Page 53 of The Savage Vow
But she still had a feeling deep in her chest that they had been following her.
She bid her neighbors goodnight once they arrived at her home. She scurried up the path to her door. Once inside, she slammed it shut and barred it. She leaned back against it and sucked in a shaky breath.
Only then did she realize how hard her hands were shaking.
She pushed off the door and moved through her home cautiously. She lit every candle until each corner glowed warm and bright, erasing all of the shadows.
She still couldn’t relax.
“I’m going crazy,” she muttered. She brushed a few wayward strands of hair from her face. This was her home. It was safe here. No one was here but her.
At that moment, her stomach decided to make itself known. It rumbled. It had been a while since she’d eaten. She went and warmed up leftover stew in the cauldron. The familiar motions grounded her somewhat. She slid a few pieces of bread near the fire to warm it. As the food heated, she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
The aroma of the food surrounded her.
She was safe.
But a certain green figure came to mind.
Was Nargol safe? Wherever she was, doing whatever she needed to do? She wanted her orc here with her. Orlena wasn’t sure when she’d grown so attached to Nargol, but all she knew right now was the only thing that would make her feel better, and safe—was Nargol’s arms wrapped around her.
“Goddess,” Orlena whispered. She’d never prayed so much until recently. At least not to the orc warrior goddess. Her fingers tightened. “Let her return safe. Bring Nargol back to me.”
Warmth filled her. A soothing, calming heat rippled through her that settled her nerves. Orlena opened her eyes and glanced around.
Had the goddess responded?
She wasn’t sure, but maybe the prayer had done something to her.
She gathered her food and moved over to the table. The candlelight flickered, and for the first time since she’d stolen the contract, she wondered if danger had somehow found her.
The villageof Soza rose from the twilight like splintered teeth against the fading sky. Nargol had never been so relieved to see this place.
Five days.
It had only been five days since she’d left, but it felt like a lifetime stretched out by danger and distance. Her muscles ached from the long ride. Her clothes still carried the scent ofrain, forest, and smoke. The memory of the temple clung to her like a shadow.
But beneath all of the exhaustion there was a sharper pull. One that was urgent, undeniable, and something she had to take care of.
Orlena.
Her mate’s name alone tightened something deep inside her.
Torch snorted beneath her as they passed through the outer path leading into the village. The air smelled of damp earth and smoke from cooking fires that were long extinguished. It was late, and most of Soza slept. Only a few candles flickered in the distant windows.
Beside her, Makhel shifted in her saddle with an irritated huff.
“You cannot go see her tonight,” she muttered. “Not tonight. Let us conclude our business in the morning. Hagu will be expecting us.”
Nargol didn’t slow her shukan. Her gaze remained fixed ahead.
“You will secure the scrolls,” she said flatly.
“Nargol—”
“That is an order. Or have you forgotten who I am?” Nargol inclined her head.
She glanced over at Makhel who glanced away from her. The words hung between them. Nargol rarely pulled rank with Makhel or any of the warriors she fought beside. They were sisters in battle, bound by trust and solars of protecting each other.
