Chapter 4
Nargol walked alongside Orlena through the streets of Soza.
She was acutely aware of all eyes on them.
She had escorted plenty of high-powered individuals before, tracked enemies through forests and across deserts, but none had ever made her pulse spike the way it was as she ambled next to this beautiful human.
Orlena kept her hands clasped in front of her, shoulders hunched. It was as if she expected the world to strike her if she lifted her chin too high. Nargol slowed her pace to match the human’s stride. She glanced around and met some of the curious gazes from orcs who watched them.
Some held her gaze, but others quickly looked away.
Nargol had to remember. She was here as a spy and needed to blend in. As much as she wanted to stare some of the orcs down and issue a silent challenge, she held herself back.
It was then she recalled Orlena had just asked her a question.
Will you be here in Soza for long?
Nargol glanced at her and noted the way the lantern light caught the warm tones of her skin, the loose strands of her hair escaping her braid, and the curious glint in her eyes.
“I’m not sure,” she answered carefully. It was the honest truth. She didn’t know how long it would take for her to find out what she needed. Her mission was clear: she had to discover who was behind the insurrection on the royal couple.
“Are you traveling alone?”
“I have a companion.”
“Your mate?” Orlena asked. A small smile appeared on her lips as she glanced away.
A stirring flickered in Nargol’s chest at the smile. Those lips were plump, and she was dying to see if they were as sweet as they looked.
“If I had a mate, I wouldn’t be escorting a beautiful woman home.” Nargol snickered.
Orlena had a little spunk to her, and she liked it. Nargol could see she held back and was even surprised at times when certain words slipped out.
But it shouldn’t be that way.
The woman should be able to say whatever the feck she wanted.
“Well, I guess that would make sense. I doubt she or he would allow you out of their sight for long,” Orlena murmured.
Nargol’s head jerked back toward Orlena in surprise.
“Was that a compliment?” Nargol grinned. Again, there was that spunk revealing itself. She gently bumped into Orlena and nudged her with her arm. “Are you trying to say that I’m easy on the eyes?”
“I’ve made an observation.” Orlena giggled. A gentle breeze blew, lifting her strands of her hair. She reached up and brushed them away from her face and tucked them behind her ear. “But since you gave me one, I figured I should return the favor.”
“But you can’t outright say it?” Nargol arched an eyebrow.
They’d arrived at the corner of the street. Orlena nodded in the direction they needed to go.
“It wouldn’t be proper. At least, not out here.” Orlena’s smile slowly faded. She sighed and drew her cloak tighter.
The night air was beginning to chill, but Nargol didn’t really feel any of it. She wanted to wrap her arm around Orlena and bring her close.
Just to share warmth.
They continued walking in a comfortable silence.
“Moving around when you want and where you want, that sounds…freeing,” Orlena said, breaking the quiet.
“It can be,” Nargol replied.
They passed a cluster of orcs gathered near a tavern, their laughter loud and rough.
A few gazes lingered on Orlena with more than open curiosity.
Nargol bit back a growl at the look in one of the men’s eyes.
She easily read it, and it certainly wasn’t appropriate.
Nargol stood to her full height and met the gaze of one of them.
Her hand drifted to where her dagger rested on her belt.
It was warning.
None of them spoke.
Orlena shifted closer to her as they continued past them. It took everything Nargol had to resist the urge to reach out and take her hand.
Once they were a slight distance from the orcs, Orlena relaxed a little.
“Where have you traveled?” Orlena asked. “What’s the most beautiful place you’ve seen?”
Nargol didn’t answer right away. Images rose in her mind. Mountain passes, deep forests where the air tasted clean and sharp, valleys untouched by war and destruction. She had been all over their country of Aghon, and one of her favorite places was one of the northern tips of the western part.
“The Northern Deep,” she finally replied. “Where the land falls away into the sea. It’s the most northern part to the west. At sunset, the water looks like it’s on fire.”
Orlena stopped walking.
Nargol turned to find Orlena staring at her with a wistful look in her eyes.
“I’ve never seen the ocean,” Orlena said quietly. “I want to someday. I want to smell it. Walk along the banks to see if the water is cold or if it is warm.”
The longing in her voice tugged at Nargol’s heartstrings.
Suddenly, she wanted to be the one to take Orlena to the ocean.
Hold her hands as they walked along the beach.
She could envision Orlena in her arms while they watched the sun rise.
Her breath caught at how strong those visions were. It was as if they were there.
“You will,” Nargol said with certainty.
“You don’t know that, Bula.” Orlena barked a harsh laugh and took a few steps to bring herself back beside Nargol.
Nargol bristled at the name. She had to utilize a different one here in Soza to protect her identity, but she wanted Orlena to use her birth name.
She wanted to hear Nargol fall from Orlena’s lips.
But that wouldn’t be.
“If it is something you want, then you should go after it,” Nargol said before she could stop herself.
Their gazes locked. Heat flared swift and hard inside Nargol. Did Orlena feel what she felt? Did she feel the connection? She may be human, but she had to feel something—right?
“That’s easy for you to say. You can just go where you please. Not all of us can do that,” Orlena said.
“Explain. Why can’t you go to the ocean to see it if you want to?”
They began walking again.
Nargol folded her hands behind her to keep from reaching out to Orlena. “Does your boss not allow you holiday time?”
“I am an apprentice. I have a commitment,” she said.
“I know. That bow you shot today to win the contest, was it your design?” Nargol’s lips lifted in the corner.
“Maybe,” Orlena teased. Her smile widened. “How did you know?”
“I notice things,” Nargol said. That was an understatement.
As the chieftain’s shadow, it was her job to not only blend in, but to find out information, and noticing things that others hadn’t had kept her alive on more than one occasion.
“Now tell me. Why can’t you go where you want being an apprentice? ”
“There’s a contract I’m bound by. Once it’s up, then I’ll be free.”
Nargol started at the word choice. Free? What the feck did that mean?
“How many solars are left on this contract?”
“Five. I have five solars left until I’m able to leave,” Orlena said softly. She stared down at the ground as they walked.
Nargol didn’t like the shift in her as she’d spoken of this contract. There was a sadness in her words, and even her posture appeared to shrink.
“That is a long time,” Nargol said slowly. She wanted to be careful in what she said. What the hell kind of contract bound a person to another where they were not able to do what they pleased?
A chill overtook Nargol.
Feck.
She glanced back at Orlena and knew immediately what kind of contract. One that should have been outlawed solars ago.
“And this contract doesn’t give you any options to leave it early?”
“I’m not sure. I know he’s added time, and by my count, I have five solars left.” Orlena sighed.
“Where is this contract? How do you not know for certain about it?” Nargol asked.
Orlena hesitated at first. Nargol bit back a curse. Had she pushed the female too far? Orlena’s audible swallow greeted her ears. She ran a hand over her face and avoided her sharp tusks.
“I can’t read Orcish. The contract is written in it. Yambul holds it. I’ve seen it, but I don’t know what it truly says. Only what he tells me.”
Anger rippled through Nargol. It was hot and sharp. It sounded as if this Yambul was taking advantage of Orlena. She would have to stop by the shop when he was there and have a little chat with him.
“That is unjust. They should have written the contract in a language that both parties could read,” Nargol stated.
Orlena shrugged and pointed to the road where they would take the next turn.
“It is the way of life. I was put under the contract when I was very young,” she said softly. It was as if she were almost embarrassed to admit it. Orlena bit her lip and avoided Nargol’s gaze.
Kraz, she would definitely stop by and speak with this Yambul.
Nargol studied her then—not as the archer who’d bested her, or the beautiful woman who had ignited something reckless inside her—but as someone caged by words she couldn’t read.
“What will you do when it ends?” Nargol asked.
Orlena’s steps slowed again. Her voice grew soft as a distant look overtook her.
“I wanted to find my family. I haven’t heard from them in years. Then I want to travel. I want to see the ocean. I want to go to Udenia and see the castle.”
“That is quite a list.” Nargol smiled despite the feelings of anger that rested inside her.
“I’ve had time to dream, and that is something that can be done whenever,” she said.
Nargol looked at her then—truly looked at her. There was a quiet fire in her eyes and an unspoken strength in her. It had taken much courage to enter an archery contest knowing that she didn’t belong there.
Nargol was in awe of the woman beside her.
By the time they reached the human quarters, the streets had narrowed. Homes pressed close together, simple rectangular structures built for efficiency and not beauty. The air even smelled different here. The scent of woodsmoke, bread, and spices filled the air.
Even here, they were watched.