Page 9

Chapter Eight

Caivid

I blinked as the words slowly banged around in my thick skull.

She’d. . . take care of me? What did that mean?

“Look, I know this is a strange offer.” Her hand was still caressing mine, fingers stroking over my knuckles. Knuckles that had bashed and bruised and been broken more times than I could count.

I had to stifle a shiver.

“I’m sure you expected me to play conquest for you. That’s the standard trade for an ask this big.” Her caress sped up. “And I’m not. . . completely opposed to it.”

My thoughts seemed to freeze and melt all at the same time .

“But I can’t do it right now. My father is already buying into all the heinous gossip about you warriors kidnapping women against their will and forcing us to carry your sons.

If I tell him you’re my protector because I agreed to be your conquest, he’d never accept it. He’ll think that I’m being coerced.”

And he would be right about that. She was going to lose her flock. She was desperate.

I’d be a monster if I played on that desperation.

“But what I can promise you is care.” She nodded eagerly.

“I’ll feed you every meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks too.

Nothing sweet since you don’t like it. I swear my cooking is better than what you tried this afternoon.

I make the best mutton stew you could ever dream of.

So hearty with meat and thick with cream, you’ll never feel hungry again. ”

Fades, my mouth was watering just thinking about it.

“And clothing. Wool is wonderful and warm. I’ll have it spun and knitted into a sweater for you. And shirts. I’m friends with Nalina. She’s the seamstress that one of your fellow warriors has been obsessed with, er. . . I mean, has been intrigued by.”

I snorted. “You don’t need to make excuses for Hendr. We all know he’s been watching her.”

She fidgeted. “Well. . . anyway. Nalina is very talented. She could make you amazing things and I’d pay. You need only ask, and I’ll give you anything you want.”

“You. . . can afford that?” I glanced down at her well-worn overcoat and seasoned boots.

“I can.” Fades, her confidence was a vision. With her golden hair flared around her face and her blue eyes lit fierce, she looked as bold and beautiful as the sun in spring. “Anything you ask for would be nothing compared to the cost of losing my flock to Jophel.”

“And your father will agree to this, sunshine?”

Her brows rose at the pet name, but she didn’t reject it. “He’ll have to. Or he’ll lose me. I’m not going to sit back and let him give our sheep away to a man who doesn’t even care about them. I bet your weight in gold Jophel is only agreeing to lead the flock so he can get to me.”

My chest went hot, and fury burned behind my eyes. “Get to you?”

She sucked in a hard breath. “Jophel has always wanted me to be his wife, and I’ve always turned him down. ”

I gritted my teeth against the sudden burning impulse to run to Oakwall Village and challenge this male.

My hand was pulled forward. Right into Susara’s lap. Fades, she was so warm, and her hands were so soft and her rosemary sunshine smell was like nothing I’d ever dreamed. My throat felt choked as she stroked over my knuckles again, bumping the tip of her finger along each ridge.

It felt so blasted good my muscles relaxed.

“All you need to do is follow me around while I lead the sheep.” Her fingers continued to caress my hand, and it was drawing me to distraction. “It won’t be difficult, I promise. It doesn’t even have to be every day. I’ll make sure you get days off when you need them.”

Literally, all she was asking was for me to follow her around and protect her in the woods. To stay by her side, breathe in her rosemary scent, and soak up her sunny smile.

Fades light, I’d do it for free . “I’ll do it.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes went as bright as the sky at dawn.

“Really? You really will, Caivid?”

I gulped hard and nodded .

The joy and relief I saw on her face made my whole body hum with pleasure.

And then she threw herself into my arms.

The hug was so tight around my neck. Her body pressed into my bare chest. It felt like I’d been wrapped up in perfect warmth.

Engulfed by a shield of light so wonderful that every part of me relaxed.

Every speck of my soul was lit and soothed at the same time.

I melted into her embrace, soaking up her radiance.

It felt like I’d been drowning in deep, churning depths and she’d pulled me back into the sun.

She broke off the hug and my skin tingled. Her hands gripped my shoulders. “Meet me outside the village gates tomorrow morning. At first light. I’ll bring my father, and we’ll prove to him, and everyone, that the warrior orcs are honorable.”

Her words humbled me back to reality. This wasn’t just about my desire to be at her side, was it? It was bigger than that. This was about proving to her family, and her village, that I and my brethren were not the uncontrollable monsters her villagers believed us to be.

Fades, I owed her far more than just protection .

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Caivid.” She released me and picked up her crook. “First thing. Right outside the gates of Oakwall.”

I stood, stunned at what had just transpired. She turned toward me and smiled.

I nodded. “Yes. I will be there.”

I felt that vow at the very base of my being.

I would protect her for as long as I still had breath in my lungs.

Without another word, she walked back into the dark forest. Into the night. Disappearing as if she’d never been here at all.

The woods went icy cold and my head pounded like a storm was brewing right behind my eyes. When she’d been with me, everything had felt warm and bright and now. . .

Fuck, what was I doing?

I barreled to my feet and ran after her.