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“I thought she might kill you for a minute.”
“Well it’d be your fault if she did.”
“Hey!”
“It was your idea.”
“You think she’ll be ok?”
“She’s worried about what comes next.” He turned to look ahead of them where the camp could be seen between the foliage. His expression grew sombre. Algra wasn’t the only one troubled at the thought of him returning to the proving grounds.
“Everyone is.” Janette watched him closely, unsure of her footing on the subject.
“I’m that popular?”
“You stood up for Valise. You’re bringing Emmet’s family here. Bolut admires you. Algra and yours truly are both truly yours, and I’m pretty sure Talina would walk over hot coals if you asked her to. Though I’m not exactly sure why.”
Gregory took a few steps in silence as he thought about all the people he’d met in the strange new world in such a short time. It probably that meant he wasn’t the stalwart introvert he was back on Earth anymore. He turned to Janette as they left the forest and made their way through some open grass toward the noise and bustle of the encampment.
“You know, for such a supposedly beloved guy, I sure do get punched a lot.”
Those wise words of reflection brought a sudden laugh from Janette’s throat that formed her mouth into a stunning smile. She slipped her arm into his, feeling muscle that had strengthened considerably over the past months.
“We wouldn’t want you going soft, now would we?”
“That doesn’t often happen with you around, Jan.”
“Did you just make a wang joke?”
“Maybe.”
* * * * *
They arrived back at the camp and took some dinner by the fire. Algra had stormed past everyone to take her leave in their tent. No one decided to pester her. An angry orc might literally take someone’s head off. Instead Gregory and Janette had settled down to the usual helping of meaty broth on offer from the cooking pot. It was a pleasant surprise as he got fresh, tender pork with chopped carrots and onions. He’d gotten used to chicken and beef, but it certainly made a nice change of pace.
“So you are to return to the provings?” Talina asked him as she poured a bowl from the cooking pot for Torren and then herself.
“That’s the plan.” Gregory had finished his meal just after Talina and Torren had emerged from their tent. He’d scooped Janette up to sit in his lap. She was peeling an apple for them to share for dessert and he’d been busying himself lightly teasing his lips across her earlobe.
“It is not a good one.” Talina took her bowl and jabbed a spoon into it almost spitefully.
Gregory turned his attention from nibbling on his favourite redhead to look over at Talina.
“It won’t be like it was last time. I can handle myself better, and Ulag’s proven his point. So I doubt we’re going to be set up against the wrecking machines again.”
“The Berserkers,” Talina corrected him. “They are the worst you could face, but not the only ones who are dangerous. All orcs fight for glory in the provings. They are young, and prone to excessive violence. Your new pack leaves much to be desired.”
“Come on, Ulf seems to have a good head on his shoulders. They can’t be that bad.”
“One of them doesn’t have all his limbs. One has taken too many hard knocks to the head. Two look like they’d get blown away in a stiff breeze. Then there’s Ulla, who might kill you herself before the other packs can get their fists on you. I’ve watched them fight. They are a glorious mess.”
“Well, that’s something to look forward to then.”
“You’ll get ’em.” Janette unexpectedly spoke up before popping a slice of apple between Gregory’s lips.
He blinked at her, then remembered to chew. “You’ve changed your tone.”
“What? Hey, I don’t want you going back there but if you are dead set on it then I might as well be supportive.” She leaned in and pecked his cheek with her silky lips. The touch left a pleasant tingle on his skin.
“Thanks, Jan.”
“No problemo. Just promise me that you won’t get your head knocked in again.”
That brought an unexpected laugh from him before he nodded obediently. “Alright, I promise I won’t get my head knocked in.”
“Well, since you two have decided to take leave of your senses, I’ll eat elsewhere.” Talina hopped up onto her feet and took her meal back to her tent.
They all watched after her before Torren turned back to look at Gregory, “She’s just worried about you, sir.”
“Torren, don’t call me ‘sir’. It makes me feel old.” Gregory smiled and then shifted his gaze to watch after Talina. “You should go to her.”
“When she’s in that sour a mood? Would you like to go and spend some time with Algra right now?”
Gregory glanced back to their tent where Algra was likely breaking things. He didn’t particularly want to be on the list of available things to break.
“Fair point.”
“Talina does speak the truth though, si- um,”
“Don’t call me ‘um’ either, Torren. My name’s Gregory, or Greg.”
The bulky smith nodded his apology before continuing. “I mean, the Runts are the least amongst the packs. Perhaps you should seek out another alpha to fight for?”
Gregory immediately shook his head at that idea.
“No. Ulf stuck his neck out for me. I’m not going to rub his face in the mud by asking around for better offers behind his back.”
Torren didn’t seem to have thought about it that way, and that seemed to bother him for a moment before he shrugged his massive shoulders. “Well, if you need any help then I’ll do all I can, Greg.”noveldrama
“Thanks. Now, I should really go and let them know I’m ready to rejoin them.” He gave Janette’s rump a gentle pat. She hopped up onto her feet and then pulled him close after he’d stood up.
The kiss she gave him tasted of apples and her own uniquely delicious flavour. It sizzled with a slow, deep passion. She didn’t want to let him go. When they parted, he saw a tear had spilled down her cheek. The girl was obviously more concerned than she let on. After all, the last time he’d left her to go to the proving grounds she’d nearly been left alone amongst the orcs.
“Hey, I’ll be back,” Gregory said, trying his best to channel Schwarzenegger.
Janette laughed aloud at that, mirth momentarily replacing sadness in her eyes.
“Ok, first you’re Conan and now you’re the Terminator. Make your mind up.” She sniffed and hugged him close.
He smiled and hugged her right back, only to realise that getting that close to a girl like Janette Riley gave a guy the idea to never let her go again. He felt the warm curves of her breasts pressed against his chest, the gentle embrace of her arms around his shoulders and he could still taste her on his lips. It was a hard thing to let her go, especially knowing where he was about to venture off to.
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