Page 48 of The Iron Oath
The silence in the room was deafening. Each member of the council stilled as they stared at her father.
“This half-breed is Magoza’s fated mate? How can that be?” Larek asked.
“Fate, that’s how. Do you think we would take this lightly? Do you think I was jesting when I said the bargaining between our families was closed?” Dura said.
The males around the table shifted uncomfortably. When Dura Cydassi spoke, everyone listened.
“Today an unspeakable event occurred at the trials. A large group of unruly orcs attacked and attempted to kidnap the mate of my daughter.”
“These were not orcs from our clan. Do any of you want to claim the orcs who are sitting in my dungeons right now?” Tulak snapped. “Their actions are punishable by death. They attempted to harm not only their chieftain, but my mate, my daughter’s mate, and honored guests.”
“And you are sure they are not from your clan?” Cardu asked dryly.
“Oh, I am sure of that,” Tulak said.
“We will get to the bottom of it,Ranhos,” Nargol said from where she stood. There was no smile on her face at the moment. “And when we find out which clans they belong to…” She let her words fade. There was an unspoken promise hanging in the air. The clans would be held accountable for their clan members’ actions.
“Who is this half-breed? Where do they hail from?” Ragesh stroked his chin as he leaned back. The clan leader of the Jungshen was known as a calculating orc.
“And what clan do they belong to?” Yagnar added.
Tulak folded his arms and flicked his gaze to Magoza. She already knew what he was asking, and if they must know then the secret would need to be disclosed. She hated to be the one to reveal her mate’s lineage without asking her, but it was necessary. Magoza gave a slight nod to her father.
“The female’s name is Amuleta Sesh,” Tulak announced.
Gasps went around the room. There was no doubt that the council recognized Amuleta’s surname.
“That can’t be!” Sakgu shouted. His fist slammed down on the table. He pushed back and stood.
Magoza’s hand dropped down to her axe while Nargol’s went to her dagger on her waist. Tulak growled at the clan leader’s outburst.
“It is so. Xagok had a family, and his daughter is Magoza’s mate,” Tulak replied with a low warning in his voice. He was a patient male, but he never tolerated disrespect.
“I demand to see her,” Sakgu insisted.
“Why? Why do you need to see her now? She has been living here in Udenia her entire life. She belongs to the Nidani Clan.” Magoza couldn’t hold back any longer. She was going to protect her mate at all costs. She may have had to divulge her lineage, but she refused to allow this male access to her mate.
“Magoza speaks the truth. Amuleta was raised under the protection of the Nidani,” Tulak said. “You don’t get to make demands. She and her mother have arrived here today and are resting.”
“Xagok’s mate is here as well?” A flash of pain crossed Sakgu’s face.
Magoza grew puzzled. From what she was told, Xagok had been banished from his home clan. Why would that bother Sakgu if he was the one who’d banished his own flesh and blood?
“Please. Allow me to see them.”
“We aren’t here for a family reunion, Sakgu. You can meet your dead cousin’s family—” Drigka, the leader of the Kekshi Clan, began. He hadn’t said much the entire meeting.
“Watch your tone,” Sakgu cut him off. “Show some respect. No matter what happened between my cousin and my clan, he was a good male, a fine warrior, and you will respect him in death.”
“If you are saying that your former commander had a family then I agree with Sakgu. We should meet the half-breed,” Larek said.
Nods of agreement went around the table.
“Her name is Amuleta. Not half-breed,” Magoza said. Her mate was a beautiful female who needed to be respected. She had hoped she would be able to avoid bringing her into this mess. Meeting her was not going to change their minds, but on the chance that it did, then it would be worth it.
Her mother turned to her and stood from her seat.
“Send for her.”
