Page 26 of The Savage Vow
“Who said I am afraid?” Orlena whispered.
She glanced up through her eyelashes and took in the position of the warriors. They had continued on down the main road that led out of the village in the direction of the stronghold. She let out a breath. They hadn’t stopped in town and continued on.
“I can scent the fear on you.” Bula’s jaw hardened. Her amber gaze was fierce as she stared at Orlena.
“It’s nothing.” Orlena gathered the rest of the loaf of bread she hadn’t finished. She tucked it away into her satchel and hopped down from the wall. She had to get back to the shop. Shedidn’t dare be late; instead, she would arrive a few minutes early just to satisfy Yambul.
“You dare fib to me?” Bula smirked. She turned to Orlena. There was something about the way she glanced around before turning her attention back to Orlena. The woman didn’t miss a thing.
“Fib? You’re a fine one to talk. You won’t even tell me where you are from,” Orlena retorted. Her eyes widened at the realization of the words that had fallen from her lips. Had she truly said that? She did have to admit that it did bother her that Bula couldn’t even tell her where she was from.Just everywhere but nowhere.What the feck did that mean?Everyone is from somewhere.
“There are reasons why I don’t tell you where I am from.” Bula closed the gap between them. She reached up and gently brushed a few strands of Orlena’s hair away from her face. Her fingers trailed softly down Orlena’s temple. “It would bring danger to you.”
“Danger? Just by knowing where you were raised? Played as a child? Grew up?” Orlena whispered. Something in the back of her mind screamed red flag, but she pushed it down. She didn’t feel afraid of Bula. If anything, she felt completely safe in her presence.
“Yes.”
Bula’s hand cupped her face. Orlena leaned into her touch and sighed. Just in that moment, she almost forgot where they were until the sounds of laughter and shouts echoed from the market. She jumped and pulled away from Bula.
“I have to get back to the shop.” She hefted the strap of her satchel up higher on her shoulder.
“Allow me to walk with you.”
Orlena nodded. She couldn’t find her voice. Every small touch from Bula rendered her speechless. Did the orc feel theconnection between them? They made their way back to the shop. Orlena was sad that their time together had come to an end so soon. They paused outside the door. The sound of Yambul stomping around inside greeted them.
“Will you close up tonight again?” Bula asked.
“Yes. I close it every night,” she said. She ached to touch Bula. Was her face as smooth as it looked, were her lips as soft as they looked, and were her tusks as sharp as the pointy ends of them looked?
Bula lifted a hand again, and this time she brushed Orlena’s chin with a soft touch. It was light, but it burned. Orlena’s breath snagged in her chest.
“I’ll see you then,” Bula said softly. She backed away, spun on her heels, and walked off.
Orlena stood frozen in place, watching her weave through the crowd until she couldn’t see her anymore.
“Orlena! Get back to work!” Yambul hollered.
She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed. She turned and entered the shop, trying to control her racing heart. She didn’t know what the next five solars would bring, but there was one thing she knew for certain.
She couldn’t wait for tonight when the shop closed.
They left Soza midafternoon.The sun still clung stubbornly to the sky, but thick clouds rolled in as Nargol watched. She scented the storm on the horizon. Hopefully it would hold off until she was back from their little adventure they were about to embark on.
Nargol welcomed this ride.
The steady rhythm of Torch’s gait usually cleared her mind. Being on the back of her shukan helped sharpen her focus. The road east of Soza narrowed quickly. It traded packed dirt for winding trails that cut through dense forest. Ancient trees rose around them, thick-trunked and gnarled, their branches interlocking overhead like the ribs of some massive beast.
Nargol glanced around and took in the surrounding area. Centuries ago, a brutal battle had commenced here, long before Soza was a thought. She remembered learning about it during her lessons. It had been between orcs and trolls. Nargol was fascinated with history, and this particular battle had been one that even her father had spoken of. She glanced around, and one would never be able to tell that blood had been spilled here.
The land remembered, though. After such a battle where fires burned cities down, the land rebuilt itself. It healed. Life came after death.
A chill swept into her bones.
She rode beside Makhel in silence. Her cloak was drawn close, and her hood remained low. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and tree sap. Somewhere deep in the woods a bird cried out—a sharp warning sound.
Focus, she told herself.
But her thoughts betrayed her.
