Chapter 8 #2
Her thoughts should be on the upcoming mission, but they were already elsewhere. The memory of her human’s small home, the scent and taste of the stew, the woodsmoke that had filled the air, and the way Orlena had looked at her once she’d placed her down onto her bed.
Every moment from that night replayed in Nargol’s mind with aching clarity. The way Orlena had studied her with something deeper in her eyes tore at Nargol. Had she felt the bond? This thing in her chest that pulled her to Orlena was new. She’d never experienced it before.
Orlena was hers, and it felt damn good to say it aloud.
And yet… She clenched her jaw tight.
To Orlena, she was Bula.
A false name. Hearing Orlena whisper it, call for her with a name that wasn’t truly hers, scraped against her nerves like a dull blade. Claiming her mate meant more than a touch or presence. It meant that she would have to tell Orlena the truth. It meant standing fully as herself.
But she couldn’t do that.
Not yet.
She had been sent to Soza for a reason. The goddess didn’t create bonds without purpose. This mission, the danger, the impossible balance of duty and desire, it was all a part of something bigger.
Makhel was right. Orlena would be a liability. But goddess help anyone who tried to take Orlena from her. She would burn this entire village down if she had to in order to protect her.
And the contract, the shop owner was going to release Orlena from it. She would not be bound to it any longer. She would see the world. She would accomplish her dreams.
Nargol straightened at the first signs of the center of the village coming into view. She would complete this mission, protect her mate, and when it came time, she would claim what was hers.
The shop smelled of oil, sap, and wood. It was comforting in a way that should have confused her, but she knew why it was. Because she’d smelled the same scents on Orlena. This was where she spent most of her time.
She paused inside the threshold and immediately took in the tension that hung in the air. The shop owner, Yambul, stood at the counter. He was broad-shouldered, scowling, and he leaned over Orlena. She stood stiff behind the counter, hands braced on it as if needing to ground herself.
“How the feck are you behind?” Yambul snapped. “That order for the north patrol better be finished by sundown or you’ll pay dearly for it.”
“Yes, sir.” Orlena lowered her head.
Something ugly and hot twisted in Nargol’s chest. This orc was overstepping a line, and Nargol would need to correct him. She bit back a growl.
Feck.
If she did that, then there was no telling what type of attention she would draw to herself. She would have to look into this orc.
Nargol stalked into the shop. Her boots struck the floor hard enough to draw his attention. His gaze slid to her, dismissive at first until he took in the weapons on her. He straightened to his full height and blew out a deep breath.
“Looking for anything in particular?” he said.
“I need to speak with Orlena,” Nargol announced.
Yambul’s lip curled up. He glanced over at Orlena and growled.
“What type of establishment you think I run here? This is not a tavern or a whore—”
“Watch what you say,” Nargol warned. Her hand automatically drifted down to the hilt of her blade. She gripped it and paused.
Yambul’s eyes went to her hand then flicked up to her. She hardened her gaze.
“She’s working. You can speak with her on her lunch or when she’s off,” he sniped.
“It won’t take long,” Nargol interrupted. She kept her voice calm, but the edge was still there.
He glanced at Orlena again, nodding.
“This better not be about an order you’ve messed up. I swear I’ll add another month to your contract,” he barked.
The suspicion in his gaze thickened as Orlena scurried around the counter to Nargol.
“It’s not,” Orlena murmured. She arrived at Nargol’s side and motioned for them to step outside.
Nargol followed her out the door. It slammed shut behind them. Makhel waited in the street with the shukans. She watched them without saying a word. She nodded to Nargol then turned toward the road.
“Bula. You’re here. Is something wrong?” Orlena’s gaze searched hers.
That name burned liked a dagger sinking into Nargol’s heart. She swallowed hard and took in every detail of her mate. The way her hair had been neatly braided back for work, the faint smudge of sawdust on her sleeve, the tension drawn tight in her shoulders.
Goddess above, she needed to take her mate away from this place.
She’d appeared fragile standing next to that orc. Nargol had wanted to put herself between him and Orlena.
But she couldn’t.
Her mate was strong, and if she’d handled this orc for all the time she’d worked for him, then it proved it.
“I’m leaving,” Nargol said.
Orlena stilled. Something crossed in her gaze that resembled disappointment or even sadness.
It set Nargol on edge. “Only for a few days, then I will return. I have business outside of the village that I must attend to.”
“You have always said you belonged nowhere. You don’t need to lie to me,” Orlena said.
“I am coming back to Soza. This I promise you.”
Silence stretched between them. Orlena glanced away first.
“Promises are easily made. Don’t make one if you are not going to keep it.” She sniffed. She reached up and brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face.
“Look at me,” Nargol said.
Orlena turned those big brown eyes to her, and what she saw almost brought her to her knees. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She closed the gap between them. She didn’t care who may be watching from the street. She needed her mate to understand that she spoke the truth.
“I am returning. To you.”
“But this place. You don’t belong here—”
“You don’t either,” Nargol interrupted. A small smile tugged at her lips.
“I don’t have a choice,” she said.
“You will. Soon enough,” Nargol said swiftly. This was a promise she was going to keep.
Orlena arched an eyebrow at her, but before she could reply, Yambul’s voice cracked through the air.
“Orlena! You planning to stand around all day yapping?”
Orlena flinched.
Nargol turned her head slowly toward the shop’s door. Her disdain for the orc was deep, coiling low in her gut. He treated Orlena like property, not a valued employee.
A dangerous thought flickered in her mind. How easy it would be to break him. It would be immensely satisfying.
She forced that thought down.
Not now.
Instead, she leaned closer to Orlena where her lips brushed her ear and dropped her voice to a whisper.
“Remember last night?” she asked.
Orlena’s breath caught.
“You are mine and I’m yours,” Nargol said. “I do not abandon what belongs to me.”
“You speak as if your word is law.” Orlena’s soft voice sent a shiver down Nargol’s spine.
Nargol breathed in her mate’s scent. Desire slammed into her. She ached to pick her up and carry her somewhere private where she could dive back between those luscious thighs.
“It is.” Nargol straightened to her full height and grinned at her. Soon, she would get to know her—the real her. She would never have a care in the world ever again. The word of a Cydassi was law.
For a heartbeat, Orlena simply stared at her. Then, to Nargol’s surprise, she rose on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to Nargol’s lips. It was gentle and barely there.
And it practically shattered Nargol.
She froze. Her heart thundered so hard that it stole her breath from her lungs. By the time she recovered, Orlena had stepped back.
“I’ll wait for you,” Orlena announced. A small smile appeared on her lips. “Please come back to me.”
Before Nargol could answer, Yambul hollered again. Orlena turned and hurried back inside without looking over her shoulder.
The door closed.
Not only had her mate gone into the shop, but she’d taken Nargol’s heart with her. Nargol stood there for another moment, staring at the door until Makhel cleared her throat.
“You are such a goner,” Makhel said.
Nargol moved to Torch and got on his back. She took the reins from Makhel and shrugged.
“I’m officially inspired to finish what we came here for,” she said.
Makhel chuckled and shook her head.
“Come. Let’s go get supplies and leave before nightfall.” Makhel swung up on her shukan.
As they rode away, Nargol’s thoughts lingered on the feel of Orlena’s soft lips. It was just the motivation she needed before leaving for a dangerous mission.
There was no doubt she would return to her mate. The goddess wouldn’t bless her with such a woman only to have her not claim her.