Page 3 of The Orc's Bride

That orc who had just tried to grope me… I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I should have just gotten out of his reach and ignored him. Instead, I had to hit him. Playfully, yes. Or at least, to him, the weak impact of my hit must have seemed playful.

And thank gods for that. If he had realized I was trying to cause him some pain, I’d be dead.

My temper was a serious problem. I acted without thinking, letting my instincts take over. And in doing so, I often got myself into situations that weren’t easy to get out of.

Like serving orcs during this feast. Anna had come to me, saying the Imperator’s orcs had won the battle and overthrown Tokoma, and now they were expecting a victory feast.

She said there was no one else to serve them. Normally, some women or men volunteered, and there always were at least a few servers. We had gotten used to Tokoma over the years, so it wasn’t as terrifying.

But these new orcs? Everyone was afraid.

I was, too. But when Anna started crying and begging me to come and serve them, I didn’t think twice. I grabbed my apron and rushed here.

Foolish, quick-tempered Una.

Now, I picked up two jugs, giving Anna the empty one. She was pouring mead while Olivia was turning the meat in its roasting pit.

“Keep them coming,” I said. “And try to get at least one girl to help me. I won’t manage it on my own.” Anna didn’t even look up when she shook her head, denying me help. I clenched my jaw. “You know what, if no one helps me out, I may not be around the next time we have to serve some orcs.”

That made them actually pay attention. Anna paled.

“You wouldn’t! You’re the only one who isn’t afraid of them. And you can understand some of their language. You can warn us when they get violent!”

I snorted. As if the orc language was so difficult to learn! You just had to know a few crucial words, likeblood, kill, female, meat. They hardly ever talked about anything other than fighting, food, and mating.

“I am also the only one who always volunteers for these events, so other girls don’t have to. What will you do if I’m gone? I may fall sick or travel someplace else. I may die. And someone has to serve our rulers, keep them happy. You know what happens if they don’t get their way.”

Olivia shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. Anna sighed.

“I know you’re right. But how can you force the other girls to serve these monsters? They are so afraid!”

I gnashed my teeth. So it was fine for me to be afraid, but not for others? Sometimes, I was losing patience with these people. My people, who cowered in their corners instead of fighting the oppressors.

My people who, if they united, could become free. But they had to conquer their fear first. And that would never happen if they didn’t even try.

That was fine, though. I would save them all.

“You think I’m not afraid? I am terrified! Orcs murdered my father! Orcs rule us, take our food, slaughter us if we don’t obey them! If I could, I would kill them all! But I can’t. The only thing I can do is hide my fear. I’ll never be a slave cowering before them!”

Anna gave me a mournful look. She had lost her husband in the same war my father had fought in when the Tokoma clan first came to claim our lands. She hated the orcs, too.

But she also had three daughters and two grandsons about whom she worried very much. That’s why she volunteered to help during the feasts. She wanted to protect her family. If not for them, she would have never served our hateful masters.

Me? I had no one. My mother had died soon after my father had been killed. I volunteered because no one else would. Because I wanted to face my fears, show myself I could be stronger.

Because, one day, when I was ready, I would make the orcs pay for what they had done to us. For what they were doing to us every day.

As soon as I conquered my temper, it would be easy. Orcs might be strong, but they were also as dumb as rocks.

And I already had some experience giving them justice for their crimes.

“I will get Ginny to help you,” said Olivia. Ginny was her daughter, a no-nonsense girl who didn’t get overwhelmed by emotions. She would do the job well.

I nodded gratefully and went out of the tent carrying two heavy jugs. Half of the orcs’ cups were already empty. I worked fast, filling them, noting which platters of food were emptying and how many we would have to bring.

Thankfully, the orc who had tried to grope me didn’t touch me again. Apparently, the Imperator’s warriors were better behaved than Tokoma had been after they first invaded us.

That had been a dark time when many women were raped.

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