Page 28 of These Violent Delights

Savage Suitor

“You need to come tothe wall,” Uncle Tank said.

Zelda saw his expression and got up immediately, leaving the account books behind.Stewart's old eyes were not what they used to be and his handwriting was large and a little shaky, and Gory was busy transcribing some of it.

Thankfully, Steward had settled happily into retirement.By all reports, he was content to chat with other retirees at the hot springs as he soaked away his aches.

The weather had steadily warmed, and the grasslands were green with tender new growth.

A huge goblin sat on a monstrous black battle ram, looking expectantly up at the wall.He was surrounded by five warriors, bristling with weapons.

She smiled, amused.She hadn't seen him in months.“Yarbo!Have you come to lay siege to my castle?”

“Lady Zelda, it's been a long search.Word was you were kidnapped, taken away in the night.”

It was nice to know that someone cared.Her neighbors might have gossiped about her sudden leaving, but he was the only one who actually took the time to see what had happened.By the looks of it, he'd been ready to rescue her.How touching.“My father's men came to fetch me, actually.I'm his heir.”

He nodded, his gaze intent.“It's been a long road.Now that I found you, I will help you to leave this place or rule it.Whichever one you want.”

As declarations went, that was pretty good.Yarbo had always been very straightforward.The trouble was, she didn't return his affection, at least not the way he would like.

“I already rule it,” she said simply.“But you’ve come a long way.Come inside and we’ll feed you.”

Ozzy arrived as the enormous goblin dismounted.Ozzy was large, but this guy towered half a head over him and was as wide as a door, and solid muscle.

Ozzy stood next to Zelda, ready to grab his sword.

Zelda glanced at him and smiled, perfectly relaxed.“Ozzy Redbone, meet Yarbo.He's an old neighbor, come to check up on me.”

The men sized each other up.Yarbo noted how Ozzy stood at Zelda's side and frowned.

Ozzy noted that Yarbo had ridden weeks prepared to fight and free Zelda from unknown captors.

Both of them bristled.

Zelda noted the violence in the air and said lightly, “We've had some trouble around here with a local thug.Ozzy is one of the local chieftains who have allied with me.Come inside and I'll fill you in.Bring your men, of course.You're my guests tonight.”

She said the magic word, "guest", so that put violence off the table.Ozzy would be in trouble if he started anything.

Zelda noted his expression and said, “Stay if you like.We might as well make a party of it."She smiled at her Uncle Tank.“Cook should be able to add a little more meat on the fire.”

The alphas sized each other up.It was going to be an interesting meal.

Not being a fool, Zelda invited one of the local tribe's elders, a woman named Oyon, along with the mayor and his wife.Uncle Tank was there, of course.She knew Ozzy would be less defensive if he thought he had people on his side.

Of course, the only “side” Zelda was interested in was her own.She knew why Yarbo was there.

They got through a basic discussion of local politics, and then it got sticky.

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