Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jorrad grinned at her.
Audrey didn’t wait to see what he would do. She slammed the door shut and turned the lock. Her eyes darted around the cramped space, searching for anything she could use as a weapon. There was nothing but soap, towels, and a window that was too small for her to fit through.
Jorrad banged on the door hard enough to rattle the frame.
“Human scum,” he shouted. “Filthy orc hunter.”
Audrey pressed herself against the far wall.
“You think you can paralyze me and get away with it?” Jorrad continued, his voice full of venom. “You think you can come into our horde and play your little games? You’re nothing. Less than nothing. Weak, pathetic human trash.”
The door shook as he slammed his body into it.
The wood splintered easily in the middle, and Audrey screamed and dropped to her knees, making herself as small as possible.
He slammed into the door a second time, and it burst open, splinters scattering across the floor.
He stepped through, twirling his swords lazily as he circled his wrist. He was in no hurry at all.
Audrey screamed again, hoping someone would hear her. There was nothing else she could do. Had she not been bedridden for three days straight, she might’ve had some strength to hold her own even without a weapon. As it were, she felt like a rag waiting to be trampled on.
“I was disappointed when the captain decided to give in and take a human bride,” the orc said, his voice conversational. “I thought he was better than that.”
He took another step toward her, and Audrey tried to press herself further into the corner, but there was nowhere to go.
“Humans are weak,” Jorrad continued. “Pointless creatures that shouldn’t even exist. An orc should never soil himself with a human. I’ve always despised your kind.”
She was helpless before him. He was playing with her like a cat played with a mouse.
“During the war, I had the best time hunting humans.” His grin widened. “It didn’t matter to me if they were military or not. I killed them because I enjoyed it. Squashed them like the bugs they are.”
She wanted to look away from him, that was how sick he made her, but she couldn’t move.
“That’s exactly why I killed your family and many others. Because I simply enjoyed it. The fear in their eyes when they realized what was happening. Oh, how they begged and screamed. Your mother, your father, your brother. They all died afraid and alone, and it was wonderful.”
“Stop,” Audrey whispered.
She was going to die here, in this bathroom, at the hands of the same orc who’d left her an orphan. She had no idea how he’d escaped or who’d let him go, but someone in the horde wanted her dead just as much as he did.
The realization that this was the end made her feel like she might faint.
Jorrad raised his sword above his head.
“I’m going to enjoy this even more than I enjoyed killing them,” he said.
His body jerked forward, Audrey wailed and covered her head with her arm, but nothing happened for a moment.
She looked up and saw the tip of a blade burst through Jorrad’s chest. His eyes were wide with shock as he looked down at the weapon protruding from his body.
The poisoning magic spread through him fast, his green skin turning black from the wound outward, the darkness creeping across his chest and up his neck.
He fell to his knees, his sword clattering to the floor. His mouth opened but no sound came out.
Behind him stood Morgath the Skullreaper. He pulled his sword free from Jorrad’s back and wiped the blade on his sleeve without looking at the dying orc. The skull helmet covered his face, and Audrey couldn’t read his expression. Jorrad gave one last shuddering breath and collapsed on his face.
Audrey pushed herself to her feet and ran to Morgath, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her easily and held her close, his massive arms wrapping around her trembling body.
She buried her face against his chest and leaned into him when she felt his hand come up to cradle the back of her head.
“I told you I’d make it right,” he whispered in her ear. “Please believe me when I say that I will let nothing happen to you. You are mine. My mate.”
Audrey pulled back and looked at him. With shaking hands, she reached up and removed the skull mask. Their eyes met, and she felt herself melt on the spot. He didn’t have to say anything. She understood what had just happened and what he’d done for her.
“It was you,” she said. “You let him go because you knew he’d come after me.”
Morgath nodded.
“You wanted a reason to kill him. So you wouldn’t have to make it a public execution and turn the horde against you.”
Morgath pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss.
“Shh,” he murmured against her mouth. “This needs to stay between us.”
They kissed again, long and searching. Audrey clung to him and felt the tension drain from her body as his hands moved up and down her back.
“I will do anything for you, Audrey,” Morgath said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Even break the law.”
She threw her arms around his neck, and he lifted her, carrying her out of the bathroom and into the workshop. He set her down on one of the worktables, among scattered vials, herbs, and crystals. He positioned himself between her legs, and she pulled him closer, seeking his mouth again.
“Are you all right?” he asked between kisses. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
“I’m feeling better.”
Morgath pulled back reluctantly and moved to the shelves where he kept his supplies.
“I will prepare a tonic for you,” he said as he began gathering bottles and ingredients. “Then we will go talk to the horde together. I will free your friends.”
Audrey watched him work.
“Will the horde accept me now?” she asked. “Knowing who I am and what I did?”
Morgath glanced at her as he measured out herbs into a bowl.
“It might take some time. But in the end, orcs respect those who are strong. You are strong, Audrey. You are a woman who went for what she wanted, who put herself in danger and embarked on a deadly mission to avenge her family. That is something orcs can respect and approve of.”
He ground the herbs, added liquid from several vials, and simmered the concoction on the gas stove for a few minutes.
“They will see you the way I see you. A woman worthy of a captain.”
He poured the finished mixture into a cup and brought it to her. Audrey took it and drank it down in one long swallow. The taste was bitter and earthy. Morgath laughed at the face she made and leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose.
Audrey grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close, her fingers twisting in the fabric.
“I need to know something,” she said, looking up into his eyes. “Maika and Zulka say that you’re in love with me. Is it true? After all that happened, after what I did, after shooting you?”
Morgath’s expression softened. He brought one hand up to cup her face.
“Yes, it’s true. I’m in love with you. I didn’t expect it, and I certainly didn’t plan for it, but you got under my skin. All I think about is you. I want to spend my life with you, Audrey.”
She knew she was supposed to say something, but words failed her. She knew she should’ve said it back, it was only natural. Expected. But she wanted to make sure that when she said it, she’d absolutely mean it. Right now… she was rattled and not thinking straight.
“You know what?” Morgath continued, chuckling. “When you put three bullets in me, that made me love you even more.”
Audrey laughed, the sound surprising even to her own ears. She shook her head in disbelief and pulled him down for a hard kiss.