Page 31

Vartok

I hated council meetings less these days.

‘Twas the same council members, the same arguments, the same topics. The difference? I wasn’t in the middle of it, forced to make the final decisions, and that left me free to share my genuine opinions.

I wasn’t the only one surprised when my brother had opted to keep the council. I’d expected him to step into the role of chief again, making decisions for the clan the way he used to.

But once he’d healed, once Kragorn had picked up the chieftain’s mantel again, he’d chuckled at my incredulity.

“Vartok, why are ye surprised? ‘Twas a smart move to rely on the wisdom of others when it came to making decisions. And now I am Mated, I will be glad to share some of the responsibility. ”

I’d just shrugged in confusion which turned to surprise when he pulled me in for a hug.

“Thank you, brother, for keeping our clan safe and secure in my absence.”

And since that had been my only goal all these months, what else could I do except hug him back and thank the gods for his safe return?

Because now I could be part of the council, without having to be the center of it.

My attention returned to the current discussion.

“I am telling ye, the Stormseeker is an honorable male,” I argued, shaking my head at Auld Klorbkal’s claims. “’Tis the mainland sept we need to be worried about.”

“The Battleborn cannae be trusted!” Maybal called out, not looking up from her knitting. “We’ve heard what they do to the coastal towns.”

Aye, that was true. I sighed.

“I can only share my impressions of their chief, and ‘twas from months ago. But Vrogul Stormseeker claimed they did nae lasting damage, and they preferred to raid in the human’s world.”

“How is this possible?” grunted Gruptor. “The stones cannae transport an entire ship, can they?”

The council—including Kragorn—turned to the Keeper who was spending more time in the village with his Mate these days as he taught our people their history. Now, however, the quiet one-armed man merely shrugged .

“I dinnae see how. Sea raiders require their ships and the stones are on land. Mayhap they have a water-based equivalent?”

“A stone circle in the middle of the sea?” Nan snorted. “’Tis more likely they are lying about confining their reiving to the human world.”

There were grunts and nods around the Council Hall, the fire much lower now that the nights weren’t as cold. Stifling my sigh, I rubbed my temples, not sure why I was bothering to defend the honor of a male I’d only met once.

Aye, he’d given me hope, and aye, he’d helped my Mate and me, and aye, he hadn’t seemed to approve of the other Battleborn revelry. But what did it matter? As long as Bloodfire warriors were never sent to battle against them, we could remain allies of a sort.

Kragorn was asking questions now, pushing the Keeper for more information, and I exhaled, stretching my shoulders. It had been a long day—training in the morning then fixing the head of Torvolk’s favorite battleax. I was sore and tired…and missing Myra.

On long days like these, when she spent the time helping the new mothers of the clan, or those who needed her healing skills, I looked forward to holding her in my arms and hearing about her day.

Of course, first I had to bring her pleasure three or four times, but after …

well, I was discovering there were things I could do with a female in bed that I liked almost as much as feeling her climax.

‘Twas as if, as the months went by, my bond with my Mate only strengthened. I loved Myra and I was confident in her love for me. And that was what made all the difference .

Gods below, I missed her. Why did I have to be at this meeting if they weren’t going to listen to my words?

As if I had conjured her, I caught my Mate’s presence. Mayhap ‘twas her scent, or mayhap ‘twas our bond…I just knew she was approaching. My gaze rose, searching the darkness for her.

And then suddenly, there she was, materializing from the shadows as she’d done months ago. Only this time she was wrapped in my plaid…and wearing naught else besides a wicked smile and the beads she’d allowed me to braid into her gorgeous hair.

Orcs didn’t wear ornamentation to show they were Mated, but with our matching beads, no one would doubt Myra and I belonged to one another.

Although Gruptor was in the middle of another diatribe against the Battleborn, Kragorn held up his palm, stopping him.

“Myra. Can I assume ye’re here for my brother?”

“Alas,” she sighed. “I require him. ‘Tis vital.”

Surely I wasn’t the only one who heard her terrible acting skills? Judging from Nan’s smirk, I wasn’t…but I had already pushed away from the support where I’d been lounging and was hurrying toward my love.

“Apologies, Kragorn,” I called over my shoulder. “My Mate requires me. Ye heard her.”

“Aye, sounds important.” There was amusement in my brother’s voice. “Obviously ye must go.”

I snagged Myra’s hand as I stalked past without pausing and she whirled to follow me with a breathless little laugh .

“Thank ye,” I groaned quietly when we were sufficient distance from the fire. “How’d ye ken I needed an escape?”

“Easy.” She tugged me to a stop, turning me to face her. In the spring dusk, I saw her grin. “Because I was quite desperate to see you .”

I searched her expression. “Is aught amiss?” Surely I’d be able to tell if something was wrong?

Her lips curled up wickedly, and she pressed forward, until I could feel that she wore naught beneath the wrapped plaid.

“I wanted to go to the hot springs, but…I need you, Mate,” she whispered.

And my Kteer howled in glee.

Mate. Mine. Love. Forever .

Myra was mine, and I was hers, and I would gladly spend a lifetime satisfying her in whatever way she needed.

“Well then, get ready for some pleasure.” I grunted slightly as I lifted her over one shoulder, smiling at the way she squealed indignantly. “My pretty little plaything…”

I couldn’t wait to taste her.

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