Page 52 of Loved By the Orc
“The Southpeaks owe us retribution!” Brachard bellows. “Our own fairest maiden, deflowered! King Vronas promised she would be returned untouched.”
Negan raises her brows. “King Vronas? He promised me to his sons. I escaped that night.”
“I was told they were in love.” My own father shrugs, thinking it’s no big deal. He has no idea how much weight Negan’s words carry. In our world, the king’s word is final and he is a selfish king.
“Yes. To Varguk. But you tried to mate me with your other two sons.”
He scowls. “’Tis our way. If something happens to Levi, Auglesh is still your mate.”
But then King Jacovi of the Blackhearts steps up to where Brachard and Oshin stand. The two Blackhearts standing side by side are vicious, their faces blackened with warpaint.
Brachard acknowledges him with a silent nod of his head. “This is war,” Brachard says grimly. “You better hope Negan does carry a brat because it will be the last one of your line. You kidnapped and forcibly mated a member of the fierce Blackhearts—my own goddaughter—to the Southpeaks. In retribution, we will wipe out every member of your clan, not just King Vronas’s line. Every man, woman, and child. The only hint left of your DNA will be through Negan’s offspring.”
I can feel the shock that rolls through our people.
“Wait.” King Agor steps forward. “You have King Vronas’s son as payment. Surely his firstborn’s life is enough reparation for that which all his sons caused?”
“We have Varguk imprisoned because he was her guard—who failed to protect her from being kidnapped. What of the actual kidnappers?” Oshin asks.
“You dare suggest my own sons—” My father is livid.
“We all know who was to blame if something happened. A son of the royal line. Bastard or not, they’ll find themselves at war for touching one of ours,” Brachard says. “And King Vronas, yours touched. My. Precious. Goddaughter.”
“You have my firstborn to punish—”
“Silence!” King Agor shouts at him.
“Yes.” Brachard’s voice is cold when it quiets. “I do. But I want more.”
“What is it you wish?” Agor asks Brachard.
“A fate worse than death,” Brachard says. “Your sons were competing to be leader of King Vronas’s group, aye? I wish that chance stripped from both.”
My father sucks in his breath.
“You know that means they must be maimed?” King Agor asks.
“Aye, I’m aware. You do it or I shall. I want all three punished. Varguk—the one who gave his oath—will spend a lifetime of servitude to my clan. The other two will be maimed, preventing them from ever competing for rule. And none of King Vronas’s sons will ever take over his rule.” He shrugs. “Which son has it worse? The lifetime sentence? Or the maiming? In any case, it’s three sons’ lives or the lives of your entire people. You pick.”
I have no doubt my father will pick the lives of his sons—though, to be fair, his legitimate sons having such a punishment will be a slap in the face for him. Not that he cares that much, but without an heir, he is at a disadvantage to remain ruler of his line. He can be challenged by any male for his throne. In many ways, the clever West Mountain king is taking out a king without trying.
“Surely this is too harsh,” my father says in a more cajoling tone. “The maiden looks well. Untouched except for one, who will pay with his life. You may even take it, if you so desire. He knew what he was doing when he made the royal oath to her.”
“We all know who to blame when something happens. A son of the royal line. Bastard or not, they’ll find themselves at war for touching one of ours.” Oshin cracks his knuckles. “I say we wipe out all of them. It was a King’s son who dared touch her.”
“Well, now, we’re willing to have Varguk take the punishment—”
“Wait!” Jacovi says.
The entire Royal Guard turn their heads to look toward him.
“Should the Southpeak prisoner be Blackheart property?” he asks, tilting his head toward Brachard.
Brachard taps his temple. “I’m considering it. As I think about it, it was a deal Varguk of the Southpeaks made with West Mountain orcs. Varguk is a prisoner because he failed in his duty of keeping my goddaughter safe.”
Negan steps forward. “As your goddaughter, is it within my right to request a boon?”
“Aye, my child,” Brachard replies. “However, your boon should have nothing to do with the Southpeak. We do not play with our toys. You should know that since your own father was a prisoner here.”
