Page 4 of Running from the Orc
I felt weak.
Ihatedfeeling weak.
But my heart fluttered, my breathing turned shallow, my mind turned to mush.
Because in that moment, I realized this wasn’t random. The orcs of the Bladesedge clan were not going to give us back.
I was never going home, ever again, was I?
Even if Icouldget back through the stones in a month, Father wouldn’t want me back. He had always said I was too rebellious, too brash, to be useful to him, and a month with the orcs would do naught to help that reputation. I would be ruined in his eyes.
Still, I couldn’t stay here. Ihadto return to the world I knew, even if that meant I could not return to Father’s keep.
I would.
I could.
I just needed a chance to escape my captors, and I would run.
I would run and bring help and save Effie and Sorcha.
“Breathe, Roxanna,” came the gentle prompt in my ear. “Everything will be aright.”
I shivered at his warmth, knowing the words were a lie, but still desperate to believe them. Believehim.
Varkaan of the Clan Bladesedge. The beast who held me.
I will run from you. I whispered the vow in my mind as I closed my eyes.I will not succumb to your comfort.
But a part of me worried it was already too late.
Chapter 2
Varkaan
I wasn’t sure I completely agreed with my brother’s decision for us to split up.
True, by us each taking different routes back to the village—and taking our time doing it, there’d be less chance any humans who followed us through the veil would be able to find our home.
And true, this allowed him a fortnight alone with his Mate to convince her to allow the breeding ceremony when they arrived in front of the clan.
But it meant thatIwas alone with the wee firebrand for the duration.
Roxanna.
Had she not introduced herself so boldly, I might have guessed it from the way her cousin Effie, the delicate angel Korvak carried off as she sobbed, screamed for her. My firebrand hadn’t been pleased with the way Moltar hit the smaller woman, and had been ready to face his brutish anger herself had my twin brother not stepped in to claim Effie as his prize.
And Roxanna had been ready to chase afterhimto fetch her back, had I not grabbed her.
Now she sat, mulish and fuming, on my lap once more, as I did my best to reign in my body’s response to her sweet arse rubbing up against my cock.
Because I could sense her fear. The anger she was projecting was just an attempt to cover that emotion, and I could respect that. I remembered after Korvak’s attack when we were young, when he spent those long months recovering from his injuries…he became surlier, angrier, harder to deal with. I was the only one who understoodwhy, and thus I became the only one who knew how to deal with him.
Well, my pretty little human, I know how to deal with ye too.
I wasn’t sure how I got lucky enough to be the one carrying Roxanna. I scooped her up from the battle, and when our chief didn’t object, she became myresponsibility. One I’d gladly accept.
“Roxanna,” I murmured, and she startled.
