Page 143 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“I know how it sounds.” Lyric twisted her hands together. “I’m a gardener. A beekeeper. I’m not… I don’t have visions or prophecies or whatever people expect.”
“But?” Jessamin prompted gently.
“But I dream. And I know things—things I shouldn’t know. Like knowing that Ulric needed to return to you.”
“The Old Gods chose their champions carefully,” Ulric said slowly. “The prophecies speak of vessels through whom the gods work their will.”
“I’m not a prophet,” Lyric said firmly.
“Maybe not. But you’re something.” Ulric’s gaze shifted to Thea and her throat went dry. “Both of you are.”
No. I’m a scholar. A linguist. I deal in facts and evidence and provable theories.
But even as the thought formed, that strange certainty pulsed through her. That knowledge that had nothing to do with research.
She’d been having dreams too, dreams that felt like memories, like someone else’s knowledge bleeding into her consciousness. She’d dreamed of ancient ceremonies and magic flowing like water. Of balance and harmony and power used for creation instead of destruction. And when she woke, she knew things.
Something is using me. Working through me.
The realization should have terrified her, but instead it felt… right.
“We’re going,” Lyric said, looking at Egon. “All four of us. To the stone circle and then to Kel’Vara.”
“I hate this plan,” Egon said flatly.
“I know.”
“It’s dangerous, and it’s likely to get us all killed.”
“Yes.”
“But you’re absolutely certain?”
“As certain as I’ve ever been about anything.”
Egon stared at her for a long moment before his scarred face shifted into something that might have been resignation. Or acceptance. Or both.
He sighed and turned to Khorrek.
“I’m glad you’ll be there.”
Khorrek went very still and she felt him tense under her hands.
“You are?”
“You know Kel’Vara and you know Lasseran’s defenses.” Egon’s voice was steady. “And you’re a better warrior than I am.”
“That’s not?—”
“It is. Don’t argue.” Egon’s mouth curved slightly. “Besides, someone needs to watch your back and make sure you don’t do anything stupid trying to protect your mate.”
Khorrek made a sound. Half laugh, half growl. “That’s your job too.”
“Exactly. We’ll keep each other honest.”
She watched the exchange and saw pride and pleasure and gratitude flicker across Khorrek’s fierce features.
Brotherhood. He’s finding brotherhood.
