Adored by the orc: a monster fantasy romance (monster orc brides) rena marks 2024 scribd download
Adored By The Orc: A Monster Fantasy Romance (Monster Orc Brides) Rena Marks
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Orc Lord: A Post Apocalyptic Monster Fantasy Romance
Shalia: Growingup orc was perfect especiallybecause Ihave the constantattentionofBakog, the prince ofthe West MountainOrcs.Exceptforonesmallproblem.Bakogrefusestomakemehis.
*Trigger warnings: This book contains situations, sexual and otherwise, as well as violence and/or abuse, both real and implied, that may be disturbing for some readers. If you are offended by these subjects, please do not buy this book.
Iwould thinkit’s because I’ma half-blood, like the taunts fromthose inhumantowns had reached myears whenIwas young.ButBakogishalf-bloodedtoo.Asismybestfriend,hissister,Hisa.Theonlydifferenceis: Ilookit.Itookafter my father, Latsil, withrare, lightgreenhair. And while a full-blooded orc withgreenskincancarryitoff, a half-blood? No. It doesn’twork Itclearlymarksmeasother
ImayhaverememberedthosetauntsasIgrewup,butitwasalwaysworthittovisitthetradingvillageofCreede.ThereI staywithAuntRosemary,myhumanmother’sdearfriend AndIdoallthethingshumanwomendo Isew,Iworkinherstore, I cookhumanfood and take home the recipes to tryout inthe kitchens of Solaya. Because the humans, at least the ones in Creede,aremoreacceptingofhalf-bloods.TheythinkI’moneofthem,untiltheygetcloseandseethatmylightskinistinted green.Thatthedarkerstrandsinmyhairarealsoorc-green,justtemperedwithhuman-blond.
And I get to ride to and fromwithmyarms wrapped around Bakog’s trimwaist. The onlytime he lets me clingto his ruggedbody
He’ll drop me offatAuntRosemary’s house. I’ll make dinner for her and Uncle Paul, and firstthinginthe morning, I’ll headoffwithher tothemarketplace Usedtobe,Hisawouldcome Butshe’sbeenliftingher skirtsfor Tok Hegrew intoa beastofamale,aslargeashisfather,andwasBakog’sbestfriendgrowingup,despitetheagedifference.Therearesixyears betweenthem...andelevenbetweenhimandHisa.
AfactthatBakogalwaysfrownedupon
Butlately,Hisa’s beenwearingTokdown.AndBakoghas beentoobusychasingafter metotrackthosetwo.HisaandI were bothsurprised whenBakogencouraged her to stayinSolaya this summer instead ofmakingher visitto Creede He’s overlyprotective and is wearinghimselfdowntrackingbothofus, eventhoughwe’re as safe as everyother womaninthe village I’mnotevensurewhyheincludesmeinhisumbrellaofprotection,unlessit’sbecauseI’mthefirstinfanthe’dbeen arounduntilHisawasbornafewmonthslater.
I think he’s had a talking to by Brachard, the orc king affectionately known as grandfather by most of my generation. Brachardhasawayofmakingstubbornmalesseereason
And Bakogrealizes that he canstep backand allow Tokto see that Hisa comes to no harm, while he focuses his own protectiononme
Hisabeggedmenottomakeabigdealofitbecauseshecertainlywanteditthatway.AndIdotoo,thoughI’dnevertellher ofmycrushonherbrother Ofthewaymyheartskipsabeatwhenhesmilesatme OfthewayImeltinsidewhenhe’ssweaty andshirtlessfromtraining,whichhedoeshardandoften.DoesHisanotice?Nay,she’stoofartakenwithTok. Todaythough...todayI’mbitingthebullet.OnethingGrandfathertaughtusgirlswastotakelifebytheballs.Aphraseour humanmothersfrownedat I’mnotchasingBakoganymore I’mlettingthestubbornmaleknowI’mhis Thatwhenhereturnsformetotakemebackhome,I’llride in front ofhimonTobias,hisfaithfulsteed.
“Iknowyoucantakecareofyourself.ButI need totakecareofyou.Ineedyoutobecareful.Tolistentome.”Thepainin hisvoice,thebrokenlookinhiseyes Ifindmyselfnodding
He leaps onto Tobias like our first kiss didn’t evenaffect him, while I’mstandinghere withmyfingers clingingto my throbbinglipsbecausemyentireworldjustspunonitsaxis,andridesaway.
Whenthesighfinallyescapesme,joybubblesupthroughmycenter.It’sgoingtobeaglorious,nerve-wracking,exciting sixweeksuntilIseehimagain Goddess, I canhardlywait. I’mgoingto tell Aunt Rosemary everything. For a longtime, I staysittingonthe wooden porch,justbemused Everythingfeelssurreal Mylips.Hekissedmylips.Ican’twaittotellAuntRosemary.
Whenmyvisionclears,nothinglooksfamiliar Panic hits mymidsection. Five strange, varyinggreenfaces stare backatme before throbbingpainthreatens to splitmy skullopen.“Whoareyou?”Igasp.
“You don’t know your own name?” one asks, his brows knotting with curiosity, which draws to attention his brows. They’renearlyconnectedinthecenter onehuge,heavyline
Ilove beingasleepbecause the dreams are amazing There’s a manIcan’tplace, a face Ican’tsee, butIcanfeel He’s caringandprotective andhemakesmehappy.It’sthegiddinessofnewlove,thesecurityofanoldfriend. We’re dancing now, laughing between us, the music playing faster and louder as our feet stomp to the beat, the steps intricatelychoreographed.Everywherearoundusismatchinglaughterasothersdance;flamesarecracklingandIcansmellthe smokyblendoftheburningwood.
“We’ve been in one place too long I say we tie her to a travois and drag her along ”
Igroan,notbecauseI’minpainbutbecauseIstillcan’trememberathingotherthanthesefiveuglyfaces.Thesamemales whoarehereeachtimeIwake Idon’tknowwhereIam,Idon’tknowhowIgothere Idon’tknow Idon’tknow who Iam At the sound of mygroan, the stranger is infront of me, pullingmyarmuntil I’mup fromthe makeshift bed. I wobble unsteadilyonmyfeet
“Jogug,” I repeat, wonderingwhyit doesn’t feel familiar Neither does myhusband Yes, his face is ugly, but surelyit shouldn’tfillmewithdistaste?“What’shappenedtome?”
“Doparth.” This one wears black leather, though it looks worn and frayed, the gold stitching that should look majestic againstthedarkinsteadlooksstained.Hisfacesportsagoateeinsteadofabeard,thoughIthinkit’stodisguiseaweakchin.
“Shodun.”Likemymate,he’salsobeardedandscruffy.I’mnotsurewhytwoofmyclanmimictheirstylestoeachother, butthere’sprobablymuchI’veforgottenwithmyachinghead “Grilud.” The last ofthe males is another one dressed inblackgarb, thoughhe’s the most heavyand muscular ofthese viciousorcs.Itgivescredencetothestorythattheymayhavestolentheirclothingtomaskthemselves.
OddI’mclueless as towhoIam,or towhothe males ofmyclanare.Ihave a tonofquestions toask like whyis my dresssodifferentfromtheirs butIdon’tthinkStugisinamoodtoanswer,especiallynotwithhowI’veturnedhimdown.
Butonce Icatcha couple good sized fish, Iadd some water to the potand bringthemback. Ican’timagine thatnotone malewillhelpme.Idon’tknowhowlongI’vebeensleeping,butmyentirebodyachesfromunuse.
BAKOG, GRANDSON TO King Brachard of the West Mountain Orcs: “WHATDOYOUMEANshe’snotinCreede?”Myroarquakestheground. Fromallaround,peoplecomerunning Mybloodfeelslikeitsboilinginmyveins,thickeningtosludge There’saredhaze coveringmyvision.
Not Shalia
I’ve protected her since I was five and had my first vision. Shally was going to lose her way, lose her home, lose everythingthatevermatteredtoher.Shewasgoingtobealoneanddepressedandcryherselftosleepatnight. Atthehandsoforcs
“Rosemarysaidshewas never inthehouse.Shewaitedall eveninganddecidedwemusthavechangedour minds about coming. Thought she must have mixed up her weeks. Whenshe saw me at the market, she asked whenShallywas coming. Confusedthehelloutofme Itoldheryou’dbroughthernearlyafullmoonago,”Frakilsays He’sjustcomefromCreedeand wassupposedtobringadeliveryback,butwhenheheardthenews,hedroppedeverythingandracedbackhere.
“I’mleaving I’mgoingto the Southpeakterritoryfirst, lettingthemknow one ofours is missing And ifanyone knows anything,they’dbestturnoverthatinformationimmediately.”
Afalse kinghe was, since the clanis more like anexcess of rejects. Their clothinglooks like it comes fromdifferent places threeofthemaleswearblackleatherwithgoldthreads includingthedeadking andtwo,mymateincluded,wear warmerclothing.Longdustersthattrailoverasteed’srear.Andwhiletheirclothingmaymimicthatofthetwootherclans,it doesn’tfitwell It’soldand especiallyintheBlackheartcase,theclannevergoeswithfilthyuniforms Becausethat’swhat theirclothesresemble,formalwear.
I start to unravel my tresses Once the braids come undone, my hair looks even lighter than before in its frizzed state, highlightsofflaxenwheatoverdeeperthreadsofgreen.Ifitwasn’tforthegreen,I’dwonderifIwasevenorc.
Iwantthese males toadmire itandthenremember thatitstands for the life Itook.Iwantthemtohave thatuneasylittle warinesswhenitcomestome Becausesomewheredeepinsideme,there’saninnateknowledgethatsaysIdon’twantanyone tofuckwithme.
Again, Iwonder how Iknow this Was Iperhaps the one who did theirs? No, Idecide Iwouldn’tdo suchstark, bland marks.WhileI’matit,IfixupthematingbarsonthebridgeofmynosebecauseIdidthembythereflectionofthewateronthe lake,makingsuretheywerelight Now,Imakethemeven TheylookmuchbetterthanStug’s “Shelookslikeadifferentperson,”Shodunsays. Gnarkgrunts.“Lookatyourmate,”hesaystoStug. “Whydidn’tyouwipethebloodoff?You’reamess,”Stugsays Iraiseaneyebrow,feelingtheskinofmyforeheadpull.“Becausethescabbingwillkeeptheinkinplace.” “We’llneedyourclothestoo” “Whatfor?”ThehellifI’llstripforthem. He shrugs. “Justa little more respectfor our king. Wruk’s clothingcanbe wornfor traveling. Youcanwear your things oncewegetthere.”
“Wecanamendthem.Slicethebeltinhalf.Shortenthevest.Whatever.” Isigh. Either these fools are tryingto disguise me, or they’re tryingto getme to do the workofmendingclothingso it doesn’tgotowaste Myguessisthelatter Atleastmyhairwillgetadeepconditioningwiththeelderberrygrease.
Butahorseapproachinginthedistance,dustkickedupfromhishooves.Whenthelonescoutgetsclose,hedismounts an actofbraveryI’dbeimpressedwithifIdidn’thaveonethingonmymind
“It never got that far. The female that theywanted to share never gave thema second glance. Theyleft the clan, angry becausetheruleswouldn’tgetbentforthem”
“You’repositivetheyhaven’tbeenback?”
“They wouldn’t be allowed back if they showed up tomorrow No one defects and is welcomed back Not here” He shrugs.“NotsureiftheBlackheartswouldtaketheirownback.”
Myfather steps forward. “Pass around the word. Ifanyone is caughtharboringthem Idon’tcare whatclanitis their entirevillagewillbewipedfromthefaceofthisgoddess-forsakenplanetwe’vebeendumpedon” Withashortnod,thescoutjumpsonhissteedandridesaway. Becausewe’rebravemales,wespendthenightintheirterritorybeforeheadinghomeatdawn Justtomakeapoint Atfirstlight,weridebacktoSolayawheremygrandfatherwaits.
“M’boy. You’ll find her first and see ifshe knows where Shalia is beingkept. Once our girl is safe, Idon’t care what happenstotherogues Noteventhefemale”
I’m forced to sleep in his furs, though I’ve slapped his hands away. He’s warned me that as soon as we get to our destination,I’llspreadmylegsthewayIusedto Iwassostuckonthathorror thinkingI’veobviouslyhadhiscockbetween mythighsandsurely,I’veneverenjoyedit thatIthrewup.
WhileI’mawareIcan’tstaveoffthemalesforever,Imadeamajor mistakeinlettingthemseemetakedowntheir king Now thatIno longer have the elementofsurprise, theymake sure there are atleasttwo males together atall times. Butit’s okay,I’mbidingmytime,growingstronger Plottingandplanninginmymind,makingmentallistsoftheirweaknesses
Stugtold me mymother was a stolenhumanand died under the hand ofmyorc father whenshe refused to bear another horrorlikeme
And because Iwasn’tsure who to be angrier with, Iswore to kill myfather ifIever came across the biernak. Myclan couldn’tbemorepleasedandastrangefeelingofacceptancehitme.
The creekis the onlyplace Ifind relaxation It’s cleanand calming, the water cool againstmyheated flesh, the gurgling soundoftherushofwaterhittingthesmoothrockslikemusictomyears.
Sometimes Idreamaboutmymother Icannotsee her, ofcourse, butIcansmell her scent Freshlilacs thatwaftinthe breeze.Androses.Always roses.Inmydreams,she’s sweetandgood,andloves the gruffmale orc whoholds her hostage. She’stoosweettocomplainaboutcaptivity,andlaughswithme,holdsmyhand.Ican’timagineshewouldhavecomplained aboutbeingbredasecondtime,butmayhapthat’swishfulthinking
WhenItrytolookupatherface,thedreamwillvanish.
Iprefer the other dreams Ahandsome male I’ve conjured up, probablyto assuage the need inreal life because has any femaleeverhadsuchahorridmateasI?
But before we burned his body, I salvaged a tusk and constructed a crude pendant. I’mnot sure why, I did it without thinkingandforonce,themaleorcswerequietasIknockeditfromhisgumsandboileditclean.
That’s nota detail I’ll have to begoutofStug. Halfthe day’s gone bybefore Ileave the creekand re-dress. Guiltily, I glancearoundthequietwoods I’venotpaidattentiontomysurroundingsandanyonecouldhavesnuckuponme Infact,now thatI’mawareofit,I’mspooked.Thewoodssuddenlyfeeleerie,asifI’mwatched. It’stooquiet Notabirdcoos,norbranchesrustle Notwigssnap
That means no wild animals are nearbyand that’s not natural. Definitely, somethinghas agitated the animals fromtheir naturalhabitat Iwasafoolforloungingaboutinthewatersolong,theonlypleasureinmymindtoavoidmyclan Iputmyselfindangerforthatsmallpleasure.Hurriedly,Ileavethecreek,moreawareofmysurroundingsnow.
Stealthily,Islipbacktowardcamp.It’sobviousthemalesaren’texpectingmebecausetheirvoicesarelowandgrumbly. Apparently,I’masneakysortbecauseIpause,hidingbehindatreesoIcanhearwhattheytalkabout “He said they’d tear the land apartlookingfor the female,” Gnarksays. “They’re puttingthe word outinall the towns. They’vebeentoCollinsand‘querque”
Ifingermypendant,pretendingnottonoticewhenhiseyesfall there Itmakeshimwaryofmeandthatmakesmehappy “Notsure.Thefullmooniscoming.Thenightsarelighter.”
“I hate the full moons,” Grilud barks. “I’ll take the tent fromhere onout. Since youlove the light so much, yousleep outsideuntilitpasses,Jogug”
Ishrug, pretendingnonchalance, butI’mhappyas a lark. Ionlysleep inside the tentwiththe smellybreathofmymate fillingtheareawhenheinsists
I finishchoppingthe few vegetables we have. It seems our males are the lazysort, everyone wantingeveryone else to foragefor food Well,myappetiteisn’tuptospeed Besides,whenIgetawayfromthefools,I’ll beabletodiguproots to nibblelater.Somethingtobuildmystrengthwhiletheywhineaboutbeinghungry.
“Considered abominations, you are. Many are born lacking in the head, others have deformities. You may be an ugly wench, butatleastyouhave the rightnumber ofarms and legs Infact, youtold me ofyour loneliness growingup How no otherbratswouldplaywithyou,howyouwerejeeredat.It’swhyweprotectyou,keepyoufromthepublic’seye.Afterall,I don’twantmymatesobbinginmyarmseachnight.”
Themoreskinthatwasrevealed,themoremyheartpounded.IcouldseethesamegracethatIusedtoseeinShallyinthis female even with being far away in the trees but maybe I saw what I wanted. Maybe because her skin was so light, I confuseherwiththeoneI’mpiningfor IfIcoulddoitalloveragain,ImighthaveadmittedtoShaliathatshewasmine That shewasmymateandhasbeenourentirelives.I’dtellherwhyIkeptmydistance.
Thevisions
Afemale orc captured and subjected to brutality should she be found bythe time she’s ravaged and withchild will severherholdonrealityanddestroytheveryvillageshecomesfrom Thefemaleisthematetothesonoftheprince
And yet, throughout her life, Shallycraved freedom, as if her soul knew one dayshe’d be caged. I was determined to preventhercapture.Iwouldn’tmateher.Iwouldn’tallowhertogoanywhereonherown.Iwouldprotecther.
Andyet,Ifailed
Icontinue to watchthe bathingBlackheartwashthe filthfromher bodyand mylungs seize, makingme inhale a ragged breath
VeryquietlyIinfiltrate the camp, guessingthatthere are probablyfive, maybe six, males total. Islide myhand over the wench’sface,coveringhermouth,andlettheheavyweightofmybodypinherdown “Wakeup,Blackheart Bequietoryou’ll diethisnight.”
HeandDoparthhaul theprisoner’scrushingweightoffmeastheotherscomerunning.Stugsquintsintothedarknessand again, I find it curious that mymate sleeps ina tent withShodun, allowingme to sleep outside near the fire. Not that I’m complainingbecauseIknowonedaythat’llchange Shodunaddswoodtotheflickeringflamesandthensomeonegasps.
“’TisaWestMountain”
“Morethanthat,”Stugsaysgrimly,kickingtheunconsciousfool.“Royalblood.Seethearmbands?Thetats?” “Killhim We’llleavenow,”Gnarksays “Nay,”Griludsnaps.“Toucharoyal andtheirentireclanwill huntusdown.Rememberwhathappenedtwentyyearsago whensomeonenearlykidnappedoneoftheirmates?Iwasaweebratbuttheynearlywipedoutourclan.Someonemanagedto make a convincingcover story, blamingitona humanleader, and theyputa hitonhiminstead Someone inour clanhad to slaughterthehumantogaintheirfavor.”
Igritmyteeth. Stupid to allow himto wake before killinghimjustfor a horse butthe greedyclanwants to sell Wruk’s insteadofallowingmetorideawayonitonceIkillthemale
BAKOG:
THESOUNDOFAbladescrapingfromitssheathwakesme.
Shaliasitsneartheburningfiresharpeningthetool ShelooksrelaxedbutIknowherwellenoughtoseeit’safarce She hasoneeyeonthedarkwoodsbeyondourclearingandsitsnearenoughtometoblockherselffromattack.
Whenshe looks puzzled,Icontinue.“Myfather.Maybe yours.Maybe Ogol.Maybe Tok.Grikmaycome,or Gruul.Itall dependsonwhoisoutsearchingothervillagesforyou,andwhoneedstoprotectSolaya Webrokeintoseparateteamstofind youandwhenIgotwordfromLordMontiergeaboutarogueclanwithafemale,Icamealone.So,anyonecanshowuphereas mybackup Theyknew Iwas headed this way, toward Serenity WhenIdon’t show up there and let Lord Montierge know what’sgoingon,hisguardwillcombthewoods.”
“He is myprisoner,” she says. “Infiltrated mycamp withbad intentions. Didn’t expect myclanto be here.” Her blade pressesintomyskinandthesharplyhonededgeburnsasitslices.
Her handgrips tighter inmyhair,the blade heldfirmer “We will see aboutthat,Prince Brun Ifyour clanrides directly homeandSouthpeaksbringthemtoSolaya,wewillhaveproof.Ifnot,Ihaveyourorc.”
Shedropstheknifeinsurprisewhenhenudgesherwithhismassivehead,beggingforthestrokesshenormallygiveshim. Her hand comes out automatically, muscle-memory enabling her to give him the same pets she always does despite not rememberingthemovement
The elementofsurprise is whatIneed,andImaynotgetanother chance soon.Ihookmylegaroundhers andyank.She dropstotheground,whereIcollapsewithher,alegoverherneck Sherecoversquickly,butnotfastenough Westruggle,butmystrengthisgreater.Iknowhertricks.Butthisisn’taboutprolongingitandso,despitethelurchinmy gut,Ichokeheruntilshelosesconsciousness.
Onceshe’sout,Ireleasemygripandscramble,twistingmylargebodyintopracticedmovements,maneuveringmyhands boundbehindmybackaslowaspossible,curlingmyspineandbringingmykneesuptomypointedears.WhenI’massmallas canbe, Iworkatlooseningmyjoints and wrigglingmyhands downmyass and over myfeet Notaneasyfeat, butone my grandfathermadethegirlspracticehundredsoftimes.
