Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I could probably drink a thousand glasses, and it still wouldn’t be nearly as intoxicating.
Our browsing of the newest selection ends on an unusual piece of jewelry. My date unexpectedly abandons her empty flute on the counter to pick it up. “These look like teeth.”
The white, curved ring has two prongs that appear as though they’ll cut into the flesh of the person who wears it. There’s no metal piece holding them together or in place. From first glance, it appears to be a pair of teeth stuck together and bent into something wearable.
Nothing bizarre.
At least not in my book.
“In fact, they look like…,” her head tilts to one side while she inspects the object further, “and it’s gonna sound crazy—not eat creatures’ eyes crazy yet still take a trip to Arkum crazy—but these look exactly like my mother’s teeth. I mean I know they can’t be hers because hers were in her mouth but maybe like a sibling’s? Or a cousin’s? Or my grandparents? I don’t remember mom talking about anyone on that side of my family but what if…” She twirls the object around in her grasp. “What if this belonged to one of them? Is that…possible?”
“You know orc culture isn’t my specialty; however, Aurelia might know more. She collects facts about beings the same way she collects antiques.” Lifting a hand up catches her attention, and once I have it, I summon her our direction. She’s not even entirely in front of us when I ask, “What do you know about orcs?”
“A lot.” Her bony ring covered fingers comb her locks away from her oval face. “Care to be more specific?”
Cameron takes the initiative, a characteristic in her I really do adore. “Is this made of orc teeth?”
“Sure is.” Aurelia transfers the piece of jewelry into her possession for further explaining. “And if you look closely here,” she points to the curve, “you can see these small patterns of grooves dug out.” Her finger hovers above them as she traces. “These are clan markings.”
“Clan markings?” my date curiously echoes.
“Like dragons, orcs have clans. While they are all warrior beings by nature, within them there are different types. This particular pair of teeth came from what’s known as the champion faction. They have a tendency to fight for those that have trouble fighting for themselves. More righteous than combative just for the sake of being violent. In that particular clan, rings like this are typically passed down as birthday gifts or bonding gifts or graduation gifts. Because they literally come from an orc’s body—something more indestructible than a number of other beings in existence—they’re insanely expensive outside the species. Think…elephant tusks to Sleepers.”
“Wow.” Cameron leans forward, interest growing heavier. “Can you tell which clan they belong to based on something as simple as their name?”
“Oh yeah,” Aurelia swiftly insists. “Names directly reflect the bunch or bunches you come from. Aggressive clans typically start with A and contain an obnoxious amount of vowels so it sounds like you’re hearing a war cry when you say it while protective clans are softer on the ears and tones and delivery.”
“What’s Daichin?” There’s no reluctance to ask the obvious. “What clan or brand or family or whatever is that part of?”
“Champions,” the treasure nymph informs at the same time she offers the ring back to Cami. “Like this one.”
“That’s why it looks like my mother’s teeth,” she whispers out in awe as she cradles the first real piece to the mystery that is known as her history.
Comfort.
One arm slides protectively around her in supportive silence.
I don’t want to ruin the moment by destroying this connection she so evidently needs. I want her to know she can trust me not only physically but emotionally, too. I want her to know she can trust me with her hopes, her fears, her woes, and her curiosities.
I want my Fated Mate to know I give a fuck about all of her.
Not just the parts I can’t wait to see naked.
Wise.
A compliment? From you? What are you? Sick?
Misspoke.
“Do you know your name?” Aurelia casually inquires. “You know from your orc side?”
“Um…perhaps it’s my middle name, which I always thought was really weird.”
She wiggles her fingers for my mate to speak it.
“Gaisgeach.”
“It means hero,” the treasure nymph exclaims with a waggle of her eyebrows. “And that the jewelry you’re holding rightfully belongs in your hands.”
Relief ripples through her into me.
Fuck, I forgot how easy it is to feel what she’s feeling.
“Do you have any other orc findings?” I swiftly inquire wanting to feed the emotion that’s pumping out of Cameron so strongly. “More jewelry? Furniture? Literature?”
“I’ve got a customs book somewhere in the back, but it’s not about the champions clan. It’s one for the traders.” Her gaze shifts from me back to the female in my arms. “And I know what you’re thinking. How in the Great Ones can they be warriors of trade? Well, I’ll tell you! They trade weapons and cross-train techniques with them. While you’ve got some orcs that are just there for the blood, guts, and rage, these are more like collectors for the sake of collecting. Almost like me.”