Page 15 of The Savage Vow
That was all the latest gossip that had reached Soza from Udenia.
Orlena believed that if it were true, then fate was truly at work. It was beautiful to think that the chieftain’s daughter was going against every archaic tradition and following her heart.
It was romantic.
“Well, um…humans keep to themselves and orcs do the same,” Orlena replied. She finished locking the last drawer and looked up to find Bula staring at her. Feeling a little unnerved by the way Bula gazed at her, she gave a little shrug. “That’s just how it is here.”
“Is that so,” Bula murmured.
“Well, I’m closed and I need to get home,” Orlena announced. She needed to put the key in Yambul’s office then grab her belongings. Her gaze dropped down to her bow that she’d hidden.
She’d have to put it back in her workplace. She reached for it and picked it up, sliding her hand down the smooth handle. The thrill of shooting it still lingered inside her. A small smileappeared on her lips at the memory of seeing her arrow hit the middle of the red target.
“Is your mate coming to escort you home?” Bula’s words had Orlena freezing in place.
“What? I mean, no. I…um…don’t have a mate,” Orlena sputtered.
“So then you need an escort,” Bula announced.
“I don’t. I am just fine walking alone. My home isn’t that far from here,” she said. She inhaled sharply at the thought of spending even more time with the female orc. She took in the stubborn tilt to Bula’s chin. She smiled to soften the blow even more. “I walk home alone every night. It’s safe here in Soza.”
“Humor me. Allow me to walk you home.” It may have been a request, but it was easy to see Bula was not going to take no for an answer.
Orlena jerked her head in a nod and spun on her heels. She jogged into her workplace and hid her bow. She’d tweak it in the morning when she returned.
With minutes, she had her cloak on and locked up the shop. She turned to Bula who waited on the sidewalk nearby. The moon was out, casting a beautiful light around them, the dark sky littered with bright, tiny stars, all twinkling as if vying for attention. The village was still alive with the fair continuing on. Many vendors kept their tables open late, especially those who offered food. Parties would commence into the late hour, but Orlena would be long in her bed while the village had its fun.
“I’m serious. You don’t have to escort me home.” Orlena pulled her cloak closed around her to ward off the small nip in the air.
“It allows me to get to know the new area,” Bula said.
They began the journey, side by side through the darkened streets. Orcs watched them openly as they walked in silence. Itwas comfortable and gave her more time to study this orc beside her.
Why was she wanting to escort her home?
Did Bula truly think she was beautiful? Orlena rolled her eyes at the thought. That was not what she should be focused on. So instead, she figured she’d ask Bula a question.
“Will you be here in Soza for long?”
Nargol walkedalongside Orlena through the streets of Soza. She was acutely aware of all eyes on them. She had escorted plenty of high-powered individuals before, tracked enemies through forests and across deserts, but none had ever made her pulse spike the way it was as she ambled next to this beautiful human.
Orlena kept her hands clasped in front of her, shoulders hunched. It was as if she expected the world to strike her if she lifted her chin too high. Nargol slowed her pace to match the human’s stride. She glanced around and met some of the curious gazes from orcs who watched them.
Some held her gaze, but others quickly looked away.
Nargol had to remember. She was here as a spy and needed to blend in. As much as she wanted to stare some of the orcs down and issue a silent challenge, she held herself back.
It was then she recalled Orlena had just asked her a question.
Will you be here in Soza for long?
Nargol glanced at her and noted the way the lantern light caught the warm tones of her skin, the loose strands of her hair escaping her braid, and the curious glint in her eyes.
“I’m not sure,” she answered carefully. It was the honest truth. She didn’t know how long it would take for her to find out what she needed. Her mission was clear: she had to discover who was behind the insurrection on the royal couple.
“Are you traveling alone?”
“I have a companion.”
