“Actually, I think I like that better. I’ll see youter.” With that, he turned away from the old man and approached therge tent that he called home for the time being.


    Before passing over the threshold into the confines of the canopy, he stopped and lifted his hand to rub his fingers over his eyes. His world had sumbed to a fresh sort of insanity in the past hour that was all together different from the sexy craziness he’d yet to get used to. It didn’t matter of course. Jte needed him. Algra deserved better. So he’d be there for Jte and, if need be, he’d make himself better. Of course he wasn’t sure how the hell he was going to make himself good enough to face even a young orc warrior in an open fight before the morning, but that was a problem for another time.


    With a deep breath, he lowered his hand before opening his eyes and stepping forward. He saw Jte settled upon the bed. She had fallen asleep in thefort it provided whilst Valise attended her. Algra was stood on the other side of the room divider. Gregory saw her there, staring at the chest of her former possessions. As usual, her expression was unreadable, but Gregory guessed the thoughts that might be running through her head. None were particrlyforting.


    Algra had renounced all her belongings when she had left the encampment after the death of Rowun Strongblood, her former mate. She no longer felt fit to wield her armour or carry her sword into battle. Grolfir had returned her things to Gregory when he had bested her in an open challenge, but instead of taking them back she had refused to even unlock the chest. She looked at the thing like it was full of old ghosts.


    Gregory turned his attention to Valise as she approached him. The older woman seemed as serene as always. Not a hair was out of ce in amidst the waves of gold that flowed from atop her head. She offered Gregory a small bow as she stood before him.


    “Master, I have given yourdy a potion to soothe her. She should not dream for tonight. I would suggest that you be there when she awakes. The night’s events have greatly disturbed her.”


    “She’s not the only one.” Gregory looked over to the sleeping form of Jte. She seemed peaceful. He watched the slow rise and fall of her chest for a few moments before turning back to Valise. The cloak that Jte had worn was shed to leave her in her rather appealing bra and panties and the sight of her sleeping was bing distracting. It was hardly the time for such thoughts.


    “Would you like me to make a soothing potion for you, master?” Valise asked.


    “No. A lot’s happened. I’m going to need to be very sharp tomorrow. Thank you Valise. For the demonstration and for your help. I’m afraid that you don’t need to call me ‘master’ anymore though. I’d like some privacy now if that’s alright.”


    His words worried the woman. She did not speak but instead offered the same little bow that she had greeted him with before taking her leave after collecting the box of potions she’d brought with her.


    This left Gregory alone with Algra.


    He watched the orc stare at the case of her possessions. There wasn’t a hint as to the nature of her thoughts to be found in her solemn expression, yet Gregory knew the woman well enough to see the storm brewing in her eyes. After a long moment in which the silence grew fierce, he stepped forward to Algra and ced his hand upon her shoulder.


    It was immediately shrugged away and she let out a low warning growl.


    “Algra. Stop this.”


    “You first.” She didn’t lift her eyes to look upon him.


    “What do you want me to stop?”


    “Being an orc. You are human. You are runt.”


    “Well, thanks for that. I’m not being an orc. I think I’d need to grow about twenty feet for a start-”


    “You are orc. You are master. You fight.” She whirled about to face him and jabbed her finger against his bare chest to highlight each utterance.


    “I only took you because you’d have broken my bones if I set you free. I only fought Bolut because I wanted to get Jte out of trouble. I didn’t go looking for any of this, Algra.” Gregory found heat in his voice and stifled it immediately. He remembered what happened thest time he’d lost his temper. “Look, I want you with me. I don’t care if you’re my ve or not. I want you because…”


    Algra’s eyes narrowed and she rudely shoved Gregory back. The young mannded on his ass before her to look up at the angry, jade-hued beauty.


    “I not care! You are fool to fight in orc proving. You get hurt or you get dead.” She turned away and shook her long inky mane of unsettled tresses. “You are like him.”


    Gregory knew she meant Rowun, her former mate and the brave warrior who had died in battle, leaving her behind. Theparison unnerved him whilst making his chest tighten for her.


    He shoved himself to his feet and stepped up behind her. His hands lifted to firmly grasp her arms and turn her about. This was quite the courageous move since Algra would have had no problem turning his jaw into powder with one solid punch. She found herself staring into his eyes and saw wild determination had settled therein.


    “I’m not going to die. When we first fought, I surprised you. I’ll do the same to them. I haven’t shown all my tricks yet but I need you with me. I need you to show me how to fight them. I need to know you’ll be here when I get back. You don’t want to lose me, I know, but I don’t want to lose you either.”


    The words softened the warrior woman’s expression. It was a devious way to turn her fear and anger against her resolve. Then again, Gregory wasn’t above being a little devious when he needed to be.


    “I prefer runt to orc,” she admitted.


    “Well, I’ve grown quite fond of orcs. They’re strong, fierce and asionally stunningly gorgeous.” Gregory lifted his hand to slip the band of leather from Algra’s shoulder.


    She let out a growl of an entirely different nature at that point.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “You are fool to speak of me.” Though her tone said something quite different.


    “Who said I was talking about you?” Gregory teased.


    The quick, hard p that came soon after that little jibe left his ears ringing.


    “That is for thinking yourself amusing.” Algra chided.


    “Ok, I’ll bear that-” Gregory was quickly cut off as the woman pressed her lips to his. The feel of her hard, smooth tusks contrasting against soft, silken seams was always a pleasure to experience and his hands soon settled on her bare waist. The kiss ended as abruptly as it had begun as Algra shoved him back and smacked her hand across the other side of his head.


    “What the-!?”


    “That is for being stupid.”