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CHAPTER4
AGONAK
When word came that the human was awake, I found myself hesitating. I never hesitated. Never stilled my blade. Why now?
Didn't matter. She was nothing but a girl. A nuisance at best, a spy at worst. All I had to do was figure out what she knew.
I realized with a jolt that it wouldn't do to send her back where she came from. Too much risk. She could tell on them, or they could encounter other humans on the way. Other, more hostile humans.
I clenched my jaw, unwilling to think about all the losses the clan had suffered in the last years. I would not put them in danger again.
Not while I still drew breath.
With that thought firmly in mind, I checked the straps on my weapons, adjusted my cloak and boots, and gave the word for her to come in.
I'd come up with a lot of theories, a lot of assumptions ever since I heard there was a human female in camp. But none of them came even close to the woman I saw before me.
Seeing her injured in bed was one thing. My heart had went out to her then, but this...this was something else altogether.
She stood straight, shoulders back and eyes forward. I noticed now the clear green of her pupils, like the forest after a rain. Her hands were unbound, but the scars on her wrists told tales of her captivity.
But this human didn’t look defeated.
She still held her head high, and her eyes shone defiantly. Somehow, despite her pale skin and all the bruises, despite her torn clothes, she looked like a warrior. A warrior with a story. A story I wanted to hear.
I lined up a hundred more questions to ask, but the human beat me to the punch. Her eyes flashed, and her voice, though small, rang loudly through the hall.
"My name is Rosa," she said. "You may not understand my language, or my customs, but know this: I mean you or your people no harm. I am simply a wayward traveler. Release me and I shall say nothing of this to my village.”
The guards flanking her bristled at her words, hands moving toward their scabbards. Rumbles of surprise and indignation bubbled to the surface. Foolish human. No one would dare to talk to me that way and live to tell the tale.
So why did it make me want to...laugh?
The absurdity of it all was not lost on me. Instead of bowing and scraping like anyone else would when brought before me, she chose to stand? To openly defy me?
I barked out a laugh, letting it fill all the empty spaces. It was preposterous and hopelessly naive, but yet…so different. Refreshing, in a way. “Human!” I roared, leaning forward with my hands clamped over the arms of my carved throne. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
Though she looked a bit surprised at my reaction, she didn’t cow. Not yet. “You are the king of the orcs.”
“Yes, I am. And not many would dare to speak so boldly in my presence.”
She stood her ground, though, and I couldn’t help but respect that. Another waft of that strange, sweet scent hit me and my cock stiffened.
Whatever foul magic this was, I had to resist it. Not only for my own sake, but for the sake of my people.
Perhaps this was their new tactic. Send a seductress to infiltrate our ranks, to make us lower our guard...
I growled as low and as menacingly as I could, rising from my throne to tower over her. This woman — Rosa, she said her name was — was still a human, no matter what other wiles she may have up her sleeve. Humans were weak. Fragile. I could end her right here without blinking an eye.
But perhaps…
I could have a little fun with her first.
“Leave us,” I commanded the guards, leaving no room for argument.
“My lord!”
“Now,” I growled, turning my ire on each in turn. They wasted no time once they saw that I meant business, turning tail and leaving as quick as they’d come.
