“Aye, I do,” I murmur, surprised that it’s true.
She smiles sweetly. “Had Mag slip a bit of valerian root into your food to ease the pain.”
I freeze for a brief second. They could just as easily have drugged me to my death.
“We would never do that,” Negan says, as if she knows what I think.
Another couple swings by us—one of the royal guards and his human mate. “Unless it is my sweet witch,” the male says, and they swing away.
Negan scowls after the couple. “Was once,” she calls out after them, then turns her attention back to me. “Don’t let Azorr make you worry. His mate is the niece of Rosemary, the woman I’ll stay with.”
“Then it was true. Poisoned four orc males once, didn’t she?” Southpeaks have told the tale so many times, I thought it was fabricated throughout the years.
“Only three. Azorr killed the last.” She says this matter-of-factly, as if killing one less male truly makes a difference.
I’ll make sure to watch my food from now on.
“I imagine you’ll have a lot to deal with when you return home,” Negan says.
“That I will.” My father won’t be happy that his favored son is dead, despite me being firstborn. After all, Leviton was firstborn from his queen.
The amazing female looks worried for a moment, then her face clears and she smiles. A beautiful, heart-melting smile that I’m sure has caught many males’ attention.
“You’ll have to just make the most of this moment, then, pretty boy.”
I blink at that endearment and her father bellows with laughter. “Sweet child, we need to get you glasses. That male wasn’t pretty before the fight.”
“Wasn’t he, though?” She smiles easily and slides a bit closer to me.
“Not a boy, m’kirn,” I mutter.
“I’ll give you that,” she whispers, her eyes drifting down my frame. “But I still insist on pretty.”
I fight the urge to puff out my chest but I don’t need to. With the gleam in her gaze, she likes what she sees.
Shalia, Bakog’s mate, leans over. “Get to know your guard, Negan. Easier for protection if you know each other’s fighting styles. In fact, you should probably spar. Get a feel for each other’s skills.”
Bakog doesn’t protest. Mayhap he thinks this is the introduction that fulfills the boon? But it does not.
All of that jumps right out of my head when Negan licks her lips.
“Will you go easy on me should we spar, orc?” she whispers.
My brain drops down to my cock. “Aye, wench.”
Her father guffaws. “You’re dumber than you look then, boy. My girl will take you down before you can blink. The point is to protect my daughter, so get a feel for how much she knows and she’ll study your skill level.”
Fuck, he’s right. I’m befuddled around her and from the sexy smile on her cheeks, she’s aware.
“I’ll keep you safe, m’kirn.My life for yours.”I’m not sure if she realizes the importance of the oath, but one day she will.
“Walk me home,” she says. “I’ll change clothes and we’ll spar while you’re tired and damaged. That way you won’t have too much of an edge.” She smiles impishly, and openly ogles my muscles.
“Your bags have been taken to Rosemary’s,” her father calls out, even as Negan stands.
My heart pounds like a wild beast in my chest and my mouth is suddenly dry. I’ll be alone with this female.
“I’ll show you the way to Rosemary’s house where I’ll be staying then,” she says.
