Page 5 of The Iron Oath
“Could you imagine having no tusks?” One snickered.
She kept her eyes down, praying that they moved away so she wouldn’t have to hear their conversation. She chewed slowly, not wanting them to see her reaction. She shifted where she sat and thought about getting up and leaving. Maybe she should have stayed with Lulu and enjoyed watching the shukan graze.
“No tusk to scrape along my cock, sign me up,” one of the ones who had been in the shoving match said.
Amuleta’s eyes widened at the direction of their conversation. She had heard many things before when it came to her looks or her being a half-breed, but this certainly had her feeling uncomfortable.
“I bet she could deep throat me with no problem.”
Amuleta almost choked on her pie. She reached for her waterskin and took a drink. Her pie felt as if it had turned to concrete and lodged midway, just as it was trying to go down her throat. She coughed slightly once the lump finally passed.
“Kraz, ’cause your cock is a puny one.” Another one snorted.
The warriors laughed and began tussling amongst each other.
“Talking of cocks and not sparring? I take it the three of you are prepared to face me in the pit?” a husky voice asked.
Amuleta’s attention flew to the newcomer. The warriors swung around and immediately pounded their fists to their chests.
“Commander,” they said in unison.
Amuleta’s gaze had yet to leave the female orc who stood in front of the warriors. She had a deep glower as she glared at the orcs. Amuleta’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of Magoza Cydassi, the eldest daughter of their clan chief. She was tall and muscular like all orc warriors, but this woman exuded not only strength but pure power. Twin axes hung from the belt around her waist. Her hair was braided in intricate designs. Her strong muscular biceps were on display with her sleeveless tunic, and her powerful thighs were highlighted by her leather pants. Amuleta strained to hear what Magoza was saying to them, but she certainly caught what the one warrior said.
“But, Commander, she’s just a half-breed. Who cares?” It was the one who wanted to imagine her being tuskless and swallowing his cock.
Her face heated at his words. She didn’t know why, but it hurt. Not that she hadn’t been called that to her face, but for some reason being called a half-breed in front of the clan leader’s daughter had her wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
She couldn’t stomach any more food. She wrapped her uneaten pie in the soft paper and placed it back in her satchel along with her waterskin.
“Blood and tears,” she cursed under her breath at the sight of her hands trembling as she closed her bag. She pushed up off the ground and brushed off her skirt to get the debris off her. Todayhad been a good day, and she refused to allow those warriors to ruin it. She spun on her heel and made her way back to where she had left Lulu.
THREE
Amuleta removedthe saddle from Lulu’s back. She grinned at the squeal the shukan made at being free. She gave a good rub along Lulu’s back.
“I thank you for accompanying me today, my friend,” Amuleta said.
She stepped back as Lulu ambled away. The shukan would go and join the herd that she was a member of. Once she had made it to the edge of the clearing behind the cottage, she turned and glanced over her shoulder. Amuleta smiled and waved at the shaggy beast.
But Amuleta already knew what Lulu was waiting for. The protective animal wanted to ensure she made it safely into the house. Amuleta went over to the shed and opened the door. She stored Lulu’s saddle there along with her tools and other things she used. She shut the door and grabbed her bags from the ground. Lulu was still in the same place, watching her.
“See you tomorrow,” Amuleta murmured.
She ambled to the front of the cottage to find her mother sitting in her rocking chair. Gelisha’s brown skin was smooth and flawless. Her dark hair, peppered with some gray, waspulled back into twin braids. Her big, almond-shaped brown eyes studied the road off in the distance.
“Orra, Banhas.”
Hello, Mother.
Gelisha turned her attention to Amuleta and smiled.
“Orra, danhas,”Gelisha replied.
Amuleta walked up the few steps of the porch and dropped her bags near the door. She went to her familiar place near Gelisha’s feet and took a seat on the pillow next to her chair. As a child, Amuleta would sit at her feet while she sewed. Gelisha’s hand came to rest on her shoulder. She leaned her head against her knee as she ran her hand down Amuleta’s thick ponytail.
“It’s a beautiful day today. It will be a clear ride for your father to return home.”
Amuleta stiffened. She closed her eyes briefly and fought back tears. She lifted her head and met Gelisha’s slightly off gaze. Her parents had been fated mates. The stars had aligned perfectly on the day they had met. They’d completed each other, and ever since her father’s death, Gelisha hadn’t been the same since. Her mind sometimes drifted back to the days when he would come riding up the path to their cottage. Amuleta glanced behind her and saw nothing but the forest and the empty path that led to their home. If only he would appear, then maybe her mother could be whole again.
