Page 20 of Wagered to the Orc
But nay, he was notugly.
He was just…Korvak.
“I’m going hunting,” he abruptly announced, pushing away from the table. “I have a craving for freshplarket.”
I immediately nodded, wiping my hands on the makeshift apron I had made. “Then I will use that meat in the stew.” I had no idea what plar-ket was, but ‘twould be easy enough to switch it out for the poultry he had brought before the rain.
Speaking of the rain… “Be careful out there, the mud will make the paths treacherous.”
He paused in his readying movements and cocked his head, studying me. “Ye…would care if I were hurt?”
Blushing, I dropped my gaze and turned toward the hearth, busying myself in pulling out the big pan. “Of course I would care. I want some of thatplarket.”
The noise he made might have been a snort of laughter, and I felt my lips curl.
“Be good, Effie, and I’ll fetch ye fresh meat tonight.”
There was heat in his gaze, and I wondered what he was thinking as he departed.
I spent the day in contemplation. Well, I chopped carrots and spent some time pampering Kelty, whom Korvak had left in the stalls behind the house. I tended the vegetable garden, and I finished hemming the serviettes I had cut from one of his scrap shirts.
But mostly I thought about Korvak. And my reaction to him.
And his reaction to my confession about John. He had been…angry. Nay, not just angry, there was more to it than that. I couldfeelthe rage coming from him, because I had been tucked up next to him. But why would he be so angry on my behalf?
Was it because I had admitted to offering myself to him only because I wanted protection from other orcs? Especially after he had confessed to the fact that females normally avoided him? Were female orcs really so shallow?
Had Korvak seen my admission as further evidence that no woman would want him, other than as protection?
I stilled, my needle halfway through a stitch, and stared down at the yellowfabric. Had I hurt his feelings? Merely proven what he feared…that he was unlovable?
Nay.
I…I did not love Korvak. But I could understand why a woman might. He was gentle and kind and saved baby mice, for goodness’ sakes. And…
Thoughtfully, I tied off the end of my thread and bit it near the knot.
Last night, right before I had fallen asleep, Korvak had asked me about finding pleasure. My gaze darted to the mattress, under which theHarlot’s Guidescroll rested. I had not pulled it out since I stashed it there, but I had thought of it often.
And each time I imagined the positions the author described…I pictured Korvak performing them. Wondered what his hands would feel like on my skin. Wondered if he could give the pleasure described in the scroll.
Would he want to?
Listen to yourself. You were just worried about hurting his feelings.
Aye, that was the truth. Mayhap I needed to think ofhispleasure. If I could show him that there was a female whodidn’tthink him ugly…
Chapter 6
Effie
‘Twas the sound of his voice—distant and grumbling—which alerted me to Korvak’s return. A horse’s whinny answered him, then he snorted in return. I was smiling as I approached the door.
And came to a stop with a shocked gasp. “Whathappenedto you, Korvak?” I blurted, taking a hesitant step toward the abomination leading the horse along the stream.
He held up his hand, palm out, to stop me from getting closer. “I am pleased ye could recognize me, despite my disguise.”
The statement was so ludicrous I burst out laughing. Because ‘twas indeed Korvak, but he wascovered almost head to toe in thick mud, while the mare was clean.
