Page 113 of The Orc's Captive Bride
He’d been fighting that recognition since the moment he’d first seen her at the stone circle, naked and furious and completely unafraid despite being faced with an orc warrior twice her size.
He’d spent decades suppressing his Beast, controlling its urges, and channeling its strength into violence sanctioned by Lasseran.
But this was different. She was different.
And now that he’d severed his loyalty to the High King, now that he’d chosen her over everything he’d ever known, his Beast was harder to contain.
Claim. Mark.
He settled against the cave wall, close enough to touch her if needed, but far enough to maintain the illusion of distance. His body ached, his muscles protesting the brutal pace he’d set, but he ignored it. Pain was familiar. Manageable.
What he couldn’t manage was the feeling of being utterly untethered. For as long as he could remember, he’d had a purpose. Lasseran had raised him from childhood, trained him and shaped into his perfect weapon. Absolute loyalty to the High King had been the foundation of his entire existence, and now that foundation was gone. Shattered the moment he’d chosen to protect Thea instead of delivering her to Lasseran’s mercy.
This is what freedom feels like.
Terrifying.
Exhilarating.
Completely foreign.
He’d never made his own choices before. Every decision had been filtered through the lens of what Lasseran would want. What would serve the High King’s interests. Now he was adrift in a world with no guidance. It was just the two of them and the desperate hope that he could keep her alive long enough to see whatever plan she was formulating come to fruition.
He watched her sleep. Watched the way her auburn hair spread across the stone. The way her glasses had slipped down her nose. The way her hand curled near her face like she was protecting something precious even in sleep.
She’s my anchor.The only thing he had to hold on to now. But what if she wanted to leave him?
He leaned his head back against the stone. Let his eyes drift half-closed while keeping his senses alert for any sign of pursuit. The hours crawled past. Dawn came fully. Grey light filtering through the vines covering the cave entrance.
Birds started singing and small creatures rustled in the underbrush outside. There was no indication that anyone was searching for them. Yet. Lasseran wouldn’t give up. Wouldn’t accept the betrayal without response. He would send people after them and Khorrek had to make sure they stayed ahead of the pursuit long enough for Thea to complete her research.
And then what?
He didn’t know. All he knew was that he would protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it meant facing every warrior Lasseran sent after them. Even if it meant his own death. Because she mattered to him. More than loyalty. More than duty.More than my own life.
Thea stirred, whimpering in her sleep and he tensed, ready to wake her if she was having a nightmare. Instead she simply shifted closer to where he sat. Unconsciously seeking his warmth just as she’d done on the trail.
His Beast practically purred.
She wants us. She trusts us.
Slowly, carefully, he shifted his position and gathered her into his arms, letting her head rest against his chest. She settled immediately, her body relaxing against him. He’d never had this—the simple comfort of holding someone who mattered.
He held her as the morning passed, listening to the sounds of the forest waking around them, and for the first time in his life, felt something that might have been peace.
It was well after noon before she woke. He felt the moment consciousness returned, felt her tense fractionally as she remembered where she was, and then she relaxed and tilted her head back to look up at him.
And smiled.
“Hi.”
His throat tightened. “Hi yourself.”
“How long was I asleep?”
“Most of the day.”
“You should have woken me. We need to keep moving.”
