Page 66 of Simon

We weren’t mates.

Once I spoke to Ellie, a human who had found love in an orc who was her mate, I thought I would feel better about all of this. Simon would have to see reason and then take me back to the party where my father still waits.

I had a sliver of hope we were meant to be together, but my mind wouldn’t let this go. When people got married, it was because they had similar interests, they got along, they wanted the same things, and even those sometimes failed.

Mates, those partnerships didn’t fail, from what I gathered. All because a goddess said you were meant to be? It was hard for me to process.

The light sources had faded just above the trees. Darkness had fallen, and there was a chill in the air. Simon noticed, and with one swoop of his arms, and had me wrapped in one of those leaves that had the bright white cotton attached from the large sack he had been carrying.

Like a soft Lucy burrito.

I’d protested, saying I was a big girl and I could handle walking with the blanket, but he came up with an excuse I couldn’tignore. “My female will not be getting sick again. The goddess will punish me, and you may never accept our bond.”

Cue the swoon.

I was going to eat all of this up and remember it until I passed from this Bergarian plane if he wasn’t truly mine.

In the last leg of our journey, our eyes were greeted by the mesmerizing sight of a vibrant fire dancing amidst the dense foliage. The deafening crackling of the flames echoed through the air, while the tantalizing aroma of sizzling meat wafted towards us, igniting a hunger that rumbled deep within my stomach. Desperately, I tried to conceal the growls, lest they betray my voracious appetite.

There was a log cabin sitting peacefully at the center of the clearing, its moss-covered roof blending in with the surrounding trees and vegetation. Meat hung around the porch, for later consumption, swaying in the gentle breeze. Someone had stretched furs on wooden frames to dry slowly in the warmth from the light sources. Vibrant flowers of all colors bloomed around the cabin, adding a pop of color to the otherwise earthy tones of the woods. It gave it a lady’s touch.

It looked like a peaceful paradise in the middle of the Wood.

When I gazed over at the fire, a large hulking orc stood by it, throwing more logs into the flames. Someone had erected a spit with a wild boar turning and roasting on it. Laughter reached our ears, along with the playful screams of a child. Immediately, I nudged Simon to put me down so we could go greet them but he held me tighter and pulled us away.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t this Ellie and Thorn? The ones we can ask about the witch?”

Simon's facial features hardened. “I’ve never spoken with them. I don’t know how Thorn will react when we enter his territory,” Simon muttered under his breath.

Orcs were very selective about who entered their domain. I was surprised we hadn’t been noticed already for how territorial they could be.

“I can announce us. Surely he won’t mind another human.”

Simon backed away from the clearing. “We should wait until dawn.”

I huffed and crossed my arms. That meat smelled too good, and waiting until dawn when I wanted answers was not happening. So, I yelled, “Hey! I’m a human! I mean no harm!”

Simon slammed his hand over my mouth and growled. “You don’t startle an orc, Lucy.”

Immediately, Thorn stopped what he was doing and grabbed a giant club. Ellie held their child tighter. The tiny orc gazed in our direction, and I could see the pretty green face filled with rage.

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea.

Thorn stomped over. His feet made the ground tremble. I grabbed a limb to keep Simon from running away, and within seconds, a towering orc appeared, looming over us.

I could see the similarities between Sugha and Thorn. The nose for one, and how his tusks were pointed. There was a difference, though, and that was the large frown on his face, while Sugha always smiled.

Thorn took in a large breath. His nose flared as he towered over us. “I can’t smell you and didn’t hear you approach. Who the—”

“I’m Lucy!” I interrupted. “Sugha is your brother, correct?”

Simon let out a low, rumbling growl. With a gentle touch, he carefully set me back on the ground. Taking a defensive posture, he positioned himself in front of me, his strong presence radiating a sense of protection. “Back away from my female.”

Oh, that was hot!

Thorn’s expression softened and backed up. “You’re Valpar’s female’s pet.”

Simon let out a bleat of annoyance. “I am not—”

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