Page 23 of The Savage Vow
“How much?” he asked.
Yambul named a price, and Orlena winced. The orc grunted but paid the amount. He tossed the coin down and left without another glance.
Yambul swept the coin away then turned to her with a scowl.
“Don’t think I haven’t heard about where you’d disappeared to yesterday. Instead of working, you go and enter the archery contest.” He glared at her.
Of course he would hear about yesterday. She had tried to keep her identity a secret, but she should have known the second her hood fell away that word would get around.
“Sir—”
“Winning doesn’t make you special either,” he snapped.
She shrank back as he stood to his full height. He may be an old orc, but he still had size to him.
“Don’t disappear like that again while you’re supposed to be working or I will add more time to your contract.”
“I won’t, sir,” Orlena said quietly.
“As for yesterday, I will be docking your pay.”
Her gaze flew to him, but she bit back what she wanted to say. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. It wouldn’t do her any good to argue with him. It wasn’t like he paid her much since she was under the contract.
“You seem to have forgotten your place. Don’t think I won’t extend your contract if you keep forgetting,” he snarled.
“It won’t happen again.” She took a step back toward her workroom and spun on her heels.
“See that it doesn’t!” he called out behind her. “And you better not be gone long for lunch!”
Lunch.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Back in the workshop, she leaned against the bench and closed her eyes. She breathed through the tightness in her chest. The familiar mixed feelings of anger and helplessness settled into her bones.
Five more solars, she reminded herself.Then you’re free.
At least if that was what the contract said.
She glanced at the small mark carved into the wall beside her bench—it was one of many. Each notch represented a solar she’d survived here. She traced the newest one with her finger.
She could make it.
The bell at the front door chimed, signaling a new customer. She turned and got back to work. Time passed without a thought. Orlena focused on her craftsmanship, and before she knew it, she glanced up and took in the shift of the sun.
It was noon.
She hesitated for a moment, then set her tools aside. She gathered her bag and tossed it over her shoulder. She emerged from her workspace and immediately felt Yambul’s eyes on her.
“Don’t be gone too long, girl,” he warned. “Or you will regret it.”
Orlena nodded and slipped out the door. Her heart rate picked up as she made her way to the market down the road. It was comfortable day. It wasn’t too hot out. The sun was shining bright, the sky was clear, and the sounds of the market grew louder once she got closer to it.
She had dressed carefully that morning. She’d chosen her prettiest tunic, brushed her hair, and plaited it in two braidsaway from her face. She told herself it was just her wanting to take pride in her appearance today, but she knew the real reason.
She eyed the market stalls while walking along. She forced herself not to hurry. She had about an hour for lunch and didn’t want to rush back to the shop. Vendors shouted, trying to get patrons to stop at their tables. The scent of roasting meat had her mouth watering.
Would Bula come?
