Page 34 of The Orc's Wife

I had disappointed Urgan. That was the only explanation. My temper and inability to reign in my lashing tongue were my biggest vices and a risk to his plans.

Another thought made my chest pang.

I had disobeyed him again, hadn’t I? He had told me to behave, and to be silent if I didn’t know how to handle something. I should have kept quiet and waited for him to answer, but my anger had led me to speak.

I had promised him my obedience. Was he so angry with me for not listening that he didn’t want me anymore?

This had to be it.

I hardened my face to keep myself from crying. I would have to face Urzulah later, when she returned from the feast. I didn’t want her to see any evidence of my suffering. But the unshed tears ran down my throat and nose, and I ended up sniffling, drawing pitying glances from my companions.

“Here,” one finally said, gesturing towards a set of double doors. “We’ll put you in her maids’ room. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to lock you inside. If you’re not there when she returns, we will be punished.”

I nodded, completely understanding their position. I suspected I wouldn’t have it in me to try to escape even if they left the doors wide open, though.

As they led me into a small, windowless room with three straw beds on the floor, my father’s taunting voice filled my mind with words I had often heard from him.Good for nothing. Can’t even follow simple orders. What man will want you?

And as I sat down on the floor and huddled into the smallest size I could be, I thought:You were right father. You were always right.

Chapter 10

Urgan

Ragan had betrayed him.

Urgan had spoken to him only last night, inviting him to join his coup. Ragan was a strong ally: a war veteran with a significant influence over other veterans. Urgan had gone to him without hesitation, sure he could trust him. After all, Ragan owed him his life. If not for Urgan, he would have died on that battlefield, unable to defend himself because of his wounds.

Urgan had risked his life saving Ragan’s. It was a debt that could never be repaid, one that almost always bred trust.

And yet, Ragan betrayed him. And now, the Imperator knew he had been planning a rebellion. He had valid reasons to try him and send him to his death.

Urgan was almost deafened by the blood rushing in his ears, his instincts sharpening in the face of imminent danger. But this wasn’t a problem he could solve with a weapon or his fists, not like in a battle. He needed to think, and think fast.

There was no fighting his way out of the palace. Not with Una in tow. Did he have allies in the hall? He sacrificed a second to check that the hall was filled with courtiers and military men who weren’t his most trusted.

No allies then.

And at least twenty guards discretely positioned around the hall. This had been a trap from the very beginning. And he had walked right into it.

The great general, so cunning, yet so easily outsmarted.

If the Imperator sentenced him now, to death or to imprisonment, Una would be either killed or raped. Maybe they would even make him watch.

No.

He couldn’t allow this. He had sworn to protect her, and he would. But how?

“I’d never agree to be with someone as disgusting as you,” came Una’s haughty voice.

Thank the spirits. He could use this. He could save her. Urgan took one long breath, calling on all his skills of deception.

He repudiated her publicly, making it sound like he was throwing her away because of her lack of loyalty and manners. He made a show of it, distancing himself as much as he could. This way, none of the punishments they were planning for him would fall on her, he hoped.

She would still be his mate. The mark could not be removed. But when he condemned her publicly like this, no one would think he cared about her. Their union had been so fresh that soon, everyone would forget she had ever been his mate. She would live.

Urzulah claiming Una for her own was a good thing in these circumstances. Much better than some other alternatives. She would enjoy torturing Una with reminders of how he had rejected her for as long as she could. Urzulah would be unpleasant, maybe even violent, but she would keep Una alive until she found herself a new toy.

Then, Una would be forgotten. She was smart. She would be able to escape, carve a new life for herself somewhere else.

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