The Hill, as the orcs call their underground fortress, looks like a massive badger’s burrow, with tunnels digging straight into the side of the mountain. Past the tall main gate, which is a slab of thick oakwood reinforced with black iron, a wide entrance hall offers a place to gather, and it’s there that I meet King Gorvor and his wife, Dawn, who come to greet the caravan returning home from the city.
Ozork and Neekar lead a team of orc males to unload the wagons, their loud commands rising above the din of the crowd. Ritta waves at us and disappears into one of the many entrances to the tunnels leading from the hall. Dawn, a brown-haired beauty with a baby in her arms, greets me warmly, saying how good it is to have another mated couple, and promises us a celebration when we’re ready. The king claps Marut on the back and draws him in for a hug, which would be strange—a king embracing one of his subjects—but I’ve learned a thing or two on the road, and I know the orc society doesn’t work like the human one does.
Then a tall woman dashes into the entrance hall, closely followed by an orc with long, loose black hair and a chipped tusk. I squint at him, trying to figure out why he seems familiar. It takes me a moment to see that his eyes are very much like Marut’s, and their noses are similar, too, though this newcomer’s scowl isn’t nearly as fierce as my husband’s.
“Marut!” the woman calls, hand raised in greeting, then turns to tug the orc’s hand. “Come on, Korr, hurry.”
“I still don’t know why we had to go now, when we were just—”
The orc’s gaze falls on me, and he snaps his mouth shut. He raises his eyebrows, then looks from me to Marut, who’s standing right next to me, his hand on the small of my back.
“Sarrai told me she saw a woman on Marut’s wagon,” the woman says, stopping in front of us. “I’m sorry. This is terribly rude. Sarrai is a scout, and she returned to the Hill a short while ago to announce your arrival. I’m so happy to meet you! I’m Ivy.”
She thrusts out her hand, offering it to me. I stare at her, instinctively hunching my shoulders. For the past week, I’ve existed in a loop in time where no stranger tried to touch me because Marut scared them all away, but at the same time, I’ve never been touched so much.
A long moment passes as Ivy and I stare at each other, frozen. Then her smile dims, and she drops her hand.
“Oh, well, welcome,” she says, decidedly less enthusiastically than before.
I’ve ruined things before I even got to know the woman.
“I-I’m so sorry,” I stutter over my words. Tears of embarrassment sting my eyes, and I blink fast, forcing myself to calm down. “I’m very happy to meet you. I just—” I wring my hands, fingers fidgeting with Marut’s golden ring. I don’t know how to explain without sounding strange again.
Marut’s grip on my shoulder tightens slightly. I glance up at him to find he’s watching me with a soft expression, as if encouraging me to give it a go despite my discomfort.
I swallow thickly, then try again. “I’m Violet, and I’m very happy to be here. It’s good to meet you, but I don’t like to be touched.”
My words sound stilted, but I got them out, so that must count for something. Ivy’s mouth forms a little “O,” and her gaze slips to my shoulder—and Marut’s hand.
“Oh,” I say quickly, “uh, Marut seems to be an exception to the rule.”
The grin that lights up her face is nothing short of wicked. “That’s perfectly understandable. I got it. No hugging, then. I’ll tell the others. We’re quite fond of hugs here, so they need to be warned.”
I want to protest that she shouldn’t make a big fuss out of it, but the orc beside her steps forward and gives me a bow, his hands clasped behind his back.
“And I’m Korr.” He jerks his chin toward Marut. “His brother. I dislike being locked in small spaces, especially if it’s dark inside.”
I blink, wondering why he offered up the information—and then it hits me. He’s trying to make me feel more comfortable by sharing.
“Hello.” I smile at him, relieved. “Thank you for telling me.”
Marut chooses that moment to draw me closer to his side. A quick glance at him tells me he’s slowly losing his patience—his scowl is getting fiercer by the minute, and from the way the muscle in his jaw jumps, I know he’s grinding his teeth.
Ivy seems to sense the tension between us, too. “Er, I’m sure you two are tired from the road. Will you be heading to the baths? They’re wonderful.”
From what the orcs told me on the road, the common baths are a magical place with numerous pools filled with perfectly warm thermal water, and I must admit, that sounds divine. I’m about to agree and ask for directions—I really must wash off the stench of the road—when Marut moves his hand from my shoulder to my waist, and suddenly, I’m plastered to his side, my hip against his, my shoulder digging into his upper ribs.
“No,” he growls.
Ivy presses her lips together, fighting a smile. Her brown eyes dance with merriment as she says, “I’ll, um, find Mara. Maybe she can have a bathtub sent to your room?”
She gives Korr, who’s about to say something, a pinch on the arm, and he looks down at her with an admonishing glare that somehow communicates how much he likes her.
My face heats at Marut’s display of possessiveness, but I don’t step away from him. I believe my husband has reached his limit at last, and I won’t tease him by suggesting we visit the baths anyway.
“That would be lovely,” I say, though I have no idea who Mara is. “Thank you.”
Marut turns us toward a corridor on the left without a word and marches me forward. I manage to wave at Ivy, who waves back, and I leave the entrance hall feeling lighter than I expected. She wasn’t put off by my strangeness. I like her welcoming manner, too, so I hope we’ll get to see more of each other.
We wind through corridors, turning this way and that, and I soon lose count of the tunnels. But to my relief, wooden signposts stand on some of the major turning points.
Marut notices me studying one and gives me a light push into one of the side corridors. “Korr had to put these up when Ivy came to live at the Hill,” he rumbles as we pass a series of wooden doors. “She kept getting lost.”
I smile up at him. “That’s really nice of him.”
To my surprise, he scowls. “Aye, that’s my brother. The nice one in the family.” He slows and stares down at me. “Is that what you want, Violet? A nice husband?”
My heartbeat speeds up at his intense expression. “You’re nice,” I whisper. “You’ve been so good to me.”
He leans down and brushes his lips over my ear. “I don’t think I can be nice tonight.” His breath tickles the sensitive skin of my neck. “So I’m asking you now, what do you want? This is your last chance to back out of this, because I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself once we get to my room.”
My belly squeezes almost painfully—but not in fear. “I’ve been thinking about it for days,” I admit. “About what we did together. And I want you to show me the rest.”
He crowds me against the earthen wall of the tunnel. “You want me to fuck you at last, little bird? You want my cock and my cum? You have to say the words.”
“Yes.” I nod for emphasis, just so he knows I’m fully on board. “To all of that.”
For a moment, I think Marut might take me right there, in the corridor, where anyone might happen to walk by. For some reason, the idea isn’t as horrifying as I’d expected but sends shivers of awareness through me. Marut inhales deeply, his nostrils flaring, and groans. Then he grabs my hand, interlacing his thick fingers with mine, and pulls me along after him at a faster pace than before.
“Wait!” I giggle as I stumble over my skirts. “I can’t run—not in this dress.”
Marut doesn’t slow down. Instead, he swings around, bends toward me, and hooks his arms under my knees and shoulders. Suddenly, I’m pressed against his chest, hands flailing, and he’s striding even faster, his face a mask of determination.
The need in his gaze takes my breath away. He’s got me right where he wants me, and I don’t think he’s ever going to let me go.
Finally, we round another bend in the tunnel, pass a beautifully carved double door, and stop in front of a tall but plain door with an iron lock. Marut gently sets me on my feet and takes a step back. Then he reaches into the pocket of his vest and draws out a large black iron key. He hands it to me and motions for me to unlock the door.
I’m not sure why he’s insisting on this, but it feels significant somehow. I fit the key into the lock with trembling fingers and trip the mechanism. The door swings open, and I step into the darkened room just enough to take the key from the lock again and offer it back to Marut. The light from the corridor spills just past the threshold, but the rest of the room is still cast in shadow.
But he shakes his head. “I have another. This one is yours.” He walks into the room with confident steps, unbothered by the darkness. “Everything I own is yours.”
Oh.
My husband shuffles around for a moment, then a spark lights the inky blackness. He strikes the flint again, and the wick in the lantern catches. A warm yellow glow permeates the room, so I finally step inside and close the door softly behind us. I draw the bolt across, wanting privacy for what’s to come.
Then I turn around, put my back to the door, and let myself look at my new home.
The room is roughly circular in shape, as was the entrance hall, which likely makes sense in an underground dwelling. The ceiling is rounded as well, with several vents cut at the very top, and the sound of trickling water from behind a wall tapestry tells me there’s a privy of some sort attached to the room.
But it’s not the room itself that draws my attention. No, what immediately has me stepping forward are stacks of books that lie on every available surface. There’s a large desk that’s piled with leather-bound tomes and scrolls, a chair almost invisible under a pile of cheaper, cloth-bound volumes, and a wooden chest that bears another load of books. There are books on shelves hanging on the rounded walls, books on the side table, and even some on the wide, unmade bed.
“Fuck,” Marut murmurs, then launches forward. He scoops the books off the bed and stacks them haphazardly on the floor beside it. Then he picks up the stack and carries it to the opposite end of the room as if he can’t bear to leave them on the floor but realizes he has nowhere to put them. Finally, he shoves aside some scrolls on the desk and places the pile in the corner, where it teeters dangerously.
He turns to me and says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think— When I left for Ultrup, I didn’t expect to find a mate. It was more of a long-term idea, because it usually isn’t as easy for an orc to find one. So, uh, I left things…” He sweeps his hand to the side, indicating the books. “I was in the middle of a research project.”
I walk forward and stop right in front of him. He’s still scowling, but his cheeks turn a darker shade of green, and his expression is a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance—at himself.
“These are all your books?”
I take another step toward him and flatten my hands on his chest. Marut lifts his arms to put them around me, and like I anticipated, he releases a long breath and relaxes slightly. Something about having me in his arms seems to have a calming effect on him, and I adore that tidbit of knowledge.
“Aye, they’re mine,” he says. “Well, they belong to the clan, but I manage the library, so…”
He motions to the right, and I stare at the empty wall beside us, confused, until I remember the beautiful, wide door we passed earlier.
“You mean to say you live next door to a library?” I exclaim.
Marut frowns down at me. “We can move if you’d like. This isn’t the best room in the Hill, I know. It’s so far from the main hall, but it’s in the driest part, which is good for the books. I picked this room to be close to the library, but we can—”
I press my hand over his mouth, muffling the flood of words. I don’t think he’s ever said so many all at once, and his mind is going down the wrong path, so I have to stop him.
“Do you not remember what I asked for when we were in Ultrup?” I demand. “Why would I want to move away from the books? I’m going to spend the rest of my life buried under the covers in here, reading everything.”
He kisses me, rough and desperate. I clench my fists in the silky fabric of his waistcoat and hold on, then open my mouth to him. Heat surges through me as Marut’s arms tighten around me, and for the first time, I want to climb his tall frame and wrap my legs around his waist so I’m as close to him as possible. Feeling very bold, I slip my tongue into his mouth, and he groans, then deepens the kiss. His fingers dig into the muscles at my back through the fabric of my dress, betraying his urgency, and his cock nudges my belly, hard and thick.
When he nips my lower lip with sharp teeth, I gasp, the pain a beautiful contrast to the syrupy, liquid pleasure running through my veins.
But Marut jerks back and drops me as if scalded, then retreats all the way to the bed and sits heavily on the corner. I follow him, dazed, as if an invisible tether ties my body to his, but stop when he raises his hand in warning.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I promised I wouldn’t grab you,” he rasps, speaking to his knees. “And the moment I get you alone, I devolve into a beast.”
“You know,” I say, my hand at my hip, “I did follow you in here voluntarily. You warned me, and I still came.”
He lifts his gaze, and my heart breaks at the raw expression in his eyes. I walk closer to him, ignoring his earlier warning, until I’m standing between his legs. He clasps his knees with his hands, his fingertips digging into the leather of his pants. I smile, wondering how long it’ll take him to give in. Then I gently kiss his cheek, then the other. I repeat what he did to me that first night, when he cheated just a little, stealing caresses when I’d allowed him to kiss me on the lips. I’m so glad he did, because he taught me about pleasure, and now I’ll return the favor.
“Violet,” he groans when I graze my teeth lightly over the lobe of his ear.
When I kiss the pointed green tip, he shudders, and I almost crow in triumph. His breathing deepens, he leans in and takes a long huff of my scent, and closes his eyes as if in exquisite pain.
Slowly, I undo the buttons of his vest and draw it off his shoulders. He helps me, moving his arms when I lead him to. Then I tug at the laces of his shirt, pull at it to untuck it from his pants, and motion for him to take it off. With one sinuous movement, Marut reveals himself to me, his broad shoulders straight. The silvery end of a scar peeks around by his neck, but I don’t mention it—I don’t want to remind him of his painful past. I only want us to build a beautiful future together.
“You may touch me.” I take one of his braids and untie the leather string from the end. “I’m officially giving you permission.”
He closes his eyes and lets out a deep exhale. “What if I hurt you?” His expression is tortured, even as his hips rock lightly on the bed. “I would never forgive myself.”
I stare at him, unsure of what to do. I like these touches between us, but is that because I know he’s in control of himself? The way he’s talking, he seems to think he might lose himself in the moment, and I’m not certain I wouldn’t get frightened again if he did. This is all new to me, and I have no clue what will happen when he’s on top of me, his weight pressing me down into the mattress.
I gasp at the thought. My body certainly shares none of my confusion—I’m growing slick between my legs, and my belly warms with desire.
“You could tie me up.”
Marut’s words hang in the space between us. He looks a little embarrassed, as if he never meant to say them out loud but can’t take them back now that he has.
“What?” I press my hands to my heated cheeks, unsure if I heard him correctly.
Marut’s throat bobs as he swallows. His black gaze darts from my eyes to my lips and back. For a moment, I think he’ll say it doesn’t matter, that he’ll take me by the waist and toss me on the bed and have his way with me. But he only grips his knees harder, the muscles of his arms bunching.
I want to sink my teeth into them and see how good he tastes.
“You could tie my hands behind my back,” he says more softly, oblivious to my carnal thoughts. “This could give you more room to explore.”
I gape at him, but my mind is already running away with all the possibilities. If Marut was helpless under me, if I knew he couldn’t use his strength to his advantage… Would that make me more comfortable? Would I feel safer?
Yes.
Absolutely, yes.
“Um, all right,” I murmur. “How would we do that?”
Marut closes his eyes for a second and blows out a long breath. “What I want to do is tie you up, little bird, and worship you until you’re limp with pleasure. But this is what we’ll do.”
He rips a sleeve off his shirt and instructs me on the knots he wants me to use. When he’s satisfied that I can tie them well, he turns his back to me and has me wrap the sleeve around his wrists, then secure the cloth firmly.
He flexes his muscles, tugging at the restraints. “Good. This will do.”
He has me prop up some pillows against the headboard. He settles in, his back supported by the pillows, his long legs stretched out on the covers.
I remain at the foot of the bed, watching him. “You know what?” I pick up his ruined shirt and return to him, clutching it in my fist. “Bend over, please.”
He leans forward. I repeat the knots he told me to make before, only this time, I tie his wrists securely to the headboard, then replace the pillows so he’s comfortable. Marut steals a kiss to my neck as I shuffle around him, and I squeak at the tickle of his short beard. He hasn’t shaved in days, but I can’t complain—the way every scratchy kiss sends shivers of pleasure through me, I don’t think I’ll allow him to scrape off the short stubble.
“You are a vicious creature, love,” Marut says, his gaze warm with approval. He tests the ties, then settles back. “Now take off my pants since I can’t do it myself.”
Breath stalls in my throat. I undo the laces at his waistband, then spread the sides apart. Marut’s cock, already hard, juts up, and I get my first chance to study it in full light.
I knew it was large from that night in the tent. I study the broad crown, the small slit already leaking what I know is only the smallest bit of precum, and the thick green shaft. But what has me leaning forward to see better is a curious bulge at the bottom, about the size of my fist, and his balls, half hidden in a nest of coarse black hair. Everything about him is large, proportionate to his big body, and I expected the cock to be this size, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what the bulge is for.
Peeling my gaze away from it, I glance at Marut’s face. He’s watching me with amusement, though his cheeks are dark with color.
“That’s a knot,” he says, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “All orcs have it.”
I sidle closer, sitting on the edge of the bed beside him. “What does it do?”
He clears his throat. “When you climax, it’ll lock in your pussy, so when I come, all my cum will stay inside you.”
The size of the knot is a little terrifying, but he promised me pleasure once, and I choose to believe him still. But I need to know something else.
“Does it feel good for you?” I ask. “When it locks inside?”
His eyes darken. “I don’t know.” He licks his lips, then adds, “Only a mate can take an orc’s knot. You’ll be my first.”
I can’t help but gaze at his cock again. The knowledge that we’ll both experience something new tonight soothes me. But it seems our conversation excites Marut, because more cum drips from his cockhead and onto his lower belly. I swipe my fingertip through the droplets and bring them to my lips, tasting him.
Marut curses, his voice hoarse with tension. “Put your hands on me, Violet.”
I start at the tip, smearing around the moisture, then draw my palm down his shaft to his knot. I try to wrap my fingers around it, but can’t bring them together, and my pussy clenches at the thought of fitting that inside.
“I smell how wet you’re getting,” Marut purrs. “You can take it. We’ll make sure of it.”
I reach for his balls, wanting to feel their texture—but a knock at the door stalls my hand.
“Fuck!” Marut struggles on the bed, his shoulders straining as he tries to undo the ties. “The bath. I forgot.”
I scoot off the bed and study him, biting my lip. A mad idea pops into my head.
“Marut?” I prompt. “Will you mind if they see you shirtless?”
He frowns at me. “No, of course not. But I have to tell them to go away. We’re just—”
I reach over him, grab a blanket off the bed, and arrange it across his lap so his cock and undone pants are hidden. “Now, relax back, and no one will know of your predicament.”
“Violet…”
I giggle and dash for the door. Marut’s growl should scare me, but in this moment, I hold all the cards. He’s at my mercy, and I’m almost giddy with excitement. With shaking fingers, I undo the bolt and swing the door open.
Four orc men enter, two carrying a half-filled copper tub, the other two hauling pails of steaming-hot water. Walking in behind them is a beautiful orc woman who introduces herself as Mara, the steward of the Hill. They greet us and eye me curiously, but they set the bathtub in the middle of the room and tip the hot water in, then leave without much fuss. Mara grins at me but doesn’t comment on why Marut is sitting shirtless in bed, scowling at everyone. I thank them and shut the door behind them, bolting it securely.
Then I turn to face Marut, who’s shuffling around in his bed.
“Comfortable?” I ask lightly.
My husband snaps, “Violet. Come here.”
I shake my head. “Not yet.” I kick off my shoes and slowly untie the laces of my gown. Then I reach into my travel bag for the bar of soap I brought with me from home, scented with honey. “I haven’t had a chance to bathe yet after a long trip.”
“Don’t you dare,” he growls. “No—stop that.”
I draw the sleeves down my arms, and the loose dress slips from my body, rustling as it hits the floor. I stand by the bathtub in nothing but my underwear, stockings, and chemise.
“Do you trust me?” I ask him.
Marut draws in a deep inhale, then nods once. “Without a doubt.”
I relax marginally. “Then let me do this?”
His gaze warms, and he says, “Aye. Show me what you want.”
