Page 49 of Mountain Orc Daddy

My heart is in my throat. Should I cry? Curse out at Aisling? Towards my parents for having a useless child like myself?

He lies there. The wound is fresh and bloody. Blood comes out his mouth. The image is too bold and clear.

It takes for me to react to the sound of his tribe crying out for their Chief. I run towards his fallen body. There’s a small flicker of hope that he’s just resting from the blow. As soon as I stand above him, I fall on my knees.

It’s more gruesome than how it looks from afar. There’s blood everywhere. The magic that Aisling used still courses through his large body.

My hands don’t know what to do. They hover over his torso, trying to find something to do. For a second I truly believe that a miracle would happen. That somehow, I will get a burst of energy and power.

The tears finally start falling. I don’t know what to do. Why am I so stupid? Why can’t I even make a protective seal for myself?

I nudge his body. “Uzul, please wake up. I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to protect me.”

No response. My body falls limp on him. His body still feels warm, but that’s probably from the leftover magic’s heat. The glowing slowly subsides, along with his color.

I caress his handsome, lifeless face. His vibrant green skin slowly turns gray. I can’t believe this is the last image I’ll see of him.

Memories of these past weeks flood in my head. From the first time we met, until now. There’s not a moment in time when I felt so happy. Just by being next to him.

“I didn’t even tell you how I feel,” I whisper.

I wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth. Every limb of my body shakes, full of regret. I should’ve told him I loved him the moment I realized it. Now, I ‘ll never be able to tell him.

“Chief?” a member calls out.

I don’t have the courage to turn towards the orcs. The ones that depend on Uzul for guidance. There’s no way I can face them with the excuse that I’m too weak.

What will happen to them now?

My mom comes running next to me. I don't realize until she puts her hands on my shoulders. She pulls me away from Uzul’s body.

“Dear, you’re getting covered in blood,” she says.

I don’t care. I shove my mother away. From afar, I can hear my siblings gasp. My parents can scold me all they want later.

“Blair Morgan,” mother scolds.

“No, I’m not leaving him here,” I say without looking up.

She grabs my arm. “Listen to me. We are not finished here. The rogues will regain their forces after the magic’s shock waves off.”

“We need to get him to a safe place. They’ll kill him if he’s out in the open!”

My siblings come running towards us.

“There’s no time for that. I’m picking up that bitch’s energy. They’re preparing for another attack. They’re moving fast,” Jade explains.

“Let me at least hide him somewhere—”

Remus shakes me. “There’s no time, Blair! It’s awful what just happened but mom’s right. We’re not done yet.”

Their shouting doesn't get through to me. I’m just pissed off now. At everyone and everything. All I want is to disappear next to Uzul.

I turn away from my family and lock eyes with the remaining tribe members. They stare at me with a mix of fear and sadness. They expect something from me. I can feel it.

“What do we do now?” I hear one of them whisper.

I want to protect them all. It’s the very least that I can do now that Uzul’s gone. They’re just trying to live.

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