Page 32 of Orc's Pretend Mate

The loud Maulavi snarls, his face inches from mine, but it’s the quiet one who intervenes.

“Enough,” the soft-spoken Maulavi says, his voice cutting through the rising tension of the moment.

The loud one glances at his companion. The quiet Maulavi’s expression is unreadable, but his tone carries authority, subtle and dangerous. He steps forward, his gaze flicking between Phoebe and me.

“You claim she is your dragoste,” he says, his words deliberate and probing. His suspicious eyes boring into mine. “Prove it.”

My jaw tightens. I feared this request—or demand—, but there wasn’t time to prepare or coach Phoebe which doesn’t make it any easier. Phoebe’s hand on my back tenses slightly, and I glance at her, finding her eyes steady and determined despite the fear I know she’s hiding.

She is willing. After all we just…

No. Even if she doesn’t resist, I will not treat her like this. No matter that my thoughts and heart are in confusion, this one thing I know with absolute certainty. I will not see her treated with dishonor by anyone, including me. The quiet one is watching, rhythmically tapping a finger on his thigh as if calculating.

“We will not perform for you,” I say.

The loud Maulavi sneers again, but the quiet one raises a hand to silence him.

“The Shaman will demand proof. We all play ourparts,don’t we? Besides if your claim is true, then there will be no need for performance. The bond is real, or it is not.” His gaze sharpens, cold and calculating. “But if you lie, Vapas, the consequences will be severe—for both of you.”

Phoebe steps forward before I can stop her.

“I don’t know what you think you’ll accomplish by taking me away,” she says, her voice steady despite the tremor I feel in her touch. “But my… feelings for Vapas are… real. Whatever you’re after, I don’t know it and don’t have it.”

The loud Maulavi opens his mouth, but the quiet one silences him again with a sharp glance.

“She speaks with conviction,” the quiet one says, his gaze lingering on Phoebe. “But words are not enough. As I said, the Shaman will expect proof.”

“And if the Shaman demands such, he’ll have to come himself,” I growl, stepping in front of Phoebe protectively.

The quiet Maulavi considers this for a long moment. Finally, he nods, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Well,” he says, tapping one finger against his lips while shifting his gaze back and forth between Phoebe and me. “Know this, Vapas, this is far from over.”

He turns and motions to his companion, who glares one last time before storming out. The quiet one pauses in the doorway, halfway out, his gaze lingering on Phoebe.

“Be careful, human. This game you play is more dangerous than you realize.”

Phoebe doesn’t flinch, meeting his stare with unwavering resolve. When the door closes behind them, the silence that follows is deafening. I exhale slowly, turning to face her.

“Are you all right?” I ask, my voice softer.

Phoebe nods, but her hand trembles as she brushes her hair back.

“I think so. What just happened? What do they want from me?”

I take her hand in mine, grounding her in the moment.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

Why is she so important? What is it they expect to learn from her? What is it they are worried about?

Too many questions fill my head and I don’t have any answers. I’ve heard some rumors, but before Phoebe came, I was barely going through the motions of life. Now, though, she gives me purpose. My life has meaning and I am no longer waiting to die so I can find my dragoste in the next world.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

I turn and take her into my arms. Brushing a strand of hair away from her face, I try to find words that will bring her comfort, but there are none. In truth, I too am scared.

Defying the Maulavi isn’t something you do. I’ve seen them come in the night, breaking down doors to capture dissenters. Those they take either disappear or become fodder for the infernal machine.

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