Chapter Eleven Jaedason
CHAPTER ELEVEN: JAEDASON
For the next week, I go to bed exhausted to the bone.
U’snar teaches me basics. How to forage, what is best and what isn’t. It’s also seasonal. The berries with sharp bits that look like blueberries, are bad in Awed-sen, their cold months or Winter, which is fast approaching by the biting chill in the air, I’m informed. But it all feels the same kind of cold to me. But the berries are good in spring. It takes an entire season for the berries to ripen. By summer they fall and turn to mulch beneath the brambles.
I killed a rabbit, or what looked like a rabbit but had four ruby red eyes, and I cried my eyes out. I told U’snar I’ll be a vegan if it means I never have to kill another rabbit again. He comforted me and told me I didn’t have to hunt anymore. I’m grateful for that. I mean, I’d miss meat but I really would rather be vegan and eat only plants which I can’t hear scream when I pluck them, than have to kill another bunny. I was assured that he would still give me meat though. So that is good. Meat is necessary for my survival.
Since I won’t be killing the animals though, he has showed me a way to preserve their hides until we can get them to the mountain caves. I don’t know how it works but he says I do it decently. Which is nice. Because I want to be half decent at least at a couple things, so I feel useful.
U’snar has me doing a lot of exercises throughout the day. What to do when practicing things on my own.
I’ve had to learn to find water by following specific foliage that grows in the direction of water as it draws it from the air. And once, U’snar dug up the little plant to show me it’s long roots also point towards water.
If I’m not tired physically by the end of the day, I am mentally.
But by the time I see the caves a short jaunt away, I feel a bit more confident in my abilities to provide at least minimally for myself. It will be a long time before I feel confident enough to survive on my own.
Then again, if I can never get over my sorrow in killing a four eyed bunny, I doubt I’ll ever be able to.
Outside of the caves I can see several people, male and female, with and without children chatting, beating a ton of rugs. One of them calls out in that strange language I’d heard Irf and U’snar speak and U’snar raises an arm and shouts a greeting. Or at least, I think it’s a greeting. The people dispatch a gangly looking teen and he dashes into the cave systems.
I look up at U’snar. “You know, I’m really bad with directions.”
He smirks. “Stay close then.” I roll my eyes. Of course, I will. Jaedason notwithstanding.
We approach at a steady pace and the people are talking in varying degrees of excitement and hope. He says in English what he’d told me. That he must talk to Jaedason before he imparts anything he’d learned on his trip. Their eyes skirt over me in curiosity or straight hostility. Most of which comes from irate looking Orc females. I merely stand there while they talk, unable and unsure how to get into the conversation, so I don’t. When a little claw tipped hand touches mine.
I look down at wide aquamarine eyes. These Orcs do not have conventional eye colors and I absolutely love it. “Ish dah?” The little boy points. He’s wearing a tiny cotton version of U’snars harem pants and bare feet. No shirt. His little round tummy sticking out like a well-fed baby. His round cheeks beckon a squeeze but I refrain. Unsure whose parents are his. He points again, eyes rounded, “Ish dah?”
I point to me and he nods and I crouch down on my haunches. I’m still a tad taller but he’s a tall toddler. “I’m a lady.” A soft snort is heard from behind me and I want to pinch U’snar’s thigh but I would have to reach up to do it. “Who are you?”
“Ys’ari.”
“Yesorry? ”
He giggles and shakes his head no but doesn’t correct me. All of their names are so hard to pronounce.
“Ys’ari!” Calls the teen who’d ran inside. He snatches the child in his arms and glares at me. Where Ys’ari is a dark green, this boy is lighter. What I’d consider a normal shade of newborn grass. His eyes are the same aquamarine as Ys’ari’s but angrier. Both of their hair is in little ponytails as they are not that long yet. “Get away from the human.” He grits.
Ys’ari pays his brother no mind. “Buy waydee.” He smiles, his cute little tusks gleaming in the light along with all his sharp pearly whites.
If that wasn’t the cutest kid on the planet, I don’t know who would be. I stand up, my grin wide. I turn away from them only to freeze. I didn’t realize everyone was watching the exchange. But every single person is staring at me in horror and wonder. Everyone except U’snar and a male standing just beside him. U’snar is looking at me like I am the light of his eye. This other one’s face is cold. Disinterested and just frozen in disapproval. It makes my chest constrict in trepidation.
I try a smile at everyone else and they shake their heads in wonder before dispersing. The only ones remaining are U’snar, myself and Mr. Freeze. Wait, no. Don’t think of him as that man. You had a crush on him since you were like five.
“Hello.” I greet, offering him my hand.
He glances down his sharp nose, even though my hand is above my head. Jeeze. I thought U’snar was tall. This male is likely at most five more inches taller than U’snar, darker skin, and the smell wafting off of him is like a freshly baked citrus pastry. Like a lemon tartlet. Fuck that’s my favorite. His hair has two braids on either side of his head, dangling long enough to hang over his ears if he’d let them, but I doubt he does. They each are attached at the ends to the midpoint of his long French braided hair. His chest isn’t bare like most of the male Orcs, including U’snar. He wears a shirt like tunic with leather looped in the v to tie it closed if he so chose. And more loose harem pants. Around each wrist is a bracelet like band with an intricate design as well as a larger one on his left bicep. He has at least four piercings on his right ear and two on his left. His tusks are as long as my index fingers, much larger than U’snars. Whereas his best feature? The same golden eyes as U’snar.
He grunts before turning to U’snar. Completely ignoring my hand. “Who is she?” His words are a command. A harsh demand of an answer.
U’snar opens his mouth but after collecting my jaw from the ground I hiss, “ Excuse me ?!” U’snar swallows his reply and his lips quirk. Enjoying the show of my anger. The Orc next to him, looks at U’snar with a raised brow. But when he says nothing, he narrows his gaze upon me.
“U’snar.” It is a command. A bitten one. But U’snar is not replying, I see his lips continue to quirk upwards in a show of mirth, but I ignore him in favor of this other male. My bitter rage makes me shake.
“You will address me ,” I splay the ignored hand over my chest with a glower in his direction, “when you want to know who I am.” I point at U’snar, “He is not my keeper.” I cross my arms over my chest, just now remembering I am only in a cape, an oversized shirt and my skirt, both of which look like I’d played in a puddle from sweat and lying in the dirt all night. I mean, it’s not that bad. These people are used to sweaty and gross looking clothes. I think. I hope. Aw jeeze. I probably look like something U’snar pulled out of the fucking garbage. U’snar snickers as he sees the dawning horror on my face. I glower at him and smack his hand when he reaches to push some hair behind my ear.
I’m regarded with censure and an arched brow at my behavior. “Who are you ?” He finally asks.
Oh. I hadn’t thought about a response to that. Well, who am I? “I am lost.”
“Lost.” I can see his irritation boiling over into his expression, as his eyes turn into hardened candy. “Play no games. Who are you ?” His words are a growl that causes a skittering over my skin. Goose-flesh quakes along my limbs.
“Mate.” U’snar speaks with assertion.
His gaze whips to U’snar, standing at my side, his hand grazing my arm in reassurance. I nod and explain. “U’snar found me. I have no family, no friends. I don’t have any money or possessions save what I’m wearing. If not for U’snar, I’d probably be raped and murdered.”
“So, not mate. Here in gratitude.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I mean, am grateful that he helped me but I…” My ch eeks inflame but I continue, “I like U’snar. I just… I have to meet Jaedason. So that I can see if he will like me also and I him. If you would tell us where he may be—”
He nods his head as if in greeting. “Am Jaedason.”
“Oh.” Fuck. “Well, I know that I cannot have U’snar without you. So, if you don’t like me, or come to like me, then I know I can learn to help with other things? I’m really good with Jewelry designs, you know art stuff, and U’snar said that you create some sometimes for selling in towns? I’d like to learn to survive. Without U’snar’s help. Even though I know he’d like it if I were reliant on him forever.” U’snar smiles down at me and my jibe. He doesn’t want me reliant on him; but I think some part of him also wouldn’t mind. If it were what I wanted, he’d gladly see it done.
Jaedason’s critical golden gaze makes me feel like blabbing. Just talking and talking to fill the silence. I didn’t think U’snar’s brother would be like this. I honestly assumed he was going to be an older version of U’snar himself. Instead, this Orc is so cold and bitter . Why does he look so damn attractive? Nearly 70 my ass.
But then again, Sumira really did a number on the two Orcs and their poor baby. I don’t exactly blame him. He’ll just have to see that I’m not like that. I’m me. Not them. I lift my chin in defiance.
“Ay donnae want human.” He looks at me, although I know he is talking to his brother. “Weak. Bitter. Cruel.” Each word is given with a threatening step towards me before he shakes his head and turns from me. “No human mate, Ay said.” He looks at U’snar with blatant irritation.
“She is strong. Pretty. Kind. Perfection.” U’snar smiles down at me again before looking his brother in the eyes. “She cries—
Jaedason snorts. “They all cry.”
“—for babes.” Jaedason’s sneer falls. His frown deep as he turns his gaze on me. It, like with U’snar, twists his features into a bitter and terrifying display. I guess in that way, they do look alike. “Those lost. Ach, she were angry at humans. Because—
“Because a baby is a baby.” I interject. I might as well tell him myself. My own irritation is in my frown and likely in the pinching of my brow and lips. The narrowing of my eyes. “It’s absolute bullshit that a woman—that anyone can do that to a baby. If the stories are true and your sperm is so fucking potent those women should stay the absolute fuck away if she doesn’t want to have your baby. Novelty or not. Wear a fucking rubber or get lost.”
U’snar smirks, “Rubber?”
I meet his gaze, “Ah, I guess you guys don’t have those yet. But I’m sure you have other forms of contraceptives. Oh well. It doesn’t matter. They’re absolute assholes for doing anything like that to any of you. Let alone your babies. Speaking of, I notice most of them are teens. Is Isaree the only toddler?”
“Why?” Jaedason growls menacingly.
U’snar bristles a little but I put up my hand. “Stop acting all big boorish bear like. I’m asking because I want to pinch their little chubby cheeks! Did you see how chunky isaree was??” I nearly giggle. Because god I really really want to pinch his cheeks and tickle his tummy.
Jaedason hums like U’snar usually does in deep thought. At least I know where his mannerisms come from. He looks at his brother. “Come, we talk of Dugorim’s child.”
“Where should I go U’snar?” Rather than answer me, U’snar defers to his brother and chief.
Jaedason grumbles in irritation. “Come, human.” U’snar grins. “You,” his brother points at him, “Have much t’ say.” We turn to the cave and U’snar takes my hand and walks me into the deep darkness.
Oh, lovely. I’m never going to find my way around. “I can’t see shit.”
U’snar hums. “We can.”
I give what I think is him, an eye roll. “Yeah, well, I don’t have your superior eyesight. So, you can go shovel that where the sun don’t shine. I’m going to need light to see in this place. Can’t exactly move around if I can’t find my way.” If they’ve never put light in these caves, I’m assuming that most humans are probably deeply confused and frightened when coming here.
“Then you weel stay inside where you weel cause no trouble.” The longest sentence from Jaedason and it’s a reprimand. I want to kick him in the shins but refrain. I’d probably just hurt my poor feet.
“Where am I staying?” I ask, feeling more and more miffed by the second.
“Ouer cave.” Jaedason states .
“Mhmm I am in the cave, genius.” I hear the stamp of a boot and a growl before I nearly bump into the males who I guess have stopped.
U’snar snorts. “No. Home. Ouer home.” He urges me forward again.
OH! Their rooms.
There are far too many turns and hallways for me to remember. There were inclines and a couple declines that just made no sense except maybe to confuse the absolute shit out of me. I’m pretty sure that is what Jaedason is doing because U’snar comments in their Orc tongue and Jaedason barks something irritably back. Wherein U’snar sighs and then more silence and a clawed hand at my back to keep me going in the right direction
When we finally arrive, I have no idea until one of the Orcs lights a lamp at the entrance, and then a second in the middle of the room. It’s a rather large room, smooth rock walls. Several rugs on the ground, a wooden bench and table with some metals and trinkets lying on top. Weapons are strewn in another corner. Several pairs of clothing are in a pile by the doorway.
Jaedason points to the left where there is a hole in the wall. “Mine.” He points to the hole a few feet from that.
“Mine.” Says U’snar.
“Okay. Where am I staying?”
“Mine.” Jaedason overrides U’snar when he opens his mouth. U’snar narrows his gaze at his brother. “Ay weel no’ mate her. Ay do no’ wish her t’ tempt you.” U’snar rolls his eyes and meets mine with an almost bored look. I mean I get it. We’ve been together for two weeks and nothing that far has happened. Truly, this male is practically a saint.
I shrug. “Can’t I just sleep out here?” Both Orcs raise their brows at me. “I mean, I could just sleep on the floor.”
Jaedason snorts. “No.” It’s emphatic. No arguments. Absolutely decided.
My lips down turn and my eyes hood in annoyance. “I don’t want to sleep with someone who thinks I’m a damn nuisance.”
“No.” He reaffirms.
“Whatever.”
Jaedason points at the table and chairs. “Sit. ”
I walk to the chair and sit. “Bark.”
He looks at me queerly but shakes his head. “Stay.”
“Bark. Bark.”
“Can you no’ speak?”
I smirk. “I did. Bark.” His face pinches into one of confused irritation, as if he’s wondering if I’m right in the head, which makes my smirk turn into a smile. “Fine. I will stay. I will sit. Like a good little girl.” I bat my lashes at him in a kind of ‘I am innocent’ way. But I drop it immediately before sitting back in the chair, my arms crossed over my chest. “Happy?”
“No.” He grits before walking in front of me and snagging the cape off from around my neck. He hangs it up on a tack on the wall. Within moments he stands in front of me again and rips U’snar’s dirty shirt from my torso. I’m too infuriated and astounded at his audacity to say anything. Mouth gaping like a fish on land. Then he uses his hands to pull his shirt up over his chest, showing me all of that muscle and my tongue is suddenly lax and dry not from anger but a very different emotion entirely. One that burns me all the same. He whips the shirt off and before he yanks it over my head, I get a glance of a scar riddled torso.
I’m temporarily surrounded by his amazing citrus scent. It makes me think of hot nights and a cool drink. Of sweat and the sun. When my head pops out the other side, it’s to a bent over Jaedason. His golden gaze trapping me as surely as sap would have trapped a resting moth.
“Stay.” His commanding voice orders me. I’d be surprised if he didn’t use magic in that command; it’s so enrapturing. He reaches into the sleeves and pulls my arms through, his knuckles grazing each breast in turn. I’m a mass of heavy breathing, and he’s still just regarding me with cool aloofness. Borderline boredom. Absolute disregard except for mild irritation.
I nod but my sass doesn’t stop. “Sir, yes, sir.” Something inside me just wants to piss him off. “Want to kiss my ass too, sir?” I’m aghast at this sassy me. I mean, I’m crass but not like this! This is the brattiest sassiest I think I’ve ever been in my life and it’s all to get a rise out of this Orc.
His eyes blaze hot before he takes a deep breath and cools like the ocean splashing on lava. Sssst. Hard as a rock. No. I meant cold as a rock. But as he stands to his full height, I notice a slight lift to his harem pants. Oh. Not like a rock, but we’re getting there.
A smug smile quirks my lips as I look up at him. He snorts. “Breasts are breasts.” My mouth gapes open like a fish as it is his turn to smile smugly before turning from me.
U’snar just shakes his head at Jaedason and murmurs something in their Orc tongue. Jaedason smacks U’snar in the back of the arm and U’snar lets out a bark of laughter. At least they’re on good terms. But I really wasn’t expecting to be sleeping in the same room as Jaedason. Even if all three of us didn’t mate, I really was thinking about at the very least blowing U’snar. I mean, who’s gonna fault me? He’s sweet and really good looking. I’ve felt small before next to a guy but I’ve never felt tiny and protected like I do next to him.
I rub my eyes with the palms of my hands. Oh, I could see this going very badly.