Chapter 29

The stars glitter near the horizon, the sky clear and black as it only gets in winter. The cold always empties my mind, and I desperately need some emptying.

Because my head has been too full of bright-eyed human females.

The night air carries a crisp chill that's always welcome to me, but Violet trembles to my right, even with her coat. Humans are truly fragile.

Before I can stop myself, I drape my cloak around her. It's hilariously too big for her small form. She shoots me a quizzical look.

"To keep Eirik warm," I say, my voice flat, though I'm all too aware that's not the only reason.

Violet adjusts the cloak around her until only her head and Eirik's are visible. I like that. I like the sight of her with my clothes, for some reason.

A glare burns my back, but I choose to ignore it. Ursha trails behind us at a distance, her footsteps soft and measured. She's not here to judge me, though she's very talented at it. She's here to keep Eirik safe.

Since his useless uncle couldn't.

As a group, we leave the clan house and follow the trail into the village. While it's late, many of my clan brothers are still up. Orcs are hard workers, and many sleep only a few hours in the darkest moments of the evening.

I glance sidelong at Violet, her face illuminated by the torchlight, her eyes wide with curiosity. Her gaze bounces from one building to the next. Humans, I've heard, fear the difference, and I don't blame them. We've had trouble with mixing clans—I can only imagine the trouble with mixing species.

But this woman? She thrives on it. She smiles at the new, at the different.

She is truly strange.

A small smile plays on my lips. I was born and raised in this place. Never wondered what others might think of it. Never expected a human would have this interest. Her eagerness sparks a warmth in my chest.

It catches me off guard—this spark. I should not be feeling sparks. Empty head. I need an empty head.

Focus. You're the king, not a lovesick orcling. I clear my throat. "If you are to be helpful here," I bark, louder than called for, "you must know this place well."

Violet nods several times, her black curls bouncing. The cloak starts to slip from a shoulder and she grabs it just in time. I resist the urge to pull her close, to shield her from the cold. My fist tightens.

This means nothing. I only called her out here to show her around. It definitely has nothing to do with seeing her.

"The farmers live along the outer perimeter of the village walls." I motion to the log houses in the distance, amid the fields. "While those engaged in trade live just outside the clan house. The buildings with yellow banners are merchants."

A group of orcs press a hand to their chests in greeting when we pass. I return the greeting with a nod. When I look back at Violet, she's staring at me.

With those damn bright eyes.

"Who lives in the clan house?" she asks, looking over her shoulder at the clan house behind us. "Only you and your family? It's pretty big."

I shoot her a quizzical glance. "The clan is my family."

"I know, but… You know what I mean. Wife. Kids." She bounces Eirik in her arms.

My eyebrows raise in understanding. "That is what classifies a family to humans? Partner and offspring?"

Violet frowns at me. "Yeah."

"How many siblings do you have?"

Her shoulders droop, the cloak almost loosening around her. "None."

The air grows heavy. No siblings? Humans are lonelier than I expected. Violet is lonelier than I expected. Of course, the fact she has no siblings doesn't mean she's alone… But she must have someone back home. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in this hurry to go back.

"The clan is a family," I tell Violet, forcing my voice to lower. "We all take care of one another. This way, if parents die or get sick, the clan cares for the children. We don't get rid of our elders but honor their knowledge. We support one another through highs and lows. Yes, we can say I live in the house with my family. The clan."

Violet stares at me with those wide, glittering eyes. They shine almost as much as the moon and it takes all of me to look away.

"Okay," Violet breathes out as I force my legs to keep on walking through shallow snow. "So, who lives in the clan house if the farmers and traders are out here?"

"Those who serve the clan directly—the teachers, healers, and myself, as King. We live within the great house. But it's a communal space. Everyone can come and go whenever they wish."

We amble down the straight path. The blacksmith is dark, but his materials are outside, waiting. The leatherworker is the next house, and she's still up. She nods at me through her cabin's window.

I nod back before we pass by, circling the main square and heading back towards the clan house once more. After pointing out most of the traders, I want to take her back inside. She must be freezing. Eirik chats nonsense in Violet's arms as we walk, comfortable with the cold, but Violet doesn't feel the same.

I can't help but notice the curve of her plump bottom lip, trembling. She started to sniff, too. Her clothes won't be enough for the blizzard season. I will get her warmer ones.

So she can take better care of Eirik, of course. She couldn't care for him if she froze.

Ursha still trails behind us, silent but watchful. I can feel her gaze on my back, ever vigilant. Part of me wishes she had gone to bed early, but that's why I let her stay as Eirik's guard. To fill in the blanks, to support me when I fail.

Violet sighs out loud once we get closer to the house. As we step inside, the warmth of the fire pits envelops us. Violet shudders with relief.

I wait for her to signal that she wants the cloak off of her. When she doesn't try to remove it, I let her keep it.

I rather like it on her.

The corridors are empty at this hour. Our footsteps echo against the wooden floors as I lead Violet inside. But I'm not quite ready to take her back to the bedroom.

Even if she's already seen some of the house, I show everything again. We cross the dining hall slowly so Violet can savor the warmth of the fire.

We keep going, leaving the dining hall in favor of the inner corridors. I take the right turn and point into the first of three similar rooms.

"Here's where we hold our classes," I explain, gesturing to a room with a low, central round table with pillows surrounding it. The walls are covered with paintings. We often have to scrape it clean for the next year. "The children learn our history, traditions, and practical skills they'll need as adults. Everyone learns the basics in everything, and when they cross into adulthood, they choose a path."

Violet's gaze sweeps the room, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. She points to a trapdoor nestled in the back corner. "What's that for?"

My heart swells. Good. It's good she's noticed that. "An escape route," I reply, wanting to tell her she'll never need it. I clench my jaw for a moment, hating myself for being unable to hold such a promise. What kind of leader can't promise that? "In case of an invasion, the children can flee to safety."

Violet nods, ignorant of my inner struggle. I touch the small of her back with the tips of my fingers to urge her on. Just slightly. It's not even a proper touch.

We move on, the mood lightening as we continue our tour. I show her the infirmary and the council room. I even show her the way to the inner garden—a part of the house I don't usually share with anyone. Before Ursha can make any snark remarks, we move on toward the bathhouse.

And now I can't move away.

"Have you used the bathhouse?" I ask, knowing she hasn't. I saw the bucket and pitcher in the bedroom. "We use it in groups, so we can talk about our days. I know humans are prude, but..."

Violet curls her nose. "Humans aren't prude."

"Aren't you?" I arch an eyebrow. "Then why haven't you used it?"

A scoff behind me reminds us of Ursha's presence.

"I was merely uncomfortable. We're not prude," Violet insists.

"Good, then," I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them, "would you like to try? Let me show you how to do it."

Violet's eyes widen and she brings Eirik closer to her chest. Surprise flickers through me at my boldness. What am I thinking, suggesting such a thing? Shit.

Did I scare her?

"It's a social activity," I hurry to explain, "a way to relax and bond with others. You're going to stay here for a while, so it would be better if…"

Violet shakes her head so hard that black curls jump out of the cloak's hold. "Yes, I know. Ursha told me. I understand, but I think I'll pass for tonight." She takes a beat. "I'm not prudish; I'm just not… used to this."

Behind us, Ursha snorts. "Humans are weird," she says. "So afraid of their own bodies when you all look the same to me."

Violet shoots her a look. "I'm not afraid of my own body."

"Then what's your problem showing it?"

Violet arches an eyebrow. "Why are you so obsessed with seeing me naked, Ursha?"

I can't help the sharp inhale. I stare at Violet, unable to believe the words that left her lips.

And if she regrets baiting Ursha, she doesn't show. She keeps her brows raised in challenge, her chin tilted up.

She's pure sass. The guts in this woman!

Ursha prowls toward Violet. I have to physically step between them to stop her approach. Ursha stops an inch from me, glaring at Violet, her lips pulling over her tusks.

"You don't belong here, human," Ursha hisses from between clenched teeth.

"So you keep saying," Violet hisses back, almost as if she isn't a head shorter than my best warrior. "And yet, here I am."

Ursha seethes. She goes to grab Violet.

"Ursha," I say in a warning growl.

She shoots me a glance and steps back. "You know what I think about this, Chief," she barks, her gaze bouncing between Violet and me. "This is pathetic." She glares at me then, as if this entire ordeal is my fault. Which it actually is. "Am I dismissed?"

"You are. Go."

Ursha turns her back and strides away. I give it a minute before my hand finds the small of Violet's back, guiding her towards the stairs.

"That was…" I start, unsure how to put this.

"Stupid?" she whispers.

I can't help but grunt in amusement. "Absolutely." I slide an impressed glance her way. "You're a little spitfire, aren't you?"

Violet clucks her tongue. "Is she very strong? She looks very strong."

"She's my best warrior."

Violet groans. It's a struggle to keep my lips from stretching over my tusks.

"Let's get you settled in your room before you decide to out-banter every orc in this place," I say, ignoring the way my skin tingles when she looks at me.

I tell myself it means nothing. That I'm definitely not attracted to a human.

But as we climb the stairs, Violet's sweet scent wafting to me, I can't quite convince myself of that lie.