The Iron-Blood Chronicles Series by Scarlett Thorne

Rowena was declared barren, defective, unwanted. When her city offers her as tribute to the Orc Warlord to buy peace, she expects brutality. She expects to be used and discarded. Kael-Thar has other plans. The towering Warlord doesn’t see a broken woman. He sees his mate. In Orc culture, magic is unlocked through pleasure, and Kael-Thar is determined to worship every inch of Rowena until she understands her true worth... moreRowena was declared barren, defective, unwanted. When her city offers her as tribute to the Orc Warlord to buy peace, she expects brutality. She expects to be used and discarded. Kael-Thar has other plans. The towering Warlord doesn’t see a broken woman. He sees his mate. In Orc culture, magic is unlocked through pleasure, and Kael-Thar is determined to worship every inch of Rowena until she understands her true worth. She isn’t barren—she simply needed a male large enough, skilled enough, and devoted enough to awaken the power in her blood. As Rowena’s body responds to his relentless devotion, as she discovers pleasures she never imagined, she begins to fall for the monster she was taught to fear. But when a human army arrives to "rescue" her, she must choose: return to the society that discarded her, or claim the Warlord who would burn the world to keep her. Some women cross the border and never want to go back. Can be read as standalone. less

Sia has one mission: seduce the Orc Beastmaster, steal his maps, and slit his throat in his sleep. She’s a trained assassin with nothing to lose and blades hidden beneath her clothes. The plan is simple. Until Vrok smells her deception the moment she enters his tent. The massive Beastmaster has the senses of the dire-wolves he commands, and he knows exactly what Sia is. But instead of killing her, he issues a challenge: use your body to manipulate me. Seduce me. Try to win... moreSia has one mission: seduce the Orc Beastmaster, steal his maps, and slit his throat in his sleep. She’s a trained assassin with nothing to lose and blades hidden beneath her clothes. The plan is simple. Until Vrok smells her deception the moment she enters his tent. The massive Beastmaster has the senses of the dire-wolves he commands, and he knows exactly what Sia is. But instead of killing her, he issues a challenge: use your body to manipulate me. Seduce me. Try to win. A blizzard traps them together for a week, and what follows is a battle of wills and flesh. Vrok is patient, skilled, and relentless. He coaxes responses from Sia’s body that she’s never allowed herself to feel, unraveling her control one touch at a time. The question becomes: who will break first? Who will beg? When Sia finally surrenders, she realizes she’s fallen for the male she was sent to kill. Now she must choose between her orders and her heart—and the cost of that choice could destroy them both. Can be read as standalone. less

Zorn is a monster even his own people fear. Exiled as a "Rot-Blood," his magic has turned toxic and feral, driving him to madness in the deep woods. He’s resigned himself to dying alone. Then a fearless hedge-witch crashes into his lair and refuses to leave. Mira was expelled from human society for her radical experiments, and she doesn’t see a monster when she looks at Zorn—she sees a fascinating magical phenomenon. She’s convinced his "poison" is just years of aggressive energy with no outlet... moreZorn is a monster even his own people fear. Exiled as a "Rot-Blood," his magic has turned toxic and feral, driving him to madness in the deep woods. He’s resigned himself to dying alone. Then a fearless hedge-witch crashes into his lair and refuses to leave. Mira was expelled from human society for her radical experiments, and she doesn’t see a monster when she looks at Zorn—she sees a fascinating magical phenomenon. She’s convinced his "poison" is just years of aggressive energy with no outlet. Her diagnosis? He requires regular, intensive physical release to dissipate the buildup. Zorn is horrified. Mira is clinical, bossy, and utterly unbothered by his protests. What begins as her "experiment" becomes something far deeper. She works the rage and poison from his system with methodical patience, revealing the gentle, touch-starved male beneath the monster. And Mira discovers that her clinical approach has turned into desperate, aching love for the exile who needs her. But when hunters arrive to finish what his exile started, Zorn and Mira must decide: keep hiding, or fight for a place in the world together. Can be read as standalone. less