12. Katar

"When fated mates meet," I said, "it's orc tradition for the couple to remove all their clothing for an assessment."

"I can understand wanting to check things out before going farther."

"And to taste if things go as they should."

Bailey sucked in a breath, but I didn't find reservation on her face. Just an openness that called to the wild side inside me. She wasn't the only one who restrained herself to feel in control. "I can . . . handle that."

"I'm a bastard," I blurted out.

"What does that have to do with removing our clothing?"

"My parents weren't mated. I don't even know who my father is. Just putting that out there."

"With my history, you must know I don't care about your background except for how it impacts you today. I want to hear whatever you're willing to share. I . . ." She paused as if in thought and slowly nodded. "I want to hold you when you're sad and do fun things for you to cheer you up. Funny how I feel that already."

It was the mate bond. Once fated mates met, a hormone was released inside them that drove them to quickly crave each other, to fall in love fast. Were my mating hormones working on her? No one knew if they'd activate the same feelings inside humans all the time, though there were couples proving it worked here on the surface already.

"My mother's the orc king's sister," I added. "She died but never told me who my father is."

"I'm so sorry."

"Sometimes, I don't care. Other times, I wish I knew. It might be interesting to meet him if he was willing. The rest of the time, I just try to forget."

"I understand wanting to put sad things behind you." She tilted her head. "Does that make you a prince?"

"Not really. There are plenty of orcs ahead of me in line for the throne. My parents weren't true mates. They were only together a few times. See, he met his true mate and told my mother it was over. She . . . neglected to tell him she was pregnant with me." I scratched the back of my neck. "I don't know how I'd feel if I met him. It's hard to feel anything for someone who was never a true parent."

"I understand."

"It's not his fault, I suppose, if he never knew I existed."

"Wouldn't he guess?"

I shrugged. "If he has, he hasn't approached me. Maybe he lives far from the central city. As for my role, I'm pretty much an employee of the orc kingdom."

"A diplomat, you said."

"Yeah . . ." I scrambled my fingers through my hair. "About that."

"You're not a diplomat?"

"I feel that I need to be honest about everything before we go wild."

Her laugh snorted out. "I'm all for honesty."

"You shared so much with me that was painful for you." I held her upper arms, staring down at her, hoping she could see how earnest I was about this. I wanted her to know everything, and I hoped she wouldn't reject me once she heard it all. "I'm not a diplomat in the true sense. Yes, I'm working on a paltry part of the treaty, but I was sent here for another reason, one your government is unaware of."

Her eyes widened. "Nothing illegal, I hope."

"Nothing that would break your laws or ours."

"Then what's the big secret?"

"Some might say me being the bastard is enough."

Lifting one eyebrow, she tapped her foot on the floor.

"I'm undercover," I blurted out.

"Ah, so you're like . . . an orc cop?"

"I'm a secret weapon of the orc kingdom. I was sent here to figure out what happened with the orc book and do anything necessary to get it back."

"Anything." She frowned. "You mean like kill someone to obtain it?"

"I'll do my best to avoid that."

"Whoa. You're like an orc . . . James Bond."

I cocked my head. "Never heard of him."

"He's a fictitious secret agent. He can kill people with simple, everyday objects like a pen or . . ."

"A stapler?"

Her smile made my heart jump around and booteliers flutter in my belly. I grinned right back at her.

"Yeah, a stapler, and I apologize for hitting you with it."

I shrugged. "It didn't kill me. But as for your James Bund—"

"Bond." She deepened her voice. "James. James Bond. We'll have to watch some of the movies."

"Movies featuring a fictitious character?"

"Oh, to most of us, he's one hundred percent real. He's gorgeous and sexy and . . ." When I grumbled, jealous when I shouldn't be, her smile widened. "He's nowhere near as gorgeous or sexy as you, however."

"You, my mate," I tugged her into my arms, "are utterly perfect. You're also gorgeous and incredibly sexy." Already, my warm feelings for her were transforming into something deeper, something lasting. I couldn't imagine not seeing her all the time, not being with her. That was how it was for fated mates, and I could only pray to the fates that she'd travel this path with me.

"I'm not your James Bond," I said.

"That's probably a good thing, since people are always trying to kill him."

"I doubt anyone would kill me to obtain an ancient orc text."

"Do you think the break-in at my house and the attic is connected?"

"That's what we're going to find out."

"How?"

Good question. "There has to be a connection, and we'll find it."

"And in between then." She stepped out of my embrace and slid the hem of her blouse up across her gorgeous body. "We'll get naked and go wild."