Morgath pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss.
“Shh,” he murmured against her mouth. “This needs to stay between us.”
They kissed again, long and searching. Audrey clung to him and felt the tension drain from her body as his hands moved up and down her back.
“I will do anything for you, Audrey,” Morgath said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Even break the law.”
She threw her arms around his neck, and he lifted her, carrying her out of the bathroom and into the workshop. He set her down on one of the worktables, among scattered vials, herbs, and crystals. He positioned himself between her legs, and she pulled him closer, seeking his mouth again.
“Are you all right?” he asked between kisses. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
“I’m feeling better.”
Morgath pulled back reluctantly and moved to the shelves where he kept his supplies.
“I will prepare a tonic for you,” he said as he began gathering bottles and ingredients. “Then we will go talk to the horde together. I will free your friends.”
Audrey watched him work.
“Will the horde accept me now?” she asked. “Knowing who I am and what I did?”
Morgath glanced at her as he measured out herbs into a bowl.
“It might take some time. But in the end, orcs respect those who are strong. You are strong, Audrey. You are a woman who went for what she wanted, who put herself in danger and embarked on a deadly mission to avenge her family. That is something orcs can respect and approve of.”
He ground the herbs, added liquid from several vials, and simmered the concoction on the gas stove for a few minutes.
“They will see you the way I see you. A woman worthy of a captain.”
He poured the finished mixture into a cup and brought it to her. Audrey took it and drank it down in one long swallow. The taste was bitter and earthy. Morgath laughed at the face she made and leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose.
Audrey grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close, her fingers twisting in the fabric.
“I need to know something,” she said, looking up into his eyes. “Maika and Zulka say that you’re in love with me. Is it true? After all that happened, after what I did, after shooting you?”
Morgath’s expression softened. He brought one hand up to cup her face.
“Yes, it’s true. I’m in love with you. I didn’t expect it, and I certainly didn’t plan for it, but you got under my skin. All I think about is you. I want to spend my life with you, Audrey.”
She knew she was supposed to say something, but words failed her. She knew she should’ve said it back, it was only natural. Expected. But she wanted to make sure that when she said it, she’d absolutely mean it. Right now… she was rattled and not thinking straight.
“You know what?” Morgath continued, chuckling. “When you put three bullets in me, that made me love you even more.”
Audrey laughed, the sound surprising even to her own ears. She shook her head in disbelief and pulled him down for a hard kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Audrey leaned into Morgath as they walked toward town. The discoloration in her arm had receded somewhat, but the skin felt tender. She kept her arm tucked against her body, trying not to jostle it too much.
“It will take a while for it to go back to normal,” he said. “But you’ll be healed completely, I promise.”
Audrey nodded and pressed closer to his warmth. The walk felt longer than ever. They headed straight to the community center, where the orcs had already gathered at their captain’s summons.
When they reached the building, Morgath pushed open the door and led her inside. The entire horde had assembled, forming a wide circle that filled the large room.
Audrey’s breath caught in her throat when she saw them all staring at her. Brumis the Bold stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The two raiders, Raknar and Hokran, stood near the front. Maika, Zulka, Varka, and Dorsha clustered together. When they saw her, they were the only ones who smiled.
Some of the orcs looked curious, others seemed understanding, nodding at her when she met their gaze. A few appeared upset.
