Even so, she awkwardly tugged it down as she stood, and picked her way through the mess of the room. Toward the wooden chest Baldr had brought, still sitting on the bench, its lid propped open.
And yes, there was still food inside, and drink, all that Simon had wanted her to eat. So Maria numbly took it all out, taking great care not to touch at those —implements, and then sagged her loincloth-clad arse down onto the bench, and slowly, methodically ate. Scarcely even registering what the food was, some kind of dried meat, bread, an apple, because it all tasted the same, all blank bleakness on her tongue.
Next she drank down the small bottle of milk, and abruptly realized that she hadn’t used a latrine in what felt likedays— and after a few moments’ frantic glancing around the room, she came to the grim, miserable understanding that nothing here would suffice. And even considering the current state of the room, there was no way she was adding that kind of mess here, surely it would be disobedience of the highest order, surely Simon wouldn’t hesitate to send her away afterthat—
Her eyes were squeezing shut, her hands clutching painfully at the bench beneath her — but the need was becoming rapidly more pressing, and gods knew when Simon would return. No doubt the asshole would stay away as long as possible just to spite her, and she had to do this, she would gain her freedom, herrevenge—
So she lunged for the still-burning candle on the shelf, grasping it tight in her trembling fingers. And before the fear could start shouting, she hurled her loincloth-dressed body toward the open door, and out into the darkness beyond.
The curving corridor felt far larger and darker without Simon’s bulk, its smooth walls leading ominously into black shadow. Providing no helpful hint as to where a latrine might be located, but surely one had to existsomewhere. There had been no sign so far of the orcs despoiling their own home, no conspicuous smells or stains, which therefore stood to reason —
But as Maria crept down the shadowy corridor, her candle flickering unnerving shapes against the grey walls, she felt the fear skittering higher, closer. There seemed to be no one here, no more voices or telltale noises. And when she carefully peered into the dark doors she passed, they were all entirely empty, with no latrines to be seen — and also no furnishings, no personal effects, no signs of life.
It was odd, Maria’s distant thoughts pointed out, that Simon’s room was so separated from the rest of his clan — but wait, that den of debauchery had surely been nearby, hadn’t it? Surely in this direction, but there seemed to be no sign of it, and had they truly walked this far —
“Ach, woman,” came a rumbling voice behind her, and Maria whipped around, her heart leaping — and then plummeting again. No, it wasn’t Simon, of course it wasn’t, and shesurelywouldn’t care if it was — but all the same, this orc was quite possibly the last orc she would ever wish to find, when standing alone and dressed only in a loincloth in a strange dark corridor.
It wasUlfarr. The big, burly, barrel-chested orc, who’d so openly challenged Simon in that awful room, and mocked Maria while all those orcs had watched and leered. This was the orc who’d wanted Simon toshow her offto them, to make her spurt and squeal…
He was at least wearing trousers this time, but his top half was still fully bare, displaying his broad scarred chest, his massive arms, the ripples of muscle bulging beneath his grey skin. And his lips were curling up, showing sharp white teeth, and Maria realized, with an unpleasant jolt, that he wassmiling.
“Um, hello,” she made herself say, fighting to ignore the slow, unsettling slide of those black eyes down her form. “I’m just searching for a latrine. Or perhaps a chamber-pot?”
But those eyes were still looking, slipping with deliberate slowness over her breasts, her belly, the leather hiding her groin. “Ach, you have needs, woman,” Ulfarr said, his voice just as deep and unhurried as his eyes. “And my stubborn brother has not well met these, has he?”
Something cold was prickling up Maria’s spine, but she held her chin high, gripped tighter to her candle. “Simon was called away,” she managed, “as you know. Could you please direct me to the nearest latrine?”
Ulfarr didn’t make to move, or direct her anywhere, and he kept smiling, smooth, easy, unnerving. “Ach, I ken what you seek, woman. But first, mayhap, we shall speak, for a spell? Learn more of one another?”
His eyes had again drifted to Maria’s breasts, lingering with distressing intensity, and finally she crossed her arms over them, narrowly missing her own hair with the candle’s flickering flame. “I’d rather not, at the moment,” she said, “as I’m in quite urgent need of a latrine. Please.”
Ulfarr’s eyes wandered back to her face, and good gods, he looked…amused. Like he was enjoying this, standing here, blocking her,mockingher. “Ach, I ken you would forget this latrine,” he purred, “if you come with me, and better meet your new brother.”
Maria stared at him, because this orc was truly saying this — wasn’t he? Saying he — hewantedher, but no, no, surely he didn’t. Couldn’t. Surely it was —
“I wish to better know you, Maria,” he said, his voice smooth, soothing, like soft music on her name. “I am sure you must wish for this also. Ach, even my brother Simon should wish for this.”
Simon. It scraped down Maria’s back, shuddering against the rising chill, and she swallowed hard, glanced beyond Ulfarr down the corridor. “You know, I’m not sure he would,” she said, as clearly as she could. “If you’ll excuse me —”
She lunged to rush around his huge form, to slip past him, to escape — but in a swift, fluid flick of Ulfarr’s hand, hercandleblinked out. Leaving her standing there in utter blackness, alone with this highly alarming orc, and the panic was steadily rising, clanging, not this, not now, please —
“Come, woman,” Ulfarr’s deep voice said, and that — ohhell— was the feel of a big hand, warm upon her arm. “I shall grant you what you seek.”
No, no, this couldn’t be happening, Maria’s breaths heaving against her hammering heart — and in a fierce jolt, she wrenched herself away, out of his grip. Into the pure darkness of the corridor, she couldn’tsee, where was the wall, this was a wall, if she could just —
But there was a huff of laughter just before her —hewas before her, how had he moved so silently?! — and her groping hand had brushed against something smooth, hot, powerful. His barechest.
“You shall find great joy with me, woman,” his voice murmured. “Skai know pleasure better than any others in this mountain.”
The panic shouted louder, deeper, and Maria could feel Ulfarr’s warm weight settling closer. His scent swirling into her lungs, heated, sweet,not Simon—
“I’m pledged only toSimon,” Maria’s shaky voice pleaded. “I have no interest in findinganythingwith you except a latrine.Please.”
But Ulfarr only chuckled, low and indulgent, and she could feel him coming yet closer, now backing her flat against the wall, his arms blocking her in,not Simon, she’d signed acontract—
Maria flailed hard against Ulfarr’s bulk, but he was solid, heavy, immovable. And he was easing closer, closer, and this couldn’t be happening and why couldn’t she speak, scream,something,where was the fucking hysteria when she needed it —
“Maria!” roared a voice, Simon’s voice, bellowing through the darkness, bristling the hairs all over Maria’s skin. “Halt this.Now!”
