Page 55 of Bound to the Orc Hunter

I grunt, unwilling to admit she has a point. I get my enthusiastic nature from my mother. It usually works, but there are some people who find our approach… a bit much.

“Your bride obviously wanted time alone.” My friend bats me with her horn. “You should respect that.”

Grinding my teeth, I growl, then offer her a quick nod.

And thank the goddess for good friends, because what I hear next is my bride laugh at something Rune says.

My shoulders drop in relief.

When she returns, she carries a new creation, a pink feline made of a glossy material.

“What is it?” I ask eagerly. What has her amazing magic made this time?

One side of her wide mouth ticks up in a wry smile. “Nothing to get excited about. It’s just a toy.” She does something to the cat’s tail, and tiny transparent globes pour from its mouth, floating as if they weigh no more than dandelion fluff.

“It will delight the pups,” Rune says. “And after being terrified for weeks, bringing them delight is the opposite of nothing.”

I nod and meet my moon bound’s beautiful blue eyes. “He speaks true. Look at the joy the Ferris wheel brought to the pixies and nymphs.”

“You really mean that?” She searches my face.

“Of course I do.”

The smile she offers me this time is full and wide and makes my heart sing.

I wish I knew what troubled her, but perhaps it was a momentary thing, because things seem well enough when we ride off, her body relaxing back into my arms.

Dinner is pheasant with sautéed fiddleheads and mushrooms, and I feel proud to provide my bride with a proper meal even though we travel far from the comforts of home. Travel rations and foraging never bother me when I’m on hunting trips by myself, but I want only the best for her.

“I’m sorry I carry no spices other than salt,” I say, shooting Aurora a teasing look. “I try to minimize how many ‘things’ I make my friend carry.”

“Bah.” She whinnies with amusement. “As if a bag of dried leaves would be noticeable compared to your bulk, you big lummox.”

We found a glen wide enough to have a decent patch of grass in its center, and she returns to eating. Traveling hard for days on end doesn’t provide much grazing time, and unicorns are so large they need to eat a lot. She’s lost some weight on this trip, running hard to get me to my bride, and even her innate healing magic can only do so much if she doesn’t get more food.

“It’s fine, really,” Grace says, setting down the drumstick she’s cleaned to the bone. “In fact, it’s kind of nice to eat real food. I’d kind of forgotten what that tastes like.”

A frown creases my brow. “Humans eat food that isn’t real? What’s it made out of?”

“Chemicals.”

I try to sound out the unfamiliar word, but it still means nothing. I shake my head.

“Stuff like artificial flavors, artificial colors, and MSG.”

“It sounds dreadful,” Rune says, looking up from where he eats his own bird on the far side of the fire.

“It’s not all bad.” She grins and takes a drink of water. “I’d sure kill for a Coke.”

“Coke?” I ask. Is this something I can get for her?

“It’s a drink with caffeine and sugar.”

“I thought that was coffee.” The other witcheslovethe vile concoction Olivia conjures, demanding it from her every morning.

“It’s like coffee but less intense and sweeter.” My moon bound makes a face. “I don’t really like coffee. It’s too bitter.”

I grin flirtatiously. “I should have known you’re far too sweet for such a bitter brew.”

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