Page 104 of The Savage Vow
Orlena nodded. That made sense. The letters had stopped coming from him. Even though she had continued to send them, but eventually, she’d stopped after not receiving any replies. She reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Does he even know I’m alive?” Orlena asked.
“He will soon enough,” Nargol said.
Orlena flew to her and buried her face against Nargol’s shoulder. She was overwhelmed by relief, fear, and hope all at once.
“I want to see him,” she whispered. She lifted her head and stared up at Nargol.
“You will.” Nargol cupped Orlena’s cheek. “We will go together and explore the western coast of Aghon.”
“Even at this time?” Orlena asked.
Aghon was preparing for war. She was sure Nargol would be needed to help defend their country from the trolls.
“There’s no time like the present. War will always be on the horizon. Helping you achieve your dreams, we do this now.”
Orlena leaned forward and kissed her. This time, it was one she poured all of her emotions into. She loved this orc more than she loved life itself. She wrapped her arms around Nargol’s neck just as she was lifted from the floor. Nargol cradled her in her arms and strode toward their bed. She laid her down gently, breaking the kiss.
“I love you,” Orlena whispered. She rose on her elbows and watched Nargol stripping her uniform from her body. The sight of her orc’s toned figure immediately sent her heart racing.
“And I love you,doakir,” Nargol said. Her eyes darkened; they took Orlena in.
She quickly shed her nightgown and tossed it somewhere on the floor. She bid her orc forward with two fingers.
Nargol grinned and knelt on the bed. She crawled over Orlena who fell back onto the mattress. She bent down and tookOrlena’s lips in a deep kiss. Orlena parted her thighs to allow her mate to rest between them.
In that moment, surrounded by warmth, firelight, and love…
Orlena didn’t need to dream any longer.
They had already come true.
Eight months had passedsince she had left Soza. For Nargol, the time had moved both slowly and swiftly like a river that seemed calm on the surface but carried a great force beneath the surface.
Now she stood within the courtyard of Angarth Keep, watching the sacred fire grow.
Tonight, the clans of Aghon gathered not for war.
But for a union.
The courtyard had been transformed. Towering stone pillars that stood around the area were draped with the banners of every clan snapping boldly in the evening breeze. Each clan was represented by a color. They each formed a living tapestry of Aghon’s history.
At the center of the courtyard, the ceremonial fire burned bright within a wide iron basin. Thick logs crackled, and sparks climbed into the darkening sky. The scent of nimite wood burning drifted through the air.
Hundreds of orcs filled courtyard.
Warriors in ceremonial armor. Elders wrapped in clan furs. Merchants, healers, craftsmen, and travelers who had come from every corner of the county were present.
The stone terraces above the courtyard were packed with spectators.
Even humans had come.
Word had traveled far beyond the walls of Udenia.
An orc general bonding with a human woman was something the world had never seen.
Near the outer ring, Nargol spotted a small cluster of familiar faces among the human guests. Phoebe and a couple of the other women who had been rescued stood together watching the ceremony preparations with wide eyes and excitement. Orlena and Phoebe had grown close over the past few months. Phoebe was one of the women who had decided to say and now worked with the local orc healers.
