Page 20
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.
“You look just like him,” she said, breaking the silence.
She ignored everyone else.
There was so much she wanted to say to this orc, but she bit her tongue.
“And you look like him as well,” Sakgu murmured.
He blew out a deep breath and raised a trembling hand.
He ran it over his jawline.
“You are doing well here? Are you and your mother in need of anything?”
“You don’t need to worry yourself about me or my mother,” she replied dryly.
If he hadn’t been worried about her in all of her thirty-two solars, he needn’t start now.
She broke the stare and scanned the room.
She tilted her chin and figured she might as well introduce herself.
“My name is Amuleta Sesh, daughter of Xagok and Gelisha Sesh. I’m sure you can see that I am of mixed heritage. My mother, a human, was the fated mate to my father.”
Murmurs went around the room.
She was not going to back down and allow them to bully her.
She was tired of people trying to decide where she belonged, what she could do based on what she was made up of.
She was proud to be half orc and half human.
“And I am the fated mate to Magoza Cydassi.”
“And you can feel the bond?” one of the orcs asked.
Amuleta slipped her hand into Magoza’s.
She glanced over at her mate and smiled.
“Yes. I can feel it here.” She placed a hand over her heart.
She didn’t know who all of these clan leaders were, but she was going to make sure that they all knew exactly how she felt about this entire situation.
“Why would the gods create a mating bond between a full-blood orc and a?—”
“Do you usually go around questioning the gods?” she cut off the clan leader.
Something came over her that she couldn’t control.
She bit back a little growl and eyed all of the males at the table.
Dura sat in her chair with a smile on her lips.
She gave Amuleta a nod in support while Magoza squeezed her hand.
“Last I heard when you questioned the gods it made them angry.”
“It’s not that we questioned the gods, we want to understand their decisions,” another leader, who had gray-and-black hair, said.
He gave a nonchalant shrug as he continued.
“For centuries our chieftain has mated with another full-blown orc. It’s tradition. I’m not sure how much you know of orc history and tradition?—”
“I know plenty. I know how orcs treat those who are not like them. I know what it feels to be treated as lower class because I’m only half orc. I know that there are plenty of ‘half-breeds’ in existence with different races. You don’t seriously think I am the only mixed race to live?” She released Magoza’s hand and took a step toward the table.
Anger filled her that they were so fixated on the simple fact that only one of her parents was an orc.
“I think it is you who doesn’t know the orc history and tradition, sir.”
“I beg your pardon,” the elder orc sputtered.
He sat forward and narrowed his gaze on her.
“Be careful?—”
“Choose your words wisely, Cardu.” Magoza’s hand rested on the handle of her axe.
“This is my mate you are speaking to.”
“And you insult her, you insult Angarth,” Tulak snarled.
The chieftain narrowed his hard gaze on the clan leader.
Amuleta pushed down the shock at being claimed by the chieftain.
Never in a million solars would she have thought the chieftain would defend her.
But she guessed that being the mate of his daughter meant something to him.
“I move to allow Magoza and Amuleta to complete their mating bond. Should she win the trials she can be awarded the official title of heir to the chiefdom,” Sakgu announced.
“What?” Cardu snapped.
“Have you lost your mind? You are only saying that because you feel guilty about banishing your cousin because of his human mate.”
“Again, what goes on in my clan is none of your business.” Sakgu faced Amuleta and stood to his full height.
“You have the backing of the Dhogurd Clan.”
“You have the backing of the Babul Clan.” Another clan leader stood.
He glanced around the table.
“I’ve heard and seen enough. It is foolish to hold on to traditions from the old times. We are no longer nomads with no home and dwindling numbers. We are a nation that needs to be progressing toward a future that is best for Aghon, not clinging on to the past.”
“ Shamir omie , Larek,” Magoza said.
She pounded a fist over her heart.
“Larek is right. We should be a nation that advances, and I also agree with Amuleta. There are plenty of mixed races in this country and the world. We all know this. If the gods have deemed that Magoza and Amuleta are to be together, then I don’t want to risk the wrath of the gods by keeping them apart.” This clan leader stood and pounded his fist over his heart.
“The Jungshen Clan offers our support to Magoza and Amuleta.”
The other clan leaders pledged their support to Amuleta and Magoza.
All but one—Cardu.
Magoza took Amuleta’s hand in hers and brought it up to her lips.
She pressed a kiss to the back of it.
Amuleta became overwhelmed with emotion.
She and Magoza would be able to be together.
They could move on with their lives.
“I’m disappointed that the Ogola Clan does not offer support of my daughter and her mate,” Tulak announced.
“But nonetheless, your support is not needed. Majority of the council has agreed that my daughter can be deemed the heir should she win the trials.”
Amuleta had to fight to keep from grinning.
She kept her face devoid of all emotions—at least she hoped she had.
She didn’t want to let them in on how excited she was that Magoza would not have to lose anything for following what fate had planned for her.
“Now that we have solved this issue, the only other issue is the orcs who participated in today’s attack. Nargol will be leading the investigation.” Dura pushed back from the table and stood.
The chieftain’s mate was regal as she eyed the males at the table.
Amuleta was in awe at how the female handled herself with hard-nosed male orcs.
“We will keep you updated on the matter. In the meanwhile, we have arranged quarters for you here. You are welcome to stay if you like.”
Magoza pulled Amuleta to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist. It felt good to know that they could start planning a future together.
“I thank you for your hospitality. I am exhausted and would appreciate a nice bed to lie down on,” Larek said.
“I will have someone come and escort each of you to your individual quarters,” Dura said.
“Magoza, go take care of your mate. She looks like she’s about to fall over,” Tulak said.
At that moment, a yawn escaped Amuleta.
The chieftain was right.
She had risen early that morning so she could make it into town for the trials.
It had been an extremely long day.
“ Kraz, Ranhos .” Magoza didn’t waste any time in guiding Amuleta out of the room.
Amuleta giggled as they exited.
Magoza entwined their fingers together, and they walked down the hallway.
She allowed Magoza to lead her through the winding hallways.
In a building this size, she would be lost in no time.
“So does this mean we can be together?” Amuleta asked.
She already knew the answer, but she just needed Magoza to say it out loud.
Magoza paused and brought her flush against her.
She tilted Amuleta’s chin up so she could meet her eyes.
A smile appeared on her orc’s face.
“We were always going to be together, doakir ,” Magoza murmured.
She lowered her head and placed a soft kiss on Amuleta’s lips.
Her hand clasped the nape of Amuleta’s neck.
A moan slipped from Amuleta; Magoza’s tongue pushed forward into her mouth.
A surge of desire rushed through Amuleta.
She reached up and held on to Magoza’s tunic.
The kiss was over much sooner than she would have liked.
She blinked to bring her vision back into focus.
“Now let’s go get some rest. Come tomorrow, we have plenty to do.”
“You have the trials tomorrow,” Amuleta said.
She wasn’t going to be doing anything but supporting her mate.
“We also have a bonding ceremony to plan.” Magoza tapped Amuleta on the nose.
“Or did you not think of that?”
Amuleta’s mouth dropped open in shock.
No, she hadn’t even thought of that.
The only thing that consumed her was Magoza and being with her.
She didn’t know the first thing about planning a bonding ceremony.
“I can see the worry on your face. Don’t fret. My mother can help with the planning.” Magoza chuckled.
She wrapped her arms around Amuleta and lifted her.
“I can walk!” Amuleta exclaimed.
She rested her arm across Magoza’s shoulders and held on.
“I know, but I want to carry my mate up to our quarters,” Magoza said.
Her long legs allowed her to walk much faster.
“Our quarters?” Amuleta echoed.
“If Angarth isn’t where you want to live, then we can either move in with your mother or build our own?—”
“The keep is fine. I don’t want to take you away from your family,” Amuleta said.
“My family will be fine. Wherever you are is where I belong. That’s all that I want.” Magoza arrived at a staircase and took the steps two at a time.
Once she got to the top, she paused and turned her amber eyes on Amuleta.
“And all I want is to be with you. Forever,” Amuleta replied softly.
For the first time in her life she actually felt as if she belonged somewhere and was accepted for who she was.
The gods were blessing her with happiness, and she was going to take it.
“After the trials, we shall begin planning our future. Is that okay?” Magoza strode down the hallway.
“It’s more than okay.”