Page 16

SIXTEEN

She tried to ignore the shouts and harsh words being thrown her way.

Amuleta held her head high.

Magoza and the warrior, Onyx, circled each other.

She and everyone had heard his threat to her.

I’m going to take great pleasure in filling that half-breed with my cock.

Maybe I’ll even fill her belly with a babe.

She cringed at his disgusting words.

She was slightly worried for Magoza, but the look on her face calmed Amuleta.

Her strong commander was not going to fail in this battle.

“Don’t listen to them,” Dura murmured.

The chiefess patted Amuleta on her knee.

Amuleta glanced over at her and offered a smile.

The crowd was growing rowdy.

More security had arrived at the box and stood as a blockade.

Amuleta had been shocked when she’d first arrived at the arena.

She had planned to enter with everyone else but had been stopped at the entrance.

“Lady Sesh? Amuleta Sesh?” A warrior stepped in front of her.

She blinked and raised her gaze to him.

“ Kraz , that’s me.” She inhaled sharply, unsure of what was going on.

She had kept her head down as she’d walked along with the flow of traffic.

“Please follow me. The chieftain has invited you to view the matches with him and his mate,” the warrior said.

His amber eyes were hard to read.

She nibbled on her lip, unsure if what he offered was true.

“Why?” she asked.

“I don’t question my chieftain. He told me to find you and bring you to him, so that is what I plan to do,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“Oh, okay. I guess,” she murmured.

She eyed the other two guards who stood behind him.

She wasn’t prepared for the stares as she was escorted through the arena.

When she arrived at the chieftain’s box, silence had fallen.

The nosy onlookers watched her be greeted by Tulak and Dura.

“Ah, there she is.” Tulak turned from an older male orc he had been in conversation with.

She had never been in this area of the arena.

It was definitely fit for a king, with its luxurious seating.

Chairs outfitted with gold- and deep-red cushions.

Tapestry decorating the railing while the floor was not the hard concrete like the rest of the arena, but a smooth white marble.

Tables were lined with delicious-smelling meats, fruits, and veggies.

It was a dream to be included with the royal family.

“Sir. Thank you for inviting me,” she said.

“You thought you wouldn’t be seated with us?” Dura stood from where she had been sitting.

She had a goblet in her hand filled with ale.

The chiefess offered a warm smile and came to stand next to her mate.

“You of all people deserve to be with us, almost more than our acquaintances who join us today.”

Amuleta’s eyes widened.

She glanced back at the others who were inside the box with them.

A few of the males were dressed as warriors while the others were in long robes that gave the sense they were orcs of status.

She understood what Tulak and Dura meant.

Because of her father, she belonged with them.

She, who had lived hidden away with her mother in the woods, while her father worked hard to protect them, had never felt this welcomed.

“Thank you,” Amuleta murmured.

Dura reached out and rubbed Amuleta’s shoulder and motioned for her to join her.

“Come. Let’s get you a drink and snacks. Today will be a long day,” Dura said.

Amuleta walked with her to the food spread and eyed everything.

She didn’t know what she was going to pick first. She wanted to try it all.

Dura laughed at her facial expression.

“Go ahead. No one will judge you.”

Amuleta smiled sheepishly and reached for a small plate.

She began filling it with delicious morsels of meats and saw a few of her favorite grilled veggies.

“Are you sure you want me up here?” Amuleta asked quietly.

Her smile faded; she felt eyes on her.

“You belong here. You are Magoza’s fated mate, and if we are going to have our people accept that, we must start with us. They need to see that Tulak and I are pleased with who the gods have chosen for our daughter,” Dura said.

Amuleta flicked her gaze to her.

A warmth spread in her chest. If she had any doubts about Magoza’s parents, they were slowly disappearing.

Amuleta had tried to talk her mother into meeting this royal couple, but Gelisha had refused.

She sat out the back in her favorite chair and hadn’t budged once it was time for Amuleta to leave for the village.

“I just pray that our people are as open-minded as you and your mate,” Amuleta replied.

“They will come around. Before I knew of you, I was in talks with a few other families regarding arranging a mating for Magoza. They may be disappointed to know that my daughter has found her fated mate.”

Amuleta blinked and focused on Magoza fighting Onyx.

Her mate was on the offense, striking Onyx’s sword with her axes.

She was not holding back, and the commander was out for blood.

Amuleta didn’t know what had transpired between the two prior to the match, but whatever it was, Magoza was out for his head.

“Look at her. She is going to make a fine chiefess,” Tulak boasted.

The chieftain stood to his feet and clapped for his daughter.

Pride was evident in his voice and the way he watched her.

Magoza’s axe had just sliced across Onyx’s chest, eliciting a wave of cheers.

Blood appeared from the gash and slid down his chest and torso, but he ignored it and continued to fight.

“Half-breeds don’t belong!” a voice shouted.

“Go back to where you came from!” another shouted.

“She’s a disgrace!”

“Half-breeds can’t be mates!”

It was getting harder for her to ignore what was being shouted from the spectators nearest the viewing box.

The tension in the air was already thick.

She remained seated and kept her eyes straight forward.

She didn’t want to give those naysayers an opportunity to see their words bothered her.

A commotion caused her to look over toward where a bunch of orcs were pushing at the guards, trying to get in the box.

Amuleta gasped. The guards shoved back and handled the orcs.

Hatred filled their eyes, and they continued to spew their words of displeasure that she was with the royal couple.

Amuleta stood to her feet and moved closer to the rail.

Her heart raced at the fighting growing worse.

More orcs came forward, shouting their hate-filled words.

“Don’t worry, Amuleta. No one will touch you.” Dura came to stand in front of Amuleta.

A scowl was on the chiefess’s face.

Her mate strode forward and barked orders for the crowd to settle down, but they were not listening.

A few more guards arrived and jumped into the melee to help out.

Dura gently pushed Amuleta behind her.

“Stay behind me.”

The roar of the crowd cut through the air at the same time the frenzied orcs broke into the viewing box.

Dura slipped a dagger from underneath her long skirt.

Amuleta’s eyes widened at the size of the knife.

The mob surged forward, gaining access into the private area.

Tulak roared and fought to gain control.

He was a massive-sized orc, and Amuleta didn’t know how these other orcs thought they would be able to go up against him or his guards.

The chieftain’s fist landed on the face of an orc, and it sent him flying backward.

Tulak was immediately turning to face another disgruntled orc who lunged in her direction.

Dura bent down in a defensive stance.

The guards and the chieftain warded off the crazed orcs.

They took a step back, the fight ensuing.

Amuleta jumped when a figure landed by her side.

Nargol.

Magoza’s sister must have climbed up the wall to get there.

She turned to Amuleta and shot her a wink.

“I hope I’m not too late for the party,” she said.

“Get over there and help your father,” Dura snapped.

She reached out behind her as if to check and make sure Amuleta was still there.

Amuleta glanced over her shoulder and found Magoza still locked in battle with Onyx.

“You think I’d let you two have all the fun without me?” Nargol smirked.

She rushed forward and began helping the chieftain and his guards.

It was beginning to get out of hand.

Bodies lay out on the ground.

Some were injured while others were unable to get up due to their arms being cuffed.

“Grab the half-breed!” a deep voice shouted.

A few orcs had made it past the warriors and headed straight toward her.

Amuleta screamed. Dura pushed off a male who was about the same height as she was.

She fell back against the rail and was able to keep herself from flipping backward over it.

The scene had turned into pure chaos.

The viewing box was being overrun by defiant orcs.

Amuleta stepped back and fell down onto her bottom.

She scooted back, praying no one saw her.

Whatever happened in the arena caused a roar to go up from every one still watching the match.

Amuleta just prayed Magoza was the victor.

A familiar cheer sounded from the arena.

Amuleta wanted to get up and look, but that would prove to be almost impossible.

“There she is!” a voice said.

Two male orcs came into view.

They advanced on her, but Amuleta had nowhere to go.

Her back was pressed against the railing.

She inhaled deeply, ready to release another scream.

Leather boots dropped down on the flooring next to her.

Amuleta looked up and gasped.

Magoza stood before her, bloodied and pissed off.

She ripped her axe from its sheath on her waist and let loose an enraged roar.

She dove forward and swung her weapon at the orcs who had Amuleta trapped.

The males escaped her sharp axe by jumping out of her way.

Amuleta cringed at the scenery.

The chieftain, his mate, and both Cydassi sisters were fighting off the orcs who had infiltrated the viewing box.

More guards showed up and dragged the invaders away.

The chaos that had erupted was now extinguished.

“Are you injured?” Magoza strode back to Amuleta.

She held out her hand.

Amuleta swallowed hard and shook her head.

She placed her hand into Magoza’s and allowed her to pull her to her feet.

Magoza’s gaze swept over her to check her out.

“No. I’m fine,” Amuleta murmured.

Her body trembled from the fear that was consuming her.

She’d been accustomed to being treated differently, but she’d never been the target of such violence.

She eyed the crowd who only watched from the stands.

Security was keeping them at bay, but it didn’t stop them from shouting their nasty words.

“Come. We must get her out of here.” Magoza sheathed her axe and turned to her parents.

“All of you. We must get you to safety.”

“I agree. There’s no telling what else they will try,” Nargol said.

“You think we will run?” The chiefess stood next to her mate with a scowl.

She had fought against the angry protesters.

The chief placed a hand on her arm.

“They are right. We mustn’t stay here. Let’s go. We will discuss this later.” Tulak motioned to the warriors who remained behind providing protection.

“But what about your match?” Amuleta said.

She turned back to the ring and gasped.

Onyx lay spread out on the dirt of the arena with a gash that ran the length of his chest. It appeared to be a fatal wound.

There was arena staff around him preparing to move his body onto a cart.

Amuleta moved closer to Magoza.

“Is he dead?”

“He’d better be,” Magoza snarled.

She began herding them toward the exit of the box.

Amuleta tightened her grip on her hand as they exited the area.

They walked down a short hallway that would lead to the open crowd.

She swallowed hard, not knowing what to expect once they reached the arena.

She had prepared herself that she and Magoza’s relationship may not be accepted, but she had never thought it would come to this.

Would she and her mother ever be safe in Udenia again?

What have you done, danhas ?

Her mother’s words whispered in her head.

Had she known? Had she had a premonition and she’d never shared it with Amuleta?

“We have to get my mother. She won’t be safe,” Amuleta whispered.

Magoza jerked her head in a nod.

“Don’t worry, mate. No harm will come to her,” Magoza replied grimly.

She guided Amuleta through a secret door that suddenly appeared midway down the tunnel.

Amuleta gasped, not having had seen the doorway when they had passed through here earlier.

It was a darkened stairwell that was lit with sconces aligning the wall.

She followed Magoza down the winding stairs while the others came down behind her.

They exited through a door where an enclosed royal carriage anchored to four shukans sat waiting for them.

There was a dirt road that ran underneath the arena.

Even from underneath the building she could see the bright light of the suns.

The road led into the thick forest that was positioned near the arena.

“Where are we?” she murmured.

Magoza escorted her over to the carriage where a guard opened the door for them.

“It’s a private entrance for the clan leader for such situations,” Magoza replied.

They settled on the plush seating as Nargol, Tulak, and Dura entered.

The door was slammed shut once they all were seated.

Magoza turned to her family.

“Everyone good?”

“Of course. Do you think we would not be?” The chieftain was beyond pissed.

He ran a hand over his face.

“This was unacceptable, and those who participated in the attempt to harm and kidnap your mate will pay.”

“I agree. Never has this ever happened, and we will remind Aghon who we are.” Dura turned to her mate.

“Do you think?—”

“We shall see. I agree. This has never happened before, and I know this was not our villagers. These were orcs from outside, and I plan to get to the bottom of it.”

Amuleta settled back against her seat, filled with worry.

The carriage rocked as it began moving.

She reached for Magoza’s hand again, needing to feel anchored.

Now doubt entered her mind.

Magoza was to prove herself to their people so she could be in line for the throne next.

If the orcs of Aghon were so against Magoza mating a half-breed, would that cost Magoza everything she had worked her entire life for?