My eyes closed on a wince.
Rowena.
She was mine, and I was losing her.
Nay.
Nay, I couldn’t lose her. I needed her, needed her in my life.
“D’malk,” Matthias began gently. “Ye need to ask yerself, is it better to be Callor’s vassal or to be free? We will stand with ye, whatever ye decide.”
Issa was shaking her head.
“This shouldnae be Vrogul’s decision alone. He needs counsel.”
“That’s why I’m here,” I growled. “Advise me.Helpme.”
“Do it,” Maardok barked, straightening. “Tell him to fook off. We’ll have yer back.”
Issa looked less certain. She turned slightly in her chair to shift her hold on her Mate, twining her fingers through Matthias’s as she rubbed her belly.
I was hit with a fierce bolt of longing.
I wanted that. Wanted it with Rowena. Wanted that connection, that trust, wanted to sink into her at least once, wanted to becomeonewith her.
Didn’t want to die before I had that opportunity.
I took a deep, shuddering breath.
“I dinnae have to make this decision now. I can send the ore?—”
“Ye should send it anyhow,” my sister interrupted, and I inclined my head.
“Aye, ye’re right. I pledged it to Callor and we took it for him.”
Six humans died for it. How many orcs will have to die for it?
“So, he should have it.” I swallowed. “We should cut ties cleanly.”
Maardok sucked in a breath in victory, and I realized what I’d said. I was agreeing with him, that we needed to break our allegiance.
“I’ll take a dozen of our warriors and deliver the ore—” he began, but I cut him off with a slash of my palm.
“Nay. I’m the one breaking my oath. I should be the one to go. To explain.”
My sister nodded solemnly.
“Ye should speak to Rowena.”
I wanted to do so much more thanspeakto her. MyKteerthrummed in my chest, itching, irritating me, urging me to become one with her. But…
“She’s leaving.”
“Mayhap.” Issa’s shrug looked sad. “But she helped lead ye to this decision and deserves to ken it. She is a good match for ye, brother.D’malk.A good Mate for our chief.”
I stared, processing.
Issa was right.
