Chapter Twenty-Eight
Audrey leaned into Morgath as they walked toward town. The discoloration in her arm had receded somewhat, but the skin felt tender. She kept her arm tucked against her body, trying not to jostle it too much.
“It will take a while for it to go back to normal,” he said. “But you’ll be healed completely, I promise.”
Audrey nodded and pressed closer to his warmth. The walk felt longer than ever. They headed straight to the community center, where the orcs had already gathered at their captain’s summons.
When they reached the building, Morgath pushed open the door and led her inside. The entire horde had assembled, forming a wide circle that filled the large room.
Audrey’s breath caught in her throat when she saw them all staring at her.
Brumis the Bold stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
The two raiders, Raknar and Hokran, stood near the front.
Maika, Zulka, Varka, and Dorsha clustered together.
When they saw her, they were the only ones who smiled.
Some of the orcs looked curious, others seemed understanding, nodding at her when she met their gaze. A few appeared upset.
Morgath squeezed her waist gently and guided her toward the center.
The orcs parted to make room for them. When they reached the table, Morgath grabbed a chair and helped her into it.
He positioned himself behind her, his large hands coming to rest on her shoulders.
The warmth of his palms seeped into her skin, grounding her.
Morgath had chosen not to wear his helmet. His face was bare, every line and scar on proud display. He wanted them to see his face when he said what he had to say, and not doubt the truth of his words.
“Jorrad the Brutal escaped today,” he began, his deep voice carrying across the room. “He attacked my bride, and I had no choice but to bring him down. I killed him with my own hands.”
A ripple of shock moved through the horde. Even though they were hardened warriors, they hadn’t seen real violence in years.
“I do not condone what Jorrad did during the war. He killed innocent humans, and I should’ve punished him a long time ago. I should’ve shunned him from the horde. I was too indulgent. But that will not happen again.”
His fingers pressed into Audrey’s shoulders.
“Whoever thinks they can hurt my mate should think again,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone.
“I feel deeply sorry for what happened to Audrey’s family.
What Jorrad did was not right. Even though our way of living is war, that doesn’t mean we kill innocents.
I will spend the rest of my life making up for what he did. I will offer my all to Audrey.”
As he spoke, Audrey watched the orcs start to nod. They looked at her with new eyes, seeing a woman who’d survived unimaginable loss. Slowly, understanding replaced judgment. She let out a breath of relief.
Brumis the Bold stepped forward. She still looked skeptical but not hostile.
“What about the hunters?” she asked.
“The Tusk Hunters have been operating outside the law, it’s true,” Morgath said.
“But they have dedicated their lives and skills to seeking revenge for those wronged in the war. Like Audrey. Morally, what they did was not wrong. In a world that was cruel to humans, where there was no recourse, they tried to right what they could. I propose that the hunters are let go.”
Brumis shook her head slowly, her dreadlocks swaying. She didn’t look angry, just uncertain.
Audrey stood up, feeling like it was her duty to convince them her friends deserved to be shown mercy. She held Brumis’s gaze as she spoke.
“I understand your reluctance. I joined the horde on false pretenses. I lied to all of you. But that is all over now. I want to stay and be part of your family, if you’ll have me. My heart was filled with hatred and revenge when I came here. But what I found was friendship and love.”
She turned to look up at Morgath.
“I didn’t expect it, but it happened. It’s time for me to be honest.”
She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.
“I care about you,” she said. “I want to give us another chance. If you want that, too.”
“More than anything,” Morgath said breathlessly.
He pulled her close and kissed her, his mouth claiming hers with an intensity that made her knees weak. She kissed him back just as fiercely.
The horde erupted into cheers around them, their voices rising in approval and celebration.
The gathering broke up after that, orcs dispersing in small groups as they went about their business.
Morgath took Audrey’s hand and led her out of the community center, and down the street, walking slowly to match her pace. From the outside, it looked like they were out on a stroll. They headed toward one of the houses on the edge of town.
He unlocked the door and moved aside to let her in first.
The living room was warm and cozy, a fire roaring in the fireplace. Audrey’s friends were sitting on the floor around a board game. Empty plates and beer bottles littered the area around them, evidence of several days spent in comfortable captivity.
The moment the Tusk Hunters saw her, they scrambled to their feet.
Tyler reached her first, pulling her into a hug.
Natalie and Shauna crowded in next, both of them sniffling as they wrapped their arms around her.
Owen and Cole hung back, not wanting to intrude when they saw the girls getting emotional.
Morgath cleared his throat from the doorway.
“Take all the time you need,” he said.
He stepped back outside and closed the door behind him. Audrey noticed that he didn’t lock it.
Natalie grabbed her good hand and squeezed it.
“This is insane!” she said. “Tell us everything!”
“Did they hurt you?” Audrey asked. “Are you okay?”
Owen laughed and shook his head.
“Hurt us? Nah. They scared us a bit. That Brumis chick is a tough cookie, isn’t she? But they gave us food, wine, beer. They’ve been treating us really well.”
Shauna nodded. “One of the other females, Zulka is her name? She came often with news about you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Audrey said. “But I need to sit down.”
They arranged themselves around the fire, settling onto the floor in a loose circle.
She told them about the orc dagger and how the magic had infected her just by holding it because it hadn’t settled yet.
Next time, she’d think twice before stealing keys and unlocking doors that were locked for a very good reason.
She described the three days she spent unconscious while Morgath sat beside her and held her hand.
She told them about Jorrad, who’d escaped and attacked her, and how Morgath had killed him to protect her.
She recounted his speech to the horde and her own declaration in front of everyone.
Finally, she told them about her decision to stay.
When she finished, Shauna and Natalie hugged her tightly from both sides.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Shauna asked. “To stay? Here, with him?”
Audrey felt heat rise to her cheeks. She ducked her head and let out a shaky laugh.
“I think so,” she said. “I know it’s all messed up, but I might be falling in love with him?”
She covered her face with her hand, laughing harder. The sound was a bit hysterical, but it felt good to say the words out loud. To admit what she’d been trying to deny for weeks.
Tyler leaned forward and put his hand on her knee.
“He killed that bastard for you,” he said. “So, I get it. We get it, Audrey. We’re happy that you found peace, even if it’s in the most unexpected of places.”
Cole nodded in agreement. “After these past few days, we realized not all orcs are that bad. Only a few of them, and we kind of got rid of them, didn’t we?”
The group fell quiet for a moment, then they moved together, pulling each other into a tangle of arms and bodies. They hugged and held on.
“Promise me you’ll take care of each other,” Audrey said, her voice muffled against Tyler’s shoulder.
“We promise,” Natalie said.
“And give up orc hunting,” Audrey added. “Find safer ways to make a living.”
“We will,” Owen said.
“And visit me once in a while,” Audrey said. “Don’t let this be the end of our friendship.”
“Never,” Shauna said. “We’ll come see you.”
They held each other for a long moment, their voices overlapping as they made their promises. When they finally pulled apart, Audrey felt lighter than she had in years. The weight of revenge had lifted from her shoulders, replaced by something she’d never expected to find.
Hope.