Kaius the Fierce by Cara Wylde

Chapter Seven

Kaius didn’t have the patience to make it to the clearing by the river. He stopped before the mouth of the cave, jumped down, then helped Grace. He motioned for one of his grunts to take care of the krag, and the orc obeyed without question. The second Kaius returned, his horde felt his anger and stopped doing what they were doing. Birma and Beka appeared from inside the cave, and the Giant dropped the sword he was sharpening and stepped closer. Grace found herself surrounded by the orcs, but no one was paying any attention to her. Their eyes were on their captain.

“They did it again,” he said. “He did it again, and he will pay for it. This time... This time, we won’t hold back.”

The orcs grunted and nodded, then Kaius made a gesture with his hand, and they stepped back, not yet dispersing.

“We meet in the grand hall in an hour. Call the others.”

That was when they dispersed. The Giant grabbed a horn that was almost as big as he was, went into the forest, and a minute later, Grace heard its call – three long wails. She could almost feel the horn’s vibrations in her bones.

“He’s calling the hunting party home,” Beka explained quietly.

Grace blinked in confusion. She didn’t understand a thing. Okay, so someone had cut down the apple trees, but how had they been able to do it in silence? Even she would’ve heard it, not to mention the orcs, who she was sure had better hearing than her.

Kaius disappeared inside the cave, mad with worry and anger. She threw Beka a glance, then followed him, running to catch up with him. She’d loved the peaceful moments they’d shared on the ride to the valley, and she hated that it was over and now the captain was concerned with something else. At least, she wanted to find out what it was and how she might be able to help.

“Wait! Please...”

He slowed down but didn’t turn to look at her. Grace thought it was still a good sign that he waited for her to match his pace. At first, she thought he was going to their room, but then he took a sharp turn, and she realized he was going to the lake. She’d already guessed there was at least one more path that led there.

“Who did that?”

“My foe.”

“Foe?” Who talked like that anymore? But then she remembered what one of her teachers had said at the institute – most orcs learned English from books.

“Enemy.”

He was decent with synonyms, but it was frustrating to her that he never seemed to be in the mood to expand any topic whatsoever. They reached the underground lake, and he proceeded to remove his clothes, just like he’d done the night before. Again, his back was to her.

“Tell me about this enemy,” she pushed.

Kaius didn’t turn to face her. He stepped into the warm water and let himself submerge. She bit the inside of her cheek, disappointed that she’d been refused the sight of his glorious warrior body.

“Please, Kaius. I’m your bride now. And even though I’m not sure what that means to you, well... it means something to me. I know everything is happening fast, but maybe we could... be partners. Tell me what bothers you, and I’ll listen.”

He turned to her, an unreadable expression on his face. She couldn’t tell whether he was glad she was there, annoyed that she was pestering him to talk, or whether he might not have cared at all.

“Goroth the Devourer,” he finally said, his voice harsh and full of despise. “We’ve been disputing the valley since my horde moved here and his followed. We were first, and we took care of the land after your people abandoned it. When his horde came to occupy the mountain across the valley, we were already growing fruits and vegetables. He wanted to lay claim to what was ours, and we taught him a lesson.”

Grace sat down on the bank and removed her boots. She sank her feet in the water and wiggled her toes.

“I don’t think he learned his lesson,” she whispered.

“No. He didn’t bother us for a while, but he started again a few months ago. At first, they only stole or caused mild destruction. But today...” He shook his head.

“But how was he able to cut down all those trees without making a sound?”

“Magic.”

Grace nodded. “Yes. Of course.” She had to remember that she now lived in a world where magic existed. Whenever she didn’t understand something, before asking and risking looking stupid, she had to first consider magic.

“We will teach him a new lesson.”

“Makes sense.”

“This one, tougher. One he will not forget.”

“That’s why you’re meeting everyone in the grand hall?”

“Yes.” He looked at her, and when their eyes met, Grace felt like he saw her again. “But you need not worry about a thing. I will take care of this, and Goroth the Devourer will not be a threat anymore.”

“He wants the valley, just like you do.”

“He will not have it.”

“I mean, I get it. It’s a great resource.” It wasn’t great that they’d practically stole it from her people, but she wasn’t going to go there. “Have you thought of... splitting it in two?”

“Splitting what in two?”

“The valley. Splitting it in equal parts, so you could both take advantage.”

His brows furrowed, and Grace felt like it might’ve been a smarter choice to swallow her tongue that say those things. Too late now.

“Out of the question. We were here first.”

“Well, technically...” But she thought better of it this time and didn’t finish the sentence. Who cared whose valley it had been? During the war between the orcs and humans, the people living there had chosen to abandon it, too scared by the horde settling in the mountains nearby. Now, if she was with Kaius, this was her valley, too. And she happened to like fresh fruits and veggies. They probably used the grapes to make wine, and she liked wine too. “No, I get it. I just...” She took a deep breath. “Be careful.”

Kaius smiled a wide, genuine smile. It reached his intense dark eyes, and the sight of it made Grace’s heart skip a beat. She straightened her back when he swam to the bank. She felt his hands wrap around her feet underwater, and the sensation of skin on skin sent a shiver up her spine.

“Don’t worry about a thing, Grace. Yes, you’re my bride. That’s why I will protect you and provide for you.”

She could cry. She didn’t, but she could. He gave her another smile, then stepped out of the water. His green skin glistened beautifully in the dim light of the torches and candles, and Grace licked her lips to stop herself from licking the drops running down his tout abs and disappearing into the nest of hair between his legs. He stepped around her and gathered his clothes. She couldn’t believe that he was so unaware of what the sight of his naked body did to her. How could he simply emerge from the lake, strut around like that, then get dressed like nothing happened? Like she wasn’t salivating and her fingers weren’t itching to touch him all over?

She heard him fumble for new clothes in their room, but she decided to stay there for a while longer. If she went after him, she wasn’t sure what she was capable of, or whether she could stop herself.

That day, Kaius spent endless hours strategizing with his horde, and Grace helped Beka and Birma around the kitchen. Grace was at peace. She’d made up her mind that this was a good place to be, and she was also clear on the fact that she wanted him. That night, she was going to give herself to him.