22. Calli

22

CALLI

C alli watched in horror at the four massive orcs fighting in her room. She had been terrified when the orc was in her room, but she was terrified for another reason now. These orcs looked like they wanted to kill Dru. Her Dru. That was not happening.

The magic she had felt in brief moments with Bridget and Dru was now crackling inside her. She needed to let it out. She had no idea how to wield it, but these orcs would not harm Khuldruk.

"Stop," she said in a voice she didn't recognize.

Instantly, the orcs all stopped and looked at her. The three strange orcs had puzzled looks on their faces, bordering on terror. Dru's look was one of puzzlement as well, but instead of terror, there was awe.

"Leave," she said in the same strange voice.

All four of the orcs turned to leave, but Dru looked back to her with a cocked eyebrow as he made his way to the door.

"Khuldruk, stay," she said to him, and he stopped as the other orcs continued their way down the stairs.

The magic crackling through her dissipated as Khuldruk looked at her with astonishment.

"You really are my little siren mate," he said with a grin stretching across his face.

"What?" she said, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.

"You pushed them with your magic."

"What?"

"I’ll explain what I can, but I really would like to get going. Please. We should leave now."

The panic in his eyes was plain, and the reality of what had just happened was catching up with her. Moving was a good idea, because if she stopped to think about it for another moment, she wasn't sure what would happen.

She nodded and finished getting ready as Khuldruk made sure they had all their belongings.

They left the room and almost ran into the innkeeper. "Here. I prepared this for you. It is enough for your journey home," he said as he shoved a basket into Khuldruk's hands. He seemed to be just as keen to get rid of them as Dru was to be on the road.

They made it to the inn door, and the groom was there with a horse prepared for their journey home.

"Be safe," said the groom. Khuldruk dropped his head, and the orc groom bowed and pressed his forehead to Khuldruk’s hand.

"Thank you," said Dru.

"And congratulations to you, my lady," he said with a dip of his head to Calli.

"Thank you," Calli answered back, not knowing what else to do.

With a squeak of surprise, Khuldruk lifted her up onto the horse before climbing on behind her. The press of his strong chest against her back and his strong thighs bracketing her made her relax ever so slightly.

"Hold this," he said as he set the basket in front of her.

And just like that, they were off. He didn't say anything, but he did have the horse going at a quick pace.

After a while on the road, the morning seemed to be catching up with her.

"Do you think they’ll come back?" she answered.

"I cannot say, although I fear they might. I don't know what happened during my leave. I need to speak with my brother."

"Do you know those orcs?"

"No, but I could tell they were orcs from the Westlands. My clan lives in the mountains to the north and have had many battles with the clan there in the past, but it was years ago."

She took all that in. She wasn't sure why, but when she agreed to come with him, she hadn't thought it might not be safe. Leaving her world felt like a huge decision, but one she could easily make, because the idea of being apart from him felt wrong on a cellular level. And while it still felt wrong, she couldn't help but wonder if this had been the right decision. Almost being killed on her first morning here wasn't a great sign.

"My little mate," Dru said in a low rumble behind her. "Please don't be afraid."

At his words, her body relaxed into him as he took a deep sniff of her head.

"Why are you always smelling me?" she asked, the corner of her mouth tipping up.

"I just like the way you smell. It's intoxicating," he said, taking another sniff before pressing a quick kiss to her head.

"What happened in there? Why did they leave when I said?"

"Because you are part siren, little mate. You must have some very powerful magic in your lineage, because while I’ve never been pushed by a siren, you had four, full grown orcs under your magic. I've never heard of such a powerful siren, even on the island."

"Really?"

"Yes. Let's put in a little more distance, and we can stop to eat something."

She just nodded and allowed the feel of her giant orc behind her to keep her calm and centered. There was so much she wanted to know about her magic, about his magic, about why those orcs wanted to kill her and what difference it made whether she was his mate or not. But there would be time for her questions; she could tell he wasn't much in the mood to talk. Even with those scary orcs and all her unanswered questions, she still wanted to be right here, in her orc's arms.

As the day passed, the road was quiet. They stopped by a stream for a small meal and to water the horse, but mostly, they just rode the biggest horse she had ever seen. She was beginning to feel the ache of being on this majestic creature all day.

"How much longer?" she asked, not wanting to sound like a petulant child, but this was all so new to her. She had no frame of reference for anything, the land or how long it took to get anywhere by horseback.

"Not much further," he said as the forest around them cleared to reveal beautiful mountains in the distance.

"Is that your mountain?"

"It is not MY mountain, but yes, that is my home and where my clansmen live."

Khuldruk clicked his mouth and gave the house a squeeze with his legs, and he picked up the pace. In a short amount of time, they arrived at a big stable. Khuldruk got off the horse, and Calli almost fell off as the steadying force behind her left.

"Woah there, my pet," Dru said, steadying her and lifting her off the horse.

An orc with a long braid down his back came from the stable. "Khuldruk," he said as he walked forward, stepping and leaning into him. Khuldruk pressed his forehead to his in what she was learning was an orc greeting.

"Merock," he answered in greeting. "Is my brother in the mountain?"

"Yes."

"Thank you," he said as he handed the reins over to the new orc.

"I will take care of your horse and have your things sent to your dwelling."

The orc's eyes kept glancing at Calli.

"Forgive me," Dru said to Calli. "Merock, meet my mate, Calliope."

The orc knelt before her and took her hand, pressing it to his forehead.

"It's nice to meet you," Calli said with a soft smile.

"We must find my brother," Dru said as he took Calli's hand, and they entered the mountain.