Page 161 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“I’ll protect her,” he said instead. “Whatever it takes.”
“I know. I can see it in every move you make. Every glance towards her.” Baralt’s smile returned. “That’s what makes you dangerous, orc. You’re not fighting for glory or duty. You’re fighting for love. And that makes you unstoppable.”
After the training ended he went to join Thea. She looked up as he approached and gave him a warm smile.
Mine. Beautiful. Safe.
His Beast purred with satisfaction.
“Finish showing off?” she teased.
“I was training.”
“You were definitely showing off.” Lyric’s grin was knowing. “Very impressive, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
Egon snorted from across the fire. “Don’t encourage him. His ego’s already large enough.”
“Says the male who spent an hour demonstrating advanced blade techniques yesterday.” Lyric’s said dryly, her tone affectionate.
“That was educational.”
“Sure it was.”
Their easy banter was the kind of comfortable teasing that came from genuine affection.
He’d never experienced anything like it. He’d never seen relationships that weren’t based on power dynamics and manipulation. But watching Egon and Lyric showed him what a true partnership should be.
He settled beside Thea and let her lean against his shoulder.
“Learn anything interesting?” he asked.
“So much.” Her voice vibrated with excitement. “Jaella was telling us about the old ways. Before the kingdoms became separate. When magic flowed freely and the balance was maintained.”
“The golden age,” Jaella said. Her voice was like aged whiskey, smooth and rich. “Before greed and pride corrupted what should have been sacred.”
“What happened?” he asked.
“What always happens. Someone wanted more. Wanted power over others rather than power shared.” Jaella’s silver eyes reflected the firelight, ancient and knowing. “The High Kings were meant to be mediators. Servants of balance. But generation by generation, they claimed more. Took more. Until the balance shattered.”
“And the Beast Curse was part of that,” Thea said. It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. It was meant to be a blessing. A gift of strength and longevity in exchange for service and protection. But when the balance broke?” Jaella shook her head. “The blessing became a curse, twisted and corrupted.”
“Can it be fixed?” he heard himself ask.
“That’s what your mate will determine tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.
The word hung heavy in the air.
They’d spotted the Stone Circle at midday, the stones rising from the grasslands like ancient sentinels.
The same circle where he’d first found Thea, changing his life forever.
They’d made camp a short distance away—close enough to reach easily and far enough to avoid whatever power still lingered in those stones. And tomorrow, Thea would attempt the first part of the ritual.
