Page 54 of The Savage Vow
But this—her going to see Orlena—she would not debate.
She had to see to her mate.
The witch’s words echoed in her head. She had to ensure that Orlena was safe and sound in her home. That no danger had arrived at her doorstep.
Makhel’s jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, Nargol thought she might argue. Instead, the warrior exhaled through her nose.
“You are risking a lot for this human,” Makhel said.
“She is worth the risk. She is mine,” Nargol growled low. The possessiveness in her voice surprised even her. It proved with certainty that she could not deny what Orlena was to her.
She was her mate.
Every instinct she had told her so. Leaving her for five days had been like walking with a blade pressed into her ribs.
Complete agony.
Makhel studied her in silence then nodded. “I will secure them. We need to meet at first light in the north sector of the village.”
“I will be there.”
She did not wait for further protest. With a gentle pressure of her heels, she guided Torch down a side path away from the main road. The village blurred into quiet shapes and shadows as she rode toward the human quarter.
Her breaths were coming faster.
Was Orlena safe and sound in her own home? Had Nargol’s enemies somehow found her there? Her thoughts were restless as the distance closed to Orlena’s home.
Soon, she would have to tell Orlena the truth.
The realization settled heavy in her stomach. To Orlena, she was Bula—a nomad. A woman from nowhere with no ties, no crown, no obligations beyond the next horizon. Not Nargol Cydassi, the daughter of the chieftain. A woman who was an heir to legacy steeped in their country’s history, wars, and politics.
Would Orlena look at her differently once she found out the truth?
The question gnawed at her. She imagined the hurt that would flash in her warm brown eyes. There may even bebetrayal. Nargol hated the fact that she had to use deception between them, even though it was necessary.
Soon,she promised herself. When this was all over and she found out who was trying to tear down all that her family had built, she would claim her mate for all the world to see.
And beg for forgiveness for the lies and deception.
The human quarter was silent when she arrived, the narrow streets empty. Nargol dismounted Torch a short distance away from Orlena’s home. She secured him in the shadows on a grassy knoll where he could graze. Her pulse quickened, and she approached the house where her mate lived.
Faint light glowed from the windows.
Relief filled her that Orlena may still be awake. It was late, and she’d half expected the house to be basked in darkness. She arrived at the door and knocked softly.
In the quiet neighborhood, the sound seemed unnaturally loud. She waited. Every one of her senses were alert. She turned and checked the street. Stillness and silence greeted her.
A flicker of unease settled inside her.
She knocked again. This time a little harder and leaned closer to the door.
“Orlena,” she called out softly. “It’s me.”
For a heartbeat, she was greeted with silence.
Then footsteps. Her heart raced at the quick and light sound crossing the floor inside.
The door flew open.
