Page 27 of The Orc's Wife

She was now a powerful orc matriarch, her cubs having had many more cubs of their own. She held power in her own family and her clan, and her word meant much to many orcs outside of it. Famous for her wisdom, she gave advice which always proved accurate, and some even called her a witch.

When Urgan told her about his plans, she gave him a toothless grin and said: “At last!”

He then met with Markus, the human innkeeper of Fallen Arrow, the only human-owned tavern in the city. Urgan had helped Markus take ownership of the inn in a rather ingenious scheme taking advantage of the loopholes in the Imperator’s laws.

And finally, he met with Lunaya and Sarhan. They were one of the human-orc couples Oriana had helped. They had a lot of sway within the community of people of mixed races, and Lunaya owed Oriana her life.

All four visits proved productive. He urged everyone to spread the news of the upcoming revolution, to sow the seeds among the people to ensure a smooth transition. He didn’t even need to ask for their discretion. Each and every one of those he approached that night had good reasons to fight against the Imperator and support Urgan.

They would do everything in their power to overthrow the Imp.

It was morning now, and the birds had already been singing for two hours. Urgan was walking briskly despite his exhaustion. He would see Una soon. At that thought, his tiredness disappeared. They would have breakfast together, and then he would feast on her, and they would sleep late into the afternoon, both in his bed.

He had never brought a female into his bed. It was his, after all, the most private space, fit only for his mate. The thought of Una buried under his furs made his blood flow faster.

But when he entered his quarters, there wasn’t just Una inside, but also Oriana and her seamstress. Una was eating, naked apart from a long shawl thrown over her body. Mina was standing by the door, looking dejected.

“I hear you failed to protect your mate once again,” Oriana said, her voice so cold Una flinched.

Urgan growled at her disrespectful manner. She was the only person who could treat him this way and get away with it.

“We talked about this. I took care of the males who attacked her.”

Oriana put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot with impatience.

“Why are you bringing that up? Let bygones be bygones, grandson. I am speaking of how you employed that cowardly little thing, who’s now trembling by the door, and for good reason. She let Urzulah inside while your mate was sleeping.”

Urgan whipped to Una, scanning her for injuries, his fists clenching, his claws digging into his flesh. He was already planning what he would do to Urzulah, and when he saw the red skin around Una’s throat, he couldn’t hold back a growl.

“I’m fine,” she said, her hoarse voice a definite proof that she wasn’t fine. “Only scared. But she threatened to kill Mina!”

Urgan looked at the cowering servant. Snot was running down her face, and she was sobbing silently. He shook his head.

“No one should expect her to defy Urzulah. I should have predicted this, but I never thought the princess would be so bold.”

Oriana cackled madly.

“Have you lost your touch? Urzulah is capable of anything! You should have known this.”

Urgan clenched his fist and hit the wall with as much force as he could, putting all of his anger into that strike. And now, his knuckles were bleeding.

“I should have,” he said, looking at Una now. Ignoring everyone else, he walked over to her and knelt at her feet. He put his hands over her own, which were holding a bowl of food in her lap. “Forgive me.”

“You shouldn’t, you know,” Oriana cut in, stepping closer. “You should have him make it up to you in this very bed. Whenever Groshakh failed me, I always demanded that he spread me wide open and…”

“Grandmother,” Urgan said without looking at her. A point at his temple was throbbing, and Una giggled. She was trembling, too. “Leave. All of you. Now.”

Oriana cackled again, and Dilba only bowed, saying she would deliver Una’s first set of clothes in the evening. Mina stumbled out without a world.

When the door clanged shut behind them, Urgan got up and locked and barred it.

“Does Mina still have the key?” he asked.

“No. Oriana has it.”

He nodded sharply. That was good. Urzulah wouldn’t dare attack Oriana publicly, and his grandmother was too smart to let herself be cornered in a secluded place.

“What happened? Tell me.”

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