An Offer to the Orc by Tracy Lauren

Author:Tracy Lauren [Lauren, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Rowena

I sniffle and pull a handkerchief from my waist pocket…then promptly blush as I think of how I must look to Arron. Fancy. It is hard to decide how I feel about such a label. In a way, I find myself flattered. But it also makes me feel…I cast eyes to him…as if we are quite different.

That wasn’t the impression I had last night. For all that Arron is big, and green, and simply foreign compared to anything I have ever known—I felt like we understood one another in a way that was entirely unique to us.

Partners. I look down at the ring on my finger. Married…in a way. And even though I know it isn’t a real marriage, I don’t want to lose that feeling of connection.

My mind spins and races. Why do I even care, I wonder. A flurry of thoughts assault my brain. How long have you been alone? Did Jon abandon you yesterday? Or was it a long time ago and you kept clinging, hoping it would turn around? And what’s this you felt with Arron—it was like truly being seen, all the way down to your soul. Are you going to cling to that now too? I grimace.

“What is that face?”

I come out of my head and back to the trail, blushing. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“About?”

I search his face, checking to see if he really does want to know. Certainly, it’s a question Jon never asked. “I’m thinking of Jon.”

Arron grunts and looks away.

“I was thinking lots of things, I suppose.” Differences between the two of them. But I shouldn’t say that, should I? Only…why not? “You perform well in a fight.” The words are awkward and I hardly know what I mean. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Arron saved my life. Jon couldn’t have done that. But the more important question is…would Jon have even tried?

I take myself back to the moment, superimposing Jon in Arron’s place. There’s this sensation in my chest, a knowing. If I’d have screamed…I don’t think Jon would have come.

“Orcs fight well.”

His words are dismissive and I can see why. There was no substance to my comment to begin with. So, I try again, intent on getting my meaning across. “I guess I’m still in awe that you saved me.”

He shrugs. “They were only arachnids. Not the most challenging of opponents.”

“Well, I couldn’t have defeated them.” Nor could Jon.

“Of course not. You are—”

“Let me guess: fancy.”

He shakes his head and holds up two green fingers, pinching them close together. “I was going to say tiny. You are like this.” He pinches his fingers even closer.

I laugh and sarcastically note, “Full of compliments, aren’t you?” My thoughts grasp the wheel again and I remember Arron pointing out my ring to the highwaymen—he said I was his. He said he wanted me close to him. He protected me…as if I really was his. All of these things might seem very romantic…if he weren’t an orc.

Because, as an orc, I’m sure he doesn’t grasp how heroic he is…and how attractive that might be to a woman.

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