Morgath squeezed her waist gently and guided her toward the center. The orcs parted to make room for them. When they reached the table, Morgath grabbed a chair and helped her into it. He positioned himself behind her, his large hands coming to rest on her shoulders. The warmth of his palms seeped into her skin, grounding her.
Morgath had chosen not to wear his helmet. His face was bare, every line and scar on proud display. He wanted them to see hisface when he said what he had to say, and not doubt the truth of his words.
“Jorrad the Brutal escaped today,” he began, his deep voice carrying across the room. “He attacked my bride, and I had no choice but to bring him down. I killed him with my own hands.”
A ripple of shock moved through the horde. Even though they were hardened warriors, they hadn’t seen real violence in years.
“I do not condone what Jorrad did during the war. He killed innocent humans, and I should’ve punished him a long time ago. I should’ve shunned him from the horde. I was too indulgent. But that will not happen again.”
His fingers pressed into Audrey’s shoulders.
“Whoever thinks they can hurt my mate should think again,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. “I feel deeply sorry for what happened to Audrey’s family. What Jorrad did was not right. Even though our way of living is war, that doesn’t mean we kill innocents. I will spend the rest of my life making up for what he did. I will offer my all to Audrey.”
As he spoke, Audrey watched the orcs start to nod. They looked at her with new eyes, seeing a woman who’d survived unimaginable loss. Slowly, understanding replaced judgment. She let out a breath of relief.
Brumis the Bold stepped forward. She still looked skeptical but not hostile.
“What about the hunters?” she asked.
“The Tusk Hunters have been operating outside the law, it’s true,” Morgath said. “But they have dedicated their lives and skills to seeking revenge for those wronged in the war. Like Audrey. Morally, what they did was not wrong. In a world that was cruel to humans, where there was no recourse, they tried to right what they could. I propose that the hunters are let go.”
Brumis shook her head slowly, her dreadlocks swaying. She didn’t look angry, just uncertain.
Audrey stood up, feeling like it was her duty to convince them her friends deserved to be shown mercy. She held Brumis’s gaze as she spoke.
“I understand your reluctance. I joined the horde on false pretenses. I lied to all of you. But that is all over now. I want to stay and be part of your family, if you’ll have me. My heart was filled with hatred and revenge when I came here. But what I found was friendship and love.”
She turned to look up at Morgath.
“I didn’t expect it, but it happened. It’s time for me to be honest.”
She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.
“I care about you,” she said. “I want to give us another chance. If you want that, too.”
“More than anything,” Morgath said breathlessly.
He pulled her close and kissed her, his mouth claiming hers with an intensity that made her knees weak. She kissed him back just as fiercely.
The horde erupted into cheers around them, their voices rising in approval and celebration.
The gathering broke up after that, orcs dispersing in small groups as they went about their business.
Morgath took Audrey’s hand and led her out of the community center, and down the street, walking slowly to match her pace. From the outside, it looked like they were out on a stroll. They headed toward one of the houses on the edge of town.
He unlocked the door and moved aside to let her in first.
The living room was warm and cozy, a fire roaring in the fireplace. Audrey’s friends were sitting on the floor around a board game. Empty plates and beer bottles littered the area around them, evidence of several days spent in comfortable captivity.
The moment the Tusk Hunters saw her, they scrambled to their feet. Tyler reached her first, pulling her into a hug. Natalie and Shauna crowded in next, both of them sniffling as they wrapped their arms around her. Owen and Cole hung back, not wanting to intrude when they saw the girls getting emotional.
Morgath cleared his throat from the doorway.
“Take all the time you need,” he said.
He stepped back outside and closed the door behind him. Audrey noticed that he didn’t lock it.
Natalie grabbed her good hand and squeezed it.
