Page 79 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“Honestly, Vartok, I am better. Even Myra and Nan agree I am well enough to leave this bed, but my Mate believes he knows better.”

Mkaalad sent her a loving smile. “And ye’ll keep yer arse planted there untilIthink ye’re well enough. Here, my daughter is hungry. I will make ye more porridge.”

Pretending to groan, Avaleen reached for the bairn, and it made my heart glad to know these three were happy and settled together. Mayhap I watched her nursing the kitling a little too long, because my cousin nudged me.

“Her tits are nice, but ye dinnae have to stare.”

Mortified, I jerked my gaze away, only to realize he was teasing me. So I took a deep breath and admitted the truth.

“I was considering how Myra might look with my bairn at her breast.”

Avaleen sucked in an excited breath as Mkaalad slapped me on my shoulder.

“’Tis about damned time, cousin. Have ye claimed her yet?”

I sent him a rueful smile. “I’ve been asleep since we returned.”

“Well, get yer arse to Nan’s! She’s over there now, decocting more of that root thing ye brought back. ‘Tis working well for Avaleen and Kragorn, but they both need more.”

“Aye,” Avaleen agreed from the bed, her eyes bright with tears. “Go make my sister happy, Vartok.”

Well, who was I to disobey an order?

Before I even reached Nan’s cozy little cottage, I knew Myra was inside. I couldfeelher. And when I pushed open the door, she was already facing me, a smile on her lips.

“You are looking well-rested,” she chirped, and I adored that she’d known I was approaching.

Unable to help myself, I crossed to her, pulling her against me, lowering my mouth to hers… But the noise my grandmother made stopped me. ‘Twas somewhere between a laugh and a growl. I suspect a wounded bear trapped in a hive might make a similar sound, so I lifted my head to find Nan glaring at me, a heavy wooden spoon in hand.

“Good morning, Nan.”

“Dinnaegood morningme, laddie. Ye show up here and distract Myra just at the crucial stirring stage!”

Myra’s fingers clutched at my plaid. “Do not listen to her. She just hates stirring.”

“Aye, of course I hate it! ‘Tis why I haveyeto do it!” The old woman waved the spoon. “Unhand my grandson and get yer arse over here to stir!”

“Nan,” I began sternly, “I havenae seen my Mate in a day and a half.”

“The feast is in a few hours, laddie, ye can wait until then to— Oh dear, ye havenae claimed her yet, have ye?” All the irritation seemed to drain from her as she sighed, glancing between us. “Verra well,onekiss, but that’s it, Vartok. I mean it.”

She shook the spoon again.

Myra smirked. “I promise not to get so distracted I cannot help, Nan.”

“’Tis no’ that, lass, but the fact that he’s no’ claimed ye fully. What in the hells were ye bothdoingon that adventure I sent ye on? I wassureye would’ve realized ye were Mated and gotten this all out of the way! Look at him! He can barely stand to be around ye now, see?”

Myra’s suddenly worried gaze snapped up to mine, and my lips twisted wryly.

“I hate to say it, love, but she’s right.”

“Of course I’m right!” Nan crowed. “I was right about ye two being Mates, was I no’?”

I hadn’t taken my gaze from Myra, and now I winced.

“I’m afraid once I start kissing ye that I willnae be able to stop,” I confessed in a whisper.

To my surprise, my Mate immediately squirmed free of my hold. My brows rose, and she shrugged apologetically.

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