Page 49 of The Iron Oath
Magoza exited the sitting room. Footsteps approached. She stalked down the hall toward the corner where Amuleta should be coming from.
“Oh, I didn’t expect you to be there,” Amuleta gasped. She stepped back in shock.
The warrior who had escorted her banged his fist on his chest, then he disappeared in the direction Magoza had just come from. They were alone in the hallway and didn’t have much time.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to speak with you before you went into the room,” Magoza said.
“What is going on?” Amuleta’s eyes grew wide.
Her bottom lip trembled slightly, and it took everything in Magoza to not scoop her up and carry her away from here. Magoza took in Amuleta’s beauty. Her mate must have bathed. A floral scent filled Magoza’s nostrils. She breathed in the aroma and wanted to nuzzle her face into the crook of Amuleta’s neck.
Magoza gently cupped Amuleta’s face and tried to soften her words.
“There was a Council of Clans formed. This only happens when there is concern over Aghon. It takes six clan leaders to make the council,” Magoza began, trying to explain who the orcs were who had arrived when they had. Her mate would need to be prepped before going into the room.
“And they feel I am a threat to Aghon?”
“Not just you, but us as a couple.” Magoza leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Amuleta’s lips. Magoza was willing to go to the end of this world for her mate. Staring down in her eyes, she knew that no matter what came of this, she would remain true to her. She would follow fate and honor the gods for giving her Amuleta. “They want to speak with you.”
“And you will be there with me?” Amuleta whispered.
“Wild zicunas wouldn’t be able to tear me away,” Magoza replied softly. She reached up and brushed Amuleta’s dark strands from her face. Whether she was the future chiefess of not, none of that would matter if Amuleta was not at her side. She smiled at her. “I love you, Amuleta Sesh. No matter what happens in that room, we will walk out together.”
Amuleta brought her hands to rest on Magoza’s waist. Her lips curled up in the corners. Her beauty took Magoza’s breath away. She closed the gap between them.
“I love you, too, Magoza Cydassi. I didn’t realize it until now. I think I’ve known since the first day I saw you at the training site,” she whispered.
Magoza dropped another kiss on her lips.
Amuleta giggled and shook her head. “And maybe I do feel that we are meant to be together. It’s a strange warming sensation in my chest that appeared out of nowhere. Maybe my orc genes are trying to tell me what I figured out on my own.”
Happiness filled Magoza. Her mate loved her. She didn’t care what happened in that room. All she knew was that she had the love of the woman destined for her.
But before they went in there, she had to tell Amuleta one more thing.
“Your father’s cousin, Sakgu, is part of the council,” Magoza said.
Something flared in Amuleta’s eyes. “He’s here now?” Her chin tilted up.
At that moment, Magoza could see the former commander in his daughter. Amuleta stood to her full height with a stubborn tilt of her chin.
“He is.”
“Lead the way. I’m ready.”
TWENTY
Amuleta walked behind Magoza.She held her head high for she knew they were judging her from the moment she stepped foot into the room. She beat down the feeling of nervousness. Now was not the time to be scared.
She had been shocked when the warrior had come knocking at the bedroom door. She had recently bathed and had put her pajamas on when the knock sounded. After she had ensured her mother was resting comfortably, she’d changed her clothes quickly then followed the warrior.
She was going to have to convince this council that she and Magoza belonged together and they should not punish Magoza as her father had been punished. She moved from behind Magoza and took in the orcs sitting at the massive wooden table. The Cydassi couple sat at the head while Nargol stood posted along the wall near them. Amuleta didn’t say a word as she approached. Her gaze landed on one of the clan leaders, and her breath caught in her throat.
If she hadn’t known her father was dead, she would say he was sitting at the table now.
Sakgu Resh, the powerful orc clan leader who’d banished his own kin, was an exact replica. He slowly stood and stared at her with a shocked expression. She never would have thought she would be in the same room as the person who’d banished her father. Because of him, their family had to move and live in secrecy.
But she didn’t regret how she was raised. She’d had two adoring parents who’d showered her with attention and love.
