Page 94 of Her Orc Protector

As the meal wound down, the others gradually dispersed—Leilan to finish some mending, Dora to the kitchen with dishes. Gruha vanished into her office, muttering about accounts. Soon, only Rowena and I remained at the table, nursing cups of mint tea.

I traced the rim of my cup with one finger, gathering courage. "Can I... can I ask you something? About the claiming mark?"

Rowena's expression remained neutral, but her eyes sharpened with interest. "Of course."

"Does yours..." I hesitated, then pressed on. "Do you ever feel it?"

She touched her neck absently, where I knew her own mark lay beneath her collar. "No," she said. "Not usually."

"Not usually?"

She considered for a moment. "It's like... well, like a ring you've worn so long you forget it's there. Until something reminds you."

"But have you ever felt it? The magic?"

"Once," she said quietly. "When Maeve was in danger..." She shook her head. "The mark burned then. Called to Kazrek. Brought him to us. But other than that? It's just skin."

I swallowed hard. "Uldrek thinks... he says our bond is broken. Because the mark went quiet after the hearing."

Understanding flickered in her eyes. "Ah."

"He thinks it means..." My voice caught. "He thinks it means I don't need him anymore. That I was only with him for protection."

Rowena set her cup down carefully. "And what do you think?"

I stared into my tea, watching the small leaves settle at the bottom. "I think he's wrong. Whatever the mark is or isn't doing, it doesn't change how I feel about him."

Rowena nodded slowly. "Kazrek once told me that the claiming bond isn't really about magic. The bite, the mark—they're just symbols. Old traditions. The real bond is what you choose every day."

"Try telling Uldrek that," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "He's convinced himself that once I stopped needing a protector, I stopped wanting him."

"Men," Rowena said with a soft snort. "They always want to be needed, don't they? Especially the strong ones. The ones who've spent their lives being useful."

I thought of Uldrek—his certainty, his pride, the way he'd placed himself between me and danger without hesitation. The way he'd taught me to defend myself, even knowing it meant I might not need his shield.

"The claiming mark was active during the hearing. I felt it. But afterward, when Gavriel was taken away, it just... stopped. Like a candle being snuffed out."

Rowena leaned forward slightly. "Issy, the magic responds to need. To danger. That's its purpose. But the relationship? That's about choice."

"I have chosen him," I said, frustration tightening my voice. "Every day since the claiming, I've chosen him."

"Have you told him that?"

I opened my mouth to say yes, then closed it again, remembering Uldrek's accusation:Why haven't you ever said you love me?

"I thought he knew," I said softly. "I thought it was obvious."

Rowena gave me a gentle smile. "Nothing is obvious when it comes to hearts. Especially to someone who's used to being valued only for what they can do, not who they are."

Before I could respond, Ellie let out a wail from across the room. Dora, who had been quietly playing with her by the hearth, looked up apologetically.

"Sorry," she called. "I think someone's getting tired."

I pushed back from the table. "It's late for her. I should get her to bed."

Rowena nodded, though I sensed she had more to say. I crossed to Dora, who handed Ellie over with obvious reluctance.

"Such a sweet little bug," she said, brushing a finger over Ellie's flushed cheek. "Always welcome here, both of you."

---