Page 54 of Orc's Mate

“May the fates bless us.”

* * *

After he left,I went outside and tackled the downed branches, dragging them into a pile near the shed where he stored our wood for winter beneath the overhang. The sticks and branches would make great kindling. It didn’t get horribly cold in this part of the world, but we were far from shore. I was sure the dampness set into your bones and made you shiver. A fire would be welcome, and I’d noted the small stove in the living area. We could sit on the sofa and enjoy it.

Maybe while snuggling our child.

“That’s far in the future and only if the fates gift us,” I said to myself as I dragged another branch over to the growing pile.

I was lifting the last branch when someone came up behind me. Thinking Odik had forgotten something, I turned.

My smile fell immediately. “Drabass.”

“Eleri.” His grin came out more like a leer.

“Odik’s in the house. Let me get him for you.”

“I saw him on the path leading to the village. Nice of you to offer, however.” He stepped closer to me. “I don’t believe we need him, do we?”

I spun and bolted for the house, but he leaped and dragged us both to the ground, rolling until I was beneath him.

When he tried to kiss me, I snapped my head to the side, smacking his shoulders.

He growled and pinned my hands over my head. I shrieked and grabbed a nearby rock, smacking him with it.

He was wrenched off me.

Odik snarled and punched Drabass in the nose. Green blood gushed, and Drabass howled, cupping his face.

I scrambled to my feet and backed away, holding the rock so tight in my hand, it made my fingers sting.

Odik’s punch in Drabass’s belly was followed by him slamming his clenched fists down on top of Drabass’s head. The orc slumped to the ground and didn’t move.

I dropped the rock and it thudded on the ground beside my foot.

Odik rushed over to me and lifted me gently. “Are you alright?”

“I am. He . . . He just got here.”

“I’m glad I decided to turn back. I forgot to bring more fish for Madine.”

I didn’t want to think about what might’ve happened if he hadn’t returned. Would he have stopped if I hit him hard enough with the rock? I would’ve tried.

“I’ll take you inside.”

I clung to his shoulders. “I can stay here.”

“I’d feel better if you were locked inside the house.”

“But I can’t stay there forever. It’s no better than hiding behind the fortress walls back at the village.” And I’d already seen nowhere was safe. “I want to keep working.”

He cupped my face and stared into my eyes. “You’re sure?”

“I am.” My voice might tremble, but my will did not.

“I need to take care of Drabass.”

My breath caught. “What will you do with him?”

---