Page 13 of The Bull's Beauty
As if on cue, a female Orc stomps over. A nasty scar cuts through her brow, making her scowl even more intimidating. She doesn’t even look at me, just shoves two rough-hewn wooden bowls through the bars like she’s feeding a particularly annoying barn animal.
Well, hello to you too, sunshine.
Steam rises from them, carrying a scent that is shockingly, not terrible. Chunks of meat, roots, and something vaguely squishy fill the bowls. I poke at it like it’s going to bite me.
Cassia digs in without a second thought. “Eat up. You’ll need your strength.”
“For what?” I ask.
She shrugs like she doesn’t have a care in the world.
I shift, trying to ignore the stabbing pressure in my chest. My breasts are full, swollen, and screaming. I haven’t milked myself yet, but there’s no way in hell I’m doing that in front of Orcs. My hands tremble as I hug myself, squirming against the bars.I want privacy, Havenmoor, a bath, a bed, maybe a decent slice of bread. Anything that isn’t this nightmare. Just a little longer. I can make it until nightfall. I wince as another spasm cuts through me.
Cassia glances at me, tilting her head with that annoying curious look. “Hey, can Hucows even eat meat?” she asks, chewing thoughtfully. “I mean, you’re half human, right?”
I frown, blinking at her. “We can,” I admit. “But, it’s not really my favorite.” The thought of eating whatever meat is inthatslop makes my stomach churn, even as the pangs of hunger gnaw at me.
Chapter Eleven
Silas
We stop right outside of the Orc territory. Ulric is leaning against a tree, picking his teeth with a claw. “So.” He flicks the bit of whatever-the-hells he just ate off his nail. “You can’t go in there.”
I clench my jaw. “Obviously.”
“Because if you do, it’s war.”
“Yes.”
“And yet,” he continues, grinning, “you’re still considering charging in, horns first, to rescue your damsel.”
“She’s not a damsel.”
“No, she’s definitely not,” Ulric agrees, chuckling. “I saw the way she bit that Orc. Vicious little thing. I like her.”
I shoot him a glare and he holds up his hands. “Notlike,like. Relax, Bull-boy.” He pushes off the tree and stretches, his tail flicking lazily.
“Point is, you can’t go in. But I can.”
“And how exactly do you plan to get her out of there?”
He flashes me a sharp-toothed smile. “Orcs and wolves? We’ve got an understanding. They’ll assume I’m just passing through, maybe looking to trade.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then I’ll charm them.”
I snort.
Ulric clutches his chest in mock offense. “You wound me. I’m very charming.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“Also true.” He shrugs. “But, I’m your only shot, so.”
I exhale hard through my nose. He’s right, damn him. If I step foot in that camp, the treaty shatters, I’ve started a war, and either an Orc horde will kill me or Dakar will.
“Fine,” I growl. “But if you try anything—”
