ELEVEN

“You fought with great honor, Commander,” Aguk remarked.

Magoza winced from the sting of the herbs the healer used to cleanse her wounds.

She glanced over to find him observing her.

He was a great warrior who fought underneath her.

He was currently working as a guard for the participants of the trials.

He was dressed in his formal leathers.

He bowed his head to her and pounded a fist above his heart.

“Golub was definitely a challenge. I’m honored to have fought and defeated him.” She smirked.

She nodded to Aguk who snorted.

“He was certainly a mountain. His family is boasting that the great commander defeated him,” Aguk said.

Golub had already come to her and given his congratulations.

He was an honorable warrior.

He had tried his best which Magoza appreciated.

It would help her prepare for the next battle.

“And now the commander needs to rest and allow her body to heal,” Sharma, the healer, muttered.

Magoza chuckled at Sharma’s scowl.

She was one of the elder healers of their clan.

She had healed many of Magoza’s battle wounds.

“I’ll be fine, Sharma. Don’t worry,” Magoza said.

She gave another nod to Aguk who bowed then turned and stalked away.

The infirmary was currently filled with healers scrambling around to attend to the participants of the trials.

“Worry? Ha! Why should I? You will be back here again with more wounds for me to sew up, pack, and cover in salve,” Sharma muttered.

She reached down for her needle and thread.

She motioned for Magoza to turn slightly to present her shoulder to her.

“Come. I need to sew up this wound that is determined to continue to bleed. There will be no infection on my watch.”

Magoza bit back a smile and turned as Sharma directed.

This was not the first time she’d been sewed up, and she knew it wasn’t going to be the last time.

Life as a warrior guaranteed that she would become well acquainted with the healers of their clan.

She barely felt the prick of the needle or the tugging of the skin as Sharma worked.

She ignored Sharma’s grumbling about stubborn warriors.

The old orc may fuss over Magoza, but she proudly attended to her and all of the warriors.

It was a great honor to serve as a healer for a clan.

Each healer was well respected for their knowledge and expertise.

Magoza’s thoughts drifted to her conversation with her father.

He’d been shocked when she’d announced that Amuleta was her fated mate.

“Are you sure?” Tulak ran a trembling hand across his face.

“As sure as I know Nogora gave her heart for us,” Magoza answered without hesitation.

It was a knowing that was deep inside her.

She couldn’t explain it, but she accepted it without question.

One did not doubt the gods and fate.

He came to stand before her and rested his hand on her shoulder.

He had a tenderness in his eyes that had her almost feeling like she had when she was a young child coming to him with her problems.

“I’m happy that you have found your fated mate, but…” He paused, shook his head, and gave her a squeeze.

She already knew what he was about to say before the words even fell from his lips.

“I doubt the kingdom will accept a half-breed on the throne next to you.”

Hearing the words aloud was like taking a knife to the heart.

Her people should accept her mate without question.

Especially a fated mate.

No one should stand between fate and the gods.

“Then I shall make them,” she vowed.

He released her and folded his arms in front of his chest.

“And how will you do that? Fight every single man and woman in the village? In Aghon? Lose the trust and love of every orc who follows us? Who has bowed down to us? Is that what you would do? Create a divide in Aghon? That is not the making of a great leader,” he said.

“Then what shall I do?”

“Start praying to the gods for an answer.”

“I’m done. Now you need to go and soak in the healing baths,” Sharma instructed.

Magoza blinked, not having realized that the healer had finished.

Sharma wiped her hands to remove Magoza’s blood from them.

She nodded toward the door that led to the bathing rooms.

“ Shamir omie ,” Magoza murmured.

She slid off the bed and stood to her full height.

Her body ached in muscles she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She grimaced at the tightness on her shoulder.

She glanced down at it and ran a finger over the pristine stitching.

“ Wulcimu .” Sharma nodded.

She batted Magoza’s hand away from her handiwork.

“Leave that alone. Go. Soak for a few minutes to allow the healing salts to help your body.”

Magoza chuckled and leaned forward to press a kiss to Sharma’s weathered cheek.

“I will send your favorites to your home,” Magoza murmured.

Sharma was well known to have a sweet tooth.

The healer always welcomed Magoza’s gifts.

She would have desserts, fruits, and a few bottles of wine delivered to the healer’s home.

She and her mate would appreciate them.

“Go.” Sharma shooed her away, but Magoza didn’t miss her smile as she turned to clean up the mess that had been created by Magoza’s injuries.

Magoza headed to the bathing room where she looked forward to the quick soak.

She needed to get the bloodied clothing off her.

She nodded toward a few warriors as she passed.

Some she knew, others she didn’t, but they all deserved her respect whether or not they were advancing in the trials.

She exited the infirmary and went into one of the bathing rooms where servants waited.

There were plenty of pools for warriors to come and soak in.

The healing power of the waters were always appreciated.

From experience, Magoza knew her body would feel like new after a good soak.

“Commander. Please come with me.” A pretty servant came forward.

The female orc was draped in a sheer white dress that didn’t hide much of her voluptuous body.

She took Magoza’s hand and guided her to a pool in the back.

It gave Magoza an opportunity to view the entire room.

“My name is Vessa. I will be your attendant.”

“ Shamir omie,” Magoza murmured.

They arrived at the deep pool that was a welcoming sight.

Her muscles were screaming to her, and she eyed the water, unable to wait to get in.

“Of course. It will be my pleasure to assist you in whatever you may need,” Vessa replied.

Her gaze swept over Magoza.

It was well known that the attendants in the healing bath houses were full service.

Had this been any time before Magoza had found her mate, she would have taken Vessa up on her unspoken offer.

“That is very kind of you, but I will only require a healing soak and clean clothing.” Magoza reached for her tunic and began to work the leather ties at her waist.

“Yes, Commander. Let’s get you in the water, then I will gather what you need.” She offered a smile, but the disappointment was apparent in her eyes.

Magoza couldn’t care less.

She had found her mate and would always be true to her.

Whether Amuleta accepted her or not, Magoza belonged to her.

There would be no other.

Vessa assisted Magoza in removing her bloodied fighting leathers and boots.

Once she was completely naked, Magoza sank into the warm water.

A hiss released from her lips at the sensation of the water.

She went over to the seating ledge and settled down.

The water was high enough to cover her chest.

Vessa went about adding herbs and concoctions to the water.

A light floral scent permeated the air.

Magoza settled back and rested her arms on the ledge behind her.

While the waters healed her aching muscles, she would think of a plan to claim her mate and not lose her kingdom at the same time.

“Commander!” Her title was shouted out by dozens of people.

Magoza stepped out of the arena healing doors and was bombarded by villagers.

They flocked to her, offering their congratulations.

“I knew you were going to win!” A tall orc laughed.

Her people were beaming with pride.

A win for her was a win for them.

She allowed them to get close as they wanted to touch her and offer their prayers for her next fight.

There were dozens of orcs waiting near the warriors’ exit.

Participating in the trials tended to raise the status of each fighter.

Their notoriety would rise amongst the village folk and across Aghon.

“I thank you for the faith,” Magoza murmured.

It did make her feel good to know that her people were rooting for her.

Just because her last name was Cydassi didn’t mean they would be behind her.

There were those out there who were against her family leading the Nidani Clan.

“How about we celebrate, Commander?” a husky voice suggested.

Magoza turned and found two females standing next to her.

With their amber eyes outlined in kohl, striking features, pearly white tusks, long dark hair left hanging around their shoulders, and thick curvy bodies, there was no question they were trying to catch a warrior’s attention.

They were everything she would have gone for before, but as she gazed upon the beautiful orc females, she felt nothing.

The second female came to stand on the other side of Magoza and ran her hand over her injured arm.

“We can certainly help you relax tonight. After that fight, I’m sure you need release,” she boldly stated in front of the crowd.

“Me and Altina could help you.” The first one offered a sensual smile.

The hairs on the back of Magoza’s neck stood up.

Eyes were on her, and the sensation of being watched had her on alert.

She glanced up from the two women and casually looked around.

Across the way she was met with the gaze of one amber and one brown eye.

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.

“Thank you, but it was not needed.” She gave them a nod and guided Amuleta behind her.

She walked toward the stable where her shukan was waiting for her.

“Where are we going?” Amuleta asked.

She had to jog to keep up with Magoza.

Magoza slowed down to allow Amuleta to walk next to her.

“Back to Angarth.” Magoza tugged her closer.

She ignored the stares from the villagers as they strolled down the road.

Many were still out due to the trials.

With the abundance of travelers coming into town for the event, every inn would be filled to capacity.

The pubs and bars would be packed as well, as many would be celebrating the wins and losses of the day.

“But I can’t leave Lulu.” Amuleta tugged on her hand.

Magoza spun to her with an arched eyebrow. “Who is Lulu?”