Page 20 of The Orc's Bride

I thought frantically about a way out. What would Urgan do if I refused? Would he abandon me in the middle of the Wilds?

No. He valued honor, obviously, and he had given me his word. He WOULD take me to the capital. So… Maybe I could just refuse?

“Urgan,” I said hesitantly. “What would happen if I… said no to your penance?”

He shifted behind me, his breath blowing into my hair as he snorted.

“If a penance is refused, the matter is given to an orc higher in station. In this case, to the Imperator.”

I stiffened, my hands shaking. If he hauled me in front of the Imperator and told him what I had done… I would be executed. And even if I were given another penance, something told me it might be much more painful.

Urgan wouldn’t tell the Imperator. Or would he…?

“Fine,” I said, gritting my teeth. “Where is this stream? Let’s get it over with.”

Urgan shook with silent laughter, and I closed my eyes, my heart beating fast from nerves.

“I can smell running water, so not far,” was his response.

And indeed, we stopped soon by a wide stream, its water black and rippled in the dark. Urgan told the other orcs to keep watch and took me off Brrthak’s back. He and I would be gone for half an hour, and after that, our journey would resume. It was still too early to make camp, according to Urgan.

He took a torch, his silver eyes flashing in its light, and took my hand, his huge, calloused palm easily wrapping around my small, pale one. We were walking up the stream for a few minutes, a taut silence between us.

My palms were sweating, yet Urgan didn’t let go of my cold, moist hand.

We reached a wide, tall rock sitting on the bank, its bottom disappearing under the water. To my horror, Urgan started undressing.

“What are you doing?!” I demanded, my voice a squeak of terror.

He didn’t even look up at me. With quick, methodical movements, he removed his wide belt with his curved orcish sword and put it on the ground. His shoes went next, and then his leather breeches.

All that was left was a long shirt that hung halfway down his thigh… and something underneath it, hopefully.

I wasn’t even trying to hide my terror now. And yet, there was an eager curious voice inside me that wondered:Will he remove the shirt?It was the voice that belonged to that part of me that was itching to slide my fingers under his clothes.

I squashed that voice and focused on my terror. After all, fear and trembling was the appropriate reaction here.

Urgan sat down on the rock, his legs in the stream. It was shallow there, the water coming barely above his feet.

The light of the torch flickered on the moving surface of the water.

“Kneel,” he said. His voice was hoarse.

I closed my eyes, my whole body shaking.

I could say no. I could travel with Urgan farther, pretending to be an eager and compliant future bride, and then run from him before we reached the capital.

I could do that.

But what would become of my life if I did? I knew I had been born with an important purpose. I needed to save humankind, or at least make human lives easier. And the only way to do that was to go to the capital.

I sighed deeply, promising myself I would do whatever Urgan demanded. It was only for half an hour. I could deal with it.

And the mad part of me thrilled, its excitement shooting straight to my lower lips.

Oh, yes. I would do whatever he asked. Eagerly.

I hitched up my dress, tucking it behind my belt. My legs were completely bare now, only my undergarments covering my sex. Urgan’s silver eyes were on me, evaluating. Cold.

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