Page 13 of Orc's Mate

Odik

“You’re uncomfortable,” I said. She kept shifting her position, and while I sensed she tried to mask it, she winced whenever she moved.

It wasn’t hard to remember how stiff and sore I was after my first ride on Zarran.

She curled her shoulders forward. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s never good to admit weakness.”

That astonished me. “You’ve never ridden on a vox, have you?”

She shook her head.

“And you rode all night. I couldn’t walk after my first ride, and that was only for a few hours.” I curled my finger her way. “Come. Lie down and lift your skirt, mate.”

Her shocked gaze met mine, and I chuckled at her assumption.

“Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t claim you until you were ready?” I said. “As I offered earlier, I want to massage your legs. Nothing else.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I don’t trust easily.”

“And I haven’t given you many reasons to believe you can trust me, but I hope you can somehow see the good in my heart and know I’m going to protect and cherish you always.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my mate.”

Her lips pursed. “Per your clan. I doubt you’d choose me on your own.”

Why was her voice filled with such self-loathing? “Maybe I would if we’d met under normal circumstances. You’re pretty.”

“Caring takes time to develop and has nothing to do with how a person looks on the outside.”

I liked hearing the spunk in her voice. She’d been calm and relaxed with me, and while it was nice that she wasn’t fighting me, I worried that despite the strength she’d shown last night, she might not be strong enough for the harsh life we’d lead on the island. I wasn’t so worried about that now.

“Back in the forest when the ashenclaws attacked, I saw more than your surface,” I said. “I saw a woman who was willing to protect and bind my wounds. Who would’ve done her best not only to protect herself but also me. So don’t think I only note your gorgeous hair that reminds me of the prettiest sunsets, or the color of your eyes, let alone your delectable, lush shape.”

Her snort rang out. “I’m anything but gorgeous or delectable though I appreciate your kind words.”

“I spoke from my heart, not to be kind. You don’t see yourself as I do.”

She tilted her head. “I don’t understand you. The words you speak, yes, but I guess I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me, why you appear towantme.”

“Has no one told you that you’re special?”

“One person did,” she said with a sad smile. Her eyes sparkled with tears. “You should know that I volunteered to be an orc bride. I wasn’t forced into this like all the others. I took someone else’s place. The man who raised me . . .” Her words choked off and tears trickled down her flushed cheeks. “He was murdered, and everyone accused me of doing it.”

“Did you?”

“Of course not. I loved him.”

“Would you like me to go back and slay them all for their false accusations?”

Her breath caught. “You can’t do anything like that.”

“I’m the Zephyr Clan caedos. Some might suggest I can do whatever I please.”

---