Page 4 of Wagered to the Orc
The one holding me blurted, “Yebastard!” His voice turned to a whine. “Our Chieftain told us no’ to spill human blood. ‘Tis the only reason—”
“Moltar.” The word—command? A name?—came from the orc holding Sorcha. “Did ye kill any humans today?”
I ignored the exchange to catch my cousin’s eye. Was she well? Was she hurt? She seemed more at ease than I felt, but still studied me in worry.
I tried to smile, but it hurt too much to lie in such a way. I could feel the tears gathering again, and I hated this helplessness.
Over Sorcha’s head, the one carrying her suddenly spoke, and the other males listened respectfully.
“My brother Korvak did what any of us would have done, protecting the female from that traitor, John.” Oh God, was that me? I turned to look at the fierce male who had saved me. He was Korvak? Brother to their leader?
The male watched me, and something blazed in the dark depths of his eyes. Something I could not identify.
Something I thought I ought to fear.
Their leader was still speaking.
“Korvak’s aim was blessed by the gods, and he spilled more human blood than ye, Moltar. Korvak has won the wager, and thus the prize—the little human.”
Wager.
Littlehuman.
Iwas the prize?
The one who held me—Moltar—tightened his hold on my arm, causing me to wince. When he saw that, Korvak’s expression turned even darker. The scar made him look savage, horrible.
But when he stepped up to me, I couldn’t pull away.
Moltar had hurt me once, whereas Korvak had protected me. ‘Twas a meager concession, but all I had to cling to.
The beast wrapped his hand around Moltar’s wrist and squeezed. I watched, wide-eyed, as Moltar cursed and dropped his hold on my arm. I felt immediate relief, although my face still stung.
I expected Korvak to grab me, to hurt me, to claim me.
Instead, he reached down and enfolded my small hand in his huge one, his fingers closing all around mine.
‘Twas gentle.
‘Twas unexpected.
As my tears threatened with a muted sob, he turned away, tugging me toward his horse.
“Effie!” Roxanna called from behind me, and as I began to twist, to look for her, I felt my new captor swing onto his horse.
He had not released my hand. He had not used stirrups to mount. I gaped, momentarily distracted from my panic by such a show of strength and skill.
Then he was pulling, and I flew through the air again. But my landing wasn’t hard; he caught me and swung me behind him.
Korvak.
His name was Korvak.
There had been some sort of wager, and he had won me. I belonged to him now.
I shuddered, uncertain if I should be grateful or terrified…and he pulled my hand around to rest on his hard stomach.
“We’ll take the mountain pass!” he bellowed, kicking his horse into motion. “See you in a fortnight, brother!”
