Page 43 of The Savage Vow
“She was just being friendly and making sure I got home safe.” Orlena’s cheeks warmed. She’d known some of the other neighbors had been out and had been watching her and Bula, but she hadn’t realized Isha had known.
“Mm-hmm…orcs are rarely just friendly to humans.” Isha hummed, unconvinced.
“She didn’t mean anything by it,” Orlena rushed to defend Bula, but then she realized she’d jumped to defend her a little too quickly.
“Really? Then why did I see her sneaking out of your house in the morning?”
Orlena swallowed hard. If Isha had seen Bula leave, had anyone else?
“It’s not what it looks like,” Orlena said.
Isha reached across the table and covered her hand with hers. She gave it a squeeze.
“Listen to me, Orlena. I’ve lived here a long time and I’ve seen how this goes.” She released Orlena’s hand and picked up her cup. She took a sip of her tea and shrugged. “Orcs take human lovers when it suits them. When they want something new. Something to fill the space before they return to their own kind. When it’s over, the human is left with nothing but broken promises and a bruised pride.”
“She’s not like that,” Orlena said. She shook her head and settled back into her chair.
“You hope she isn’t,” Isha replied softly.
Doubt crept in. What if Isha was right? What if Bula had seen her as nothing more than a distraction? A pleasant indulgence during a long-road period. Orcs had power. Freedom. She had choice.
Heck, Orlena didn’t even know the real reason Bula was in Soza or where she was off to for ‘business.’
“She said she would come back,” Orlena whispered, more to herself than to Isha.
Her friend sighed. “I hope she does. Truly, I do. But don’t give her more of your heart than you can afford to lose.”
Orlena no longer felt like drinking her tea. She glanced down at the darkened water in the cup and couldn’t even stomach it.
“I-I have to go,” she said. She stood abruptly and spun toward the door.
“Orlena. Please don’t take offense.” Isha flew out of her chair and came to stand in front of her.
Orlena paused and offered a small smile. One that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. Today had been one hell of a day, and she suddenly felt drained of all energy.
“I’m not. You have given me something to think about. I’ll see you later. Thanks for having me over.” She hugged her goodbye and stepped back out into the night alone.
The wind had picked up and carried the scent of rain, the distant rumble of thunder echoing through the air. Lamps flickered as she passed. She quickened her pace and ignored the streak of lightning that lit up the dark sky.
By the time she reached her door, her earlier pride had dulled, and now it was replaced by worry.
Inside, she lit candles and carried one into her bedroom. She set it down on the bedside table then took a seat on her bed.
Was Isha right?
Bula had been kind. Gentle. Even protective. She hadn’t mocked her or treated her like something lesser. She had gazed upon Orlena as if she’d mattered.
And yet…
Orlena pressed a hand to her chest and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to assume the bad. Bula wouldn’t lie to her.
Or would she?
She hated to think that she couldn’t trust her new lover. The female had made her feel things that she’d never experienced with anyone. If somehow Bula had lied to her, it would crush her.
She undressed slowly, her limbs feeling heavy. Her mind was filled with so many thoughts as she crawled beneath her blankets. The wind howled, and rain tapped along the roof.
She stared at the ceiling, her eyes burning.
