Page 10 of Orc's Mate

“We use voxes for transportation but also in battle.”

“The shaydes are horrifying creatures.”

“They killed most of our females. They’ve attacked us for many generations, but five years ago, they gathered into large packs and challenged us all at once. We lost many warriors but the worst thing of all was that they found the building where we’d hidden our precious females. They killed almost all of them.”

“That’s why you formed the treaty with us,” she said, her fingers twitching where she’d laid them on her thighs.

“Your village needs protection, and we need orclings if our species is going to survive.”

“Two women a year won’t give you many orclings.”

“It will have to be enough. We don’t want to ask for more.”

“Why not? I imagine the village would give you more if you demanded this from them.”

“Because your population could not sustain more than two.”

“That surprises me,” she said. “There are over a thousand people in the village, and more women than men in general. I imagine we could give five or ten a year.”

My mate was an interesting woman.

“We signed the treaty already. It would be wrong to ask for changes.”

She shrugged. “Maybe come to the fortress walls and ask to speak to the women.”

“Would they talk to us?” I couldn’t imagine such a thing. They feared us. Cried out in terror when they saw us.

“If they knew you weren’t horrifying beasts,” she said. “Women might join you willingly.”

“Would they?” I asked, skeptically. “We’re big, green, and we have horns. We’re not tiny and delicate like human females.”

“We may appear delicate, but I bet we’d surprise you. Most of us are tough on the inside, where it truly matters.”

“I’m beginning to suspect you’re right.” With her, at least. Other orcs had not shared my experience with their mates initially. This made my heart lighten. Perhaps I’d find peace and comfort with my mate, not a battle like many others. I cleared my throat. “Why didn’t you run when I collapsed?” Something that gravely embarrassed me, though I was not going to remind her. I’d never lost consciousness after a battle, and I hoped I never did again.

“Because you were injured. You didn’t collapse. I suspect you were knocked out. Don’t you remember the last ashenclaw battering your head?”

Vaguely. “I’d killed all the ashenclaws. If you’d fled, I’m sure I would’ve survived.”

“If my guardian had left me in the forest when I was three, would I have survived?”

“You were young. Gravely injured.”

“You were also gravely injured.”

“You have a soft spot for those who need aid?”

She shrugged. “It didn’t feel right to leave you.”

Was the bond influencing her already? Those chosen by clan pendants fell for their mates quickly, and this had universally happened with the females sent from the fortress to be claimed.

I couldn’t imagine anyone loving me other than through a sense of duty, like those I took care of back in my village. Something deep inside me ached to feel the love of someone special, however, a person who’d care for me when no one else could.

Was that Eleri? May the fates make it so.

“Tell me about the other clans. What symbols do they wear?” she asked.

“Those of the Basselt or earth Clan live within the heart of the enormous mountain range near our biggest city.”

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