Page 37 of The Orc King's Bride

Now he’s done it. Attacking me is one thing. Insulting my man is another. “Is that what you think of your son, theking? That he’s so weak-willed a mere human could trick him into making her his queen?”

I know I’m pushing it, that I should probably stop before I go too far. But the words keep spilling out, fueled by my anger anda growing sense of unease. Dex isn’t here. Neither is Zephyr. I don’t even have my pocket knife for protection. Barbed words are the only weapon I have against Denari’s accusations, and I’m throwing them out with reckless abandon.

“Tell me, Elder Denari, do you think I slipped something into his drink that made his cockspikes emerge prematurely?”

The older orc’s hand shoots across the table and clamps down on my arm, his grip painfully tight. I gasp, my bravado faltering as I look into his furious face.

“Enough of your insolence!” he barks out. “We had a deal, Sloane. An heir for your freedom. You have taken things too far.”

I try to wrench my arm from his grip, but he’s holding on too tight. “If you recall, I never agreed to your so-called deal,” I remind him, my voice trembling with anger and fear. “Your son made me a better offer, one I couldn’t refuse.”

Denari stands, dragging me with him, his hand a vise around my arm. “You willneverbe queen of my kingdom.”

“It’s Dexari’s kingdom now. He’s strong and intelligent, and more than capable of making his own decisions. And he’s decided that I should rule by his side.”

I take a breath, and even more words pour out. “You think I’m not good enough? Watch me prove you wrong. I’ll be the best damn queen this orc kingdom has ever seen because I’ll work ten times harder than any orc to prove myself worthy!”

Denari looks taken aback by my outburst, but I’m not finished.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m Dexari’s perfect genetic match. But that’s not all. Your son loves me, and…” My words trail off asthe realization hits me like a thunderbolt. “And I love him, too. I love Dexari.”

Chapter 34

Dexari

My motherand I burst into the courtyard just in time to hear Sloane’s vehement declaration.

“I love Dexari.”

Her words stop me in my tracks. Yet my unbridled joy is overshadowed by my father’s angry expression and his firm grip on Sloane’s arm.

My mate loves me, and she needs my help!

I rush forward, shoving my father away with enough force to send him sprawling to the ground, and pull Sloane into my arms. Her body tenses before relaxing against me.

“You are safe now,” I tell her, holding her tight and whispering soothing words in her ear until her shaking stills.

“Denari thinks I tricked you into making me your intended queen,” she finally says, her voice choked with tears.

“My father will be punished for attacking you, I will make sure of it.”

She looks up at me with red, tear-filled eyes. “I don’t want him punished, Dex. I just want him to understand how much we mean to each other, that we’re fated mates.”

“Did you mean what you said?” I ask, praying to the gods that her words were not untruths spoken in anger.

“I did,” she says, smiling. “I love you, Dex. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first. I didn’t realize just how much I love you until I felt the need to defend our relationship to Denari.”

My heart soars at her words, and I kiss her.

My father’s gruff voice shatters the moment. “Dexari,” he snaps. “Get your head on straight. You cannot seriously consider the human female worthy of the crown. She is nothing like your mother or grandmother, or like any of the females in our lineage.”

I stiffen, pulling Sloane closer in a protective embrace as I turn to face my father. “Why not?” I challenge, letting some of my anger bleed through. “Am I not the current ruler of Ari? The one with absolute command?”

Denari scoffs. “Absolute command does not mean acting rashly without guidance. The Council of Elders—”

“The Council serves at my pleasure, Father. Any member may be replaced if they no longer respect my rule.”

Denari’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenched as he stares me down. “You would remove me from the Council for protesting this…this abominable union?”

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