Page 67 of Claimed By Stone
"Yes," I said quickly.
"Okay, one moment, and we can retire for the evening."
"No." I protest instantly. "There are people here, and you need to talk to them. I'll be fine. Come to the room when you are done."
He pulled back, evaluating me. "Are you certain?"
I gave a weak nod, to which he only cocked his head. He wasn’t buying it.
“No, I’ll come with you.”
Thavros stood and told the table he was leaving. We made it a few steps from the doorway when Maluk stopped him.
“Maluk,” Thavros said, giving him a bow. “It is an honor to have you here. May I please introduce you to my mate?”
The older orc took my hand and pressed it to his forehead. “It is an honor to meet you.”
“Thavros, I was wondering if I might have a word before you retire for the evening,” said the older orc.
Thavros looked uneasily between us. He seemed to sense that I was upset, but wanted to show respect to the elder member of the clan.
I rested my hand on his forearm. “Please, take your time. I’ll see you when you are done.”
With a furrowed brow, he took me in. I reached up on my toes and pressed a soothing kiss to his cheek. “I will see you later,” I said, offering the best smile I could muster.
Reluctantly, he nodded.
I had done it. I said good night, and I slipped into the hallway for the safety of our chambers.
Almost.
I was alone again, just for a moment, when I heard footsteps following behind me.
I turned to see the visitor taking long steps, catching up to me.
“You weren’t meant for him,” he said softly. Too softly.
He had caught up to me and grabbed my arm and spun me around, pressing me into the wall.
“You were meant for the chief. Therealchief.” His fingers dug painfully into my arm, and his damp, putrid breath fell on my cheek. “You have bound yourself to the wrong brother,” he said, and his other hand came up and cupped my face, painfully squeezing my cheeks.
“What?” I squeaked, too scared to do anything else.
“But it’s fine. You still have a job to do.”
He pushed my face into the stone wall before dropping that hand.
“What job?” My voice was hoarse. “I don’t remember?—”
“But your body does,” he said, voice curling with dark amusement. “The bond’s already taken hold. You think you get to choose now? You were carved for one purpose.”
I managed to free myself from his grasp as I turned and bolted down the corridor, but he didn't follow me. I continued running as fast as my feet would carry me until the sounds of the feast were gone and I was alone in the shadows, leaving me cold and shaking, the echo of his words ringing in my skull.
What was he talking about? What was I built to do? I'd gotten so wrapped up in all of this that I'd forgotten that I was a danger to these people. I was going to bring ruin to all of them. I was going to bring ruin to Thavros.
I collapsed against the wall with tears streaming down my face.
The orcs in this mountain had invited me in. They had shown me more kindness than I had ever known. Callie was becoming a true friend. And how would I repay them?
