Page 9 of Wagered to the Orc
Chapter 3
Effie
I had never believed the old stories about orcs living in a world like our own, but I had to admit that the last few hours had convinced me.
And if someone had asked me where orcs lived, I would have guessed caves or mayhap huts. But this cottage was as cozy and well-appointed as any in Lord Tarbert’s keep…although a little dilapidated from misuse. Even so, Korvak’s home was as beautiful as the western Highlands and islands I knew.
At his command, I entered the croft as he dealt with the horses, and had enough time to open the shutters to let in air, find a rag from a neatly folded stack in the corner, and begin to dust.
When he entered, he stopped short, and I saw surprise flicker across his face.
“What are ye doing?”
What did it look like I was doing? I glanced down at myself, knowing how filthy I was.
“Um…cleaning, Master?”
Somethingflickered in his eyes, something that looked greedy at the wordMaster, but he merely shook his head and turned away, stomping toward the hearth.
“My name is Korvak,” he finally muttered. “This is my space, I should clean it.”
“I—I am sorry.”
He made a noise like a snort, and I suddenly felt embarrassed for trying to clean. Was that not my role here? John had never kept me in his quarters, never expected me to clean. He had only expected me to make myself available when his urges hit him…
Mayhap the rules for owning a human were the same to the orcs.
I swallowed, trying to understand the way my stomach flipped at the thought.
I did notwantto be a slave, to be owned…but Korvak had wagered and won me. I was his, to do with as he pleased. Would he…would he use me the way John had?
Why did the thought not fill me with horror, as it should?
He straightened suddenly, turning to study me. “What is it?”
I opened my mouth, not certain how to respond.
I saw his nostrils flare, and for just a moment, his gaze dropped to my hips before he looked away. Or mayhap not my hips, but my…core. I swallowed, pulse suddenly loud in my ears.
Could he tell that my body had betrayed me? That I was not quite horrified at the thought of being commanded to…toservicea male such as he? I needed a convenient lie.
“I... I was just hungry.”
His eyes narrowed, gaze dropping once more to my cunny before darting toward the hearth. “I’ll make—Hells,” he growled, reaching for the metal pot dangling from the metal crane over the empty hearth. “Lid was left askew. Prime place for—aye.”
Unable to help myself, I moved forward. “What is it?”
Sighing, he placed the lid on the mantel and lifted the pot in both hands, turning to show it to me.There was a pile of fluff and hay, with a terrified rodent scurrying among her squeaking babies.
“Mouse nest. Nay,” he commanded, slapping one large palm over the top and tilting his chin so it looked as if he was speaking into the hole. “Stay in there.”
He was speaking to the mouse?
“Do you want me to…?” I couldn’t say the words. The wee mouse bairns were so tiny and helpless; my stomach twisted at the thought of killing them. But this washishome, and he would want them disposed of.
But he surprised me.
Sighing again, he stomped out the door and returned a moment later empty-handed. He crossed to the pile in the corner and pulled free an oiled leather.
