Page 50 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

I wasn’t the only one laughing as the rest of the clan realized this as well.

But soon enough I held up my palms for quiet and stepped up to the fire.

“This quest is important,” I announced, meeting the eyes of each clan member in turn. “Mayhap ‘tis no’ about security or our harvest, but each of us is as important as the other, aye?”

At the nods I saw, I continued. “Avaleen has just ushered the future of Clan Bloodfire into this world, and ‘twould be poor gratitude if we allowed her to suffer. No’ only that, but this herb will make life better forallof us in the future.”

“Aye, Chief,” grunted Gruptor, from where he sat holding his son, nodding firmly. “Ye have our support.”

I never wanted to be Chief of Clan Bloodfire, but here and now, I was glad I could make a difference. I nodded in return, then held out my hand to Myra.

“We will fetch this herb. No’ just for the ones that we love, but for all of ye.”

Her small hand slid into mine, and when she squeezed, I glanced down at her.

When I raised a brow at her, her lips twitched.

“And you thought you were not a leader,” she scoffed quietly.

“For Bloodfire,” called Gornalk, and Gaartag took up the call.

“Bloodfire! Bloodfire!”

The chant was picked up by many mouths, soon accompanied by clapping and stomping. The familiar beat wrapped around my heart, tugging at me as I stared down at the female by my side.

My partner. My Mate.

In this quest at least.

“Bloodfire,” she whispered, a smile pulling one side of her lips upward.

I pulled her to me. “Bloodfire.”

And there, before the entire clan, I kissed her. I claimed her.

And myKteerhowled in excitement.

Bloodfire!

CHAPTER TEN

Myra

He’d kissedme in front ofeveryone.

‘Twas as if he’d stamped me, claimed me. Let the clan know I was…well, I wasn’this, not exactly. But now they would think I was? Or mayhap ‘twas Vartok’s way of ensuring I didn’t think to run about practicing my newfound art of pleasure with anyone else?

What else could that kiss have meant?

When his lips had first met mine, I’d stiffened, even considered pushing him away. After all, I’d been so careful to keep our little lessons a secret. But that had been before wee Ella’s birth, before I began to sleep each day in Vartok’s bed. It had started from necessity, but surely now the clan suspected ‘twas more to it than that.

Aye, I’d almost pushed him away, but…

But then I remembered his command.

I am the one who determines when ye need pleasure. I am yer teacher. I am in control of this little…game.

And he had been. It had allowed me to give up that control, to accept his lessons without worrying. He’d told me to stop him if he ever demanded anything uncomfortable, but this?

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