Page 9 of Running from the Orc
I tipped my head back to the stars and I laughed. A laugh from my gut, a laugh of joy. Because this was going to befun.
Roxanna was leading me on a hunt and she had no idea how skilled I was.
Even in the dark, her trail was easy to follow. The moon was a day past full and she was not experienced prey. Those slippers she wore were better suited for floating through her father’s keep, rather than climbing over rocks and dirt and scree, and her bright gown kept catching on thorns and pine boughs.
She would’ve been better suited running across the valley, but I would have found her then anyhow. I would find heranywhere.
I kept my pace steady and even, senses alert for wild animals even as I strained to hear her ahead ofme. She had at least an hour’s lead on me, but I was better suited for this.
Sure enough, the shifting wind brought me her scent at the same moment a break in the clouds revealed a smear of blood on the boulder I was about to climb over. Blood?
MyKteersnapped to attention.
Roxanna was bleeding.
She was out here alone, bleeding, and needed me.
Nay, calm down. She’s running from ye, and those slippers werenae meant for climbing rocks.
But she needed me! MyKteerhowled in helplessness, and I fought the urge to bellow her name. Instead, I curled my hands into fists and began to jog.
I could now hear her ahead, hear her panting and muttering quietly to herself. She was safe, I tried to tell myKteer, she was healthy. My firebrand would not be brought low by a mere blister.
Still, as I silently closed the distance between us, something sharp and distasteful spiked through the night air.
Roxanna’s sweat, aye, and the tang of her blood. And now…fear.
Palton’sSpear, she was afraid!
My pace increased until I was hurtling through the undergrowth, not heeding my surroundings. My firebrand was hurt and afraid, and I would not fail her. I would hunt her down and—
I crashed into a small clearing just as Roxanna reached the other side, and she whirled with a small scream, facing me as she stumbled backward.
She’s afraid of ye! Cease yer rush!
But nay. In the split second before her mask of determination fell back into place, I saw thereliefflash across Roxanna’s face when she realized who hunted her.
Still, I pulled up short, trying to steady my breathing. Iachedto go to her, to comfort her. The way she pressed against that tree, as if trying to climb it with her shoulder blades, made me want to whisper to her like a wounded animal.
Instead, I kept my voice light. “Where are ye running, Lady Roxanna Tarbert?”
It was the right thing to say. Reminding her I thought her a lady triggered her anger, and she pushed herself away from the tree.
“Home,” she said bluntly, hand fumbling at her waist. “I am leaving you.”
“The stone circle is more than a day’s ride west of here.” I slowly stalked toward her. “And willnae open for another twenty-seven days.”
“I do not care!”
With one defiant movement, my firebrand whipped her hand up, holding a small dagger she must have secreted in her bodice. My brows went up, impressed, as I halted.
“Aye, you see, orc? You cannot take advantage of me.” She inched backward toward the shadows of the forest. “I will leave you now.”
“Ye think I’ll take advantage of ye?” Remembering the scent of her arousal, my lips curled as I resumed my slow stalk. “I told ye what would happen. Ye’re coming to the village with me.”
“I willnot,” she repeated, waving that blade at me like someone who knew what to do with it.
Knowing Roxanna, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.
