Page 34 of The Orc's Bride

His nostrils flared, and he turned his back to me. Started walking again. We were close to the camp now.

“You wanted to go,” Urgan said. “So go. You’re free. There’s a village nearby. You’ll be safe.”

I stopped in my tracks. No. Not now, when I’d finally realized I wanted him so much! Not when I had to repay him for the damage I’d done. Not when my relationship with him, whatever it was, was the only exciting, purposeful thing in my life.

Not when my heart was hurting as if it were about to break.

“I’m coming with you,” I said, low. Keeping my voice from cracking with sheer willpower. “You promised. You swore on your axe.”

Urgan turned back so fast I thought he’d get whiplash. His teeth were bared in a snarl. I took a step back, but at the same time, something inside me rejoiced. I’d take furious over defeated. Even if his fury made my knees knock together in fear.

“A liar expects me to keep my word? You used me to serve your schemes, and now you want to use me more. This is all there is. Go away before I snap your neck.”

I was getting angry, too. And it was a good thing because otherwise, I would have just given in to my fear and fled.

“I don’t want to use you! Didn’t you hear what I said? I was stupid. I thought all orcs were dumb, no better than animals. Because Tokoma orcs were like that. But I was mistaken! You are… You are sharp. If there are such orcs as you in the capital, no rebellion has a chance. You’d discover it and end it.”

He was looking at me, his furious eyes fixed on my face with a painful intensity. I had difficulty keeping my thoughts in order.

“So, I don’t want to go with you because of my schemes. Those schemes will never work. I want to go… To make it up to you. I did wrong. And I want to repay for this wrong. I swear on my mother’s bones, this is the truth.”

I used an orc oath, one I had learned from the Tradesman. But would it be enough to make Urgan believe me? He had no reason to, after my lies…

Urgan’s face softened just a bit. But he was still furious. He still didn’t trust me. But this time, he believed I was telling the truth.

“How do you want to make it up to me?” he asked, his eyes mocking.

I hadn’t thought that far. I didn’t have the faintest idea of what to answer.

Chapter 13

Urgan

He watched her, some of his anger dissipating. If he had been in her position, Urgan wondered, living his life as one of the weaker race, losing his family to the stronger kind, wouldn’t he want a revenge, too?

Yes, he would. But the proper, honorable way to avenge his mother would be to kill only those responsible. Not wipe out their entire race.

A thought occurred to him, and his blood chilled. How far had she thought her plans through…? Had she also planned…? He had to know. If she gave him the wrong answer, Urgan wouldn’t hesitate to bring her to the capital to be tried and executed for plotting heinous crimes.

“Una. Have you ever seen orc cubs?”

She frowned, distracted by the change of the topic.

“You mean… Babies? Children? No. Tokoma lock up their wives and children in their village. I only meet warriors.”

He nodded, somewhat relieved. But he needed to dispel all doubts about what Una had planned.

“And when you were planning your revolution, what did you plan for orc cubs?”

She looked confused for a moment… And then, a look of horror appeared on her face. She covered her mouth with her hands, shaking her head violently.

“I never hurt a child! Children are innocent!” she shouted finally.

Urgan raised his eyebrows.

“Even orc children?”

“Yes! All children! Oh gods. How come I never think about that…? I know why. Because I only start my plan for real when you offer it. Before, I have no real chance to go to capital… Gods, Urgan. I so, so stupid. Really, I… Leave me. You don’t want me go with you, I understand.”

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