Page 21 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“There’s a… shrine in Port Cael dedicated to Freja. She is the goddess of the natural world and many females pray to her.”

“A shrine?”

“It’s within a convent that was once dedicated to the Sisters of Freja, but that order no longer exists.” There were too few females - and the ones who remained felt the burden of their lack of children. “However, the shrine still exists and perhaps you may find your answers there.”

“That sounds perfect. When can we leave?”

He hoped he wasn’t making the wrong choice, especially with the Bride Trials still taking place. How could he explain theTrials without frightening her? Without revealing how much he’d wanted to find a mate? But neither could he refuse to help her find what she so desperately wanted.

“If you’re sure you are up to walking, we can start at first light.”

“Thank you, Lothar,” she said softly, looking up at him in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

He made himself step away, bending over the fire to hide his reaction.

“I’ll start preparing for the journey.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Promise me you’ll stay with me.He forced the words back and shook his head.

“I will have everything ready by tomorrow.”

He set to work, abandoning his plans for a smoking chamber in favor of a faster approach, drying the strips of meat on suspended branches. When he prepared a simple soup for supper, she added a few of her dried herbs to give it flavor.

“You have a talent for cooking,” he said appreciatively when they sat down to eat.

“I enjoy it, but I rarely bother since I’m only cooking for one person.”

The shadow he’d seen so many times before crossed her face.

“I know you don’t have a family, but what about friends, neighbors?”

“I prefer to keep myself to myself. No good comes from being involved with other people.”

Despite the harshness of her words, he could see the sorrow in her eyes.

“There are some people you can trust,” he said quietly. “I am one of them.”

Her eyes softened, and for a brief second she laid her hand over his.

“I know that. You saved my life and looked after me when I was ill. But…” She let go and turned back to her soup, scooping it into bowls and handing him one. “It’s just safer not to rely on anyone.”

He thought about pressing her further, but he knew the value of patience.A value she’s been teaching me, he thought ruefully.

“Tell me more about your family,” she said, clearly changing the subject.

“I told you that my brother Wulf is our clan chief. He is very like our father - strong, responsible, caring.”

“And your mother?”

“My mother died in childbirth. Wulf’s mother died of a wasting sickness.”

“You have different mothers?”

“Yes. Egon had a different mother as well, although he never knew her. He grew up alone in one of the southern kingdoms. It was not an easy childhood.”

“Your father didn’t take care of him?” she asked indignantly.

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