Page 30 of The Iron Oath
Amuleta.
She was there and perched on a stone wall with thick trees providing her shade. Her beauty took Magoza’s breath away.
“I’m sorry, ladies, but I’m going to have to pass,” Magoza said without breaking the stare she held with Amuleta.
She stared with bated breath. Amuleta hopped down from where she sat and brushed her hands down her long flowing brown skirt. It had a slit that went up to stop below her waist. Magoza was sure it assisted with her riding a beast. Her shoulders were left bare with her off-the-shoulder blouse. Her hair spilled over one shoulder. She bit her lips and hesitated to come forward.
Magoza lifted a hand and bid her forward. She took a few steps, the crowd parting to allow her to move. They fell silent and looked to who had Magoza’s attention. They were almost forgotten by Magoza. Amuleta ambled toward her. At first there was a shyness to her when she took in the crowd near Magoza, but something in her switched. She tilted her chin up, held her head high, confidence blossoming in her. Magoza grew proud. She held her hand out and waited for her to arrive. It didn’t take long before Amuleta stood in front of her and slipped her smaller hand into Magoza’s.
“You came,” Magoza breathed. She cared not that they had an audience. She clutched Amuleta’s hand and drew her close.
“Of course. How could I miss the trials?” Amuleta flicked her gaze to those watching them. The shyness was returning to her eyes.
Magoza squeezed her hand slightly to ward it off. If she were to sit on the throne with Magoza, she was going to have to be the confident Amuleta who was used to people staring at her.
“You were magnificent. I prayed to Nogora that you would be victorious.”
“It would seem she listened to your prayers.” Magoza grinned.
She raised Amuleta’s hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of the wrist. She ignored the gasps and whispers from behind them. This public display of affection would be risky. Amuleta’s eyes widened. She tried to tug her hand away, but Magoza refused to release her.
“Please. Accompany me.”
“I was at the market before coming here?—”
“Do you need assistance with your table? I can send warriors to collect?—”
“I sold out of everything today. Thanks to the abundance of shoppers from the travelers visiting. I don’t need help with anything.”
“Then you are free to come with me.” Magoza wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“A half-breed. She could have any female?—”
Magoza didn’t give the man a chance to finish his thought. She spun around with a vicious growl escaping her. She rested a hand on one of her trusty axes and glared at the crowd standing behind her.
“Who dare speak of me in such a manner?” She snarled.
Her muscles tensed, and she eyed the males. No one would meet her gaze. The guards nearby must have heard her. They stalked toward her. She eyed them and raised an eyebrow.
“Not so bold to speak your words to my face? Only gossip like little old females?”
Altina nodded toward the tall male who stood next to her. She moved out of the way, and Magoza pushed through the others and came to stand before him. His audible gulp could be heard. He glanced at Magoza then looked away.
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” he muttered.
The warriors circled the group and waited for Magoza’s command. She gave a shake of her head. She wouldn’t need them to deal with this coward.
“Who I choose to entertain is none of your business,” she snapped. Magoza recognized this type of orc. Always had something to say about others, but when confronted no longer had anything else to say. He wouldn’t be worth her time. She spun around and eyed the crowd. Her father’s words echoed in her head. She refused to become a tyrant. Not in the name of love and fate. She’d find some other way to get her people to accept Amuleta. “Go. Have drinks. Celebrate this first round of the trials. Great warriors were victorious. Celebrate in their honor.”
The tension in the air disappeared.
“Hear! Hear!”
Shouts echoed around. The crowd disbanded, leaving Amuleta with Magoza. She moved over to Amuleta and took her hand again.
Magoza turned to the guards. “Thanks, but I had everything under control.”
“Yes, Commander. We just wanted to ensure your safety,” one of them said.
