Khal released a breath. “I can do it.” His jaw set. It was too soon, and I knew it.
Vrathgar was still speaking. “If I have to drag you on a litter, I’ll take you with us. Don’t rip yourself open again like you’re Gernaz at the ring last year. Rowena and I will make you pay for it.”
I could be used as a threat now.
Khal shook his head. “I’ll walk. This isn’t a time to project weakness.”
I handed Vrathgar a bowl of the soup. He started scarfing it down, said, “Better to project a little weakness than to make a lot of it, eh? Doesn’t your wife roast people alive? Lean on your wife a little.” He glanced up at me. “No offense meant.”
“None taken.” I was getting used to being referred to as a weapon. While my stomach went tight at the memory of the wall, it was good if my reputation could spare Khal trouble. Even if it was only a little.
The power struggle within the Drashik was beyond my understanding, but I knew that now his brothers didn’t see me as a drain on his influence. After Khal’s display at the circle of stones, being the warrior bound to the humans’ renegade sorceress brought a mystique with it along with the distrust. Khal had assured me that the distrust of those still wary of him was inevitable. I would need to work to let myself believe him.
“A few of us are coming to make sure you reach the circle.” And then Vrathgar’s eyes hesitated on me.
“You can speak in front of Rowena,” Khal said.
“...There have been a few rumors, of humans searching for the sorceress. The elders will be anxious.”
My stomach went cold, but Khal’s face was calm. “Theycannot deny her right. Not after I was victorious in the challenge.”
Vrathgar hesitated again, but spoke before Khal needed to urge him. “It would be a cleaner prospect if you went through the stones.”
My heart skipped. I tried to school my features, hoped nothing showed on my face, even though I wasn’t sure what I would even betray. Khal shifted in his seat by the fire, avoiding Vrathgar’s eyes. “There is no rush in that.”
“Practically? No. Politically? There is.” He jerked a nod at me. “No offense. The conservative element—" Here I recognized I was using the magic again, felt the drain as the meaning in his words played out in my mind, “they are being stirred by rumors about a human bride and a human ceremony. It'll be easier to drum up positive sentiment about you having stolen away a human wife when you are being visibly orc.” He glanced at me. “No offense.”
“None taken.” I didn’t feel stolen. Though the memory of Khal trying to honor the traditions that should have been dear to me did send warmth into my face.
Khal scraped the last of the broth onto his spoon, and I could tell he used the Orcish as he said, “There is no way on this earth I’m dragging her captive through the stones. There will be another way.”
Vrathgar shook his head. “Far be it from me to give marital advice.” He glanced out the window, as if gaging the color of the light. “I’ll come back within the hour.”
Khal responded in the affirmative. His friend- our friend- left. Hagmar snorted in sleep, next to the wall.
This was the closest we’d come to being alone since the meadow.
Khal interrupted the silence before I did. “It’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry,” he said. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I spoke before the cowardice could set in, before I could tiemyself in knots of second thoughts. “Is that your plan for me forever?” My words made him wince. “Just being someone you keep safe? Not needing to know what’s going on?”
His forehead creased. “I apologized about that.” His voice was a rasp.
“Yes. But that doesn’t answer my question.”
He looked down at his bowl. There was nothing in it, but he ran the spoon around the side. “I’m not thinking about the future. Just getting through this next month.”
I took his bowl in my hand. “What changes in the future?” This wasn’t a talk I should back down from, as much as I needed to ask a hundred other questions. As much as I feared to.
“We…you…you’ll know more. I won’t always be the one making the decisions. You’ll be a full member of the Drashik. You’ve…your Orcish has improved.” There was color in his neck.
“So you do plan for me to be here? With you?”
He didn’t answer.
“Do you want me to marry someone else?”
His head snapped up. “What are you talking about?” His voice was rough, almost harsh. “Has someone said this to you? Is one of them harassing?—"
