Page 36 of Lost to the Orcs

I nod and U’snar picks up the child and they leave the room, our son chatting away at his Aithír.

I look at Jaedason. “Just because it seems you left things up to him, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Because I’m positive that you are also capable of using your mouth to speak.”

Jaedason snorts, rolling his eyes in a way that I’m pretty sure he got from me. He then hums in a sort of agreement. “Correct. But Ay thought U’snar told you.”

My turn to hum as I pull my lips between my teeth, biting down on top of them momentarily before U’snar comes back and cuts off my reply. “I’m sorry!” He rushes.

Jaedason raises a brow at the volume of U’snar’s voice. We might be in a cave but noises can travel, bouncing off each and every wall to whatever destination the sounds wish. He grumbles some apology before he comes closer to me still standing next to the table. “I’m sorry.” He sighs before sitting down and getting to just about eye level to me. Jeeze why are my guys so tall? “Arawn, is Jaedasons.”

At the same time Jaedason says “Ouers”.

“Ouers,” U’snar corrects. “Arawn is ouers.” His face is pinched with tension and worry.

“You lied to me.” My lip wobbles and he pulls my hands out from their crossed position in an attempt to close myself off from him. I resist for but a moment, until his eyes, warm and honeyed, plead with me. I grumble nonsense about never again looking at my guys in the eyes during an argument because they cheat. His lips quirk in a very adorable fashion. I secretly hate him.

“Ach, I did. Did no’ know you would love us so. Wished t’ speak t’ Jaedason ‘fore youer heat.” U’snar explains.

“But it came too soon.” I supply. He nods.

U’snar continues, “Later, we spoke o’ retrieving him from Narod.” In our peripheral we see Jaedason nod.

“Your brother.” I add. Lordie how I remember that one I don’t even know.

Another nod. “Narod lives at ‘he head o’he mountains. We live at its belly.” Mountain range. Narod lives at the beginning of the range, and we live in the middle. I have seen maps and that is what U’snar is referring to. Since the mountain range is called An'Tsirga, which is their version of a snake. Though, from the drawing, their snakes are like the version of what we believe snakes were like when dinosaurs were around. Almost lizard-like but without hind legs. “Arawn was sick. Couldnae travel.”

“So you left him with Narod?” I ask as my brows pinch in confusion.

“Ach. Yes. Safe with Narod. Safe in the Mountain. Narod brought Arawn home t’ us. He wandered off an’ found you.” U’snar finishes.

“He barely arrivedtoday?!” I gasp.

“Ock. We were in a meeting no’ long ago. ‘Fore my fool brother rushed out like akeevahad got his way into ‘he stores.” Says a new voice. I look up at a broad burly dark green male with lighter green spots dotting his skin. He’s just as tall as Jaedason but like more ‘hulk’ build.Holy shit, heisthe hulk. At his arched brow, I realize I said that aloud. “Ay donnae know what this ‘haulk’ is.”

I give him a very very strained smile. “Just a big green man who is often seen very angry.” And Narod seems quite angry. His black brows meeting in a perpetual ‘v’ of annoyance. He does a gruff hum that is more of a growl than a hum but it mimics Jaedason’s and U’snar’s so a hum it is. “Well… It’s nice to meet you? I’d shake your hand in greeting but mine are occupied.” I lift my U’snar clasped hands. He makes another gruff hum as if to say ‘I see’.

He abruptly turns to Jaedason. “Beau’iful.” He states his brow frown gone as they quirk at his brother, his eyes suddenly sparkling with mischief.

Jaedason rolls his eyes. “Aye. Very.” Holy crap, is this a popcorn moment? I feel like it’s a popcorn moment.

Narod smirks. “Ye share again then?”

“Of course.” U’snar mutters but Narod ignores him as he continues to prod his older brother.

“So tiny though. Ye must work t’ get your prick in brother. Ay remember a time whenweshared. All the women screamed when they saw yer–

“Stop.” Narod’s full grinning now. “‘Fore Ay pummel you ‘til you have no’ teeth t’ smile with.” He growls glowering. Oh lord thisisa popcorn moment. Heaven help me but I’m loving this.

Narod laughs. “Try brother. Only reason Am no’ chief is because Ay donnae wan’ it.” I mean, looking at him, I wouldn’t be surprised if Narod could beat my Jaedason. I’m not talking trash. Jaedason is built. But he’s slimmer than Narod. Less muscle. “Mayhap ye meet me for trainin’. Ay gander ye hav’nae sparred in suns!”

“We have a training ground?” I murmur to U’snar.

“Ach, several.” He murmurs back. Both of us watching the brothers like we’re watching a ping pong match. “Narod is annoying, yes?”

I snort. “No. I’ve never seen this side of Jaedason except when we first met. And even then it was more monosyllabic.”

U’snar chuckles quietly at my fascination. “Ach, is entertaining. ‘Cept when they growl at each other. Spittin’ blood.” My surprised eyes meet his. “Ach.” He nods. “Donnae hold punches.”

I mean, I guess it makes sense if they are almost equal. “If you guys fight, can you just leave bruises? I don’t think I can watch a bloody battle.”

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