Page 23 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

“Really? You really will, Caivid?”

I gulped hard and nodded.

The joy and relief I saw on her face made my whole body hum with pleasure.

And then she threw herself into my arms.

The hug was so tight around my neck. Her body pressed into my bare chest. It felt like I’d been wrapped up in perfect warmth. Engulfed by a shield of light so wonderful that every part of me relaxed. Every speck of my soul was lit and soothed at the same time. I melted into her embrace, soaking up her radiance.

It felt like I’d been drowning in deep, churning depths and she’d pulled me back into the sun.

She broke off the hug and my skin tingled. Her hands gripped my shoulders. “Meet me outside the village gates tomorrow morning. At first light. I’ll bring my father, and we’ll prove to him, and everyone, that the warrior orcs are honorable.”

Her words humbled me back to reality. This wasn’t just about my desire to be at her side, was it? It was bigger than that. This was about proving to her family, and her village, that I and my brethren were not the uncontrollable monsters her villagers believed us to be.

Fades, I owed her far more than just protection.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Caivid.” She released me and picked up her crook. “First thing. Right outside the gates of Oakwall.”

I stood, stunned at what had just transpired. She turned toward me and smiled.

I nodded. “Yes. I will be there.”

I felt that vow at the very base of my being.

I would protect her for as long as I still had breath in my lungs.

Without another word, she walked back into the dark forest. Into the night. Disappearing as if she’d never been here at all.

The woods went icy cold and my head pounded like a storm was brewing right behind my eyes. When she’d been with me, everything had felt warm and bright and now. . .

Fuck, what was I doing?

I barreled to my feet and ran after her.

Chapter Nine

Susara

I’d done it! I’d actually really done it!

My steps felt a little jerky and unstable as I made my way back to the road. My heart hammered and my palms were sweaty despite the chill.

But my mind was light with relief. Now, I just needed to get my heart to stop beating so hard.

It was done. Finished. I’d made the deal and Caivid had agreed and that was that. He would be my protector, and I would give him everything he wanted, and we would spend every waking moment together out in the woods.

Every moment.

I paused in my stride and pressed my hands to my heated cheeks. Fades, I was being silly. This was a business transaction. A way for me to keep my flock. It had nothingto do with how his smiles made my heart race, or how his voice made my stomach quiver, or how him calling me sunshine made my whole body thrum with bliss so strong it made me tremble.

The way he’d held me, so tender and warm, with the musky smell of him filling me up. . . I hadn’t wanted him to let go.

“Susara!”

I jerked around just as Caivid burst out of the woods behind me. He stepped into the lantern’s glow. His hair was tousled, and his cheeks were colored dark green. He swallowed hard, his throat flexing with the effort, and I followed the line down to his rippling abs.

Fades, he looked incredible.

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