Page 7 of Wagered to the Orc
“Ye’re limping.”
She immediately straightened, her gaze locked on my chest. “I…am unused to riding.”
Och, well, no surprise there. I nodded gruffly and waved about the small clearing. “Walk in circles. ‘Twill help the stiffness.”
To my surprise, she began to do just that, as if my words had been a command rather than a suggestion. But she kept a wary gaze locked on me…or rather, on my chest, as if she couldn’t quite bear to meet my eyes.
“Where…where are you taking me?”
Had she not heard Drakolt’s orders? I frowned slightly, considering the timing—had that been before or after Moltar had hit her for vomiting—her body’s natural response to fear? Just remembering the way he’dstruck her so boldly made my chest ache with anger, made my claws emerge.
Seeing the way her eyes had widened and her breathing stuttered, I scowled at my own inability to rein in my emotions…and folded my arms across my chest to hide my claws.
“My brother is chief. He organized the raid and the deal with John, to take yer cousin.”
“Sorcha?” she whispered as she hobbled.
I nodded. “’Tis been foretold their union will bring peace to the Bladesedge clan and make the Tarberts prosperous as well. Once they are officially Mated, their son will be powerful.”
The wee human’s brows drew in. “Son?Married?”
“Nay. Mating is…” I frowned, fingers scratching at my chest as I tried to explain. “For my people, ‘tis more than just a marriage. ‘Tis acertainty,part of our very nature.”
I realized my claws were digging into my skin, the old insecurities rising to gnaw at my chest. “Drakolt and yer sister will feel this, and ken beyond all doubt they will spend a lifetime together.”
I could hear the longing in my voice, and hated it. I scowled, trying to make my tone harsher.
“Drakolt knew his Mate’s father would not accept his suit, so he took her. We did no’ expect two morefemales to be along. John said naught until last night.”
At the mention of his name, Effie shuddered and turned her attention to the ground ahead of her as she hobbled, her arms going around her waist as if she wanted to curl in on herself.
I cursed myself. Of course, she wouldn’t want to remember the bastard who had threatened to kill her.
Or the way I’d split his head in half for such an afront.
Palton’s Spear, just remembering the way she’d looked at me after I’d killed him…I shook my head in disgust at myself and my reaction to her fear. The way I’dwantedto gather her to me, but had refrained, because I knew I would only terrify her more.
Instead, I allowed my cousin to scoop her up. And traumatize her more.
“My brother commanded us to split up, to take the long routes back to our village so he could be certain there was nae pursuit.” ‘Twas easier to explain than to focus on the way the pleading in her blue eyes had made me feel. “I am going to my croft.Weare going.”
There.That was easy enough.
She still didn’t look convinced…but she nodded and hunched her shoulders.
Afraid of me? Well, who could blame her?
While the horses drank from the small spring, I passed some dried meat to Effie, and had some myself. Pretending interest in the animals, I watched her from the corner of my eye. Even the task of eating seemed to exhaust her.
It wasn’t until she tucked the half-eaten strip of tough meat into the pouch at her waist that I realized her jaw must still be sore, and chewing might be painful.Fook. I couldn’t even provide for her, could I? Once we reached my home, I vowed to feed her well.
When I deemed us all rested enough, I readied myself to swing up onto the mare’s back, but hesitated. “Do ye want to ride on yer own?”
She startled, gaze darting to my face, then away in a flash. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to mine once more, and I read the confusion there. “You would…allow that?”
I shrugged. “Ye look too tired to ride alone, and ye said ye had nae experience, but I thought I’d offer.”
She hesitated, glancing at the horse, then over her shoulder the way we came. Then she slumped and shook her head. “Nay…I cannot ride. I was never allowed to learn.”
