Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Calypso
The stunned silence across the clan broke, and everyone lined up to pledge their allegiance to the new chieftain.
The first to step forward were the broad-shouldered forms of Urim’s prior jarls, led by Bruk. Pride shone in the old orc’s eyes as he pledged his loyalty.
“I saw our clan suffer for many years and am ashamed that I did not stop it. You have protected the clan, and your father would be proud.” He inclined his head. “For my failures, I relinquish my post as jarl.”
“I do not accept that,” Vidorak answered. “I wish you to remain as jarl. The past holds many regrets, but the clan’s welfare comes first.”
Jarl Bruk nodded his acceptance and moved on. The rest followed suit until Kinar stepped forward, tension rising between them. The jarl’s eyes burned, but he held his tongue as he lowered his head in acquiescence.
“I should kill you where you stand,” Vidorak stated before Kinar could leave. “However, too much orc blood has been spilled already. Don’t mistake my mercy for weakness. I strongly suggest you are gone by the morning.”
Kinar responded with a huff before fleeing the arena. It would be cleaner to kill him now. A man like Kinar didn’t just fade into the distance. He would be a problem in the future.
After the jarls recognized him, Mor stepped forward accompanied by a male orc that Calypso had seen around Vidorak.
Mor’s eyes were red and puffy from tears, but her face remained calm.
The male orc looked worse for wear, with his nose still bleeding and a nice bruise blossoming at his ribs.
It seems Vidorak’s mother didn’t appreciate being dragged away during the fight.
“My son. Our new chieftain.” She kneeled before him as the jarls had done.
“You do not need to kneel before me, Mother,” Vidorak said softly.
She stood and walked up the steps to the throne. She took his free hand, squeezing it once, before leaning down to say something in his ear. Calypso couldn’t make it out as it was in Orcish.
Before Mor stepped away, she turned toward Calypso and surprised her by also touching her hand as well. “My son’s mate. It is a blessing that he found you. This marks a favorable future for the clan.”
If Rhunga felt annoyed that his role as prophesier was overshadowed, he didn’t show it. Instead, the young shaman nodded respectfully at Mor as she passed him.
The rest of the clan stepped forward to kneel before the new chieftain. Eyes skittered in Calypso’s direction as the orcs approached, their expressions ranging from curiosity to excitement. The stares felt odd, but even if Calypso wanted to leave his lap, Vidorak’s iron grip held her in place.
Even though Vidorak sat calmly as the clan stepped forward, she suspected he was concealing inner turmoil. While she held no grief for Urim, she wondered if Vidorak felt the same. Despite all his evil, Urim had still been his uncle.
With the pledging of loyalty concluded, Vidorak stood and pulled her away unceremoniously.
“There are a few things to discuss, Chieftain.” The shaman stopped them.
“Later, Rhunga.”
“Of course.” The shaman’s eyes glittered with amusement as he glanced at Calypso. “It has been a long day. I will send a medicinal salve to the chieftain’s quarters, along with water for a bath.”
Vidorak paused, and she hoped he was thinking the same thing as she was. Being in the space that Urim had occupied for decades didn’t seem appealing at the moment. “Bring them to the chamber on the north summit. Also, clear the chieftain’s quarters of all possessions.”
Rhunga nodded and left to follow through on the instructions.
Avoiding further interruptions, Vidorak tugged Calypso through an entryway across the grounds, and they ascended a curving staircase. He was rushing her along, but she dug her heels in, forcing him to stop and face her.
“How long have you known?” She didn’t need to specify for him to realize what she was referring to.
“I sensed something from the beginning, but the bond did not form until the first time we kissed.”
“The kiss was a test to see if we were mates?”
His hand reached up to cup her cheek. “I simply wanted to kiss you. Having a mate wasn’t something I thought would be possible for me.”
Her chest tightened at those words. How many times had she said a similar thing to herself? Love and happiness felt unattainable for her. For so long, pain and revenge had completely consumed her thoughts.
“That doesn’t excuse not telling me.”
Regret briefly crossed his face, and he glanced downward. “Our start was not a very trusting one, little witch, most of which was my doing. I barely understood what was happening to me, let alone understood how to tell you.”
“We are still far from understanding one another,” she stated grimly.
“I know. The bond may have happened without our input, but we will continue how we see fit.” When she said nothing, he added, “Or not at all, if you so choose.”
There was sadness in those words but no anger or ill-will.
“You would let me go if I refused . . .” it was hard to say the words, “whatever this is?”
“I won’t deny the thought of letting you go is difficult.
” His hands when to her shoulders, gently tugging her toward him as if his body didn’t want to entertain that idea even verbally.
“But I do not want you to feel like a hostage. The bond is not complete until we are physically joined. After that, I do not think I’d be able to. ”
That made her snort in amusement. “Did you not learn by now that no one can keep me hostage? Bond or not, I will always do what I want.”
His mouth twitched. “Did you forget I practically handed the keys to your crow that night?”
“That was not my only plan! Next, I would’ve laced your drink with a powerful laxative, so consider yourself lucky.”
They smiled at each other for a moment before she spoke again. “A lot has happened recently. I need time to think about this.”
“Take all the time you need.” His thumb rubbed over her hand before heading back up the stairs.
A short walk further, and they approached a door off the winding staircase. He opened it to reveal a modest but pleasant room. It looked comfortable and had natural light pouring in from a window.
“Is this where we will stay?” The bed seemed small, but she supposed it would do.
“It is your room. Mine is further up.” He showed the direction to go. “Someone will bring you a meal soon. Now I need to wash off the fight, but tonight we will speak regarding the return to Taybe.”
With a parting nod of his head, he closed the door behind him. Calypso was alone in a room all for herself. This arrangement made the most sense if she was seeking space. Yet, she’d assumed they’d be in the same quarters as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she examined her injuries.
Now that the intensity of the fight had dissipated, pain was setting in.
The worst of it was her wrist, with the skin sheared away, but even that had stopped bleeding.
Fortunately, the stab wound Mabanok gave her appeared superficial.
The orc had been more concerned with disturbing the fight than actually delivering an efficient wound.
Rest felt impossible. She took out the dragon’s eye amulet from her pocket. The ruby hung like a drop of blood and was cool to the touch. Even in its dormant state, she could sense the magic within the small ruby necklace.
The voice in her mind stayed silent, but she felt a hum of satisfaction that she knew wasn’t her own. It was happy to be in possession of the amulet. She should be happy to have received what she came for, should be eager to leave this dark mountain and return to her sisters.
Yet all she could think about was that leaving here meant leaving Vidorak. Leaving someone who not only challenged her but also cared for her so gently that her hardened heart was softening.
Restless energy taking over, she stood and paced in front of the bed.
Her need to avenge her mother hadn’t changed, but for the first time since her death, Calypso wondered if it was possible to lead another life. Such a thought, even uttered in her mind, felt like a betrayal of her mother and her sisters.
But now that she had thought it, it was impossible to silence. She imagined herself by Vidorak’s side seriously, helping him with the orc clan while he, in turn, helped her with the new coven in Taybe. For a moment she ached for that reality, so much it hurt her deep in her chest.
Her hand touched the doorknob, but she paused. Reality was never so easy or pretty. She hadn’t lied to Vidorak when she’d stated she’d do what she wanted. For better or worse, she was an emotional and chaotic being. Over time, would she end up hurting him with her relentless nature?
Logically, completing the mate bond was not a wise choice. It was safe to stay in the comfort of their roles, she the mad witch out for revenge, and he the war-torn orc set to lead his clan.
She repeated this to herself even as she left her room and hurried up the stairs. Just as he’d said, there was a room further up, and she burst in without knocking.
Vidorak had finished bathing, and his long hair was damp, but neatly combed and loose at his back. He paused, rubbing healing salve over the wounds on his chest, and looked up at her.
“How can I be certain this isn’t a lie?” Subconsciously, she rubbed over her heart as if expecting to sense something there. “I do not feel anything binding me to you.”
He put away the salve but stayed on the far side of the room.
“I imagine the bond feels different to non-orcs. To me, it feels like a string connecting us, like my body is attuned to yours. Like nothing else matters except for you and your safety.”
There was a twinge of jealousy at his certainty. She wanted the confidence he had, wanted to fall into the attraction between them, but the risk still felt too great.