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“Where are they?” I called to the head of the guard.
“False alarm.” He had the grace to wince. “One of my males thought he saw a few leaving the sea further down the coast. He flew here fast and sounded the alarm, but when we sent a flight to battle, they didn’t find even one dresalod.”
“Very well.” Spent adrenaline made my limbs ache. With a nudge of my heels, I turned Feyla, and urged her back to my home. She landed on the balcony, and I dismounted.
After stroking her neck, I slapped her flank, urging her to return to her nest. I strode forward and tapped on the door.
Rhoslyn unbarred it. She burst out and rushed to me, sagging into my arms. “What’s happening?”
I explained and took her inside where I gave into my earlier urge to hold her. She was rapidly becoming more important to me than anything, and I wasn’t sure if I should give into the feeling or continue to fight it.
Finally, I set her on her feet and rose.
“Come, tiny mate, we’ll eat in the city,” I said, my voice gruff with relief that I’d live to see another day with Rhoslyn.
Her head tilted. “We’re leaving the house?”
“Tonight, we’ll hold a festival to give thanks that everyone in the city still lives.”
“Oh, that sounds fun.”
The excitement in her voice made me realize other than buying clothing, I’d kept her inside our home. She was missing out on the other wonders of my city, and I wanted to share them with her.
“Wear something you can dance in,” I said with a grin.
She trailed her fingertip down my arm as she passed me, heading for the bedroom. “Tell me more about this celebration.”
I tugged on clean pants. “We hold them often.” Because we knew each day could be our last. “The elders will hold a Flame Dance Festival where we’ll light numerous majestic bonfires throughout the city. Street performers dressed in bright costumes will dance around them, as will we. Vendors will offer every kind of food you can imagine. The sparks from the fire filling the night sky represent not only celebration but will reinforce the unity within our society.”
“It sounds amazing.”
I couldn’t wait to share it with her.
We finished dressing and left our home. Orcs walked with us, heading toward the city center.
I took Rhoslyn’s hand to avoid losing her in the rush.
Color filled her cheeks, and her cheerful gaze took in everything. As we passed acrobats performing leaps and flips from the backs of others, her breath caught, and she squeezed my hand.
The sun faded, leaving only streaks of gold and red on the western horizon, and torches stuffed with fragrant herbs were lit. The buildings we passed were adorned with colorful tapestries depicting our victorious battles against the dresalods.
Dusk settled over the city, and the air was filled with anticipation.
“He looks a little like you,” Rhoslyn said, pausing to stare at a tapestry.
I studied the picture of a dresalod lying in the middle of the square, an orc standing on top of its enormous shell, his mace lifted and a snarl on his face.
“I’ve been commander of the forces for a little over five years.” I didn’t want to sound like I was bragging.
“Itisyou? Wow.” She stared at the picture once more, comparing it with me. “The artist did a good job. You don’t look grumpy at all here.”
My laugh snorted out, surprising both of us.
She grinned. “There you go again, turning into an orc who just might be a bit squishy inside.”
“Never,” I vowed with a growl.
But truly. Maybe? Only with Rhoslyn.
