Page 22 of Bound in Flames (The Savage Hearts #1)
Chapter 22
Cleo
W hen we returned to the central hall, the orcs had gathered around the long tables for the midday meal. Grath led me to a seat by Dex, where a bowl of stew was placed in front of me almost instantly. Dex nudged me playfully with his shoulder, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched me pick up my bowl and eat.
Conversation wove around us, and I noticed more orcs glancing in my direction, their expressions a mix of curiosity and acceptance. Some of the children had gathered at the far end of the hall, watching me with wide eyes, whispering among themselves.
Dex followed my gaze. “They’re curious about you. They’ve heard the stories of our history, but they’ve never seen someone like you before.”
I set my bowl down, sighing. “It’s a lot to take in. I’m still trying to figure out what all of this means.”
Dex was serious as he leaned closer. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. The prophecy is just one part of this. You have time to learn, to grow into this role as shaman.”
His words were reassuring, but the uncertainty still lingered. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to fulfill this prophecy, how I was supposed to lead these people. As the meal came to an end, he motioned for me to follow. “I have something else to show you.”
Following him through the winding tunnels of the stronghold, the sound of the clan’s voices fading into the distance. After a few minutes of walking in companionable silence, Dex stopped in front of a set of heavy wooden doors. He pushed them open with ease, the aged wood groaning in protest, revealing a vast chamber bathed in soft, warm light. Glowing crystals pulsed gently within sconces, their light refracting through stained glass skylights that painted the stone floors in a kaleidoscope of colors. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and ink, a quiet hum of ancient knowledge pressing against my skin like a whispered secret.
Rows of towering shelves stretched into the chamber's depths, cradling crumbling scrolls and weathered tomes. Artifacts lay scattered across stone tables—blades dulled with age, carved wooden idols, and maps so fragile they threatened to disintegrate at the slightest touch. Every inch of this place spoke of a world long forgotten, and I could feel its weight settling in my chest. The groan of the heavy doors closing bought my focus back to Dex.
Dex stepped inside, his movements careful but confident, as if the room itself demanded respect. “This is our library. It’s where we keep records of our history, our traditions, and everything we know about the world.”
I trailed my fingers over the spines of the books, tracing the faded lettering with the tips of my nails. Each touch sent a shiver up my arm, the knowledge within them a tangible pulse beneath my fingertips. "It’s incredible," I whispered, my voice hushed in awe.
Dex watched me, his golden gaze heavy with something I couldn’t quite place. "I thought you might want to see this. You’ve been learning about our people, but there’s still so much more to understand, and I thought this might be a good place to start.”
"Thank you for showing me this.”
His lips twitched into a small, almost hesitant smile. "To us, you are more than just a shaman, Cleo. You are the bridge to what we have lost.”
Dex stepped closer, his hand finding mine, his grip possessive and warm, the heat of his touch seeped into my skin. The raw hunger in his golden eyes sent a slow, burning ache curling through me, as his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, his touch featherlight but electrifying. Before I knew what I was doing, I rose up onto my toes, my fingers curling into the leather harness on his chest. His hand slid to the nape of my neck, pulling me closer, his lips capturing mine with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. Tusks grazed my cheeks, adding a delicious bite to the heat between us.
The kiss started slow, a tentative exploration, but the tension that had been simmering between us ignited into something desperate. I could feel his grip tighten as his other hand found my waist, pulling me flush against him. A gasp escaped me at the feel of his hard, solid body pressing against my softer one, his massive thigh slotting between mine possessively.
My hands roamed over his broad chest, feeling the way his muscles flexed beneath my touch. Dex growled low in his throat, and without breaking the kiss, he lifted me effortlessly, his large hands gripping my ass as he pressed me back against the stone wall.
A whimper tore from my lips as he broke the kiss, trailing his mouth down my throat in hot, open-mouthed kisses, his tusks scraping against my pulse point. The contrast between his warmth and the cold stone against my back sent goosebumps down my arms.
“Dex,” I gasped, my voice trembling with need as his fingers explored beneath the fabric of my dress, tracing the soft curves of my hips and the dip of my lower back.
His breathing was ragged, his lips finding my ear. "Go on, little shaman,” he rasped, his voice thick with barely restrained desire. "Beg for it."
"Please.” my body arched into him instinctively, desperate for more.
A wicked grin tugged at his lips before they crashed back to mine, his passion searing. His hands roamed greedily over me, exploring and claiming my flesh. The way he held me, as though he was afraid I might vanish, only made me more ravenous.
Lips leaving mine, he trailed them over my collarbone, his breath scalding against my skin. My knees went weak as his hand found my breast. His rough palm kneaded with a hunger that set my nerves ablaze. I arched into his touch, his claws scraping against my skin in delicious contrast.
Dex groaned, his lips hot against my throat. "I want you. Please, Cleo. Let me have you."
My head tipped back, offering him everything. "Yes," I breathed, the word tumbling from my lips with no hesitation.
His confession, his need, fueled the fire already burning inside me. My hands fisted in his hair, pulling him back up to me, our mouths colliding in a kiss that was all heat and desperation.
Dex lowered me slowly to the ground, his hands never leaving me. With deft fingers, he untied the laces of my dress, letting it fall in a whisper of fabric to the floor. His eyes darkened, his tongue tracing his lip as he knelt before me, dragging his tongue down the exposed skin of my thighs. My fingers tangled in his hair, my breath coming in ragged pants as he lifted my leg over his shoulder, his mouth hovering just above my core. His eyes burned into mine as his fingers tightened around my hip, his smirk sending another pulse of desire through me. I gasped and scrambled to find my balance, but Dex had other plans. Raising to one knee, he lifted me off the floor, pressing me between the heat of his mouth and the icy stone behind me.
He licked a slow, deliberate stripe up my center, his tongue swirling around my clit with a precision that stole the breath from my lungs. My vision blurred, my world narrowed to the sensation of his mouth, devouring me.
My body trembled beneath his touch as he feasted, dragging me under wave after wave of pleasure. He ravished me with a feral hunger, his low growls reverberating against my sensitive skin. I clung to him, my hips rolling to meet his mouth.
“Tell me, human, how does it feel to have an orc Chieftain on his knees for you? Feasting on your cunt?” He chuckled, his eyes burning into mine as his nose bumped against my clit, making me to arch and press into him, a shameless moan falling from my lips.
I shifted in his grasp, chasing more friction to reach the high I was moments away from. His grip tightened, effectively trapping my body to his will. Whining, I dropped my hand to circle my neglected clit. He batted my hand away with a growl, his thick fingers reaching up to wrap around my throat, pressing me back against the wall. His grip on me was possessive, his fingers flexed, a silent command that left me trembling.
“Eyes on me,” Dex growled, his voice dark and thick with desire. “I decide when you cum, got it?”
A needy whimper escaped my lips, my chest burning, desperate for air. The edges of my vision swam, the soft haze making every touch, every caress, more intense. Releasing his hold, his thumb traced the delicate curve of my jawline, before he tightened his grip around my neck again, restricting the air and making my head spin. My entire world narrowed to the sensation of his hold, strong, yet achingly gentle in a way that left me raw and desperate and clawing at the stone for purchase.
“Look at you,” he murmured, his eyes dark with something dangerously possessive. His grip loosened just enough to allow me a breath, and I dragged in the air greedily, the sensation making my body tremble with a new kind of need. “So eager for it… greedy little thing.”
The way he spoke as if he owned me made my thighs clench around his head, my body reacting on instinct to the deep, reverberating timbre of his voice. His gaze devouring every hitch in my breath, every flutter of my lashes, leaving me feeling exposed and utterly his.
His lips brushed over my inner thigh, his tusks grazing against my skin sending a sparks of a pleasurable pain crackling through me. I gasped, the sharp contrast between his gentleness and the commanding hold around my neck making my head tilt back, offering him everything he wanted to take. A low growl rumbled through his chest as he pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the crease of my thigh, his tongue tracing the sensitive skin there, making me shudder.
The heat between us was suffocating, every brush of his lips, every squeeze of his fingers pulling me deeper into the haze of sensation. My body ached, desperate for more, for the tension coiling tighter with each teasing pass of his tongue, each lingering touch that stole the air from my lungs and left me trembling on the edge.
Dex pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his golden eyes blazing with a dark satisfaction as he loosened his hold, letting air flood back into my lungs in a rush that left me dizzy.
“That’s it. Take what I give you, little mate.” he murmured, his voice dripping with approval.
A broken moan escaped me as he leaned down, capturing my clit between his teeth with a nip, stealing whatever breath I had left. His hand slid from my throat, tracing down my body with a reverence that sent a fresh wave of heat pooling deep inside. I was completely at his mercy, and the realization only made me want to submit to him more.
“I need you,” I whispered. My body arched, silently begging for his approval.
Dex chuckled, his lips brushing over my thigh with an infuriating gentleness. His hand traced possessive path down my side, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “Answer me, Cleo. How does it feel?” he growled against my clit.
“Dex, please…” My voice whined with need as I rolled my hips against him mindlessly, searching for the friction that will push me over the edge.
“How. Does. It. Feel !” Each word was followed by an aggressive nip against my sensitive clit.
“Powerful, Dex. Gods, I f-feel so powerful!”
“Good girl. Let me show you just how powerful you are.” He dove back between my thighs like he was a starving beast. The wet heat of his mouth distracted me from the hot burn as his thick finger thrust into me, momentarily punching the air from my lungs. I clawed as his forearm as he began thrusting his finger deep into me, a tingling beginning in my toes and fingertips as my body continued to be overwhelmed.
With a desperate groan, Dex sealed his lips around my clit, his tongue working with ruthless precision as he curled his thick finger and pressed against that devastating spot with unerring accuracy. Each stroke sent a fresh wave of heat spiraling and my body arching instinctively, my lower back lifted from the cold stone, legs trembling.
“Dex!” The cry was torn from my lips as my release shattered through me, a flood of molten pleasure rushing down to pool in his waiting palm.
He slowed his movements, dragging out every aftershock, his tongue offering a slow, teasing caress as my body quaked. Turning my head to press my cheek against the chilled stone, my breath came in ragged gasps, the remnants of pleasure still curling lazily through my limbs, leaving me boneless and dazed.
When I managed to glance down at him, Dex's molten gold eyes locked onto mine, dark and ravenous, and his mouth curled into a wicked smile. Slowly, he ran his tongue across his lips, savoring every drop of me before his gaze dropped to my trembling thigh. Still slung over his broad shoulder, he pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the sensitive flesh, his sharp teeth grazing against my skin possessively, sending another shiver rolling down my spine.
“Gods, you’re perfect,” Dex murmured, his lips pressing heated, open-mouthed kisses along my skin. The rasp of his stubble left a trail of fire in its wake. Slowly, he eased his thick finger from my core, and I whimpered at the loss, my body already aching for more.
“I’ll never get enough of your taste,” he whispered against my thigh, his breath scorching. “Or the sweet sounds you make when I take you apart.”
I exhaled shakily, my chest rising and falling in erratic pants, the remnants of pleasure still pulsing through my veins. “That was… Gods,” I whispered, my fingertips trailing softly through his tousled hair. The tension in his shoulders eased under my touch, but his eyes were still dark a with hunger that sent a fresh wave of heat pooling low in my belly.
A rumble started deep in his chest, the sound vibrating against my sensitized skin. His breath ghosted over my core, making me squirm beneath him. I gasped, thighs clenching instinctively around his shoulders, but he held me firm, his grip controlling. A wicked smirk tugged at his lips, and with excruciating slowness, he trailed his drenched fingers over my aching clit, circling lazily, sending sparks of electricity shooting through my limbs.
“Don’t call for the Gods, Cleo. The only name I want you begging for is mine.”
“Dex, I—” My voice was a breathless jumble of need, my body already responding to his touch. I swallowed, my chest heaving. “I d-don’t… it’s?—”
He rested his head against the juncture of my thigh, his molten gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that stole the breath from my lungs. His fingers continued their torturous exploration, teasing around my clit. The heat of his mouth hovered just inches away, lips parted, as if savoring the utter control he had over me.
“Let me show you how badly I’ve wanted you,” he murmured, his tone rough with restraint, his breath searing against my skin. “Please. I need more of you.”
A deep, primal need coiled inside me, tightening with every brush of his fingers, and I surrendered to it.
“Gods, yes. Please Dex.” I whispered, heat crawling up my chest.
A feral snarl startled me as his massive hands gripped my ass, lifting me with effortless strength. My gasp turned into a breathless moan as he nuzzled his face between my thighs, the sudden shift making my balance falter. I arched back, clutching at his thick forearm, feeling the raw power beneath his skin as he carried me across the room. Dex’s hand slid to the small of my back, anchoring me against him, pulling me impossibly closer to the wicked heat of his mouth.
My blunt nails raked over his green skin, seeking purchase, fighting against the overwhelming pleasure that pulsed through me. With a kick, he sent a stool tumbling away from the heavy library table before lowering me onto its surface. The contrast of heat and cold sent another shudder through me, and I had only a moment to breathe before his mouth returned with fervor, devouring me with a raw hunger.
Dex groaned into me, the vibrations sending pleasure curling deep into my core. His tongue traced wicked paths over my soaked cunt, each flick making my thighs quake around him. His thick finger thrust back inside me in a slow, punishing rhythm as he trailed open-mouthed kisses up my quivering stomach. I gasped and my body arched helplessly into his touch.
The heat inside me built quickly, an inferno licking through my veins with every stroke of his finger, every graze of his tusks against my skin. My moans turned desperate, broken cries spilling from my lips as I rocked against him, chasing release.
“Kiss me, please.” I pleaded. My fingers were tangled in his hair, tugging him up to meet my lips.
Dex pulled away from my breast with a wet pop, his mouth capturing mine in a bruising kiss, the taste of my release still lingering on his lips. I moaned into his mouth, greedy for more, pulling him closer until his tongue delved deep, claiming me.
“You beg so sweetly, little mate,” he murmured against my lips, his free hand rolling my nipple between his fingers. “I want to hear more.” His voice darkened, dripping with desire. “Cum for me, Cleo.”
His hand slid from my breast up to my throat, pinning me to the table beneath his weight. My eyes fluttered shut, a ragged moan escaping me as he pushed another thick finger inside, filling me. His golden eyes burned with satisfaction as he watched my body stretch to take him.
The lack of oxygen sent my mind spiraling, the pressure around my throat pushing me further into the intoxicating haze of pleasure. My release crashed over me in crushing waves, my body convulsing as Dex tightened his grip, holding me there as if to prolong the torturous pleasure. My scream caught in my throat, and my muscles tightened around his fingers as I shattered beneath him.
Dex eased his grip, his hand sliding from my throat to cradle my cheek. He kissed me deeply, as if trying to claim every gasp, every shudder still racking my body. The contrast between his sweet kisses and his domination of my body left my head spinning.
“Get up on your knees.” he growled against my lips, his voice thick with need.
With an effortless strength, he rolled me onto my stomach, guiding me onto my hands and knees. My breath hitched as his massive body crowded me from behind, his clothed cock grinding against my aching core.
“You aren’t ready for me today, Cleo,” he murmured darkly as his arm wrapped around my throat and pulled me up flush against his chest. “Your tight little cunt isn’t stretched enough to take me.” His voice was pure sin, and I keened at the heat in his words.
A dark chuckle rumbled through him, and he reached down to pinch my nipple, sending another jolt of pleasure through me. “So needy,” he murmured, “so fucking perfect.”
His palm landed on my ass with a sharp crack, the sting igniting a fresh wave of desire. My cry of shock echoed through the chamber, and Dex groaned against my neck, his grip rough on my neck.
I ground against him again, rolling of my hips in a plea. Dex’s growl reverberated through me, his sharp teeth sinking into the curve of my shoulder, a feral claim that left me quivering. With a firm hand, he pushed me forward until my chest met the table. The rough wood scraped against my sensitive nipples, sending jolts of fire burning through my body.
“Gods, Cleo.” Dex’s voice was thick with hunger, his breath hot against my back. “Look at you. A fucking gift.” His thumb dragged possessively over the red imprint his teeth had left on my shoulder. “Your skin marks so easily. So soft… so willing. I’ll never get enough of watching you beg for me.”
His words sent a fresh wave of arousal crashing over me, and I whimpered as he dropped to his knees. His fingers dug into my hips, pulling me back until his mouth was flush against me once more. His tongue swept over my clit in slow, deliberate strokes, tasting the remnants of my release with an indulgent hum. I trembled, my body still thrumming with aftershocks, but his touch only fanned the dying embers into a fresh blaze.
The vibrations of his groans sparked along every nerve ending, his tongue trailing back up, exploring every inch it could reach. When the slick heat of his mouth circled my asshole, a gasp tore from my throat, my back arching away. I strained to look over my shoulder, meeting his gaze and the dark hunger there sent a shiver down my spine, as if challenging me to refuse him. The sinful slide of his tongue continued to circle, and my breath stuttered, the shock colliding with the pleasure spiraling through my core.
He didn’t relent, his grip tightening as he worked me open, his thick fingers slipped between my folds, teasing before pressing two inside. My body clenched, overwhelmed by the stretch, the slow, torturous drag of his touch as he filled me, and his tongue working me in ways that were absolutely filthy.
“Dex-I… I can’t—” My voice broke, my nails raking across the table.
“You can,” he growled against my skin. “And you will.”
My cries dissolved into mindless gasps as his fingers dove deeper, curving to find that devastating spot inside me that made my knees weak, each thrust pulling me ruthlessly closer to the edge. My hips began to rock, chasing the release that burned hotter with every stroke, every swirl of his tongue against the virgin asshole.
“Tell me how much you need it, Cleo. Beg,” he demanded, his voice breathless.
I sobbed, my words tumbling out in frantic desperation. “I can’t—please!”
A sharp scratch of claws on my thigh sent me spiraling, my entire body seizing as waves of release crashed through me, my orgasm gushing out onto his waiting tongue. My scream echoed through the library as pleasure tore through every inch of me, leaving me trembling and boneless pressed into the table.
He held me through the aftershocks, his tongue lapping gently, savoring every shudder, every whimper. Dex rest his forehead against my thigh, his breath ragged and hot as he caressed my hips.
“I’ve wanted this for so long.” His voice thick with emotion.
With trembling legs, I rolled awkwardly to sit on the table, pulling him up until his lips crushed against mine, thrilled at how willingly he followed my lead. “Let me take care of you too,” I whined breathlessly against his lips.
“On your knees.”
Pushing into his chest, I felt solid heat beneath his skin as I urged him back, slipping down to the ground in front him, my pulse thrumming with anticipation. My fingers fumbled at his belt, the worn leather yielding under my touch as I worked it loose, my eyes never leaving his. His chest heaved with hungry, ragged breaths, breaking the thick silence between us.
His hand found my jaw, fingers tracing the curve of my cheek with a tenderness that made my skin tingle. The contrast of his strength and the gentle reverence of his touch sent my pulse racing. I watched, entranced by the way his control faltered under my hands, the edges fraying with every brush of my fingers. The way he looked at me—molten gold eyes darkened with need—made my insides clench with longing.
I pressed a soft kiss to his stomach, just above the waistband of his pants, feeling his muscles coil under my lips. His grip on my chin tightened, and a low growl vibrated through his chest as his other hand slipped into my hair, his fingers threading through with a possessive hold. I slipped my tongue out to trace his abdomen as my fingers unsnapped the leather buckle on his belt, the taste of his salty skin exploding on my tastebuds.
“Cleo,” he breathed, his voice raw.
The way he said my name was a plea, a vow, and I ached to give him everything he desired. I parted my lips to speak, when the moment was shattered.
“Chieftain! We need you in the hall—it’s urgent!”
Dex froze above me, the warmth of his touch lingering for a heartbeat before reality clawed its way back in.