Page 76 of The Widow and the Orcs

Louisahadn’t missed that sharp catch ofUlfarr’sbreath beside her, his gaze rapidly darting between them.AndKillikshot him a brief searching look, holding an instant too long, and then rolling his eyes.

“Girdyour loincloth, then, woman,” he said, jabbing his dagger toward her. “Younow have four more nights.”

Fourmore nights.Itshould have been a lowering reminder of that time limit, of how this was still only a deal — or how with everything that had happened today, maybe they wouldn’t have four more nights at all.Maybethere were only more punishments after this, more retaliations and regrets, maybeLouisawould never see them again, maybe she wouldn’t want to see them again, either…

Butin this moment, this breath, blinking atKillik’scool, glittering eyes, it felt almost like… a promise.Achallenge.Provethis to me…

“Fine, then, you smug raging snake,”Louisahissed, low and hot in her throat. “Fourmore nights.”

38

Louisaspent the night withKillikandUlfarrin the bed, curled up close againstUlfarr’ssolid, snoring body.

Itshouldn’t have been easy to sleep like that, after all the confusing chaos of that endless day — but once she’d gone and cleaned up in a nearby latrine, she’d found herself utterly exhausted, rubbing at her aching eyes as she’d staggered back into the room.AndKillikhad taken one look at her, and sharply ordered her into the bed.

“Youreally — don’t mind?”Louisahad asked, blinking her bleary eyes at him. “Isit — your bed?”

She’dcast a searching look around the room, which she’d scarcely noticed until now — but it was a small, sparse room, furnished only with the large bed and several sturdy wooden chests.ButKillikhad irritably waved her toward the bed, and then nudgedUlfarrtoward it, too.

“No, it isWolf’sbed,” he’d said. “Buthe does not mind if we share it, ach,Wolf?”

Ulfarrhad shaken his head, and he’d even reached forLouisa’shand, drawing her closer.Andonce they’d settled down together on the soft fur,Ulfarrhad tuckedLouisaclose into his side, and then settledKillikdown into his other side, too, before pulling another large, heavy fur over them.

Andeven amidstUlfarr’slow, steady snoring, all the night through,Louisahad perhaps never slept so long, or so deep.Whatwith the soft fur above and below her, and the warm solid safety ofUlfarr’sstrong body against her.Andthere was even something about the truth ofKilliklying there too, sprawled easy and familiar overUlfarr, his arm brushing hers.

WhenLouisa’sfull awareness returned, what felt like a long time later, the room was still dark, andUlfarrwas still lightly snoring beneath her.Butthere was just enough light from the lamplit corridor to illuminate the sight ofKillik, still sprawled across fromLouisaonUlfarr’sother side.Hisface looked so different in sleep, almost peaceful, though his black lashes occasionally fluttered against his cheek.Andhe even still had one of his daggers out, his clawed fingers loosely wrapped around it, its blade resting casually against the fur, dangerously close toUlfarr’sthroat.

Butif either of them were concerned by this, they certainly weren’t showing it.AndasLouisablinked toward them in the shadows, it occurred to her hazy brain that this was surely familiar to them both.Somethingthey’d done many, many times before.

Thatthought seemed to catch, circling, andLouisakept letting it spin, holding her gaze onKillik’ssleeping face.KillikandUlfarr… cared for each other.Andthey clearly had for a very long time, to the point where they’d adopted a son together.

Buteven so, it felt like much of last night had still been… new, for them both.Theway they’d looked, whenUlfarrhad signed those heated words atKillik.WhenUlfarrhad thankedKillikfor his kindness.Whenhe’d spoken so fondly ofKillik’stemper, and his daggers, and his fierceness, and his loyalty.

Ithad obviously meant something toKillik, more than he’d wanted to admit.Ithad meant enough that he’d looked shocked, and maybe even afraid, even as his desire for it had been far, far too clear.

AndasLouisakept watchingKillik’ssleeping face, she wondered if maybe — maybe that distance between them was related toUlfarr’spast, too.Oreven to those vowsUlfarrhad apparently made, as part of his punishment.Heswore he would not seek to gain a mate.

Whichmeant…Ulfarrcouldn’t takeKillikas a mate, either.

AndhadKillik… wanted that?Hadthat been something he’d hoped to gain, by helpingUlfarr?Bysupporting him the way he had, helping him earn the forgiveness of the clan…

ButcouldUlfarrever gain forgiveness?Shouldhe?Evenif he had fully believed he’d been making the right choices, even if he’d agonized over those choices, his actions had still been abominable, his oversights maybe insurmountable.Hisfailings had led to true and lasting harm for others, andLouisacouldn’t suppress her cold shudder at the thought of how terrifiedMariamust have been, to be kidnapped by a huge, powerful orc from her mate’s own clan.

Louisaswallowed, and shot an uneasy look up atUlfarr’sstill-sleeping face.Helooked peaceful now too, his hard features distinctly softened — but the scars were still just as stark, cut deep and plentiful into his skin.Andhe had so many scars, he’d suffered so much, he hadn’t healed for a half ayear,Killikhad said…

Louisawinced and dropped her gaze again, back toKillik— and then startled as one of his eyes squinted open. “Ifyou kenIcannot feel you watching me, woman,” he said, his voice hoarse with sleep, “you are again an even greater fool thanIthought you.”

Louisarolled her eyes at him, but her exhale felt almost relieved. “Ididn’t want to wake him,” she replied, quiet, darting another glance up at whereUlfarrstill seemed to be sleeping — for now, at least. “Isit morning?”

Killiknodded and yawned, stretching his lean body long againstUlfarr’s. “Donot fret about wakingWolf, for he could sleep through a pitched battle.Itis the one gain of ruined scenting and unhealed wounds,Iken.”

Hisvoice was rueful, but his glance up atUlfarrwas sympathetic, almost sad.AndagainLouisawas caught in all this, trapped in the miserable mess of it, all that pain and darkness and grief.

“Sospeak, then, woman,” cut inKillik’svoice, as his foot kicked at hers beneath the fur. “Whatis it.”

Louisashot a wary look toward him, but that wasn’t mockery in his watching eyes.Ifanything, he still just looked tired, and resigned.Asif — as if maybe he still expected her to condemnUlfarr, rejectUlfarr, and leave.

ButLouisadrew in a slow breath, drew up the strength of the bed beneath her, just asKillikhad taught her. “Doyou think,” she began, breathed again. “Doyou think some sins are unforgivable?Doyou think wrongdoers can never be — redeemed?”

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