Rhazien the Orc: Part Two (special preview)

The growl of thunder woke you from an already tentative sleep. The rain had been threatening all day, and now, it was pattering away. You waited for a flash of lightning, and you would count down the seconds until thunder came snarling behind it. Once you knew how far away the storm was, you began plotting what to do come morning. You and your people had been moving further into the mountains since the arrival of Demir was announced. You figured that hiding near Grattertock would protect you, as you and your people refused to bow to this centaur warlord.

Stepping out of your tent, you saw that the early morning was hidden behind layers of gray. The rain was falling, picking up speed with each second. That’s when you saw him emerge from his own tent, bending over to rise and stand in the dirt before you. Your stomach clenched and you stared hard at him through the rain.

Rhazien and his clan had joined along with yours. It was a cautious truce the two of you held, but it was one made out of concern. Your people were not used to the rugged mountain terrain, and Rhazien’s clan had split over the decision to run from Demir. With their numbers dwindled, they had no choice but to accept help from you and the other elves in keeping their freedom.

His eyes narrowed upon you, and even through the rain the sharp glint of them reached you. He knew what you looked like naked, and you saw him drinking in that memory like fine wine everytime he gazed at you. Part of you liked the thrill it brought up inside you. Your battle had all been part of this union, but it hadn’t happened again since going into the mountains. Your heart throbbed at the sight of him, your mouth went dry, and you looked him up and down to assure him you weren’t bothered.

“If it storms today, we won’t be able to move,” Rhazien stated. “We will have to camp here again, unless you wish to take on these dangerous pathways wet.”

Something sounded salacious about the way he said that. You breathed out slowly while the rain dribbled down your skin. “Your point?”

A smirk grew on Rhazien’s lips and he crossed the muddy path between your tents. He stood before you, towering over you. You hated that, but you knew how hard he could fall. It was that thought that made you smile in return.

“Either decision is undesirable. We either have to wait here for a day, lose time, and risk being found. Or, we risk the horrible conditions a storm can bring to a mountain pass. Your call, princess.”

You looked him from toe to the tip of his ears again. “Since when is it my decision? You and your clan have never taken a liking to it before.”

Rhazien chuckled and bowed his head down closer towards you. “It’s fun to see you squirm.”

A grimace replaced your smile. “I know where you’re softest, Rhazien,” you spoke through gnashed teeth. “Don’t get me started.”

“I know how to do that too,” he laughed. “Not to worry. I plan on keeping my promise to you, princess.” He touched your braid and flipped it back over your shoulder. His eyes lingered there where your tunic fell off your shoulder. It was there that you had a scar from your previous encounter. His hand smoothed down along the skin and his thumb rubbed against the scar. You watched his palm closely, glaring at it while also knowing the strength of his grip, the roughness of his palms, and how that made your skin tingle with the excitement of combat and heat.

You grabbed hold of his wrist and removed his hand from your body. “You’re not a young man, Rhazien,” you taunted. “Don’t be thinking like one with your brain in your cock.” You threw his hand aside and he began to laugh.

“You know how well I think with it first hand, princess.” He licked the side of his tusk as he looked at you.

You rolled your eyes. “Ancient history. So what’s it going to be? Do we risk moving? Or do we risk staying another night?”

Rhazien’s brows pinched. “Oh no, I’m leaving this decision to you.”

“I don’t trust that.”

Rhazien leaned his head back and cracked his neck to the left, then cracked it again to the right. “No, of course you don’t. That would be too easy.” He sighed, crossing his arms against his big chest. “What don’t you trust?”

“Whatever decision I make, you’ll use it against me. Your clan will continue to taunt mine, and you will take far too much pleasure in that. We may have an alliance, Rhazien, but you sure aren’t trying to act like a leader.”

His glare burrowed into you as if he was trying to set you on fire. You give it right back, not afraid of his anger, nor of how he could act.

“You think you can take your father’s place?” You hiss at him. “One thing's for certain, much like your father, you fall just as hard as he did when my father-”

Rhazzien grabbed you around the mouth. His palm squeezed down tightly and you grabbed hold of his wrist to fight back. “I think we both know that you shouldn’t finish that sentence, princess. This journey has been long and hard on all of us. Of course we’re unhappy and uncomfortable. But what have you done to assure my clan that you won’t turn your back on us once you get what you want?”