Page 3 of The Orc's Oath

This was the exact opposite of what he wanted.

"You are still wary of that orc?"

He nodded. He didn't want to say the words out loud, but it was clear the orc intimidated him. Unsurprising. I'd seen him being hauled into the infirmary and solitary multiple times. He was big and aggressive even for an orc. Never mind all the recent fights. A problem prisoner. My heart sank even more at the prospect of trying to connect with him.

"If it helps, I'm taking over as his therapist today, so we are in the same boat."

Billy's mouth fell open.

"They can't do that! He's a brute. You won't be safe!"

"I'll be fine, and so will you. Whatever happens, he's wearing a shock collar. We went through all your strategies for dealing with him last time. I believe in you, and a few months from now, I think you will too. Are you still sure you want to stay?"

"Yes, I want to save some money. After that I will leave and look into something else."

"The money here is good. But don't let this place, or anyone else, grind you down."

He nodded and smiled a little smile. Something about it made me uneasy. I wondered how much of this was actually his worry about the orc and how much of it was that he had a little crush on me. It would never happen. The Sacred Seer had made it clear to me when I turned sixteen. I was fated to be the mate of a monster. Whoever it was didn't seem in any hurry to find me so I could get out of this god awful prison, though. I stood up to let Billy know I needed to get on with my day, and he reluctantly stood too, his blond hair flopping around his face.

Chapter 3

Orzesh

The skinny little blond guard fastened the shackles around my ankles and wrists. He was scared, but that wasn't what had caught my attention. Something about him was off. I didn't know what. He was no threat to me. Even shackled with no weapon, I could crack his skull open. But I'd spent years assessing enemies in battle and watching while our diplomats negotiated with them. The way his eyes darted around, his body moved. He acted like a Larivian plains hyena looking for vulnerable animals to catch. Sneaky and dishonorable. Maybe I'd clonk him on the head as I escaped.

I followed the guards to wherever they were taking me. Best not to argue and get thrown in solitary. I took in the details of the corridors as we walked. Timing it. There was only one metal gate that would be a problem. The gate that prisoners weren't allowed past until they were released. The bars were twice as thick as everywhere else. I could throw myself at it as much as I wanted. They wouldn't break. It was the only problem in my plan. I needed my axe.

"Here you go."

The whelp was standing with the door open to a therapy room.

"Not again."

"Therapy is mandatory."

Him and the bald-headed guard unshackled me, and I stared them down as they shut the door in my face. Another battle with a human who wanted me to talk about feelings. Had they not learned yet? They would not make me be like them. As I turned to face my opponent, a smell overwhelmed me. I staggered backwards.

Iron and blood. But not just any iron or blood. My whole body felt alive with the scent. Like I had done the day when I finally joined my clan's army as an adult. My eyes latched on to the small woman in a chair, awash with red fabric. The color of the leaders of my clan. The color of the sash I wore. I breathed in her scent again. Something more delicate in there too. I stared at her. Piercing blue eyes watched me. She was sitting, but it didn't hide the curves of her body. Every sinew of me was ready to fight. Not her. But for her. I would fight any battle for her. Kill armies if she asked it. I would decimate the western cities if she wanted, if that is what it took to claim her and keep her. For the first time, I understood myself. I was made for this woman. This tiny little human. I stretched up over my head and showed her my size. My arms spread wide and my chest puffed up. I was big, even for an orc. She blinked and looked confused.

"Errr, hi, Orzesh. Why don't you sit down."

Not the response I expected.

"Are you not impressed with how big I am?"

"Oh. Umm, yes, you are quite big."

She still seemed confused. It was time for me to be clear.

"You smell like my axe and the blood of the lion that I killed with it for my first combat trial."

She looked horrified.

"And bluebells."

Her face was now halfway between horror and confusion. Why wasn't she understanding? I looked her up and down. Perhaps I should just throw her down on the ground and invite her to the mating fight now, surely then she would understand.

"Why don't you sit."

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