The orc shook him back and forth until his vision spun. “Apologize.”
“All right! My apologies, Master Orc.”
It took a few seconds for his sight to focus. At this new height, he locked on the familiar red of Dyna’s hair at the other end of the tavern. His relief was short-lived. A group of dwarves surrounded her. They jeered and pulled on her dress, attempting to drag her away. Cassiel shouted her name, but the chorus of voices and music swallowed his call.
“Is that your woman?” the orc asked, following his gaze.
Cassiel flushed at the question, trying to pry the creature’s thick fingers from his coat. “You have no right to my business. Release me at once.”
“You left her alone in this swarm? That was unchivalrous of you.”
“I will take no lectures from an orc. Now unhand me.”
The orc shook him again, and Cassiel nearly fell out of his coat. He desperately clung to the lapels, fearing to be ousted in front of hundreds of people. The buttons strained as the fabric slipped through his sweaty hands. One popped off, and he dropped half a foot down.
“By all the gods.” The orc gaped at the sight of a few revealed feathers past Cassiel’s shoulder. He quickly fixed the coat properly to hide his wings again. “You’re foolish to come here, divine one, even with your enchantments,” he said in a harsh whisper. “Too many poachers hereabouts. Are you fixing to get yourself killed? You must be on your way now before you’re discovered.”
It was then Cassiel remembered Rael’s Accords also bound the orcs. A colony of orcs living near Hermon Ridge knew of the Celestial Realm in the mountains. They left them well alone, some holding reverence for his kind.
Cassiel’s heart slowly calmed from his panic. “I was doing so until you stopped me, Master Orc.”
“Aye, call me Elric.”
“A pleasure. Now I must be on my way.” Cassiel squirmed in his grasp, needing to reach Dyna. The dwarves were pulling on her arms, trying to drag her towards the entrance. The drunken crowd had gathered to watch the struggle in amusement.
Elric growled. “Them lot are poachers. Is she another like you?”
“No.”
“Who is she to you, then?”
Only the truth would convince the orc to let him go. Heat rushed to Cassiel’s face as he spoke the words aloud. “She is my wife. Now, will you please release me?”
“I’ll do you one better.” Lifting his hammer, the orc roared at the crowd.
They scrambled out of the way, and a path formed for them. Elric’s heavy footsteps thudded on the floor as he carried Cassiel to Dyna. Her voice filtered towards them as they approached.
“Unhand me.” She kicked a dwarf in the groin and punched another in the face. She quickly took out the knife strapped to her calf, holding it so fiercely it made him proud. “Touch me again, and I-I’ll put another hole in your face.”
Elric chuckled, and Cassiel grinned. She fixed the dwarves with a fierce glare. But to him, the dainty human with the pointy knife looked rather adorable.
“Come with us,” another jeered. “Master will pay your sire finely for the service of your comfort …”
The dwarf trailed off when Elric stomped over to them, releasing Cassiel. He landed on his feet beside Dyna. Their beady eyes flickered from him to the gargantuan orc repeatedly. They were Draven’s dwarves.
Elric roared at the dwarves, sending them scrambling to escape under the tables. “I quite enjoy doing that.” He cackled.
The crowd laughed with him. Most were drunk and swaying on their feet, their jolly complexions colored crimson.
“Are you hurt?” Cassiel asked Dyna.
“I’m fine,” she said a tad sharply, sheathing her knife.
“What is it?” He lifted her chin.
Dyna’s wet eyes shone under the chandeliers above them. She jerked her chin away, hiding beneath her hair. “I thought you’d left me behind.”
He frowned.
