Page 19 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“No. I thought once that…”

That she’d have a family, a home.

His hands stilled over the pot. He didn’t offer empty platitudes or awkward sympathy, just quiet understanding. His silence gave her space to breathe through the old pain.

“Could you… would you teach me some of your language?” she asked when he started stirring the pot again. “It seems like I should learn, since I’m here.”

“Of course.” He flashed her another smile. “What would you like to know first?”

She considered for a moment.

“Maybe start with something simple?”

His eyes locked with hers, and her breath caught at the intensity of his gaze.

“Valai,” he said softly.

“What does that mean?”

“Beauty.” His voice was rough. “It means beauty.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

“Valai,” she repeated carefully, trying to match his pronunciation.

“Yes, exactly like that.” He shifted closer, careful to leave space between them. “Want to try another?”

They moved through simple words - tree, fire, water - his deep voice patient as he corrected her pronunciation. She found herself relaxing into the rhythm of the lesson, the strange syllables becoming more familiar with each attempt, each one seeming to unlock more. By the time they finished their meal, she could manage a simple sentence.

“This is good.”

His answering grin made her stomach flutter.

“You did very well. Now, there is one more word you need to know.”

“Yes?”

“Svef. It means sleep.”

“I’m not sure I can. My brain’s too full.”

“Svef,” he repeated, gesturing toward the bedroll. “Trust me.”

She hesitated, then nodded.

“All right. Svef.”

His eyes were warm with approval as she settled down, pulling a sleeping fur over her. Her mind was spinning, but knowing he was there helped her relax. Before he’d finished putting the fire out, she was already asleep.

CHAPTER 11

Lothar trudged back to camp, a brace of marta slung over one shoulder and his gathering pouch bulging with plants. The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. His heart lifted at the sight of Jana sitting cross-legged by the flames, her dark hair falling across her cheek as she sorted through her growing collection of plants. Over the past two days, she’d created an impressive array of botanical specimens, sketching them in a small leather journal he’d had in his pack and then drying them on the rack he’d created.

As if sensing his arrival, her head came up. A wide smile spread across her face and his chest tightened, but he gave her his usual grin.

“I found some interesting additions for your collection.”

He crouched beside her, careful to give her space, and her eyes lit up as he opened his gathering pouch.

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