Page 60 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

I took a deep breath, but Myra beat me to speaking.

“Is that what is happening down there? The chief is claiming his Mate?”

Grateful for the excuse to change the subject, I grunted a negative. “Usually ‘tis only the first time he fooks her.”

“Well…” Myra’s fingers stroked the back of my head. “’Tis possible they both decided they enjoy such displays. It certainlysoundsas if they—and the rest of the clan—are enjoying it. But…” Her fingers stilled. “We are not the only ones who are uncertain how to respond. Look.”

I lifted my head to see her nodding to the male I thought might be Vrogul. His arms were folded and he was staring defiantly into the darkness, his back to the spectacle around the fire.

“I kenned I liked him,” I muttered, and Myra gave a little giggle, nudging me in the side.

“While we have been here staring down at them, I realized something. You see that spiky-looking bush right below us?”

I followed her pointing finger. “Dinnae tell me. Sea holly?”

“We can come back in the daylight to harvest the rest of it, but for now…”

With a little grunt, she rolled away from me, squirming toward the edge of the cliff.

“I will fetch that plant.”

“Nay,” I hissed, but ‘twas too late.

Myra tipped forward, supporting her weight on her hands, reaching for the plant…and the scree beneath her gave way. She did naught so crass as scream in surprise, but she did gasp as she tumbled forward.

Had I not pinned her calves, she might have gone over the cliff.

She’s safe, she’s safe, I told my howlingKteer.

Indeed, we were both panting in fear as I pulled her back up and wrapped my arms around her.

“On…the other hand…” she rasped. “Mayhap…that plant…can wait.”

I swallowed, my hold on her tightening, thinking of how close she came to doom.

If she’d fallen, she might have survived. But waiting below…

“What would they…have done to me, Vartok?” She shuddered, burrowing closer to my chest. “If I’d fallen. What would they have…done?”

Would the Battleborn have pinned my Mate to the sand and used her the way that female was being used? Or werethey more honorable than that? I swallowed, trying to ease the band of fear around my chest.

“It doesnae matter,dkaar. I have ye. Ye didnae fall, and nae one kens ye’re here. We’re safe.”

“Thank God,” she breathed against my chest.

But when I risked a glance over the edge of the cliff, I almost started in surprise.

Because even though Myra didn’t fall, shehadknocked pieces of the scree over the edge of the cliff, and our mishap hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Far below, his ear rings glistening in the firelight, Vrogul Stormseeker stared up at us.

I resisted the urge to yank her backward, out of the other male’s sight. I told myself no matter how accomplished a warrior the sea raider was, he didn’t have supernatural senses. He couldn’t see this far into the darkness.

We should be safe up here.

But as I carefully eased my Mate away from that piercing gaze, I had to wonder: if the Battleborndidknow we were here, how safe could we be?

CHAPTER TWELVE

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