Page 40 of The Iron Oath
I’m going to take great pleasure in filling that half-breed with my cock. Maybe I’ll even fill her belly with a babe.
She cringed at his disgusting words. She was slightly worried for Magoza, but the look on her face calmed Amuleta. Her strong commander was not going to fail in this battle.
“Don’t listen to them,” Dura murmured. The chiefess patted Amuleta on her knee.
Amuleta glanced over at her and offered a smile. The crowd was growing rowdy. More security had arrived at the box and stood as a blockade.
Amuleta had been shocked when she’d first arrived at the arena. She had planned to enter with everyone else but had been stopped at the entrance.
“Lady Sesh? Amuleta Sesh?” A warrior stepped in front of her.
She blinked and raised her gaze to him.
“Kraz, that’s me.” She inhaled sharply, unsure of what was going on. She had kept her head down as she’d walked along with the flow of traffic.
“Please follow me. The chieftain has invited you to view the matches with him and his mate,” the warrior said. His amber eyes were hard to read.
She nibbled on her lip, unsure if what he offered was true.
“Why?” she asked.
“I don’t question my chieftain. He told me to find you and bring you to him, so that is what I plan to do,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“Oh, okay. I guess,” she murmured.
She eyed the other two guards who stood behind him. She wasn’t prepared for the stares as she was escorted through the arena. When she arrived at the chieftain’s box, silence had fallen. The nosy onlookers watched her be greeted by Tulak and Dura.
“Ah, there she is.” Tulak turned from an older male orc he had been in conversation with.
She had never been in this area of the arena. It was definitely fit for a king, with its luxurious seating. Chairs outfitted with gold- and deep-red cushions. Tapestry decorating the railing while the floor was not the hard concrete like the rest of the arena, but a smooth white marble. Tables were lined with delicious-smelling meats, fruits, and veggies. It was a dream to be included with the royal family.
“Sir. Thank you for inviting me,” she said.
“You thought you wouldn’t be seated with us?” Dura stood from where she had been sitting. She had a goblet in her hand filled with ale. The chiefess offered a warm smile and came to stand next to her mate. “You of all people deserve to be with us, almost more than our acquaintances who join us today.”
Amuleta’s eyes widened. She glanced back at the others who were inside the box with them. A few of the males were dressed as warriors while the others were in long robes that gave the sense they were orcs of status. She understood what Tulak and Dura meant. Because of her father, she belonged with them.
She, who had lived hidden away with her mother in the woods, while her father worked hard to protect them, had never felt this welcomed.
“Thank you,” Amuleta murmured.
Dura reached out and rubbed Amuleta’s shoulder and motioned for her to join her.
“Come. Let’s get you a drink and snacks. Today will be a long day,” Dura said.
Amuleta walked with her to the food spread and eyed everything. She didn’t know what she was going to pick first. She wanted to try it all.
Dura laughed at her facial expression. “Go ahead. No one will judge you.”
Amuleta smiled sheepishly and reached for a small plate. She began filling it with delicious morsels of meats and saw a few of her favorite grilled veggies.
“Are you sure you want me up here?” Amuleta asked quietly. Her smile faded; she felt eyes on her.
“You belong here. You are Magoza’s fated mate, and if we are going to have our people accept that, we must start with us. They need to see that Tulak and I are pleased with who the gods have chosen for our daughter,” Dura said.
Amuleta flicked her gaze to her. A warmth spread in her chest. If she had any doubts about Magoza’s parents, they were slowly disappearing. Amuleta had tried to talk her mother into meeting this royal couple, but Gelisha had refused. She sat out the back in her favorite chair and hadn’t budged once it was time for Amuleta to leave for the village.
“I just pray that our people are as open-minded as you and your mate,” Amuleta replied.
