Page 17 of The Orc's Stolen Bride

Her throat tightened at the thought of her mother, despite their strained relationship.

"Mother," she said simply, leaving it at that.

The conversation flowed more smoothly than she expected. Merow didn't make any attempt to simplify her words and Kari found herself understanding more of them from the context, piecing together meaning from the other woman's gestures and tone as well as the vocabulary she'd learned so far. Her fingers itched for her notebook.

Merow said, nodding approvingly at her attempts.

"You learn quickly."

The praise warmed Kari as much as the bathwater, but eventually exhaustion began to weigh on her, her eyes drifting closed. Merow laughed and helped her out, handing her another one of the rough linen towels to dry off with before coming up with a gown, waving away Kari's efforts to thank her.

An enclosed passage led from the bathhouse to the main building and as Merow led her through it and up a wide set of stairs, she explained that most of the warriors shared the building.

"Then who lives in the other buildings?"

Merow laughed.

"Not all orcs are warriors, although all of them receive some training. We are farmers, craftsmen, herdsmen - just like any other holding."

"And the women?" she asked softly. "Where are they?"

Merow hesitated, then shook her head.

"I believe it would be best to let Wulf explain that to you. Now why don't you try and get some rest?"

The other woman ignored her attempt to protest, firmly leading her to the big bed and insisting she lie down. She hadn't intended to stay there, but she must have fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Now she frowned at the scene below, her earlier unease returning. Was this jubilation simply for Wulf's return? Or was it because of her? Why would they be so excited about a strange woman?

As she looked out at the celebrating orcs, a tear suddenly trickled down her cheek and the weight of her situation crashed over her. All the hopes she'd pinned on this journey, all the questions she'd pushed aside, came rushing back. The stark reality that this might be her new future could no longer be denied.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. The sounds of celebration from below seemed to mock her despair.

The door creaked open, and Wulf strode in, his large frame filling the archway. His eyes went straight to her, his expression shifting from joy to concern as he took in her distress.

He crossed the room in two long strides, pulling her into his powerful arms. She didn't resist, allowing herself to sink into the comfort of his embrace and she buried her face against his chest. His warmth seeped into her, and for a moment, his presence was enough.

His big hand stroked her back, his touch soothing despite the roughness of his calloused palms. He murmured softly in his language, the words unfamiliar but the tone reassuring.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, inhaling his comforting scent, now mixed with the smokiness from the bonfire, and pulled back slightly, looking up those dark green eyes. The concern in them both comforted and confused her.

"Why?" she asked softly. "Why am I here?"

CHAPTER TWELVE

Wulf's chest ached as he held Kari in his arms, her tears dampening his shirt. How could he refuse her an answer, despite his fears?

He gently guided her over to sit on the edge of the bed, then kneeled in front of her. Even kneeling his head was on a level with hers, and his chest ached again at the tears still swimming in those big, brown eyes. As much as he wanted to simply hold her and comfort her, he owed her the truth.

"I... brought you here," he said finally, his voice hoarse.

“You? How?”

She gave him a confused look, and he struggled to find the right words.

"I prayed to Wold," he continued. "An Old God. For a... mate."

Her eyes widened but he kept going, determined to make her understand.

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