Page 1 of The Orc's Bonded Bride

CHAPTER 1

“Going somewhere?”

Egon froze at the sound of his brother’s voice, gripping the worn leather straps of his travel pack. He’d deliberately waited until the moon was high, when the village had settled into darkness and silence. Apparently not silent enough.

“I told you I was planning on leaving for a while—to see what I could find out about Lasseran’s plans,” he muttered, shooting a glance at Wulf from the corner of his eye.

His brother leaned against the doorframe, but his expression was nowhere near as casual as his pose.

“That was almost two months ago, when Lothar first returned with Jana.”

Lothar’s mate Jana had needed time to adjust to the village and his cottage on the outskirts of the village had seemed like the perfect solution. His jaw tightened, his tusks pressing uncomfortably against his lower lip. He secured the final bucklewith more force than necessary, the metal clasp snapping loudly in the quiet cottage.

“And I had every intention of leaving, but you kept finding tasks for me to do.”

“I needed you—I still do.” Wulf sighed, the weight of his position as clan leader clear on his face. “You’re the best trainer we have.”

He shrugged, uncomfortable both with the praise and the knowledge of how he’d acquired his skills. His years in the fight pit and then as a mercenary had left more than the physical scars which covered his body.

“I didn’t have much of a choice.”

Wulf’s face tightened, and he nodded. Their father had had a short passionate affair with Egon’s mother during his service in Lasseran’s army and had returned to Norhaven unaware that she was pregnant. Egon’s mother had managed to keep him out of Lasseran’s clutches but she’d died when he was young, and his life had been harsh and unpleasant until he’d finally found his way to Norhaven and discovered his brothers.

Neither of them liked to talk about that part of his past, but the knowledge of it lingered. Wulf and Lothar had welcomed him with open arms, but a part of him had always felt unworthy of their acceptance.

“The clan doesn’t need me here now,” he said finally, turning to face Wulf. “You have things well in hand.”

Wulf crossed his arms, his stance wide and unmovable. “Is that what you tell yourself to make running away easier?”

“I’m not running,” he growled, slinging his pack over his shoulder.

“No? What would you call it then?”

“Hunting. Investigating.”

“Alone? Without telling anyone?” Wulf gave him a steady look. “Without telling me?”

Something twisted in his chest. The bond between them, forged late in life but no less strong for it, pulled at him. Still, he looked away.

“I left a note.”

“A note.” Wulf’s laugh held no humor. “Like we’re strangers.”

“What do you want from me?” he growled again, his patience fraying. The night air sweeping in through the open door suddenly felt too close, too warm.

“The truth would be a start.”

He looked out at the distant tree line. The forest beckoned with its promise of solitude, of purpose uncomplicated by the tangled mess of belonging.

“You know we need more information about Lasseran’s plans. I should have tracked Khorrek while the trail was still fresh.” Khorrek was an orc loyal to High King Lasseran who had made his way into Norhaven, reaching Port Cael as part of a plot against Queen Jessamin. He’d almost abducted Jana before Lothar had found her.

Wulf stepped closer, close enough that he could see the concern etched in the lines around his brother’s eyes. “And that someone has to be you?”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t your responsibility, Egon.” Wulf’s hand landed on his shoulder, warm and heavy. “You don’t have to carry every burden alone.”

How could he explain that the burdens were all he knew? That they defined him in ways his brothers would never understand?

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