Page 87 of Simon

“Do you think he will wake up today?” I asked, as I helped Ellie clean some dishes from lunch by the fire. Thorn had set up a washing basin outside and put coals underneath so Kiah could take a bath.

He was the happiest baby I had ever seen, screaming and roaring just like any other orc.

Ellie shrugged her shoulders. “Good question, it’s almost been a few days. What do you think, Sugar Tits?”

Thorn’s head leaned back, and groaned. “Not in front of a guest, Ellie.”

Ellie winked at me and threw another toy into the giant tub for Kiah.

“Any time, I’d say. In fact, I bet he is lying there waiting for you to fuck him while he sleeps.”

I gasped.

Thorn chuckled and shook his head. “You said he’s been moving his arms? Has he spoken at all?” Thorn asked.

“Nope, but he had a hard time speaking when he was first learning, and that was only a week and a half ago. I wouldn’t expect him to get his voice back so quickly.”

Thorn straightened his posture, the crisp scent of pine filling his nostrils as he inhaled deeply. His forehead creased in concentration as he ventured through the clearing on the otherside, the soft crunch of leaves beneath his feet echoing in the stillness.

“What is it?” I asked, standing.

Ellie grabbed a towel and pulled Kiah out of the tub. “Smells like wolves. Shifters. They don’t often come this far into the Wood.”

I jogged over to Thorn. If they were wolves, they would have to be from my group.

“What do you want?” Thorn roared. His posture was intimidating toward the shifters that stood on the other side as they shivered, which I presumed was from fear. I recognized them instantly and jumped in front of the massive orc.

“Hey, guys!”

Dutton looked away from Thorn’s imposing stance and let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank the goddess you are here.” He ran his hand through his hair. “We have been looking everywhere for you.”

I blinked several times and looked up at Thorn. “What do you mean? Sugha was supposed to tell you I was okay?”

Dutton shook his head. The other wolf was shaking, looking like he was about to pee himself, staring up at Thorn.

So much for the best warriors of the kingdom.

“No, it’s not that.” Dutton coughed. “It’s your father, he’s here, he was waiting to see you, but—”

Dutton and the wolf stared at each other.

“But what?” I stepped into the trees, grabbed his arm, and pulled him toward me.

“Your father fell into a deep sleep, and we can’t wake him up.” Dutton choked on his words.

I stood frozen, my mouth hanging open. “What do you mean, he fell asleep? I need more information,” I demanded.

I could not get upset, not yet. He may have had too much bourbon. He could have just been exhausted. That was a lot oftraveling coming here, and now being in the Wood and all, it could have been overwhelming.

“He went to sleep one night and then didn’t get up!” Dutton explained. “It’s been two days. Humans don’t sleep that long, do they?”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. “Is he pale? Hot to the touch? Is he sweating? I need more, Dutton,” my voice rose.

Dutton stuttered and stepped back, not from Thorn, but from me. My hand voluntarily moved toward Dutton, and I couldn’t stop.

“No fever, no sweating, his skin looks fine, in fact, it is different…” Dutton paused and rubbed his hand up and down his arm. “Texture! Yes, that’s it. Texture.”

Different texture? What the hell does that mean?

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