Page 91 of Simon

“It’s absolutely fascinating,” Father continued. “I cannot wait to explore it further.”

I cleared my throat and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “It was the same with the human females who had bonded with their mates. They became stronger and could hear and smell better. They don’t turn green though, they don’t turn into orc females.”

“Interesting,” he said and wrote it down. “They are not green in the slightest?”

I shook my head. “No, but they give birth to full-blooded orclings. They don’t look human at all.”

Father tapped his pencil to his lips. “I would, very much, like to know how they procreate because of the size difference.”

“Magic come,” I muttered.

Father raised his head from the book and hummed. “What was that?”

I shook my head. I was not going to talk about magic come with my father. That was my hard limit.

Yet, riding your sleeping mate was not a limit.

I groaned and put my head between my knees. I was going to be sick. What had this world done to me?

Father stepped over to me and kneeled. His hand rubbed over my back until he felt the soft leather of the outfit I wore. “This is wonderful. Did your mate make you this? Does he feel you should wear what he offers you?”

“Father, I—”

Father cleared his throat and sat beside me. He closed the book with a loud thump and played with his beard. “I’m sorry, that was out of line. I will not make my daughter into a study. I want you to be happy, Lucy. That was my one wish when we came here, that you would find someone worthy of you. I was hoping for a prince or a warrior of some kind. Living in these woods, with so many dangerous creatures, was not ideal.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“For safety purposes,” he corrected. “But I believe the goddess knows what she is doing.”

My eyes widened. A man who craved nothing but scientific proof for everything, never believed in any religion, a higher power or life after death, is now contemplating that the gods were real. No, correction! He believes theyarereal.

Father hung his head. “I have done you a disservice, Lucy. For that, I am sorry. This place, the bond I have found, are all unexplainable, but I know it to be true.”

Chapter Thirty

Simon

Istraightenedmyposture,feelinga surge of newfound determination coursing through me. I had finally regained full control over my body since the moment of poisoning. Inhaling deeply, I tried to sniff out my mate’s scent lingering in the air. My nose twitched and flared.

My mate wasn’t here. She hadn’t been here in some time, either. The air was absent of her scent, and I hadn’t heard from her in some time.

I moved my legs, kicking the stiffness away until I stood on both hooves.

“She was foolish. She should have waited,” Thorn said from outside. He stomped closer toward the tent. “He’s still out. What kind of male is he if he’s been out for three days?”

My ears perked up, and I narrowed my eyes.

I was a half of his size. How dare he? And what does he mean by she should have waited?

I burst out of the shelter, my hooves skidding on the damp moss, threatening to send me tumbling. The sound of Thorn’s knife scraping against the wooden brick filled the silence as I locked eyes with him. Ellie stood by his side, her hand resting on his shoulder, a concerned expression etched on her face.

“Simon, you’re up,” Ellie said and stepped around Thorn. “Lucy will be so happy to see you—”

“Where is she?” I snapped.

Ellie’s gaze lowered to my pouch, and Thorn stood up to hide his mate. “Can you put that fucking thing away? I don’t need my female seeing your tiny shaft.”

I growled. “If it is so tiny, then why do you care if she sees it? I bet it is larger than yours!”

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