Surrendering to the Orc Warrior: Orc's War Prize Book 1 by Quinn Stone

Author:Quinn Stone [Stone, Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Trenn

“He will not be dissuaded,” Enteg told me, pacing around the courtyard where my battalion was assembled. “Bex insists.”

Aside from Enteg, all my men stood at attention with their hands behind their backs. Bex looked greener than usual — doubtlessly the hangover from single-handedly draining Minhelden’s wine cellar — but his eyes were defiant.

“It is out of the question,” I said, trying my best not to shout at him. “You simply cannot stand guard during tonight’s party. It will be taken as a horrible affront to the king and his army. We are safe here, Bexenus.” I clapped my hand on his shoulder.

“I’ve already selected a vantage point, and it’s one where the king doesn’t have guards posted,” Bex told me.

“Ocer does not need posted guards everywhere. Not when his soldiers regularly patrol the entire perimeter of the city,” I said, unable to keep the growl out of my voice.

The king was happy letting go of my commitment to his daughter, imagining the potential match between Melena and Kej — as unlikely as it was that my brother would settle down. But insulting his fortress of a city? Even if the king had taken the presence of my fated mate on the chin, there was only so far you could push a man.

Bex lifted his chin. “There is danger coming, and I plan to do all I can about it. That favor you owe me — I’m calling it in.”

“No, you’re not,” Enteg piped up. “You’re crossing a line,” my commander said, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

“My word is my bond,” I said in a clipped voice. “If this is how Bexenus wishes to collect what he is owed from that battle long ago, then so be it. I will pay my debt to you. But listen very carefully: you must not be seen — not by a single messenger, guard, or courtier. If you are spotted second-guessing the king’s security strategy, I will be forced to disavow you.”

Bexenus nodded grimly. “I would not ask this if I did not feel, in my bones, that it is a matter of life and death.”

Enteg snorted. “Listen to him. Minhelden has taken up residence in his head. ‘In my bones,’ he says, mimicking the shaman. Bexenus believes that prophecy is about him!”

Voc laughed. “You are losing it in your old age, Bex. Turning superstitious on us.”

Qall, who almost never spoke, joined in. “What’s next? Carrying around charms and saying a nightly incantation?”

“Enough!” It was time I put a stop to this. “Bexenus has made his choice. He understands the stakes. If he’s caught, he will no longer be a member of the Anjin clan. I agree with you all that this is much too large a gamble, but we will discuss it no more. You have my orders: prepare for the celebration. I want everyone but Enteg out of my sight. Now.”

I wheeled around to face my commander once everyone had left us alone in the courtyard. “Do not encourage the men to antagonize one another.

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