Page 22 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

“Yes, Caivid, I want you to be my protector, and in return, I’ll take care of you.”

Chapter Eight

Caivid

Iblinked as the words slowly banged around in my thick skull.

She’d. . . take care of me? What did that mean?

“Look, I know this is a strange offer.” Her hand was still caressing mine, fingers stroking over my knuckles. Knuckles that had bashed and bruised and been broken more times than I could count.

I had to stifle a shiver.

“I’m sure you expected me to play conquest for you. That’s the standard trade for an ask this big.” Her caress sped up. “And I’m not. . .completelyopposed to it.”

My thoughts seemed to freeze and melt all at the same time.

“But I can’t do it right now. My father is already buying into all the heinous gossip about you warriors kidnapping women against their will and forcing us to carry your sons. If I tell him you’re my protector because I agreed to be your conquest, he’d never accept it. He’ll think that I’m being coerced.”

And he would be right about that. She was going to lose her flock. She was desperate.

I’d be a monster if I played on that desperation.

“But what I can promise you is care.” She nodded eagerly. “I’ll feed you every meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks too. Nothing sweet since you don’t like it. I swear my cooking is better than what you tried this afternoon. I make the best mutton stew you could ever dream of. So hearty with meat and thick with cream, you’ll never feel hungry again.”

Fades, my mouth was watering just thinking about it.

“And clothing. Wool is wonderful and warm. I’ll have it spun and knitted into a sweater for you. And shirts. I’m friends with Nalina. She’s the seamstress that one of your fellow warriors has been obsessed with, er. . . I mean, has beenintriguedby.”

I snorted. “You don’t need to make excuses for Hendr. We all know he’s been watching her.”

She fidgeted. “Well. . . anyway. Nalina isverytalented. She could make you amazing things and I’d pay. You need only ask, and I’ll give you anything you want.”

“You. . . can afford that?” I glanced down at her well-worn overcoat and seasoned boots.

“I can.” Fades, her confidence was a vision. With her golden hair flared around her face and her blue eyes lit fierce, she looked as bold and beautiful as the sun in spring. “Anything you ask for would benothingcompared to the cost of losing my flock to Jophel.”

“And your father willagreeto this, sunshine?”

Her brows rose at the pet name, but she didn’t reject it. “He’ll have to. Or he’ll lose me. I’m not going to sit back and let him give our sheep away to a man who doesn’t even care about them. I bet your weight in gold Jophel is only agreeing to lead the flock so he can get to me.”

My chest went hot, and fury burned behind my eyes. “Get to you?”

She sucked in a hard breath. “Jophel has always wanted me to be his wife, and I’ve always turned him down.”

I gritted my teeth against the sudden burning impulse to run to Oakwall Village and challenge this male.

My hand was pulled forward. Right into Susara’slap.Fades, she was so warm, and her hands were so soft and her rosemary sunshine smell was like nothing I’d ever dreamed. My throat felt choked as she stroked over my knuckles again, bumping the tip of her finger along each ridge.

It felt so blasted good my muscles relaxed.

“All you need to do is follow me around while I lead the sheep.” Her fingers continued to caress my hand, and it was drawing me to distraction. “It won’t be difficult, I promise. It doesn’t even have to be every day. I’ll make sure you get days off when you need them.”

Literally, all she was asking was for me to follow her around and protect her in the woods. To stay by her side, breathe in her rosemary scent, and soak up her sunny smile.

Fades light, I’d do it forfree. “I’ll do it.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes went as bright as the sky at dawn.

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