Page 18 of Lost to the Orcs

If that wasn’t the cutest kid on the planet, I don’t know who would be. I stand up, my grin wide. I turn away from them only to freeze. I didn’t realize everyone was watching the exchange. But every single person is staring at me in horror and wonder. Everyone except U’snar and a male standing just beside him. U’snar is looking at me like I am the light of his eye. This other one’s face is cold. Disinterested and just frozen in disapproval. It makes my chest constrict in trepidation.

I try a smile at everyone else and they shake their heads in wonder before dispersing. The only ones remaining are U’snar, myself and Mr. Freeze. Wait, no. Don’t think of him as that man. You had a crush on him since you were like five.

“Hello.” I greet, offering him my hand.

He glances down his sharp nose, even though my hand is above my head. Jeeze. I thought U’snar was tall. This male is likely at most five more inches taller than U’snar, darker skin, and the smell wafting off of him is like a freshly baked citrus pastry. Like a lemon tartlet. Fuck that’s my favorite. His hair has two braids on either side of his head, dangling long enough to hang over his ears if he’d let them, but I doubt he does. They each are attached at the ends to the midpoint of his long French braided hair. His chest isn’t bare like most of the male Orcs, including U’snar. He wears a shirt like tunic with leather looped in the v to tie it closed if he so chose. And more loose harem pants. Around each wrist is a bracelet like band with an intricate design as well as a larger one on his left bicep. He has at least four piercings on his right ear and two on his left. His tusks are as long as my index fingers, much larger than U’snars. Whereas his best feature? The samegolden eyes as U’snar.

He grunts before turning to U’snar. Completely ignoring my hand. “Who is she?” His words are a command. A harsh demand of an answer.

U’snar opens his mouth but after collecting my jaw from the ground I hiss, “Excuse me?!” U’snar swallows his reply and his lips quirk. Enjoying the show of my anger. The Orc next to him, looks at U’snar with a raised brow. But when he says nothing, he narrows his gaze upon me.

“U’snar.” It is a command. A bitten one. But U’snar is not replying, I see his lips continue to quirk upwards in a show of mirth, but I ignore him in favor of this other male. My bitter rage makes me shake.

“You will addressme,” I splay the ignored hand over my chest with a glower in his direction, “when you want to know who I am.” I point at U’snar, “He is not my keeper.” I cross my arms over my chest, just now remembering I am only in a cape, an oversized shirt and my skirt, both of which look like I’d played in a puddle from sweat and lying in the dirt all night. I mean, it’s not that bad. These people are used to sweaty and gross looking clothes. I think. I hope. Aw jeeze. I probably look like something U’snar pulled out of the fucking garbage. U’snar snickers as he sees the dawning horror on my face. I glower at him and smack his hand when he reaches to push some hair behind my ear.

I’m regarded with censure and an arched brow at my behavior. “Who areyou?” He finally asks.

Oh. I hadn’t thought about a response to that. Well, who am I? “I am lost.”

“Lost.” I can see his irritation boiling over into his expression, as his eyes turn into hardened candy. “Play no games. Whoare you?” His words are a growl that causes a skittering over my skin. Goose-flesh quakes along my limbs.

“Mate.” U’snar speaks with assertion.

His gaze whips to U’snar, standing at my side, his hand grazing my arm in reassurance. I nod and explain. “U’snar found me. I have no family, no friends. I don’t have any money or possessions save what I’m wearing. If not for U’snar, I’d probably be raped and murdered.”

“So, not mate. Here in gratitude.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I mean, am grateful that he helped me but I…” My cheeks inflame but I continue, “I like U’snar. I just… I have to meet Jaedason. So that I can see if he will like me also and I him. If you would tell us where he may be—”

He nods his head as if in greeting. “Am Jaedason.”

“Oh.” Fuck. “Well, I know that I cannot have U’snar without you. So, if you don’t like me, or come to like me, then I know I can learn to help with other things? I’m really good with Jewelry designs, you know art stuff, and U’snar said that you create some sometimes for selling in towns? I’d like to learn to survive. Without U’snar’s help. Even though I know he’d like it if I were reliant on him forever.” U’snar smiles down at me and my jibe. He doesn’t want me reliant on him; but I think some part of him also wouldn’t mind. If it were what I wanted, he’d gladly see it done.

Jaedason’s critical golden gaze makes me feel like blabbing. Just talking and talking to fill the silence. I didn’t think U’snar’s brother would be like this. I honestly assumed he was going to be an older version of U’snar himself. Instead,thisOrc is so cold andbitter. Why does he look so damn attractive? Nearly 70 my ass.

But then again, Sumira really did a number on the two Orcs and their poor baby. I don’t exactly blame him. He’ll just have to see that I’m not like that. I’m me. Not them. I lift my chin in defiance.

“Ay donnae want human.” He looks at me, although I know he is talking to his brother. “Weak. Bitter. Cruel.” Each word is given with a threatening step towards me before he shakes his head and turns from me. “No human mate, Ay said.” He looks at U’snar with blatant irritation.

“She is strong. Pretty. Kind. Perfection.” U’snar smiles down at me again before looking his brother in the eyes. “She cries—

Jaedason snorts. “They all cry.”

“—for babes.” Jaedason’s sneer falls. His frown deep as he turns his gaze on me. It, like with U’snar, twists his features into a bitter and terrifying display. I guess in that way, they do look alike. “Those lost. Ach, she were angry at humans. Because—

“Because a baby is a baby.” I interject. I might as well tell him myself. My own irritation is in my frown and likely in the pinching of my brow and lips. The narrowing of my eyes. “It’s absolute bullshit that a woman—thatanyonecan do that to a baby. If the stories are true and your sperm is so fucking potent those womenshould stay the absolute fuck away if she doesn’t want to have your baby. Novelty or not. Wear a fucking rubber or get lost.”

U’snar smirks, “Rubber?”

I meet his gaze, “Ah, I guess you guys don’t have those yet. But I’m sure you have other forms of contraceptives. Oh well. It doesn’t matter. They’re absolute assholes for doing anything like that to any of you. Let alone your babies. Speaking of, I notice most of them are teens. Is Isaree the only toddler?”

“Why?” Jaedason growls menacingly.

U’snar bristles a little but I put up my hand. “Stop acting all big boorish bear like. I’m asking because I want to pinch their little chubby cheeks! Did you see how chunky isaree was??” I nearly giggle. Because god I reallyreallywant to pinch his cheeks and tickle his tummy.

Jaedason hums like U’snar usually does in deep thought. At least I know where his mannerisms come from. He looks at his brother. “Come, we talk of Dugorim’s child.”

“Where should I go U’snar?” Rather than answer me, U’snar defers to his brother and chief.

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