I didn’t care what he thought of me.

Did I?

Luckily, he didn’t pull away, he didn’t act outraged at having a bawling female in his arms. Instead, he made sympathetic noises, rubbed my back, and told me again and again what a good job I’d done.

Eventually I ran out of tears. Or mayhap I was just too exhausted to cry more.

I pushed myself away from his chest, swiping the heel of my hands across my eyes, trying desperately to pretend that I didn’t need his calming strength.

“I…I should go inside.”

“Nay,” he said sternly, pulling me back toward him. “Were ye no’ listening? The other women will have the chance to help care for yer sister, while ye care for yerself.”

Was it shameful to admit how much I craved that sense of command from him? The knowledge that I didn’thaveto make the decisions, didn’thaveto be strong, because he was. Vartok took command and responsibility, and ‘twas a relief to sink against him once more.

“I do need to rest,” I admitted.

“First, ye need to relax.”

And with that, he lifted me into his arms. I was too drained to protest, even when we reached the hot springs. He stripped me of my clothing—I tried not to notice how good he was at undressing females—and lowered me into the largest, warmest pool. As the sun rose over the loch, he washed me, his strong fingers digging into stress-tightened muscles and making me groan.

Truthfully, I was half-asleep already, riding a wave of bliss and relaxation just as strong as yesterday—nay, last night—nay, this was a new day, ‘twas the night beforelastthat I was here in the springs with him.

I yawned hugely as Vartok lifted me from the water and dried me with my chemise. I expected him to dress me again, but instead he just wrapped me in my cloak and lifted me to his chest.

I was asleep in his arms before he returned me to Avaleen’s cottage.

‘Twas a beam of sunlight, peeking through a shutter, which woke me. I hummed in pleasure at the slow awakening, stretching beneath the covers, reveling in the feel of the heavy mattress beneath me. I never slept nude, and ‘twas a rare decadence?—

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