The Orc's Consort I: Born of Blackwater

Chapter 21 - Bare Fight

Brenna Blackwater

I trudged up the cobblestone stairs next to Sten. At least I was not tossed over his shoulder this time. I could not bear to look any of them in the eyes. I was hurt, ashamed, and embarrassed. I had not trusted Jasper and put Sten in danger to take me home just to come back like this. I never thought Corvus could be this immoral. At least now, I knew, even though it pains me. I had yet to face Jasper, and I felt like I was crawling back after wronging him, but I had nowhere else to go. I didn't know what to say to him. I could only hope he would not stay angry with me.

Last night, my father had two knights from his close circle take me back to the border. They just left me there to cross over into the Orruk side myself. I was unsure what he told the others to keep them under his spell. Frankly, I did not care anymore. I walked around aimlessly in the dark, praying to the gods I was going in the right direction. Eventually, a group of Orruk warriors posted out there came across me wandering North.

I was about to face Jasper and did not know what to expect. Sten walked me back upstairs, unsure what to do with me. It was still very early, and Jasper had not gotten up yet. What will he do? After having doubts about his honesty, Jasper might not be as kind to me now. I would understand if he was angry with me. I had hurt him terribly, and I knew that now.

After trudging several flights of stairs, we made it to the living quarters on the top floor. My stomach turned as we stopped outside of Jasper's door. Sten reached out with a closed fist and knocked to check and see if he was awake. "Jasper!" he paused. "Are you up yet?" At first, there was no answer. He started to turn away and say something to me, but he was interrupted by a few thuds. Then the door swung open. Jasper stood in the doorway, completely nude. He had a thin bed sheet draped around his waist to cover his lower half.

"What the fuck, Sten," he growled. He must have just woken up and wasn't expecting to see me. He seemed particularly startled as he stared at me. I could feel my cheeks begin to burn as I looked at him. His bare, broad chest rose and fell with each breath. He had a trail of hair down his stomach leading underneath the sheet. I had to stop myself from gawking at him. I did not quite understand why he was infuriated. Was he angry with me? Would he send me away?

Sten had faced away from the cracked doorway for some reason and was rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh shit, I didn't know, Jasper."

I remained confused until I saw into the room. In Jasper's bed was another woman. She was still sleeping through all the commotion. I had an instant torrent of feelings. I felt angry, jealous, and pathetic. I could not define in words the betrayal I felt. Not even the night before, I was in his bed. Was that his only intention? We had not done anything. I would not know how to, even if he wanted to. The thought that he might have only been kind to me for the prospect of my body, or worse because he felt sorry for me, made a small part of me die inside.

I was even more crushed just knowing he was with another woman. We had just shown an interest in one another the night before. We had not defined what was between us. We were not together, yet seeing him with this woman crushed my spirit. At that time, I realized how strong my feelings for him had become. I could not deny it any longer. I felt my nostrils flair and my face turn red. Mortification crawled across my face.

He stepped toward me. "Brenna, listen to me." I didn't let him finish. I turned and ran to my room. "Brenna, wait!" I could hear his voice calling after me.

I slammed the door behind me and paced back and forth, not knowing what to do. My father had all but ripped out my heart, and I was foolish to believe there was something more between Jasper and me. He peeked his head through the door. Before I knew what I was doing, I ripped the same poker by the fireplace. This time, in my state of rage, I did not hesitate. Through my anger, I managed to launch it in his direction.