Page 28 of His Orc Lady

Ian’s expression brightens when he glances at Carrow. “Not one bit. I suppose I’ll have to return to Ultrup come spring since I just signed on for another year of service this autumn.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Carrow says softly. “I’ll come with you to Ultrup if I have to.”

They’re staring at each other like the rest of the world has ceased to exist, and it’s almost uncomfortable to witness the kind of intimacy that has nothing to do with touching or kissing.

Ian sets down his fork, though his plate is still half full. He gives Owen a deferential nod, then stands and offers Carrow his hand. My friend beams at him, his face alight with happiness, and they disappear down a corridor, already in their own happy bubble.

Owen clears his throat and picks up his mug of tea from the table. I glance at him from the corner of my eye, watching him gulp down the hot tea. It’s even more awkward now to be sitting next to him instead of on the opposite side of the table.

“They seem happy,” he remarks quietly. “It happened so fast, though.”

I give him a vague hum, not wanting to discuss this with him. If he thinks Ian and Carrow’s relationship is developing too quickly, he doesn’t say so out loud—but he seems thoughtful, his gaze roaming over the crowd around us.

He must be close to realizing what’s going on.Sooner or later, someone will mention their mate,which means my time to talk to him, to explain, is running out. When he knows the truth, any relationship that might be building between us will be tainted by his knowing. He’ll bepressuredto make a decision.

All my life, I’ve been told that finding a mate is the best, most wonderful thing an orc could experience in their lifetime. And seeing my friends and relatives find theirs, I thought the same becausetheywere all lucky. But I just feel like a burden, a millstone hung around Owen’s neck, and he doesn’t even know it yet.

“Lady Willow and Ozork will ride out into the woods today,” he says suddenly, interrupting my brooding.

I half turn to face him and find myself staring up at his handsome face. “They are?”

His gaze drops briefly to my lips, then he looks up again. “I’ll be providing protection along with several of my men, but we don’t expect any trouble, not this far north, and not in this weather.” He pauses, then adds more softly, “Would you like to join us?”

“No,” I blurt.

He’s asking the impossible—I couldnever. As it is, I will now have to worry about his safety until he returns. It’s a treacherousterrain, the forest full of boulders and hidden holes. What if his horse gets spooked by a wolf and throws him off? What if he slips on ice and cracks his skull open?

There aresomany ways to get hurt outside, and he’s human. They aren’t as sturdy as orcs, are they?

“Oh.” Owen pulls back, his face draining of color. “Of course. Forget I asked.”

He puts his cup back on the table but accidentally bumps the half-empty water jug with the quick movement. The water spills across the table, and Owen jumps to his feet, scrambling to mop it up with one of the cleaning cloths used to wipe the tables down after a meal.

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologizes to the other orcs at the table. “How clumsy of me.”

“Owen…”

I reach out to touch his sleeve, and he jerks slightly, then looks down at me. His cheeks are pink again—he must be embarrassed by his clumsiness. And itisunusual for a man so in control of himself.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s just…a bad time. I have work to do this morning.”

I don’t know why I’m softening the blow of my rejection. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to do, after all, push him away from me. But I can’t let him leave like this, thinking I’m so horrified at the thought of spending time with him that I’d half-shout my refusal.

“It’s all right,” he says, his words a little curt, though still polite. “I understand.”

But hedoesn’t. Not at all. He doesn’t know he’s my mate and that I could never do anything to hurt him on purpose. Nor does he realize that I would love to go on a stroll with him, just not outside where anything could happen.

Before I can pluck up my courage and explain all this, another human soldier appears in front of us.

“Captain, we’re getting the horses ready. Do you want us to saddle Acorn or will you?” He’s already sweating in his thick winter coat. He wipes his brow, then adds, “He’s been fed and watered, but we know you prefer?—”

“I’ll be right there, Samm, I’ll do it,” Owen says quickly. “You go ahead, and I’ll follow.”

The soldier salutes him and leaves the way he came, into the corridor leading toward the front door of the Hill.

I press my lips together, fighting a smile.

Owen glowers down at me, then blows out a breath. “Come on, say it.”

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