Page 70 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

I grunted as I got my hammer up in time to block one of his blows, swinging to the side in an attempt to force him into defense.

“Ye heard wrong. I can fight.”

“Clearly.”

The Stormseeker spun, both blades whirling as his cloak billowed outward. The swords arced toward my head and I blocked them both with the hilt of my hammer.

His lips twitched. “A diplomat? Ye’re less charming than I expected.”

“And ye…” With another grunt, I threw him backward and followed up the attack. “Ye’re just as terrifying as I expected.”

Vrogul’s smile bloomed and he had just enough time to release a huff of laughter when my hammer slammed into his hip. I’d pulled the blow at the last moment, realizing my comment had distracted him, so he stumbled hard to the side rather than falling back into the sand.

His men surged forward and I flexed my knees, ready for another round. Stormseeker began to chuckle again, crossing his blades to signal a peace. As he slid the swords back into their scabbards, he shook his head.

“Well done, diplomat. I have nae reason to continue.”

“I do,” I growled, egged on by myKteer. “Ye threatened my Mate.”

Smiling, the other male rubbed his hip and glanced behind me. “I thought ye said she was yer plaything?”

I sensed Myra at my side before I heard her. “I am both.”

When had she climbed from the horse? I wanted to groan, but when I glanced at her, she stood with her knife—the one I’d fixed for her—brandished in a threatening manner, a fierce glower on her face.

And I had to admit, I was proud. MyKteerhowled with smugness.My Mate. My fearless Mate. Twitching my brow, I felt one corner of my lips curl as we faced the blades of Vrogul Stormseeker together.

But the other man was still rubbing his hip as he shook his head ruefully.

“Ye distract me with words before yer final blow—aye, ye are a diplomat. But yer Mate is a fierce warrior.”

Myra shook her knife.

“I am a healer. I will make you a decoction to ease your pain.”

Another chuckle, and I saw the admiration in Vrogul’s dark eyes as he raked my love with his gaze. MyKteersang with rage, and I jerked forward to defend her.

“We have healers too, Blacksmith’s Mate. I do no’ need yer potions.”

“You will give my Mate the respect he deserves—he is achief.” She shook the knife. “Go away and leave us alone.”

A few of the gathered warriors began to smirk, and I slowly lowered my hammer, wondering what they knew.

“’Twould be difficult to leave ye alone, wee warrior,” Vrogul said mildly, “considering we’re here to return ye to the mainland.”

My shoulders slowly relaxed in confusion as I lowered my hammer. “What happened to the ferry?” This band hadn’t overwhelmed the poor fisherman, had they?

“We gave him coin,” the other male said, “and told him we would take ye instead. I kenned ye were here and needed to speak with ye.”

I hid my wince. IknewI shouldn’t have ignored myKteer’swarnings about being watched!

“What would ye speak to us about?” My question was wary. Why would we be relevant to the infamous sea raiders?

Vrogul Stormseeker eyed me for what seemed an eternity before exhaling and rolling his shoulders, as if preparing for an unpleasant task.

“Yer brother.”

My hammer fell from my right hand to swing by my side.

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