Page 43 of Song For His Siren
"Really?"
"Yes. Let's put in a little more distance, and we can stop to eat something."
She just nodded and allowed the feel of her giant orc behind her to keep her calm and centered. There was so much she wanted to know about her magic, about his magic, about why those orcs wanted to kill her and what difference it made whether she was his mate or not. But there would be time for her questions; she could tell he wasn't much in the mood to talk. Even with those scary orcs and all her unanswered questions, she still wanted to be right here, in her orc's arms.
As the day passed, the road was quiet. They stopped by a stream for a small meal and to water the horse, but mostly, they just rode the biggest horse she had ever seen. She was beginning to feel the ache of being on this majestic creature all day.
"How much longer?" she asked, not wanting to sound like a petulant child, but this was all so new to her. She had no frame of reference for anything, the land or how long it took to get anywhere by horseback.
"Not much further," he said as the forest around them cleared to reveal beautiful mountains in the distance.
"Is that your mountain?"
"It is not MY mountain, but yes, that is my home and where my clansmen live."
Khuldruk clicked his mouth and gave the house a squeeze with his legs, and he picked up the pace. In a short amount of time, they arrived at a big stable. Khuldruk got off the horse, and Calli almost fell off as the steadying force behind her left.
"Woah there, my pet," Dru said, steadying her and lifting her off the horse.
An orc with a long braid down his back came from the stable. "Khuldruk," he said as he walked forward, stepping and leaning into him. Khuldruk pressed his forehead to his in what she was learning was an orc greeting.
"Merock," he answered in greeting. "Is my brother in the mountain?"
"Yes."
"Thank you," he said as he handed the reins over to the new orc.
"I will take care of your horse and have your things sent to your dwelling."
The orc's eyes kept glancing at Calli.
"Forgive me," Dru said to Calli. "Merock, meet my mate, Calliope."
The orc knelt before her and took her hand, pressing it to his forehead.
"It's nice to meet you," Calli said with a soft smile.
"We must find my brother," Dru said as he took Calli's hand, and they entered the mountain.
23
CALLI
They passed through an entrance with four Orcs standing guard and went deep into the mountain. The passage around them grew darker as they continued to walk. The only source of light now was the torches that lined the walls. Again, the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing where she was and being completely dependent on the towering orc next to her started bubbling inside of her. As if he could sense it, Dru's big hand found the small of her back as they walked down the long, stone corridor.
"Are you frightened?" he asked quietly. The way the light caught his face, accentuating his large brow and tusks and the scar running along his cheek, could have made him an intimidating creature, but she felt nothing but fondness for him.
"Not frightened, just nervous."
"Don't be nervous, my pet. You bring much hope to this mountain. Your welcome will be warm."
They came to the end of the tunnel. Ahead of them was a giant door with guards on either side. Each of them lowered their heads as they passed, and two orcs beside them began to turn a big wheel, raising the door.
"Where might I find my brother?"
"He is in the war chamber," said one of the orcs.
The war chamber; she wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. All of this was starting to overwhelm her.
