Page 10 of Veil of Dreams

I stop in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest. "What were my parents' names?" I ask myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

I try to remember, but all I can see is a blur of faces and memories that don't quite fit together. I know they were kind, and that they loved me, but their names elude me.

It's as if they never existed at all.

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog that's settled over my mind. But it's no use. The more I try to remember, the more it slips away from me.

"Why can't I remember?" I ask myself, my voice trembling with frustration.

I look around the garden, searching for answers that aren't there. The other maids are still working, their laughter and chatter filling the air. But it all seems so distant, so unimportant.

All I can think about is the gaping hole in my memory.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. But it's no use. My mind is racing, and I can't seem to focus on anything else.

"Who am I?" I ask myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

I know that I'm a servant, born of a servant, born of a servant. Generations of my family have served the Master, all of whom chose to stay and take advantage of his kindness.

But who is the Master? And why can't I remember anything about my life before I came to work for him?

I feel a sudden sense of panic rising up inside of me. I don't know who I am or where I come from. All I know is that I'm trapped in this manor, serving a Master who I can't even remember meeting.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. But it's no use. The panic is too strong, and I can feel myself starting to hyperventilate.

I need to get out of here. I need to find answers.

9

GORTHAK

"She knows my name."

I can't shake off the remnants of that dream, as if I've been wide awake all night. The human woman's voice still echoes in my mind, calling out my name. It's bizarre; I've never laid eyes on her before. How the hell does she know who I am?

That crazy orc woman might've been onto something. These dreams, they're more than just dreams. They've got to be visions, sent by some higher power. But why me? And why this human woman?

Could it be possible that she's my mate?

I can't get her out of my head. The way her eyes sparkled with defiance, even in the face of captivity. The way her fiery red hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her delicate features. And her lips... Gods, those lips. Full and pink, like ripe fruit begging to be tasted.

I remember the way she looked at me, with a mix of fear and curiosity. But there was something else in her gaze, something that made my heart race and my cock twitch. It was desire, pure and unadulterated. I could see it in the way her pupils dilated, in the way her breath hitched when I got close.

And when she said my name... fuck. It was like a jolt of electricity running through my body. The sound of her voice was intoxicating, like a siren's song luring me in. I wanted to hear it again and again, to lose myself in the sweet sound of her calling out to me.

I wanted to free her from that cage, to take her away from that dark and twisted place. I wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from harm. But most of all, I wanted to claim her as my own. To make her mine, in every sense of the word.

The thought of it makes my cock throb with need. I can almost taste her, sweet and tangy like a ripe peach—like I've tasted her before. I want to devour her, to consume her until there's nothing left but the two of us, lost in our own world.

But then again, dreams are just dreams, right? Maybe I'm just losing my mind, listening to the nonsense of a mad woman.

I shake my head, trying to clear the haze, but it's no use. The storm outside is growing fiercer, the wind howling like a pack of starving wolves. I struggle to my feet, my legs unsteady. The boat rocks violently, and I crash into the wall, my battle-axe clattering to the floor. I steady myself, my grip tightening around the handle of my weapon. Whatever this is, I need to figure it out. And fast.

Shoving aside the lingering thoughts of the mysterious woman's words, I dash out of my cabin, my heart thundering in my chest. The deck, slick with rain, forces me to tread carefully as waves batter the boat's sides. My crew, faces ashen with fear, scrambles to secure the lines.

"Gorthak!" Kogan's voice pierces the storm's roar, just barely. "We need you!"

With a curt nod, I concentrate on the task at hand, snatching a rope and pulling with all my might. My muscles strain under the force, but I refuse to relent. The wind's relentless fury tugsat my clothes and sends my dreads whipping into my face. But I can't afford to falter, not when my crew relies on me.