Page 67 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“Until I can consult with Nan. There are teas a female can drink to thwart an orc male’s seed if she does not wishto be fertile.”

His lips brushed across the top of my head.

“I want ye, Myra.”

Grinning, I wriggled against the hardness poking my stomach.

“Aye, I know.”

“But I will wait until we’re back home—in our own bed—to celebrate this joining. Once the Mating Heat begins, ‘tis difficult to stop, until we’re both satisfied.”

I sighed happily, my arms tightening around him.

“I do not think I will ever be satisfied of you, Mate. You have taught me so many delicious things.”

“If ye call me that again,” he growled, “we’re no’ going to make it home.”

I giggled, loving that he granted me so much power. “Mate, Mate, Mate.”

But Vartok groaned and set me away from him.

“We have roots to dig, Myra. The stubborn soil around here is strong enough to cure any desire I might have.”

Pretending to pout, I sighed, “Damnation. Well, I suppose I will just have to wait a few days afore you take me to the hot springs and feast upon my cunny.”

This time Vartok’s groan was loud enough to be heard on Islay as he turned away, and I began to laugh.

‘Twas good to teasehimfor a change.

Vartok.

My Mate.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Vartok

MyKteerwasn’t happy,and for certes, I had to laugh at my own stupidity.

My Mate had acknowledged our bond.

After months of thinking I would never have her, happiness was within my grasp. MyKteer—and truthfully,I—wanted naught more than to lay Myra down on this cold, rocky soil and claim her again and again until the Heat was satisfied.

However, I had a mission. A promise I’d made to my clan to ensure their future was safe and healthy, and I needed to fulfill that before my personal needs. Furthermore, Jura was cold as fook, and the ground was damned uncomfortable.

When I claimed my Mate for the first time, I wanted it to be in my bed, with a roaring fire, plenty of food and ale tolast us through several days, and her feeling comfortable enough to take my seed.

I was strong enough to wait.

Although trying to convince myKteerof that was more difficult, which is why I occasionally found myself halfway through reaching for Myra before I realized what I was doing and stopped myself.

Still, when she glanced in my direction and grinned—not a shy smile, but one which spoke of promises and plans and a future together—I told myself waiting was for the best.

Even though ‘twas fooking hard.

I have to assume that no male in the history of herb gathering had ever dug roots as fast as I did that morning. Once I knew what to look for and how to ease the plants from the ground so their root systems stayed intact; once I knew the words to say over the sea holly to ensure the gods understood our need…well, I harvested those fookers faster than anyone had a right to.

Ineededto return to the village. To our home.

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