Page 130 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“He saved your life, Ulric,” Jessamin said softly, but Khorrek shook his head.
“Because you saved me from the flames. There is no debt between us.”
“We told you that you would be welcome in Norhaven,” she added, ignoring his denial. “Didn’t we?”
“You said I would be welcome,” he admitted. “If I ever needed sanctuary.”
“And you believed me?”
“I… hoped I could believe you. And we didn’t have anywhere else to go. Lasseran wants my mate dead. He wants the knowledge she carries destroyed so no one can undo what he’s done. Norhaven was the only place that might stand against him. The only place that might protect her while she works.”
Jessamin’s expression softened. “You came here for her. Not for yourself.”
“I would go anywhere for her. Do anything to keep her safe.”
“Even face warriors who might kill you on sight?”
“Yes.”
The king’s expression softened as he looked at his queen. When his gaze returned to Khorrek, it was thoughtful rather than angry.
“You betrayed your master because of your mate.”
“Yes. But I also betrayed a master who never valued me as anything more than a tool,” he said bitterly. “Lasseran doesn’t see orcs as people. We’re weapons to him. Disposable. And when Thea decoded the texts and I understood the extent of what he was planning—” He met Ulric’s gaze. “I couldn’t be part of that. Couldn’t help him enslave my… brothers.”
“So you brought us intelligence about his plans.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re willing to help us fight him.”
Khorrek’s jaw set. “Whatever it takes. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him.”
Ulric nodded slowly. “Then you’re welcome here. Both of you.” He paused. “But know this. If you betray us—if this is some elaborate deception—I will kill you myself. Slowly and painfully. Mate bond or not. Understood?”
“Understood.” Khorrek’s voice was steady. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
We’re safe. We’re actually safe.
Relief made her dizzy, and she grabbed the table’s edge for support.
Lyric took her other hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “You’re safe now. We’ll figure this out together.”
Together.Such a simple word with such an enormous weight.
Thea looked at the scrolls spread before them. At Lyric’s eager expression. At Khorrek standing tall despite his fear. At Ulric and Jessamin and Egon—all of them willing to listen. Willing to help.
Maybe we actually have a chance. Maybe this isn’t hopeless after all.
She adjusted her glasses and focused on the scrolls.
Time to get to work. Because the full moon was coming.
And with it, Lasseran’s final move.
They had to be ready.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
