Page 80 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“I want you as well, Vartok, but there is much to do before the celebratory feast. Afterward…”

“Aye, after!” Nan commanded, coming at me with that damned spoon. “Ye can claim yer Mate after. Ye’ll have plenty of time!” she declared, shooing me out the door.

“Go away and dinnae come back!”

Frankly, ‘twas amazing that I made it through the next few hours. Torvolk and the Keeper helped, as did Gruptor and Gaartag, distracting me with demands and wanting to hear all about the Battleborn. Still, ‘twas difficult to keep my attention on the stories when myKteerwas urging me totake steal claim love now claim!

But I was stronger than this basic urge. I would wait until Myra was ready. Until she was comfortable.

The celebratory feast was full of high spirits, especially after Kragorn and his prisoner joined us. Lillian clearly wasn’t certain what to make of Bloodfire Village, but my brother sat in a comfortable chair near the fire in the Council Hall, wrapped in furs and appearing almost like his old self, despite his splint and bandages.

Aye, ‘twas good to be home.

But myKteerand my heart wouldn’t be at ease, wouldn’t be settled…until Myra was in my arms.

Until she wasmine.

Myra

The feast wasa success and I was grateful ‘twas not as involved—or stressful—as the Midwinter Festival hadbeen. The clan roasted a sheep and enjoyed fresh bread, stewed vegetables, and plenty of ale as the sun sank in the west, celebrating Avaleen’s healthy birth and Kragorn’s return.

I stayed away from the ale.

The memory of how it had made me feel the last time I over-imbibed wouldn’t leave me. Besides, each time I glanced across the fire to see Vartok watching me with those glowing green eyes, a warmth pooled in my stomach that had naught to do with alcohol.

The ale had granted me the courage to approach him the first time.

Now, though?

Now I couldn’t wait to go to his cottage.Ourhome. My Mate and I had a future, and thanks to Nan’s teas, I was ready to begin it.

After the sun set, Isadora approached me with a covered basket of still-warm bread.

“For the Heat,” she whispered with a wink. “You will need to keep your strength up.”

From behind her, Verna snorted, a platter in her hands.

“It seems we had the same idea.” She balanced the platter atop the basket. “These cuts of meat can be eaten cold.” With a wink, she wrapped one arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “Have fun.”

Since she’d been the one to explain to me—clinically and in detail—about the pleasure a male could bring a woman—I didn’t blush in embarrassment.Much. Still, I managed toshake off their teasing, accept a few other gifts, then hurry toward Vartok’s cottage.

Earlier today, when I’d felt Vartok approaching, Nan had explained ‘twas part of the Mate Bond. He’d told me he would be able to sense me, but I hadn’t realizedIwould be able to do the same. Either way, tonight was no exception.

The door opened before I reached it and Vartok was there, pulling the food from my hands.

“What’s all this?”

“Our friends thought we might need to keep up our strength.” I nudged the door closed behind me as he began to pile things on the table. “Apparently we are not expected to leave this building for several days.”

“Oh, thank fook,” he moaned, reaching for me.

I expected him to kiss me, but instead, he tucked me up against him and rested his chin on my head.

“Myra, love, I missed ye. Gods below, I’ve missed ye.”

I’d slept at his side the last two nights, but I knew what he’d meant. It had beendayssince we’d recognized the Mate Bond between us and hadn’t been able to consummate it. Now that we were here, alone, without responsibilities…

I realized my heart was beating in time with his.

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