“Cocky male,” I snort.
He leans in to whisper in my ear. “’Tis the one thing I’m sure of.”
From twenty feet away, my father turns his head toward us. “I said you could guard my precious flower,” my father barks. “Not whisper nasty male things in her ear.”
Poor Varguk blanches. Behind my father, Shalia giggles. “It wasn’t like Negan was protesting, Uncle Oshin.”
My father scowls. “The innocent lass isn’t aware of the wiles of seductive males.”
“Aye,” Shalia agrees, winking at me. “I wasn’t either. Look at how quickly Bakog got me into his furs.”
She’s quite serious and my father’s lip twitches. It’s well known that Shalia would have seduced Bakog years ago if he hadn’t kept her an arm’s length away.
But my friend accomplishes her feat as other males start to distract my father.
“I noticed you, you know,” Varguk whispers when their attention is diverted from us.
“You did?”
“Aye. When your father helped you down from the carriage. I saw that gold dress.”
“It’s a long-standing joke between my Aunt Joanna and my dad. She always dresses me in gold because of the Blackheart colors. Once he sent infant clothes for Shalia and they were gold and black. The males of her clan were horrified.”
“Once the gold silk you wore caught my eye, I couldn’t tear my gaze from you. You are easily the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re one of the most handsome orcs I’ve ever seen.”
His cheeks darken to a deeper green.
“I imagine it’ll be easier to see you when I’m in Creede. Easier for you to travel from your territory.”
“I would travel all the way up to the northern border for you, Negan.”
My heart swells.
One by one, people are starting to disappear from the area, heading back to the hotel.
“We should probably make our way,” I say. “We need to get you in the showers and then I can take a look at those wounds.”
“Exactly what we’re here for,” Bakog says.
I whirl around to find Tok standing with him.
He holds his hands up to me. “It’s me or your father and Grumpy,” he says. “I have orders, Negan. We have to make sure the stitches are clean and there are no other wounds. Your guard is to sleep tonight,nothing else. To rest from his injuries so he can protect you fully when we’re gone.”
Which works in our favor, I imagine. My nosy family leaving. I smile reassuringly to Varguk. “Better to go with these two. Some things can’t be avoided. Besides, we’ll be here for a while.”
Because this is the one night he doesn’t have to guard me. Not with all of my own people around. He has one night to heal and to rest.
After Varguk makes his way with Bakog and Tok, I study everyone. The Southpeaks are gone, of course. But my father and Brachard still huddle with our Blackheart king, Jacobi. A few of his royal guard are with him. I know they’re probably trading information about the Southpeaks, wondering whether they can trust Varguk.
I’m sure they eventually will.
The girls are with their mothers, laughing and gossiping.
“Surely you wouldn’t lower your standards to a Southpeak?” a male voice says behind me.
Denruk.
