Page 74 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“But?”

He exhaled again, then shrugged. “I think…I think I canfeelhim again.”

“Thank the Lord,” I murmured. “Mayhap ‘twas because he was in the humans’ world that you could not feel him?” I found myself holding my breath hopefully as I offered a possibility. “And now he has returned?”

I saw the long column of Vartok’s throat work as he swallowed, then eventually drop his gaze to me.

“Aye,” he croaked, and I saw hope in his eyes. “Aye, I think ‘tis exactly why.”

Smiling, I snaked my arms around his middle and hugged him. “I hope so, love. We need him home.”

“Home,” he breathed.

“Not just because ‘twill be a relief to know he is safe and healthy again, but the Bloodfire Clan needs its chief back.”

“I was thinking of what the Stormseeker called ye, Myra—Blacksmith’s Mate.”

I remembered how much that had angered me, that the sea raider hadn’t given Vartok his due. But…

“He knew that Kragorn was still alive, so you were not the rightful chief of the clan. I am sorry.”

“I’m no’!” he burst out, half-laugh, half-exasperation. He dropped another kiss to my head, as if he couldn’t bear not to be touching me. “Ipraythat Kragorn is well enough to pick up the mantle of chief again, so I can give up all this fooking responsibility.”

Chuckling, I pressed my cheek to his chest. “Does this mean you are pushing the horses—and us—so hard to get home because ofthatpossibility? All this time, I thought ‘twas because you were anxious to claim me.”

With a groan, he readjusted me on his lap, so I could feel his cock harden against my buttocks.

“Lass,whydid ye have to go and say something so tempting? Do ye have any idea how difficult ‘tis to ride with a cockstand?”

Remembering the last time we’d tried to dosomethingabout our mutual arousal atop a horse, I winced and vowed not to tease him more.

“I am sorry, love.”

His chuckle warmed me. “Idowant ye. I think I’ll have to be dead and burned a month afore I cease wanting ye.”

Another kiss, then a sigh.

“And I dinnae ken another Mated pair who have had to wait as long as we have to finalize our Bond.”

I remembered what he’d said aboutclaiming, about spilling inside me. I wanted that—but I wanted to do it properly.

Vartok groaned again. “Lass, ye getting aroused willnae help with the whole cockstand situation.”

Giggling, I snuggled closer. “I refuse to apologize for that. I was just imagining what we might do once we returned to your cottage—ourhome—and I had my talk with Nan about ways to prevent pregnancy until I am ready.”

His hold on me shifted until his palm rested against my stomach. I admit that I liked the feel of that, as if he were cherishing me and—one day—our bairn. With a happy little sigh, I rested my head against his chest again.

“I willnae push ye, Myra.”

“You will not have to,” I assured him. “We will know when the time is right.”

He moved his hold back to my waist and squeezed me.

“We’re almost home, lass, and we’ll find our answers then.”

To everything.

I closed my eyes. My Mate would protect me—he’d proven that. Soon he’d claim me fully, and we’d be able to start our lives together. Avaleen would be safe, we’d find Kragorn, and everything would be?—

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