Page 84 of Valpar

Everett and Finley carried me out from the covered patio, and when he did, I saw all the orcs I had seen at the ball. They were all cheering, and there was a gorgeous spread of food laid out ona table, with all my favorite desserts and the infamous chair that Olur told me about.

“So pretty!” I squealed.

I didn’t want to hurt any of the tribe’s feelings either with how hard they worked. They thought they were helping me, but I quickly realized this was going to be a big deal.

Valpar was going to be so mad.

Finley and Everett put me in the chair, and Simon raised his head high as he sat next to me on his own cushion, and was given a plate of food.

That is so dang cute!

“Aww! You all get brownie points for taking care of Simon!” Simon lifted his head from engorging himself with a plate of grapes and let out a large burp, causing the crowd to laugh.

A plate with grapes and cheeses on it was brought in for me by an orc with a scar across his cheek and he gave me a smirk. “Food for the female?”

I smiled shyly back at him, took one and popped it into my mouth. As the juice burst onto my tongue the shattering of glass caught all of our attention, and we looked up where the noise had come from.

The huge palace window above us broke into a million pieces. They fell out of the windowsill and onto a dark figure. A loud roar, one that I had heard once before at the mating ball before I was claimed, came from the darkness and Valpar stood where the window once was.

“Get away from my female!” Valpar’s voice laid like a heavy blanket through the courtyard and even I felt the harshness of his words.

The muscles.

He jumped from the second-story window and landed with a thud. The surrounding bushes shook, as he took heavy steps toward us. The rest of the tribe moved about, almost unnervednow that Valpar was approaching, but Valpar’s gaze did not leave the males that were walking around me.

Olur stood in front of me, the bonfire had to be hot on his skin as he stood so close to it. “Valpar, great of you to finally join the claiming ceremony. We are going to be starting soon.”

Valpar’s eyes widened and narrowed again, and his head whipped in my direction. His loose hair was wildly tangled, and he was not put together like he had been the past few days with me.

“What?” he said deathly quiet. “Calliope is my miresa. There is no need for this ceremony. These ceremonies are no longer needed.”

Valpar was showing a cool exterior, but I could see his fingers flexing against his palm, his muscles rippling underneath his skin and his jaw ticking.

I shuffled in my seat; my panties were damp and it was only getting worse.

Valpar’s nose flared, and he pushed Olur to the side, causing him to trip.

“Female,” Valpar snarled and took heavy steps toward me. “Let’s go.”

“Nah, ah!” The orc that handed me the plate of grapes appeared. “She accepted my grapes. She has chosen me to compete.” His smile widened. “She has chosen Olur as well because he said he wanted to throw her a party.” Valpar turned and scowled at Olur.

“And her companion has accepted my pillow for his ass!” Another orc stepped forward, petting Simon. “Ass is another word for backside, I have learned. I like this word! I want another!” He raised his ale, slammed it on the food table and the orc toppled over.

I bit my lip. “I think he is disqualified… he just passed out.” I pointed to him.

“Agreed!” The rest of the tribe yelled, and I covered my ears from their shouts.

Valpar turned back to me, snarling. “What do you think you are doing, little fairy?” His shadow blocked out the sun and I slithered down further in my seat. He was so angry his veins were bulging in his neck, and he was huffing.

I didn’t want to make him this mad. It was supposed to be a joke. I was not afraid of him, but I was afraid of hurting him.

“Valpar?” I felt the heat behind my eyes, my eyes filling with tears. Valpar instantly softened and knelt before me.

“Did my tribe put you up to this?” he whispered, so no one could hear. Finley and Everett sighed beside me, looking guilty themselves.

I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t want to get his tribe in trouble, either.

“Truth, little fairy. I won’t be angry at the truth.” He kept his voice low enough so no one else could listen to our conversation.

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