Page 181 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“You live! Both of you!”
“We do.” Khorrek sounded as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself.
Egon appeared next, then Lyric, both looking relieved.
“The ritual?” Lyric asked anxiously.
“Complete.” She felt the truth of it, deep in her bones. “The first step is done.”
Lyric’s eyes widened and filled with tears.
“You did it. You really did it.”
“We both did.” She squeezed Khorrek’s hand. “Neither of us could have succeeded alone.”
Jaella pushed through the crowd, moving with quiet authority. She studied them both, her gaze sharp and assessing. Then she smiled.
“The goddess chose well. You have her blessing. Her power.”
“What does that mean?” Khorrek asked, his voice edged with worry.
“It means the balance has shifted. The scales tip toward restoration instead of destruction.” Jaella turned to Thea. “You carry Freya’s will now. She’ll guide you through the final steps.”
“The final steps.” Thea took a breath. “In Kel’Vara.”
“Yes. When the Blood Moon rises. Four nights from now.”
Four nights. That’s all the time we have.
“Then we need to leave. Now.” Khorrek’s voice had gone hard and determined.
“Agreed.” Baralt stepped forward. “I’m coming with you. So are Torvald, Riska, and Maren.”
He gestured to three other warriors who nodded eagerly.
“You don’t have to—” she started.
“We do,” Baralt said fiercely. “Lasseran wants to enslave the orcs and use them against all of us. If you’re going to stop him, you need warriors at your back.”
“He’s right.” Egon moved to stand beside Khorrek. “I’m coming too.”
“And me.” Lyric’s voice was quiet but absolute.
“No.” Egon turned to her. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk?—”
“I’m going.” She met his eyes steadily. “The prophecy spoke of me. I have a role to play. You can’t protect me from my own destiny.”
The words hung heavy between them. Finally Egon nodded, resignation and pride warring on his face.
“Then we go together.”
Jaella raised her hands, calling for attention.
“The rest of us will remain here. Hold the circle. Keep it cleansed. When the Blood Moon rises, we’ll add our strength to yours. All the People will focus their will on your success.”
“Thank you.” She felt the weight of their trust, their hope.
I can’t fail them. Too many lives depend on this.
