Page 39 of The Savage Vow
Orlena arched an eyebrow at her, but before she could reply, Yambul’s voice cracked through the air.
“Orlena! You planning to stand around all day yapping?”
Orlena flinched.
Nargol turned her head slowly toward the shop’s door. Her disdain for the orc was deep, coiling low in her gut. He treated Orlena like property, not a valued employee.
A dangerous thought flickered in her mind. How easy it would be to break him. It would be immensely satisfying.
She forced that thought down.
Not now.
Instead, she leaned closer to Orlena where her lips brushed her ear and dropped her voice to a whisper.
“Remember last night?” she asked.
Orlena’s breath caught.
“You are mine and I’m yours,” Nargol said. “I do not abandon what belongs to me.”
“You speak as if your word is law.” Orlena’s soft voice sent a shiver down Nargol’s spine.
Nargol breathed in her mate’s scent. Desire slammed into her. She ached to pick her up and carry her somewhere private where she could dive back between those luscious thighs.
“It is.” Nargol straightened to her full height and grinned at her. Soon, she would get to know her—the real her. She would never have a care in the world ever again. The word of a Cydassi was law.
For a heartbeat, Orlena simply stared at her. Then, to Nargol’s surprise, she rose on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to Nargol’s lips. It was gentle and barely there.
And it practically shattered Nargol.
She froze. Her heart thundered so hard that it stole her breath from her lungs. By the time she recovered, Orlena had stepped back.
“I’ll wait for you,” Orlena announced. A small smile appeared on her lips. “Please come back to me.”
Before Nargol could answer, Yambul hollered again. Orlena turned and hurried back inside without looking over her shoulder.
The door closed.
Not only had her mate gone into the shop, but she’d taken Nargol’s heart with her. Nargol stood there for another moment, staring at the door until Makhel cleared her throat.
“You are such a goner,” Makhel said.
Nargol moved to Torch and got on his back. She took the reins from Makhel and shrugged.
“I’m officially inspired to finish what we came here for,” she said.
Makhel chuckled and shook her head.
“Come. Let’s go get supplies and leave before nightfall.” Makhel swung up on her shukan.
As they rode away, Nargol’s thoughts lingered on the feel of Orlena’s soft lips. It was just the motivation she needed before leaving for a dangerous mission.
There was no doubt she would return to her mate. The goddess wouldn’t bless her with such a woman only to have her not claim her.
The bellabove the shop door rattled long after Bula had left.
Orlena stood frozen at her workbench. She stared at the scarred wood, her heart still racing from the brief kiss she’d stolen. A certainty had blazed in Bula’s eyes when she’d promised she would return.
