Page 76 of Enchanted with the Orc
He gave a slow nod as I pulled my hand from his mouth.
“Good. So we’re going to treat the wounds—”
“Only one of them touched skin, and it’s already healed—” he tried to interrupt, but the glare I sent his way silenced him.
“As I was saying,” I sounded out with narrowed eyes, “we’re going to treat it and then you’re going to promise me that you’re never going to do anything to get hurtever again.”
His gaze softened, but he shook his head. “I want to give you everything you want, my mate, but I can’t promise you that I won’t get hurt,” he said in a low voice and I was about to argue when he continued. “If it ever comes to it, I’ll protect you and our daughter. If that means getting hurt, I don’t care. If it means giving my life for yours, I—”
I couldn’t take it. I stopped him with a trembling hand over his lips again. Tears ran freely down my face and I pressed it into his chest, cherishing the feel of him there.
“I can’t think about losing you,” I gasped, shaking my head. “Don’t ever say that again.”
His lips curved in a smile against my fingers. “I won’t say it but I need you to understand. I’d do anything for you and Gabbi, so I can’t promise that to you.”
I nodded, nuzzling my nose against him.
“I love you,” I told him, pressing my cheek to where his heart was thumping.
“I love you too, my mate,” he murmured, running his big palm down my back.
It was a long moment before I released a rough laugh.
“You really do need a bath,” I joked, and he pulled me tighter against him.
“Good. Then you’ll take one with me.”
I released a loud peal of laughter as he pulled me into the shower, sending our clothes flying as we went.
Chapter Forty-two
Tasia
“Ican’t wait until you see all the toys we got for you for when you get home,” Zara told Gabbi, who was clinging to her neck and swinging from side to side as Zara tried to stuff her new toys into the suitcases Enka had bought for her.
Even with the new ones, they were overflowing. I sent a mild glaremy mate’s way, but he was humming happily as he folded my clothes, lifting them to his nose every once in a while to take a deep sniff.
Goddess Mother, I love this orc.
“More toys?” Gabbi squealed, wiggling wildly, almost throwing Zara off-kilter. She giggled, spinning my daughter before tossing her onto the bed.
“You’re going to spoil her more than youalready do,” I told the other females in the room, sending censuring looks their way, but they ignored me and Zara continued spinning with Gabbi.
The carefree way my daughter laughed sent a pang of relief into my chest. I never had to worry about losing that ever again. I sent another look my mate’s way, but this time one of gratitude. He winked at me, leaning over for a kiss.
“Gag,” Floria said, but her tone was mild and there was a smile on her face. “You’ll make us sick with the mushy stuff.”
“Sorry, but was it Enka and I or Zara and Rudgar who did the dirty on the shared sofa?” I asked, tapping my chin.
Zara’s face whipped in my direction and everyone else turned to gape at her.
“Youdidn’t,” Tabitha gasped, from where she was checking all the cupboards for anything we missed.
Zara sputtered for a long moment before bowing her head in shame. Floria marched over and smacked her over the head, making her yelp.
“I eatbreakfaston that sofa!” she gasped, and Zara turned her bent head to send me a small glare. I bit my lip, struggling not to laugh, nodding my head in agreement instead.
Gabbi giggled, hopping up to smack Zara across the head as well. Our High Priestess just rolled her eyes, dropping my daughter back to the bed to blow on her stomach instead, making her scream withlaughter.
